The $1.8 billion Grow Financial Federal Credit Union isexpanding from Florida into South Carolina.

The 156,000-member Tampa-based credit union said this week thatit plans to open three branches in the capital city of Columbiathis year and next. Grow Financial began by serving MacDill AirForce Base and is open to all active and retired military as wellas more than 1,100 SEGs.

Columbia is home to Fort Jackson, a major Army training base,and has a large retired military population. Navy Federal moved into the market in 2010.

The Florida credit union has been executing a growth strategy inits home state that has seen it grow to 19 branches, with the20^th expected to open next month in Lakeland and the 21^st in Wesley Chapel.

Grow Financial said it plans to open 15 branches across thePalmetto State, expanding from Columbia to Greenville, home to aBMW assembly plant and other major industrial employers in theUpstate, and to Charleston, the historic port city in theLowcountry.

The credit union said it has hired two employees so far in SouthCarolina, both longtime residents of the state. Chase Clelland isvice president of operations and had been business developmentmanager for AlliedBarton, Grow Financial said. John Paul is dealerrelationship representative. The credit union said it already hasestablished some indirect lending relationships there.

“We are excited to expand our membership into SouthCarolina, and offer our products and services to an entirely newgroup of members”, says Jason Moss, Grow Financial's senior vicepresident, Delivery Channels.

“We want to be present to serve not only individual members, butalso businesses, while helping the state be proactive in theirbusiness development growth objectives,” Moss said.

“The look and feel of the new Grow Financial branches that willbe opening in Columbia will feature an innovative and refreshingalternative to traditional bank lobby designs, a contemporary colorscheme, and unique interactive technology,” the credit union said in itsannouncement.