TAMPA, FL (February 5, 2014) – Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union announces a name change to Suncoast Credit Union, a new logo, website and Twitter account. In December 2013, members voted in favor of converting from a federal charter to a state charter, requiring the credit union to change its name.
The charter change allows all individuals who live or work in the 15 counties currently served by the credit union to join Suncoast. It also enables the credit union to expand its services for the first time to Sarasota and Highlands Counties.
In addition to the new name, members can expect additional products and services, real-time communication on Twitter with @SuncoastCU, expansion of branches and ATMs, a 6 percent increase in the number of employees and increased giving to the community through the credit union’s Foundation. In 2013, Suncoast Credit Union Foundation provided $2 million in funding and grants for a total of $10 million since its inception in 1992. The Foundation is a vehicle for Suncoast to benefit children, families and educational initiatives to local communities.
As the largest financial institution headquartered on Florida’s west coast and the largest credit union in the state, Suncoast serves 569,737 members, has assets of more than $5.5 billion and employs 1,098 employees throughout 17 counties. In 2013, Suncoast increased deposits and lending by 5 percent, membership by 4.5 percent and checking accounts by 7.5 percent. Additionally, the credit union contributed $3.2 million in employer taxes for unemployment, medicare and social security.
With the new name comes a new logo, which highlights orange circles of various shades to represent the sun and Suncoast’s growth and ownership in Florida throughout the past 80 years.
The redesigned website includes a new look and feel, an updated site structure and a more user-friendly experience, aimed at helping members and site visitors to access credit union products, services and news. Additional website features include an interactive Foundation giving tool that highlights the amount of contributions and giving by county, product reviews, calculators and advice.
“Our new name, logo, website and Twitter reflects our mission and community promise to improve the quality of our members lives,” says Tom Dorety, president and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union. “We look forward to becoming even stronger partners with local communities through our focus on economic and educational initiatives to benefits all residents.”
Member accounts will continue to be federally insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. Additionally, member account number(s), membership and privileges will remain the same.
About Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union, chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, operates 54 full-service branches and serves more than 565,000 members in the following Florida counties: Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Sumter. With assets of more than $5.5 billion, Suncoast Credit Union is the largest credit union in the state of Florida and the 14th largest in the United States. For more information visit: suncoastcreditunion.com, facebook.com/SuncoastCreditUnion or @SuncoastCU.