As members of Florida Credit Union, account holders are eligible for a variety of financial products and services. Free checking, checking with interest, club accounts, loans of any kind, credit cards, check cards, online banking, the list goes on and on. But the real difference lies in the nature of our organization - we are a financial service cooperative.

Cooperatives are customer-owned organizations. Florida Credit Union began in 1954 as Alachua County Teachers Credit Union for the purpose of serving teachers. Over time, service was extended to communities over a ten county area and the name was changed to Florida Credit Union.

Ownership of Florida Credit Union has always been by its customer base. Your Credit Union can never be bought or sold. This is a stark contrast to the banking industry where community or state banks are built up and later sold to large out-of-the-area banks. In this case, the stockholders usually profit greatly and the customers receive no benefits. Many times they actually find their service levels diminished.

With Florida Credit Union, the stockholders and customers are the same people. Profits earned by the Credit Union are retained as capital to meet regulatory requirements and for expansion of the Credit Union and its service offerings. With a bank, the goal is to maximize the profit of its stockholders which is a totally different group than its customers. That is the Florida Credit Union difference.

Our goal is to maximize the service/value relationship with our customer/owners while building and maintaining the strength of Florida Credit Union so it is here to serve future generations. Florida Credit Union continues to utilize the cooperative principles of:

1. Voluntary and Open Membership – FCU is open to all persons in our state-approved field of membership who are interested in using our services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership.

2. Democratic Member Control – The member/owners of FCU choose the individuals who serve as elected trustees.

3. Member Economic Participation – Member/owners benefit from full utilization of the products and services that are available through the organization.

4. Autonomy and Independence – Financial service is offered to the member/owners who control the organization.

5. Education, Training, and Information – Information is provided to members, elected representatives, and staff to ensure further development of the organization.

6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives – Working with local, regional, national, and international groups to advance knowledge and service availability.

7. Concern for the Community – Providing services and programs to benefit the members of the community.

As a Florida Credit Union member, you are an owner of one of the strongest financial institutions in North Central Florida. Take advantage of ownership privileges such as free checking products, free auto advisory service, or a personal consultation with a member service specialist. Then help your Credit Union grow by spreading the word about the Credit Union difference.