The credit union movement in this country began in 1934, when Congress created the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This federal agency provided the legal structure and framework under which credit unions could operate.

Less than three years later, 10 employees of then fledgling Eastern Airlines affixed their signatures to a charter creating Eastern Airlines Employees Credit Union. This small organization was founded on the basic credit union philosophy of individuals pooling their financial resources for mutual benefit, not for profit.

As Eastern Airlines Employees Credit Union grew and prospered, other companies and organizations were added to the charter. To better reflect the diverse membership of more than 900 Member Companies, the Credit Union changed its name to Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union. A tradition of sound, conservative management has allowed Eastern Financial to thrive for more than half a century, and even survive the demise of Eastern Airlines, its original sponsor.

Eastern Financial is now the largest Credit Union in South Florida, and ranks among the top 35 in the nation. A full-service financial institution with over $2 billion in assets and 204,000 Members nationwide, Eastern Financial still acknowledges the common bond and ideals it shares with credit unions worldwide: not for profit, but for service.

As YOUR Credit Union, it is our goal to serve you with the quality service you deserve. All of our employees are required to go through extensive member service training, helping them to become better attuned to your needs.

And the hard work pays off: In regular surveys, 98% of members say they would recommend us to eligible friends and family members.

Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, based in Miramar, Florida, is the largest Credit Union in South Florida and the third largest in Florida with $2 billion in assets. It has 22 branches in South Florida and the Tampa Bay region, serves approximately 1000 member companies and provides financial services to more than 206,000 individual members. The company offers a full-range of financial services to individuals and businesses. Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union was founded in 1937 as the original credit union for Eastern Airlines employees. In 2002, it changed its charter to allow membership by anyone who lives or works in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Pinellas, or Hillsborough counties.

From across the street or across the world, you can access your Eastern Financial accounts using our convenient electronic banking services:

• MoneyPlus Debit Card- the Electronic Check.TM Use your MoneyPlus card to make purchases anywhere MasterCard is accepted.
  
• Eastern Online - Pay your bills, access any accounts, or apply for a loan from the comfort of any personal computer 24 hours a day. Online
• Banking Demo
  Branch & ATM - Visit us at one of our branch locations or access your account at more than 600,000 ATMs worldwide.
  
• Bank-By-Phone- Access your accounts using any touch tone telephone, 24 hours a day.
  
• Direct Deposit - When you sign up for Direct Deposit you get immediate access to your funds. Deposits are made for you electronically, automatically and safely
  
  
• 24-hour Rate Hotlines
  
• Travelers Cheques
  
• Cashier's Checks
  
• Money Orders
  
• New and Used Car Sales
  
• Notary Public Service
  
• Safe Deposit Boxes (Miami Springs location)
  
• U.S. Savings Bonds
  
• Signature Guarantees
  
• MasterCard® and Visa® Cash Advances
  
• Wire Transfers
  
• Drive-thru Teller Windows (Not available at all locations)
  
• Day and Night Drops (Not available at all locations)
  
• Drive-up ATMs (Not available at all locations)

We offer competitive compensation and benefits, including:

Health Benefits

Financial and Income Protection Benefits

Work/Life Benefits

Career/Training Benefits

Eastern Financial Opens Most Branches Less than 72 Hours After Hurricane Wilma

(Miramar, Florida, October 27)---Hurricane Wilma blew through South Florida and wiped out power to 98% of the region. The next morning, Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union was up and running at its headquarters location with generator power as a core employee group wielded chain saws to clear access roads leading to the office so that members and fuel supply trucks could get through. By the next day, two more branches were brought online, and by the end of day some power was coming back on as additional generators and fuel had been delivered to several branches. By Thursday, less than 72 hours since Wilma wreaked havoc, Eastern Financial had five branches offering full service, five more on portable generators offering cash services, and one more offering ATM service.

The Disaster Recovery Task Force and Crisis Management Teams, comprised of senior managers and department heads, met twice daily for recovery assessment and to operate their disaster recovery plans. In any disaster situation, the need to react, improvise and recover is necessary according to CEO Stephen McGill.

"We've been working hard to ensure our fuel contracts are fulfilled, that we supply our branches with generators and that we take care of our staff,” said McGill. “We have been operating our headquarters daycare service all week, provided free meals and have overcome a lack of air conditioning and plumbing issues to stay operational."

Dina Ramos, Senior Manager of Administrative Services added, "Gasoline is a problem and there are only a few gas stations open. One of our employees took 90 gallons of gas from his boat to use in our branch generators to help keep the branches going."

Marketing Director Mark Holmes talked to one member on Tuesday who had weaved his way through the debris to find his credit union open for service. Mr. Holmes said, "The member was extremely grateful to find us open so soon after the storm. The man smiled and said, 'Thank you for being open - glad to be a member', and frankly, that's what it's all about."

Mr. McGill observed that, "After critical services such as hospitals, emergency services, food and water, people need their financial institutions so they can get cash for necessities since most facilities that are open can only take cash. We pushed hard to open as many branches as possible to serve our members - they should expect nothing less from us."

Eastern Financial is contacting mortgage and home equity members to make arrangements to streamline their insurance check processing and funds clearing so that recovery and rebuilding is expedited. Special provisions are offered in the Collections Department to offer extensions on repayments and helping members find a way to recover while preserving their credit. ATM service fees are waived for members and non-members at all Eastern Financial ATMs through November 6.

As power is restored to the counties, Eastern Financial will continue to open its remaining five branches in South Florida. Tampa Bay branches were not affected and staff from that region came to the aid of their coworkers by ferrying in supplies of tarps, batteries, charcoal, fans, gas cans and more.

EOE/AA M/F/D/V. Drug-free workplace