Not only did Verizon clear another (and final) regulatory hurdle today in its effort to close the Alltel deal, but the transaction also moved forward on its financing.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) signed off on the Verizon-Alltel $28.1 billion merger, more than a month after the FCC and Dept. of Justice okayed the acquisition.

Verizon is now stating publicly that the transaction will close in early to mid-January of 2009.

Verizon Wireless also disclosed that it received commitments from eight financial institutions to provide $17 billion of financing for the Alltel acquisition.  Verizon will be financing nearly $22 billion worth of Alltel debt as part of the $28.1 billion merger.

And in another boost of confidence on the matter, Verizon Wireless said “it believes that it will have sufficient capital to fund the Alltel acquisition.”

Here is a link to the SEC filing on developments.