Achieva celebrates 80 years of service
DUNEDIN, FL (May 22, 2017) — When Achieva Credit Union was first formed in 1937, nearly half the America’s banks had failed amid the Great Depression. Nevertheless, seven Pinellas County educators pooled together $99.25 to create a new credit union for teachers. Today, 80 years later, Achieva serves more than 140,000 members in 10 counties and has more than $1.4 billion in assets.
Achieva has not only grown in size, it has also built a reputation for innovative leadership and as a great place to work. As Achieva enters its ninth decade, some things have changed but others have not. The size and technology behind a modern credit union would stun its founding members, but they would recognize the culture, according to Achieva Chief Executive Officer Gary Regoli.
“Our founders demonstrated cooperation, frugality and service – and they believed in the growing credit union movement,” Regoli said. “Those values formed the bedrock of this organization, and we still believe in those values today.”
Over the decades, Achieva grew and became a leader and innovator in credit unions in Florida. The organization was named the Pinellas County Teachers Credit union in 1950, and became community chartered in 1985. By 2003, it expanded into Pasco and Hernando county and changed names in 2004 to Achieva Credit Union.
Regoli became President and CEO in 2008, and Achieva merged with Sarasota Coastal Credit union in 2009, expanding to seven counties. In 2012, membership expanded to Lee and Collier counties, and in 2015 Achieva set a trend in the financial world by acquiring Calusa Bank and becoming the first credit union to buy a whole bank operation in Florida.
Achieva sponsors a myriad of community events, such as box car rallies, scrapbooking events, 5k runs, soccer teams and baseball clubs. The Achieva Foundation supports education projects across the region, and provides scholarships to high-achieving students.
“Achieva is an organization that this entire region can be proud of,” said Achieva Board of Directors Chairman T.D. Hawkins. “I offer my heartfelt congratulations on this milestone, and I look forward to the next chapter of Achieva’s growth.”
About Achieva Credit Union
Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $2.5 billion in assets and 22 branches serving more than 170,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.
