Empowering today’s education community to achieve financial wellness.

Educator's Choice

Founded by Educators, Service to Educators

  • Financial guidance and planning with those who understand educators' needs
  • Personalized service and exclusive benefits
  • You are committed to education and so is Suncoast Credit Union
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Suncoast Credit Union & Educators Choice Mission

Educators Choice® is a financial wellness program exclusively for FEA and local affiliate union members. We offer a variety of products, resources and solutions designed with the education community in mind.

Through this complimentary program you gain access to resources and guidance that can help you live your best financial life.

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Exclusive Benefits for FEA Members

FEA members receive exclusive benefits from Suncoast Credit Union:

$100 cash reward* with fee-free** checking account set up with direct deposit.
Our checking account has all of the features you need without any of the added costs – and it helps your community. Every time you use your Suncoast debit card we donate four cents to the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to support initiatives helping children.

Access to exclusive financial wellness events and resources.
Take advantage of complimentary virtual or in-person workshops and webinars, along with financial education resources and guidance.

Personalized and customized support.
A dedicated team brings program information and financial wellness opportunities to local union affiliate groups across Florida along with convenient access to open a membership, take advantage of Suncoast products and services and more!

Testimonials from Florida Educators

Rob Kriete
President of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association
“I recommend the Educators Choice program because Suncoast provided me clear options for all my financial needs without pressure. Their ability to listen and offer suggestions was amazingly helpful, giving my family and me confidence in our financial future.”
Ken Mouton
President of Collier County Education Association (Teachers Union)
“As president of the Collier County Education Association, I highly recommend the Educators Choice program offered by Suncoast Credit Union. The introduction and implementation of the plan is hassle free. The options and resources offered can be specifically tailored to meet your financial needs. The one-on-one personal touch provided gives my family and me confidence and security in our finances and future retirement.”
Vicki Kidwell
President of Clay County Education Association
“The Educators Choice program is a valuable resource for services that can help our members. I met with Suncoast in several virtual meetings and received clear, sound retirement and investment information that helped me understand how my personal FRS, Social Security and other investments will work together to secure a financially sound retirement. There was no pressure, but lots of expert information that gave me peace of mind for the future.”
Anna Fusco
President, Broward Teachers Union
“I’ve been extremely impressed with the financial and educational opportunities Educators Choice, powered by Suncoast Credit Union provides. They take a very individualized, easy-to-understand approach to financial planning, a topic that honestly intimidates many people. Educators Choice has a very professional and responsive staff. The feedback I’ve received from everyone who has worked with them has been stellar. I’m very grateful we can offer their very necessary and comprehensive financial planning services to our members and staff.”
Stephanie Yocum
President, Polk Education Association
“Sitting down with a trusted financial planner is tedious but crucial, and the Educator’s Choice program through Suncoast Credit Union made the process easy and informative. The plan and projections that our union benefit, Educator’s Choice, provided helped me make sound financial decisions as I plan for retirement and beyond. I highly recommend our members take advantage of this free financial planning program through our union benefits.”

Why Educators Choose Suncoast Credit Union

  • The credit union difference.

Credit unions like Suncoast are not-for-profit, financial cooperatives owned by their members — and they exist specifically to help meet the financial needs of those members. Credit union profits go back to members, which is why they get lower rates on loans, higher earnings on deposits and more free services.

  • A name you know and trust.

Suncoast Credit Union began in 1934 when a handful of local educators founded Hillsborough County Teachers Credit Union. Today, we’re proud to be the largest credit union in Florida and are consistently recognized as one of Forbes’ “Best-In-State Credit Unions”.

  • By your side for every stage of life.
We have a foundation and heritage you can trust and a customized approach that meets participants where they are. Wherever life takes you, we’re there to help — with the advice, products, services and personalized attention you need at every turn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to contact your region’s dedicated support professional.

Partnering with the Educators Choice team means having a personal banking experience tailored to your unique needs. A dedicated team member can guide you through every step of your financial journey – from opening your membership to exploring Suncoast’s products and services.

Visit EducatorsChoice.com for more information and resources.

One of the major benefits of a credit union is that our profits are returned to members through lower rates on loans, higher earnings on deposits and more free services. Talk to your Personal Relationship Banking Specialist to learn more about our member perks, as well as the products and services designed for the education community.

Looking to bring the Educators Choice program
to your local union or school site?

The Educators Choice relationship coordinators bring program information and financial wellness opportunities to local union affiliate groups across Florida. To schedule a presentation at your school site, please speak with your union site representative.

Kim Baum
Region: North Florida
kim.baum@suncoastcreditunion.com

Noelle Rodriguez
Region: West/Central Florida
noelle.rodriguez@suncoastcreditunion.com

Maggie Duke
Region: East Florida
maggie.duke@suncoastcreditunion.com

*To qualify for the $100 reward, the participant must be over the age of 18, open a new membership and checking account, and complete qualifying ACH Direct Deposits of $1500 or more within 90 days of account opening. Your direct deposit needs to be a recurring electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension, or government benefit (such as SSI) from your employer or the government. The reward will be deposited directly into the new member’s checking account within 60 days of meeting the offer requirements. Incentive may not be combined with any other offers. Minimum deposit required for membership of $5.00. Minimum credit or risk score may be required to qualify for services. Incentive deposit of $100, may qualify as taxable income and a 1099INT form will be issued reporting the value of this offer. Consult your tax advisor with any questions. Offer redeemable only for new membership accounts opened as part of the Suncoast Credit Union Educators Choice program. Offer subject to change.

**Please note that should you overdraw your account, there is a fee for insufficient funds that are both Paid Non-sufficient Funds (NSF) and/or Check/ACH debit return unpaid Items. See Fee Schedule at suncoast.com for details. Free ATM access is through the CO-OP ATM network.