First Florida holders back Barnett merger.

TAMPA, Fla. -- First Florida Banks Inc. said its shareholders at a special meeting "overwhelmingly" approved its pending merger with Barnett Banks Inc. of Jacksonville.

A similar Barnett shareholder vote is scheduled for this week. Pending regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to be completed by December. Barnett agreed in May to exchange 1.42 of its shares for each of Tampa-based First Florida, for an indicated value of $885 million.

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