Members of Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union will soon be able to open deposit accounts and apply for loans over the phone thanks to its merger partner Space Coast Credit Union.

Eastern Financial, a division of $3.2 billion Space Coast in Melbourne, Fla., rolled out Express Services in August. In addition to new account and loan applications, the service will soon allow consumers to apply for membership and credit cards via the phone. Over the next few months, Eastern Financial members will also be able open regular rate certificates of deposits and apply for a first mortgage. The credit union said the phone service will not allow the opening of individual retirement accounts or special rate CDs. Space Coast has been offering Express Services for more than 10 years to its members.

The Miramar, Fla.-based Eastern Financial said the new offering reduces the average wait time to speak with a representative in the branch from 30-45 minutes to less than 30 seconds. With Express Services, the average time to take a car loan application is eight minutes and 10 minutes to provide a decision. To open a new checking account, the average time is four minutes and six minutes to process a new membership application.

In June, Space Coast and Eastern Financial received the green light to merge. NCUA placed Eastern Financial in conservatorship in April and appointed Space Coast to assume operations of the credit union.