Press
GTE Financial celebrates 80th anniversary
TAMPA, FL (June 30, 2015) — GTE Financial, one of Florida’s largest credit unions, is celebrating 80 years of serving the financial needs of local residents, businesses and the community. GTE is offering special 80th anniversary incentives throughout the year, and the celebration will culminate in October with “GTE Home Free,” GTE’s biggest contest giveaway ever, with the credit union paying 80 months of one member’s mortgage or rent, up to $160,000.
“We want to highlight our 80th anniversary celebration by thanking our members for their loyalty and trust throughout the years with a giveaway that can truly change a member’s life,” says Joe Brancucci, president and CEO of GTE Financial. “The GTE Home Free contest emphasizes our belief in home ownership and also the spirit of giving back.”
In 1935, one year after the Federal Credit Union Act was enacted, GTE was established in downtown Tampa as Peninsula Telephone Employees and Credit Union. As of June 2014, GTE was listed as the Tampa Bay area’s fourth largest credit union by asset size, with a membership of more than 234,000.
GTE began accepting entries for GTE Home Free on June 1, and the contest entry period ends Aug. 14. Entrants must be a GTE member and 18 years of age or older to be eligible. They are asked to share their story and what winning would mean to them, and entries will be evaluated based on financial need and the degree to which the entrant gives back to friends, family and/or the community. Ten finalists will be selected by GTE’s executive management team in August. Public votes on Facebook will begin in October and be considered during the selection process. The grand prize winner will be announced at a GTE event on Oct. 24 in Tampa.
Full contest rules can be found at www.gtehomefree.org. Details on other 80th anniversary offers and incentives are available at https://www.gtefinancial.org/about/join.
About GTE Financial
GTE Financial is a not-for-profit financial cooperative with more than $1.7 billion in assets and 22 Community Financial Centers located throughout West Central Florida. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 234,000 individuals and businesses. More information on GTE Financial can be found at www.gtefinancial.org.