The $5.1 billion Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union has opened four new branches in several Florida elementary and middle schools.
The new branch additions are located in Cahoon Elementary Magnet School in Tampa, Fla., FishHawk Creek Elementary School in Lithia, Fla., Crystal River Middle School in Crystal River, Fla., and Pine Ridge Middle School in Naples, Fla.
The Tampa-based Suncoast Schools FCU now operates 21 high school branches, eight elementary school branches and two middle school branches, in addition to 51 full-service branches.
Suncoast Schools said its high school branches provide students with hands-on financial and marketing experience, while its middle and elementary school branches offer basic personal financial education on topics such as the importance of saving and how to fill out deposit slips.
All in-school branches offer incentives to student members, including a $5 deposit for every student who opens a Suncoast Schools account and entry into a drawing for a free Kindle Fire, according to the credit union.
“We know there is a sense of accomplishment when youth learn about money management and we feel a sense of pride in being able to provide them with the necessary tools to become financially savvy,” said Juli Lewis, youth marketing manager for Suncoast Schools. “These new branches allow us to teach students how to make smart financial decisions and get excited about saving money.”
Chartered in 1934 as Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union, Suncoast Schools serves more than 530,000 members in 15 Florida counties.
