Written by Jessica Merritt | Edited by Rebecca Stropoli | Published on 3/27/2025
Suncoast Credit Union, established in 1934 as a credit union for teachers, is based in Tampa, Florida, and is the largest credit union in the state, serving nearly 1.3 million members in select Florida counties. Credit union members — who typically must live, work, worship or attend school in specific Florida counties — can access savings and checking accounts, loans, credit cards, and investment options. There are about 80 branches across the state.
Checking: The high-yield checking account earns a 7% annual percentage yield (APY) on the first $500 (after which you will earn 0.01%) and has no minimum deposit or monthly fees. Suncoast Smart Checking also has no monthly service fees and offers free overdraft protection. This account makes a local community donation every time you use your debit card.
There is also a fee-free teen checking account for 13- to 17-year-olds; this is a great option for parents who want their kids to learn financial responsibility.
Savings accounts: Savings account options at Suncoast Credit Union include membership share savings, minor savings accounts, education savings and fiduciary accounts. Suncoast Credit Union’s high-yield savings account earns 4.50% APY on the first $500 (after which the rate goes down to 0.25%), or you can opt for the special savings account, which helps you organize and save for specific goals.
Money market and CD accounts: A money market account can earn up to 3.00% APY. Share certificates, which work like certificate of deposits (CDs), can be opened with just $50 – and a commitment to deposit at least $40 monthly by payroll deduction or automatic transfer. Suncoast Credit Union share certificates offer APYs of up to 3.95% APY.
You can also earn up to 4.75% APY on a jumbo IRA certificate, though you’ll have to deposit at least $100,000 and lock it in for 21 months to get that rate. Nonretirement jumbo certificates require a $100,000 minimum balance, and you can earn up to 4.5% APY with a 21-month term.
Suncoast Credit Union provides members with online banking and a mobile app where you can manage your accounts, deposit checks, pay bills and transfer funds. Customer service is accessed via phone support and secure messaging in online banking, as well as at branch locations.
Pros and cons of Suncoast Credit Union
Pros:
• Earn competitive rates on the first $500 in high-yield checking and savings accounts
• Charges no monthly service fees on most accounts
• Offers unique features such as local donations with debit card use
Cons:
• Limits membership to residents of select Florida counties, or those who work, worship or attend school there
• Decreases earnings on high-yield checking and savings accounts substantially after hitting $500 on deposit
• Requires opening a six-figure retirement account for the highest share certificate earnings
Field of Membership Restrictions
Membership in SunCoast Credit Union is open to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in the Florida counties of Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, or Volusia. Alumn of Florida College in Temple Terrace also qualify for membership.
See current membership details
Careful With Suncoast Auto Loans
Be careful with Suncoast Credit Union Auto Loans. I have been a member and have had loans with them for many years. I recently used Suncoast for my Auto loan. I usually pay off my loans quickly by making principle-only payments. I made a significant principle-only payment, and once it was recorded online, I found out they paid off some of their loan interest; after that, the rest of my "principle-only payment" money went toward the principal of my loan. After numerous phone calls with different customer service people, different explanations, and then having to go into two separate branches, I found out that Suncoast Credit Union REQUIRES you to pay pending interest first before they apply your money to the principal. WOW, what a rip-off. The office manager showed me the e-manual, which says that on consumer loans, interest MUST be satisfied first before they apply any money to the principal. I was so upset and decided I would pay off this loan immediately and never take another load from Suncoast Credit Union.
Misrepresentartion
ALERT: Attention Suncoast Credit Union Members; Suncoast is redirecting it's members to a 3rd party in Texas for your Medicare concerns. This is a conflict of interest and we urge you speak with a professional familiar with the needs of local Floridians.
They are listed as a finance and insurance company, NOT A BANK! This gives us concern and we will discontinue banking with them in 2025, do your due diligence. Ricran.com
Over Stepping My Rights To My Account Balances
I have been pleased with the services I have received until now. Today I tried to send a domestic wire to complete my personal time sensitive business and was denied. I was given no good reason or explanation. I was treated unacceptably. I was dropped from the call and not called back. The supervisor, Chrisy, who is making all the decisions for me had the person who was transferring me to her apologize for her dropping the call. She never said a word. I am being told what I can and can't do with my own money. As soon as suncoast and their unreasonable employee start depositing money of their own into my accounts then can they say what does and doesn't happen. Absolutely the worst customer service I've ever had to deal with while banking here for over 30 years. Unacceptable!
They Will Refuse You Access To Your Money
Our parents are members of SCU. We followed in their footsteps and have been members for over thirty years. Tomorrow we will be closing our account. I needed to transfer funds around today and accomplished a $1,500 transfer no problem. I then went to make another transfer and received a notification pop up that only $1,000 max transfer allowed a day. So I called and the lady informed me it was changed a year ago. I explained we want it removed and asked how to accomplish that. She refused.
We deposit ~$300k annually into Suncoast and like every red blooded American want unhampered access to all of OUR money ALL OF THE TIME! My husband then called and requested to speak with a manager, THE LADY REFUSED TO PUT A MANAGER ON THE PHONE. Make no mistake, our accounts will be closed tomorrow. Over $1,000 they will now lose $300,000. Sounds like they have some of the brightest minds working at Suncoast, or actually not working. Take your money elsewhere!!!!!!!
Absolute Joke
Where do I begin… SunCoast has been an absolute nightmare with my auto loan from the get go. If I could provide a negative review it would be more suitable than the “1” given.
There customer service representatives are rude and utterly incompetent to say the least. Expect to wait at least 20 minutes to speak to someone.
When asking questions about an account I am constantly told “review your records”. Excuse me, you are the lending company who holds my auto loan and should have the information in front of you to answer my questions.
After bumbling around to additional people within the company the customer service reps are still never able to provide any solutions.
Do not walk but run away from this company. They are the absolute worst.
I Would Give A Negative 1 If Possible
This credit union in Florida is a joke. I've tried several times to get a copy of my title. It has taken weeks, and still no copy! Next is the BBB. Never again!
Data as of Q1 2025
Learn why bank health mattersHealth Grade Components
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| NCUA # | 68645 |
| Year Chartered | 1978 |
| Employees | 2458 |
| Primary Regulator | |
| Profit Margin | |
|---|---|
| Return on Assets - YTD | 0.97% |
| Return on Equity - YTD | 11.56% |
| Annual Interest Income | $248.7MM |
| Assets and Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $18.79B$18.17B |
| Loans | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $13.9B$12.84B |
| Deposits | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $16.65B$15.19B |
| Equity Capital | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $1.54B$1.36B |
| Loan Loss Allowance | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $253.4MM$213MM |
| Unbacked Noncurrent Loans | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $90.5MM$51.3MM |
| Real Estate Owned | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $257K$0 |
