NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. – For JAX Federal Credit Union the future lies beachside. Given the growth in the beaches area, JAXFCU began looking for property to purchase and build a new, freestanding branch over a year ago. "We selected a parcel on the corner of Atlantic Blvd. and Penman/Royal Palm Drive which had been the former site of a Texaco gas station," said Patti Tantillo, Neptune Beach Branch Manager. "The new office will be a great addition to the community and will include a 3,400 square-foot building, drive-up lanes and a drive-up ATM." While it will take at least a year to build the new facility, the credit union's temporary new home will be in a Publix Shopping Center that gives staffers and members alike a view of the construction process. "Our hope was that we would be given at least six months notice should we be asked to vacate our existing space," said Tantillo. "Ultimately, we were given only two months due to the possibility of Wal-Mart moving into the area. Our biggest disappointment at this time is being required to remove our drive-up ATM, which is well used by members and nonmembers in the Neptune Beach area. While they wait for our new drive-up ATM to be installed at our permanent facility members can use the Publix Presto machines at no charge. Our goal is to minimize the inconvenience to our members who are beach residents."

The temporary location opens July 5, and the permanent branch is slated to open in late March 2007.