Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union was chartered January 31,1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union We serve many counties along the West coast of Florida including, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sumter counties. Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union is the largest Credit Union in Florida and the 8th largest Credit Union in the United States - ranking by Assets Mission StatementImprove the quality of our members' lives by maintaining a strong, secure, and innovative Credit Union that builds trust, shows respect, and maximizes efficiency. The Credit Union Difference Yet the primary driving force behind the Credit Union's success is exactly what it was 70 years ago. Suncoast remains a not-for-profit, financial cooperative that exists to meet the financial needs of its membership. The members are the owners of the Credit Union. They elect a volunteer Board of Directors that establishes policies that are implemented by the management and staff. This ownership structure is one of the two major factors in Suncoast's ability to offer favorable products and services. Without a separate group of stockholders or private owners demanding a return on their investments, all net income is given back to the membership directly or set aside for reserves. When the Board of Directors makes decisions as to interest rates, fees, or services, their goal is not to maximize the return to outside owners. It is always to do what is best for the membership. The second major reason for the Credit Union's success is how efficiently it operates. Suncoast's expense ratios are at least 50 percent below those of all other major financial institutions in the Tampa Bay area. This means that a much greater percentage of overall income can be returned to the members in the form of higher dividends and lower loan rates and fees. Suncoast remains committed to providing low cost and convenient services while addressing the financial needs of its members. That is quite simply what should be expected from a member-owned cooperative.