The $381 million BrightStar Credit Union in Sunrise, Fla., is celebrating passing the 50,000-member mark.

“Reaching 50,000 members is a significant milestone for the credit union and a testament to our member's continued trust in us over the last 66 years,” said Ralph Crockett, the Broward County credit union's CEO.

“We've enjoyed strong membership growth for the last three years and expect this to continue as part of the national trend driving consumers looking for high-touch customer service, additional products and services and lower fees,” Crockett said.

BrightStar was founded by a group of 26 teachers to serve Broward schools and now serves the entire community through six branches. It also is active in financial education and operates six CU@School credit unions in Broward County schools.

In addition to reaching the 50,000 mark, the credit union said, it has notched record years in 2012 and 2011 for both net income and membership growth. Member growth was 8% annually over the past two years, compared with less than 3% nationally, BrightStar said.

The credit union also touted the fact that it did not lay off any employees during the recent economic downturn and has added two to three new positions each year since 2010.