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Stay up-to-date with the latest Achieva news and press releases.

Achieva Credit Union Acquires Veritas Title and Launches Achieva Title Services

New Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) Will Enhance Real Estate Services

Dunedin, Fla. -- Achieva Credit Union today announced the successful acquisition of Veritas Title and the launch of Achieva Title Services, its newly formed Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO). This significant milestone represents Achieva Credit Union’s mission to deliver the most exceptional and convenient service to both credit union members and the communities they serve, including borrowers looking to purchase or refinance a residential or commercial property.

“This acquisition allows us to enhance our real estate services and provide our members and clients with a seamless, stress-free experience,” said John Wintermeier, Chief Business Officer at Achieva Credit Union.“ With Achieva Title Services, we aim to be your reliable partner in real estate transactions, providing peace of mind from start to finish. We’re here to support you every step of the way.”

Veritas Title is a prominent real estate title company, serving the entire state of Florida since 2005. With the acquisition, Achieva Title Services will partner with the credit union’s mortgage department to enrich service offerings, streamline operations, and make the loan closing process seamless for anyone purchasing or selling a residential or commercial property.

"I am absolutely thrilled to join with Achieva Credit Union, an organization that truly embodies putting the community first and servicing its members above all else,” said Jon Coats, Jr., Founder & President of Veritas Title. “Together, we will deliver unmatched service and a quality product to buyers, sellers and realtors.”

Achieva Title Services is attorney-managed and specializes in overseeing all real estate transactions, including title and abstract searches, preparing closing documents, providing title insurance, and resolving liens.

To learn more, please visit www.achievatitle.com

Achieva Credit Union purchases Cannella Insurance Services

New entity will be Achieva Insurance Agency, LLC

Dunedin, FL (October 31^st , 2023) – Achieva Credit Union announces that they recently acquired Cannella Insurance Services and will continue to operate under the same management and team under the new name, Achieva Insurance Agency, LLC.

Cannella Insurance Services was founded in 2003 by Joseph H. Cannella, a third-generation native of Tampa, as a result of a split from Allines Insurance Brokerage, Inc, which he co-founded in 1993. Today the firm has just under 900 insurance clients, primarily in the Tampa Bay region but also with clients in Lee, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

The firm specializes in auto, car, home, boat, business, commercial, and flood insurance, including insurance for religious organizations, churches, museums, private schools, and builders risk.

“This acquisition brings only positive outcomes for each of our valued clients,” said Cannella. “By leveraging Achieva’s resources, we will be able to expand our product offering by attracting several additional new insurance carriers and contracting with these additional quality insurers to create an expanded product offering that will only be a win for our customers.”

Cannella will now serve as Director of Achieva Insurance Agency LLC.

“I will continue to be here for all our clients as I have for the past 20 years,” he said. “We will continue to provide exceptional service and commitment to customer satisfaction. Everyone at Cannella Insurance is very excited about the new opportunities that this acquisition will bring about by allowing us to expand our product offerings.”

“Achieva Insurance Agency shares the values of personalized customer care, integrity, and expertise that Cannella Insurance provided for over two decades,” said John Wintermeier, Achieva Insurance Agency Board Chairman. “Combined with our ability to handle higher volumes of clients and proven efficiencies throughout our 25 branches across Southwest Florida, we look forward to offering an even broader range of insurance options to meet the specific needs of our clients in these challenging times with insurance coverage in Florida.”

Achieva advises they do not anticipate any immediate changes to their current clients' insurance coverages or policies as a result of the acquisition.

“Policies will remain in effect, and you can continue to rely on us for your insurance needs,” said Cannella. “Our dedicated team will work to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted service.”

To find out more about Achieva Insurance Agency LLC, please call 813-258-8084.

Achieva Credit Union Hosts Free Shredfest in Ft. Myers, FL

Free Secure Shredding Event With All Support Benefiting Social and Economic Enrichment in Fort Myers

Fort Myers, FL - Achieva Credit Union is proud to announce a free Shredfest for the community on Saturday, May 6th, at its Colonial Branch located at 4379 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33966. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon and is open to the public.

"We are pleased to offer this service to our members and the community," said Gary Regoli, President/CEO of Achieva Credit Union. "Keeping confidential documents safe and secure is crucial, and we want to do everything we can to help our members and the community protect themselves."

All shredding will be completed on-site during the event through the use of secure shredding trucks. Participants can bring up to five (5) banker boxes of confidential and sensitive documents (paper-based materials) for secure shredding at no cost. If individuals exceed the five box limit, they will be able to make a donation to benefit the Achieva Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Corporation to help continue creating opportunities for social and economic enrichment in the Fort Myers area. It is important to note that participants should consult a tax advisor for further information regarding the tax deductibility of a donation.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and many financial experts recommend shredding these types of documents periodically:

Credit cards, utility bills, sales receipts (unless related to taxes) warranties or insurance documents should be shredded as quickly as possible
Bank statements, pay stubs and medical bills (unless you have an unresolved insurance dispute) should be shredded once a year
Tax records are recommended to be held for seven years before shredding in case of an audit

“At Achieva Credit Union one of our core principles is to pay it forward with events such as these,” said David Oak, the Chief Marketing Officer. “We see giving back to the communities we serve as a privilege and will continue to do so for years to come.”

Achieva stays proactively involved in helping its members achieve their financial goals by offering seminars and sponsoring community events. These events are widely recognized throughout the community and have raised over $405,000 to benefit local schools.

As a preventative measure, Achieva Credit Union is asking participants to limit residential/personal documents to five boxes per vehicle for shredding and ensure that they are in disposable boxes as these will not be returned. Plastic bags and batteries will not be accepted, and they kindly request that everyone remain in their vehicles at all times.

Achieva Credit Union Foundation Announces New Director

Nonprofit Veteran Teresa Hibbard Joins the Foundation

Dunedin, FL – The Achieva Credit Union Foundation is proud to announce Teresa Hibbard as the new Foundation Director, effective April 17^th. In this leadership role, Hibbard will play a pivotal part in continuing the Foundation’s efforts to support and give back to the local community through meaningful seminars and events. Additionally, Hibbard’s new responsibilities will entail the management of inspiring foundation events, impactful fundraising efforts, and making transformative scholarships a reality.

“We are thrilled to have an incredible and skilled leader join our team,” said David Oak, Chief Marketing Officer at Achieva Credit Union. “Mrs. Hibbard’s experience leading nonprofit organizations in all capacities will be instrumental in providing innovative financial initiatives to those who need it most. She is a powerful addition to the Foundation.”

Achieva Welcomes Hibbard, who has more than twenty years of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining the Achieva Foundation she served as the Public Relations and Development Director at the Salvation Army of Clearwater and Upper Pinellas County. Achieva Credit Union is a proud partner of the Salvation Army and is excited to continue its longstanding tradition of supporting the Angel Tree program.

Hibbard states she loves to create connections and collaborate with others on projects and programs that make a difference. Her goal is to be an asset to Achieva Credit Union and the community by advocating for the common good through financial services. Her specialties include nonprofit leadership, grant writing, project and public speaking, event planning, and human resources.

“As a Certified Fund-Raising Executive with more than 20 years of nonprofit and leadership management, I’m excited about this opportunity to provide foundational support to leadership, employees, members, and the community,” says Hibbard. “Through decades of service I recognize how vital it is to develop and maintain relationships in all lines of business, in conjunction with clear communication. A strategy that has proven and will continue to prove invaluable with donors, board members, and volunteers at Achieva Credit Union.”

About The Achieva Foundation

The Achieva Foundation is a 501©(3) Corporation supporting local communities. We are committed to supporting organizations that create opportunities for the social and economic enrichment of the communities we serve. We give back to the community through events supporting the Achieva Foundation, which distributes classroom grants to local schools. We also provide scholarship opportunities, offer financial seminars and sponsor local charitable organizations.

CEO statement regarding Silicon Valley Bank closure

As President/CEO of Achieva, I want you to know that Achieva has never had any ties to SVB.

Dunedin, Fla. (March 13, 2023)

Dear member,

You may have heard the news today that Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was closed.

As President/CEO of Achieva, I want you to know that Achieva has never had any ties to SVB. Also, your deposits at Achieva are insured by a separate Federal Deposit Insurance Fund, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. This Fund was not impacted by today’s actions of the Bank Regulators who have oversight of SVB. Achieva’s capital is well above the amount required by our Regulators, and our liquidity levels are solid. We maintain our balance sheet closely, and our investments are more conservative than that of SVB. We steer your Credit Union well within safe industry risk guidelines.

Your trust in Achieva is of the utmost importance to me, our Executive Leadership Team, and our Board of Directors. We take our fiduciary responsibilities very seriously. As has always been the case, we are well-positioned to weather any economic storm that may occur.

Thank you for allowing Achieva Credit Union to serve you. We are happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about today’s news.

Thank you,
Gary Regoli
President/CEO

Achieva Credit Union names Rocio Smith to lead growth in Hillsborough County

Smith, the daughter of migrant workers, has a focus on helping underserved communities

DUNEDIN, Fla. (September 17, 2021) – Achieva Credit Union’s move into Hillsborough County has a new leader at its helm. The Dunedin-based credit union has named Rocio Smith as Hillsborough Market Vice President, with an initial focus on establishing Achieva’s first Hillsborough branch in Carrollwood.

The Carrollwood branch, located on 10901 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, will be a full-service Achieva location, featuring an area for members with high-top tables, charging stations and a coffee station. Following the opening of the Carrollwood branch in 2022, Smith and Achieva will continue to look for other sites and opportunities to further grow the credit union’s presence in the market.

“Rocio brings a powerful blend of experience and passion to this position,” said Achieva Chief Operations Officer Jennifer Galley. “Hillsborough County is already home to more than 13,000 of our members, and we expect Rocio’s team to drive significant growth for us there, starting in Carrollwood.”

Smith grew up the daughter of migrant workers. In summers, when school was out and other kids were taking vacation, Smith’s whole family would travel from state to state and work in the fields, picking from dawn to sometimes after dark, seven days a week. Even when struggling to feed the family, her parents maintained a positive atmosphere for their kids, encouraging them to pursue education. In 1997 Smith graduated from the University of South Florida, becoming the first of her family to receive a college degree.

Given her background, it’s no surprise that Smith has a passion for reaching out to and supporting the migrant worker population in the Tampa Bay area. She has dedicated a great deal of time to organizations like the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), which provides child care and early education to children of migrant farmworkers around Florida.

After 17 years of banking for Wells Fargo, when Smith learned about Achieva’s community-centric culture, that inspired her to join the credit union.

“In my experience, many large corporate banks are so big and busy they don’t have the time to truly participate and invest in the people, organizations and businesses who make up the communities they work in,” Smith said. “One of the main points that struck me about Achieva was that they’re made up of and work for the community.”

Financial education is a key mission for Achieva, and Smith is eager to focus on that in Hillsborough. Financial literacy programs are a vital component of establishing meaningful relationships with the communities Achieva will serve, many of which are historically underserved and “underbanked.”

Over the past year, Achieva has been focused on expanding the credit union’s resources for Hispanic audiences, translating its website, creating educational articles and television segments in Spanish, and running Spanish-language ad campaigns. A Hispanic employee-led committee is active year-round dedicated to identifying additional ways to meaningfully engage with the Hispanic community.

Hillsborough County’s first Achieva branch in Carrollwood, planned for 10901 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, will be well placed amidst the well-established north Hillsborough suburb. Located just off North Dale Mabry Highway, the location will provide excellent access to the area’s vibrant small business community and to people who live and work in the Carrollwood area. The branch will open in 2022 in a shopping plaza that will be named Achieva Commons, near the intersection of Dale Mabry and Floyd Road.

About Achieva

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $2 billion in assets and 22 branches serving more than 153,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union Partners with Pinellas Education Foundation and Invites the Community to ‘Stuff the Bus’

Donations of school supplies accepted at eight Pinellas County branch locations through August 19

DUNEDINnn, Fla. (July 30, 2021) – Achieva Credit Union is partnering with Pinellas Education Foundation for their annual “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive, with eight Pinellas County branch locations serving as collection sites through August 19.

The community is also invited to Stuff the Bus Day on August 6 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Achieva Credit Union branch in Largo (located at 12580 Seminole Blvd.), where donations will be loaded onto a large yellow bus.

“We’re so pleased to kick off the school year with this supply drive to support students,” said Chelsey Wilson, Achieva marketing and events manager. “Helping kids start the school year with the tools they’ll need will set a positive tone for their year.”

Pinellas Education Foundation estimates that 60 percent of Pinellas County Schools’ students are economically disadvantaged. From binders and index cards to pencils and crayons, every donation will be a help as students return to school in the coming weeks.

Supplies can be dropped off July 22 – August 19 at the following Achieva branches throughout Pinellas County:

· 2201 Drew St., Clearwater, FL 33765

· 1150 Achieva Way, Dunedin, FL 34698

· 12580 Seminole Blvd., Largo, FL 33778

· 3446 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor, FL 34685

· 33715 US Highway 19, North Palm Harbor, FL 34684

· 7105 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park, FL 33781

· 413 62^nd Avenue N, St Petersburg, FL 33702

· 3629 11^th Avenue N, St Petersburg, FL 33713

In addition to dropping off supplies, anyone who would like to support the drive can make a cash donation online or shop the Amazon Wish List from the comfort of your home.

All supplies collected through the drive will be distributed by the Pinellas Education Foundation and Pinellas County Council PTA to students in need through their individual schools.

Learn more about how to donate and Stuff the Bus Day at https://www.achievacu.com/Promo/StuffTheBus.

About Achieva

Achieva Credit Union maintains its 5-Star industry rating

BauerFinancial gives Achieva and five other Florida credit unions its top score

DUNEDIN, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2020) – Achieva Credit Union has received BauerFinancial Inc.’s 5-star “superior” score for the 10th consecutive year. The industry rating is an overall assessment of the health of credit unions and banks, and is particularly notable as it is based on 2020 data through June 30, a timeframe that included the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ratings are based on compiled financial data, capital ratios and other criteria that serve as key metrics of financial health and operational efficiency, along with community reinvestment ratings, historical data and liquidity. Star ratings range from 1 star for “Troubled” to 5 stars for “Superior.”

“The added security and peace of mind that our financial situation gives to our members is a major positive, especially now,” said Achieva CEO Gary Regoli. “As a not-for-profit owned by our members, finding ways to reassure our members and meet their needs has been and will continue to be essentially important to us.”

The BauerFinancial rating is a reflection of Achieva’s excellent financial performance and its excellent personal service, which leads to a high level of member trust in the organization. The credit union has doubled in size over the past eight years, growing from $1 billion to more than $2 billion in assets since 2012. Achieva serves west-central Florida from the Tampa Bay area south to the Naples area.

Since 1983, BauerFinancial has served as a trusted independent firm that rates all U.S. banks and credit unions and publishes those ratings to the public for free. Its rating practices and excellent track record have earned BauerFinancial the respect of regulators, bankers and consumers across the country.

ABOUT ACHIEVA:
Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $2 billion in assets and 22 branches serving more than 165,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union announces results of donation drive to support local food banks

Over a 30-day period, Achieva matched donations dollar-for-dollar and raised total of $275,000

DUNEDIN, Fla. (June 23, 2020) – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on area communities, Achieva Credit Union has completed a donation drive to help support food banks throughout west-central Florida in the communities it serves. Over 475 members and non-members contributed to the 30-day drive and raised $275,000, including a donation from the Achieva Foundation.

“We’re incredibly proud of the way our Achieva members and the wider community came together in a critical time of need for so many of our neighbors,” said Gary Regoli, CEO of Achieva. “We want to thank each individual who gave, however they could, to your neighbor as yourself – these efforts demonstrate the strength of our communities’ unity and resilience.”

Some donors indicated a specific county for their donation; others made a general donation which was split evenly among the counties, along with the Achieva Foundation funds.

Local organizations receiving donations include:

Pasco County, $40,835 - One Community Now - The goal of One Community Now is to bring churches, businesses, schools, organizations, and local government together to help meet the un-met and under-met needs in Tampa Bay.
Pinellas County, $69,166 - RCS Pinellas - The focus of RCS Pinellas is to direct its resources to people facing hunger, homelessness, domestic violence and basic needs.
Manatee County, $37,479 - The Salvation Army - Bradenton - Feeding those who would go without a hot, nutritious meal hits at the core of The Salvation Army’s mission. Each weeknight in Bradenton, they serve a hot meal to an average of 250 men, women and children at their Community Dinner.
Sarasota County, $51,747 - All Faiths Food Bank - Together with their partners in the County, All Faiths provides healthy solutions to end hunger in our community.
Charlotte County, $38,736 - The Salvation Army – Port Charlotte - The Salvation Army is providing walk in food assistance, community lunch box-to-go events each week and continues to ensure it is serving the community in any way it can.
Lee County, $37,038 - Cape Coral Caring Center - This organization is dedicated to providing the minimal essentials of life of food and shelter, creating comfort for people with limited resources. Lehigh Acres Community Services – This organization offers limited financial assistance for people needing food and help with water and electric bills.

Achieva Foundation

The Achieva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Corporation supporting the local communities that Achieva Credit Union serves. We are committed to supporting organizations that create opportunities for social and economic enrichment of the communities we serve.

About Achieva

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is one of the top ten credit unions in Florida as voted by Forbes and is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial with more than $1.9 billion in assets and 22 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account, can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union hires banking veteran Hilary Blackburn to lead business and consumer deposits and services

DUNEDIN, Fla. (June 2, 2020) – Achieva Credit Union has set its sights on growing its products and services for both business and individual members, and has hired Hilary Blackburn to lead these efforts as Vice President – Deposit Products and Services.

Blackburn’s wide-ranging role will include establishing new programs to help businesses and individuals, while managing a team focused on relationship building. She is also in charge of a number of existing products and services, such as Treasury Management, ACH wires, debit and credit card payment systems, and digital wallets.

With more than 160,000 members and 24 branches along the west coast of Florida, Achieva is focused on expanding relationships with existing members while providing cutting-edge products and services.

“Hilary has been charged with partnering directly with business and consumer members to fully understand how well their needs are being met and what opportunities we have to round out our product/service offerings. It is our goal to make Achieva a one-stop shop for all of our member’s financial needs,” said Jennifer Galley, Achieva Chief Operating Officer.

Blackburn brings over 18 years of financial services experience working in both smaller and larger institutions. Her most recent role was Principal Vice President, Small Business Banking Program Manager for Burke & Herbert Bank in Northern Virginia.

She has received multiple performance recognition awards during her career in the Washington D.C. area, including 5-Star recognition for improving Burke & Herbert Bank’s small business program; special recognition from Cardinal Bank for leading a bank acquisition project; Capital One Bank’s Team Award, and Chevy Chase Bank’s Diamond Service Team Award.

“I’m very excited about this new role and about living in the Tampa Bay area,” Blackburn said. “I felt an instant connection with the senior leadership at Achieva, and I’m eager to bring a perspective gained from working with both large and small financial institutions.”

About Achieva

Achieva Credit Union Lanza Fondo de Ayuda Para Bancos de Alimento

Achieva aporta los primeros $30,000 y se compromete a donar hasta $200,000 más en fondos paralelos.

DUNEDIN, Fla. (May 12, 2020) – En respuesta al impacto tán grande de la pandemia del COVID-19 en nuestra comunidad, Achieva Credit Union ha donado $30,000 a bancos de alimento y esta haciendo un llamado a la comunidad para brindar aun mas ayuda a familias necesitadas.

Achieva se ha comprometido a duplicar cada donación del publico, dólar por dólar. La ayuda con fondos paralelos de hasta $200,000 será distribuido entre seis bancos de alimento en el centro y oeste de la Florida. La ayuda se produce en medio de una tasa de desempleo histórico, la clausura de escuelas y sus programas de alimentación para niños pobres.

“Apoyar a la comunidad que servimos es parte de nuestro ‘DNA’ , como credit unión que somos. Nuestras sucursales y nuestros empleados son parte de la comunidad y por eso sentimos un gran deber de ayudar a tantos vecinos abatidos por la pandemia,” enfatizo el director general de Achieva, Gary Regoli. “Estamos aquí para ayudar a los que más lo necesitan. Le pedimos a nuestros miembros, y a todo aquel que pueda, que donen lo antes posible. Juntos, podremos ayudar los bancos de alimento que están bajo una enorme presión.”

Organizaciones locales a las que Achieva está ayudando

Cada donante puede escoger el condado especifico para su donación, seleccionando del listado en www.AchievaCU.com Tambien, puede hacer la anotación en su cheque.

Cómo hacer una donación

www.AchievaCU.com/giveback - utilice cuenta de PayPal de Achieva Credit Union
Sucursales de Achieva – se aceptan donaciones por el drive- thru (efectivo y cheques)
Por correo – solo enviar cheques y pagaderos a “Achieva Foundation”. Direccion:

Achieva Foundation

P.O. Box 1500

Dunedin, FL 34697

Attn: COVID-19 donation

Achieva Foundation es una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) dedicada a las comunidades donde Achieva Credit Union esta presente. Su misión es ayudar a organizaciones locales en su área de servicio que están abriendo camino para progreso económico y enriquecimiento social.

Achieva Credit Union se fundó en 1937 en el condado de Pinellas. Hoy esta entre las primeras diez Credit Unions de la Florida según Forbes y está calificada como Superior 5-Star por la destacada institución Bauer Financial. Achieva cuenta con más de $1.9 billones en activos, 160,000 miembros y 22 sucursales en los siguientes condados - Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas y Sarasota. Abierto a nuevos miembros. Para más información visite www.AchievaCU.com

Achieva Credit Union launches donation drive to support local food banks

Achieva will be matching donations dollar-for-dollar up to $200,000

DUNEDIN, Fla. (May 6, 2020) – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s major impact on area communities, Achieva Credit Union is is donating $30,000 to help support food banks through west-central Florida and all the communities it serves.

To generate greater impact, Achieva is reaching out to the community to ask for contributions and is matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to an additional $200,000. With the help of the public to reach this goal, Achieva is aiming to generate a total of $430,000 for local food banks.

“As a credit union, supporting the communities we serve is engrained in our DNA. With so many neighbors experiencing a negative financial impact from this pandemic, we’re committed to helping those most in need,” said Achieva Credit Union CEO Gary Regoli. “We’re asking our members and community to help us make an even greater impact. Please consider donating if you’re able to help your community during this difficult time.”

Local organizations Achieva is supporting

Donations will go to an organization in each county where Achieva has branches. If donors prefer that a contribution is earmarked for a specific county, they can make a selection for that in PayPal, or notate it on their check.

Pasco County – One Community Now

Pinellas County – RCS Pinellas

Manatee County – The Salvation Army - Bradenton

Sarasota County – All Faiths Food Bank

Charlotte County – The Salvation Army - Port Charlotte

Lee County – Cape Coral Caring Center

How to donate

PayPal – donate instantly to the Achieva Credit Union PayPal account.
Deposit in a branch - visit the drive-thru at one of our branch locations. Cash or check is accepted.
Mail a check - payable to the Achieva Foundation and sent to the address below.

Achieva Foundation

Attn: COVID-19 donation

P.O. Box 1500, Dunedin, FL 34697

About Achieva

Achieva Credit Union Launches New Hispanic Outreach Efforts

<strong>Achieva forms Hispanic Advisory Council, partners with Telemundo 49 WRMD & well-known Latina Lissette Campos</strong>

DUNEDIN, Fla. (February 19, 2020) – Continuing its rich history of supporting the Tampa Bay area community, Achieva Credit Union has launched several significant initiatives to engage with its Hispanic members and growing community.

Achieva started its first ever, Hispanic Advisory Council of employees to recommend programs, projects and activities that deliver value to current and prospective Hispanic Achieva members. Advisory Council members will also help identify charitable organizations for Achieva to support.

As part of its commitment, the 83-year-old credit union has recruited one of the Tampa Bay area’s most dynamic and well-known leaders in the Hispanic community. Lissette Campos, an eight-time Emmy Award winning journalist and public figure, will proudly serve as Achieva’s Community Ambassador.

“Achieva is approaching this campaign very thoughtfully,” Campos said. “It’s clear to me they want to understand the various needs of the Hispanic community with their engagement efforts. The credit union is doing so much to make a positive, lasting impact in our community, from its financial programs to scholarship opportunities, and I’m honored to be a part of this.”

In addition, Achieva has teamed up with Telemundo 49 / WRMD to make information about personal finance and banking available to the Hispanic community in west-central Florida reaching households in counties.

“Our local Telemundo station is the first place that our Spanish-speaking community turns to for news and information,” said David Oak, Chief Marketing Officer for Achieva. “We’re excited to team up with Telemundo 49 in West Central Florida to deliver important financial literacy information that can help families chart a path to financial success in these challenging economic times.”

About Telemundo:

WRMD TV is Telemundo’s local station serving Spanish-language viewers in the Tampa Bay area. Telemundo 49 delivers more than 12 hours of live, locally produced news each week across linear, digital and mobile platforms. Telemundo 49 also includes world-class programming by Telemundo Network.

About Achieva

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is one of the top ten credit unions in Florida as voted by Forbes and is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial with more than $1.7 billion in assets and 22 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account, can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union Scholarship Competition extends application period

DUNEDIN, Fla. (March 30, 2020) – Achieva Credit Union is extending the application period for its Achieva Scholarship Competition from March 31 to April 24.

Each year, Achieva offers two scholarship categories to deserving students. Eight $2,000 scholarship awards will be given this year, along with three $2,500 awards.

To be eligible for the $2,000 Achieva Credit Union Scholarship, applicants must be Achieva Credit Union members in good standing and either be a high school senior or currently enrolled in college or vocational training school.

To be eligible for the $2,500 Hugh “Max” Kriever Memorial Scholarship and the Trellis Poe and Jack Berthy Honorary Scholarships, applicants must be Achieva Credit Union members in good standing and be a student committed to majoring in education.

Applicants must complete an application and submit a short essay addressing the question, “What is the greatest financial challenge facing your generation and how will you prepare to overcome it?”

Applicants will be evaluated on a range of factors, including academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, community involvement and future goals. Answers to essay questions about responsible money management and financial literacy in relation to community impact will also be taken into consideration.

Achieva has awarded more than $170,000 since the beginning of this program in 2005.

About Achieva: Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is one of the top 10 credit unions in Florida as voted by Forbes and is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial with more than $1.7 billion in assets and 22 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union launches “Teacher of the Month” contest in Charlotte County

The county’s first-of-its-kind contest will spotlight exemplary educators at local schools

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (Sept. 16, 2019) – Achieva Credit Union is teaming up with Charlotte County Schools and the Port Charlotte Sun to launch the county’s first-ever “Teacher of the Month” contest. Each month, parents, students and community members can nominate an educator of their choice from Charlotte County.

The Teacher of the Month contest is open to all Charlotte County educators from public and private schools. The nomination period for the month of September will be open from Sept. 16 to Sept. 24. During that timeframe, parents, students and community members can nominate a teacher via an online submission form at yoursun.com/topteacher.

Nominators are also highly encouraged to include details on why they’re nominating the teacher and how the teacher makes a difference in students’ lives.

The teacher with the most votes will be named Teacher of the Month, and an Achieva team member will award the teacher with a $250 gift card and funding to support a wish-list item that benefits his or her classroom. The Port Charlotte Sun will also write a story about the winning teachers each month.

“Achieva was founded by seven teachers, so it makes complete sense to do something unique to recognize outstanding local teachers,” said Susan Lacey, Market Vice President at Achieva. “We’re also thrilled to hand-deliver the gifts and connect with the winning teachers each month.”

Achieva, the Port Charlotte Sun, and Charlotte County Schools also plan to host a special reception in May 2020 to announce the Teacher of the Year, who will receive a trip to New York City, Las Vegas or Atlantis Bahamas with the hotel stay and airfare included. Each Teacher of the Month is eligible for the Teacher of the Year honor.

Achieva has kept education at the forefront of its community giving strategy since it was founded in 1937. The Teacher of the Month contest stays true to the credit union’s roots while benefitting the community. In fact, Achieva has raised more than $400,000 for Florida schools since 2010.

The Teacher of the Month contest will run monthly throughout May. For more information about Achieva Credit Union, visit www.achievacu.com.

ABOUT ACHIEVA:
Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.5 billion in assets and 26 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

ABOUT THE PORT CHARLOTTE SUN NEWSPAPER The Port Charlotte Sun is the county’s premier source of community news. Covering the communities of Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood, Venice and Arcadia, the daily publication presents an unbiased stream of breaking and local news. For more information, call the newsroom at 941-206-1000 or visit https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/.

Achieva Credit Union’s partnership with the Charlotte Stone Crabs is a home run

Ticket giveaway reached 450 service workers, teachers and Achieva members during the 2019 season

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (Aug. 21, 2019) – Achieva Credit Union is wrapping up a successful second year of partnering with the Charlotte Stone Crabs, providing more than 450 free tickets to police officers, firefighters, teachers, health care workers and Achieva members during the 2019 season.

At each Saturday night home game this season, Achieva handed out 50 free tickets to workers who make a difference in the community, as well as its members. The ticket giveaway is part of a multi-year partnership that Achieva formed with the Stone Crabs in 2018.

“When Achieva acquired Calusa Bank in 2015, we brainstormed meaningful ways to grow our brand in Charlotte County,” said Susan Lacey, Market Vice President for Achieva. “We’re big on sports, often sponsoring local leagues throughout our footprint, so partnering with the Stone Crabs made complete sense.”

Achieva also sees the partnership as a tangible way to give back to the community - always a major focus for the credit union.

“Offering a fun night out to see a baseball game is just a small token of appreciation we can offer to people who change lives throughout our community,” Lacey said.

Achieva, which was originally founded by a group of teachers in 1937, is hosting a “Back to School Night” during the Stone Crabs game on Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Charlotte Sports Park. School teachers, administrators, staff and students will get into the game for free when they show their school IDs.

Throughout the season, Achieva members also enjoyed the perks of the Stone Crabs partnership, scoring free tickets to home games on Monday through Thursday when they showed their Achieva debit or credit cards. They also received coupons for a complimentary hot dog and soda – the perfect combination as they cheer on the Stone Crabs from the Achieva Community Corner, a designated area reserved for Achieva members and community partners.

Achieva plans to offer a similar program with the Stone Crabs next season, part of its goal to sponsor purposeful events that impact the community and expand its presence in Charlotte County market. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

ABOUT ACHIEVA:
Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.5 billion in assets and 26 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com.

ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE STONE CRABS

The Charlotte Stone Crabs, a Minor League Baseball team based in Port Charlotte, is the Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are owned by the Caribbean Baseball Initiative, headed by owner/operator Lou Schwechheimer and Jordan Kobritz. The Charlotte Stone Crabs promote affordable, family-friendly entertainment. For tickets or information, call the box office at 941-206-HITS or visit https://www.milb.com/charlotte-stone-crabs/tickets.

Achieva Credit Union makes Forbes list of Florida’s best credit unions

Ranking based on customer surveys done by Forbes and market research firm Statista

DUNEDIN, Fla. (July 18, 2019) – Achieva Credit Union has been named as one of Florida’s 10 best credit unions, based on a national survey of banking and credit union customers conducted by Forbes with market research firm Statista.

Forbes surveyed more than 25,000 people around the U.S. about their banking relationships, with the financial institutions being rated on overall recommendations and customer satisfaction. Among the categories covered: trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services and financial advice.

Achieva ranked No. 9 on the list of Florida’s 10 best credit unions, a notable achievement given that only 3.1% of the nation’s financial institutions qualified for “best-in-state” status.

“We are extremely proud of making this list, which reflects both the quality of our personal service and the sophistication we offer with our digital and branch services,” said Achieva CEO Gary Regoli. “As a not-for-profit owned by our members, finding ways to meet their needs is everything to us.”

Credit unions as a whole did very well in the survey: While the average score for banks in the survey was 4.2 on a range of 1 to 5, credit unions averaged 4.5.

The Forbes ranking signifies the high level of Achieva’s customer service, part of an equation for success that also includes community support and employee satisfaction. Achieva currently has an 83% customer satisfaction rate based on 2018 results from the credit union’s customer experience survey.

Achieva is able to deliver on its strong service model thanks to its vibrant company culture, which includes everything from employees bringing their dogs to work, to rallying team members to brainstorm the next community event.

For seven consecutive years, Achieva has earned the Tampa Bay Times’ “Top Workplace” distinction, which is awarded to 100 companies across the Tampa Bay area, based on anonymous surveys completed by employees at each respective organization.

“Happy, satisfied employees who enjoy coming to work each day are the ones who deliver standout service,” Regoli said.

ABOUT ACHIEVA:

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.7 billion in assets and 26 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information, visit theAchieva Credit Union website.

Achieva Credit Union’s 10th annual Box Car Rally rolls through downtown Clearwater on Oct. 5

This year’s signature event celebrates a decade of action-packed races to benefit Pinellas County schools

CLEARWATER, Fla. – (Aug. 1, 2019) – Achieva Credit Union will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its annual Box Car Rally on Saturday, Oct. 5 in downtown Clearwater. For the past decade, box car racers have joined together to zoom down one of the only hills in Pinellas County to benefit local schools.

Founded by teachers, Achieva gives proceeds from community events like the Box Car Rally to Pinellas County schools in the form of classroom grants. As an example, Seminole High School used a grant several years ago to start its “Wake-Up Warhawks Coffee Cart” – a concept in which students serve coffee to teachers and peers, while learning things like budgeting, managing inventory and customer service skills in the process.

Last year’s Box Car Rally attracted more than 2,500 spectators to watch the event at the corner of Cleveland Street and Osceola Avenue, raising $25,000 for Pinellas County schools.

“The Box Car Rally is a perfect example of the strong partnership we have with the communities we serve,” said David Oak, Achieva’s chief marketing officer. “Working together, we’ve raised $415,000 for local schools since 2010, thanks to our community events, which shows how much our neighbors care about improving public education.”

The Box Car Rally stems from an unusual idea, Oak said. In 2010, Achieva CEO Gary Regoli challenged the staff to create a signature event to raise money for local schools. Turns out, an Achieva team member had just watched “The Little Rascals” and found inspiration in the movie’s soapbox car rally.

This year’s free event will be held Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thousands of spectators will watch nearly 300 races with box cars made out of everything from surfboards to filing cabinets, as well as sleek All-American Soap Box Derby style cars. Beyond the race track, the event has even more fun for the whole family to enjoy including food trucks and a Kids Zone with balloon artists and face painting.

To register, become a sponsor or learn more about the Box Car Rally, visit the event website.

ABOUT ACHIEVA:

Achieva employees put on their hard hats to help Habitat for Humanity Sarasota

SARASOTA, Fla. (May 28, 2019) – Volunteers from Achieva Credit Union recently joined Habitat for Humanity Sarasota to help with the build of three homes at Hammock Place, Habitat Sarasota’s first planned community, which will have 40-single family homes.

A group of 15 Achieva employees volunteered with Habitat Sarasota on-site at Hammock Place on May 18, doing everything from painting, flooring and interior framing at the three homes.

Three local families also worked with the Achieva team as part of their “sweat equity” requirements through Habitat Sarasota. “Sweat equity” means that families must complete a minimum of 300 volunteer hours helping to build Habitat homes, in order to purchase a Habitat Sarasota home.

“It’s important for us to help fund the construction of these homes, but it’s even more meaningful to also put some elbow grease into building these homes,” said Susan Lacey, Achieva’s Market Vice President in Sarasota. “Our Achieva team was thrilled to work alongside the families who will eventually live in these homes.”

In April 2019, Habitat Sarasota held a block party, sponsored by Achieva, to celebrate the construction of Hammock Place homes. Over the summer, representatives from Habitat Sarasota will hold home dedication ceremonies for the families once their houses are complete.

"Great things happen in our community when we all join together,” said Renee Snyder, Habitat Sarasota’s president and CEO. “Habitat Sarasota digs deep every day through partnerships to do more for the families we serve.”

The development of Hammock Place was made possible through Habitat Sarasota’s “Lives Transformed: The Campaign for Hammock Place,” a capital campaign that started in April 2018. The goal of the campaign is to raise $7 million by end of 2020 to build 40 homes to provide qualified families with permanent, affordable housing. The first 11 homes are fully funded.

Achieva will continue to form meaningful partnerships that benefit the Sarasota community and expand its presence in the Sarasota market. For more information, visit www.achievacu.com or call 727-431-7680.

ABOUT ACHIEVA:

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.5 billion in assets and 26 branches serving more than 160,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SARASOTA

Habitat for Humanity Sarasota is the leading organization that provides permanent, affordable housing to income-qualified families in Sarasota. By serving qualified homeowners with an affordable mortgage, we help families achieve housing stability and improve their living conditions. Habitat Sarasota’s operating expenses are funded by the ReStore through sales of gently used furniture and home improvement materials, allowing financial contributions to go directly toward serving families. Habitat Sarasota leverages our resources with community partners, collaborations and volunteers to keep our homes affordable. Habitat Sarasota is building Hammock Place, a 40-home neighborhood that is the first of its kind in this area. To support Lives Transformed: The Campaign for Hammock Place, visit www.habitatsrq.org. Together, we build.

Part of Dunedin’s Virginia Street to be renamed “Achieva Way”

Achieva Credit Union hosts a block party and sign unveiling for the community on March 30

DUNEDIN, Fla. (March 14, 2019) – Achieva Credit Union will host a community block party on March 30 to unveil “Achieva Way,” a new street name that replaces the section of Virginia Street between Main Street and Keene Road in Dunedin. The new name, created in partnership with the City of Dunedin, reflects Achieva’s significant role in the community.

Achieva has been woven into the Dunedin community since moving its corporate headquarters to Virginia Street in 2013. From dog lovers and their furry friends visiting Achieva’s Paw Park, to mothers and their daughters getting crafty at Achieva’s annual “Scrapbook Crop” event, the local credit union prides itself on finding ways to help its Dunedin neighbors.

“The newly named ‘Achieva Way’ reflects our commitment to the local community,” said Gary Regoli, president and CEO of Achieva. “Whether it’s a financial literacy workshop or a community shredding event, we’re proud to host events that make a difference for everyone.”

On Achieva Way, the community will also find the Achieva Paw Park – a 1.25-acre dog park that Achieva expanded in partnership with the City to help fill the need for a bigger dog park in Dunedin, since Happy Tails Dog Park closed earlier this year. In February, Achieva and the City also hosted a “Puppy Bowl” at the Paw Park featuring adoptable dogs.

“Achieva calling Dunedin its ‘home’ has meant so much to the City,” said Bob Ironsmith, director of economic development for the City of Dunedin. “From their support and sponsorship of events to the way they’ve created jobs locally, Achieva has been a model company in our community.”

Among signature community events held by Achieva are its Box Car Rally, Run for Good, Coconut Run, and Scrapbook Crop – all to benefit schools in Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee counties. Achieva has raised over $405,000 for local schools since 2010, and its employees have volunteered more than 30,000 hours in the community over that time, thanks to these initiatives.

The community is invited to join Achieva and the City of Dunedin at a free block party on Saturday, March 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to celebrate the naming of Achieva Way. The event, set for the area around Achieva’s headquarters at 1659 Achieva Way (formerly Virginia Street), will include live music, food, beer, kids’ games and a petting zoo.

For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com or call 727-431-7362.

ABOUT ACHIEVA CREDIT UNION
Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.5 billion in assets and 25 branches serving more than 150,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

Adoptable dogs star in Achieva’s Puppy Bowl

Event celebrates the grand reopening of Achieva Credit Union’s Paw Park on Feb. 2 in Dunedin

DUNEDIN, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2019) – Achieva Credit Union will hold a grand “reopening” ceremony on Feb. 2 to celebrate the expansion of its Paw Park located at 1659 Virginia St. in Dunedin. Dog lovers and their furry friends are invited to join this free event featuring an array of vendors, adoptable dogs from Dunedin Doggie Rescue, and a Puppy Bowl.

The Puppy Bowl will feature a group of adoptable chihuahuas available through Dunedin Doggie Rescue, who will chase a stuffed football across a mini football field with yard lines and goal posts. Other breeds of adoptable dogs from Dunedin Doggie Rescue will also be at the event cheering the chihuahuas on.

Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski and members of the Dunedin Parks & Recreation Department will also join Achieva in a ribbon-cutting to officially unveil the expanded Paw Park at 10 a.m. on Feb. 2.

Achieva teamed up with the City on the dog park’s expansion as a way to bring dog owners together in a community setting – specifically to help fill the need for a bigger dog park in Dunedin, since Happy Tails Dog Park will permanently close in February. The 1.25-acre Paw Park has plenty of room for dogs of all sizes to roam and play.

Among the highlights of the expanded Paw Park are a taller fence for the large dog area, new trees for additional shading and more seating options. Other amenities include agility poles, dog tunnels, water fountains and waste stations.

The Paw Park, which is next door to Achieva’s corporate headquarters, has been open since 2016.

“We’re proud to work with the City to offer a great dog park experience for the Dunedin community,” said Gary Regoli, president and CEO of Achieva. “We love to look out our windows and see our neighbors interact with each other while their dogs romp around the Paw Park.”

The free grand reopening event is on Saturday, Feb. 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Paw Park. The ribbon cutting begins at 10 a.m., while adoptable dogs from Dunedin Doggie Rescue will star in the Puppy Bowl at 11 a.m.

Event guests are encouraged to dress their pets in their NFL best as a way to pre-game for the Super Bowl.

For more information about the Achieva Paw Park, visit www.achievacu.com or call 727-431-7362.

Clearwater Streets Fill with Achieva Box Car Racers for 9th Year

CLEARWATER, Fla. – (October 20, 2018) – The Achieva Box Car Rally, one of the biggest annual community events in downtown Clearwater, will return for a ninth year this Oct. 27. Each year, the event raises tens of thousands of dollars for Pinellas County Schools. Registration for teams is now open and will continue through October 13. A limited number of late registrations will be accepted from Oct. 14-21 at an additional cost.

The family friendly event is free to watch and draws more than 2,500 spectators to downtown Clearwater. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests can enjoy nearly 300 box car races, featuring All-American Soap Box Derby-style vehicles as well as homemade cars. The event will also feature a food truck rally, vendor exhibits and a Kids Fun Zone with inflatables, balloon artists, face painters and much more

“The Box Car Rally is one of our most popular community events. We love seeing the way it brings families together for some healthy competition and spectators get to have a little old-school fun,” said Achieva Credit Union Chief Marketing Officer David Oak. “But the real thrill is, each year, more and more money is raised to support our local classrooms.”

Achieva Credit Union has held the Box Car Rally every year since 2010. In total, the foundation has contributed more than $175,000 through the event to benefit Pinellas County schools. These direct grants are administered by the Achieva Foundation, a 501(c)3 Corporation. Overall, the foundation has raised more than $355,000 for local school classrooms through their sponsorship of community events.

WHAT: The 9th Annual Achieva Box Car Rally

WHEN: Saturday, October 27, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Downtown Clearwater at Cleveland St & Osceola Ave

PARKING: Free event parking will be available in the lower Harborview Center parking lot. Parking is also available in the Garden Avenue parking garage. Vehicles pulling trailers are encouraged to park in the City Hall parking lot, located at 112 S Osceola Ave.

To register and to learn more information about the race, visit the event website: www.AchievaBoxCarRally.com.

ABOUT ACHIEVA CREDIT UNION

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.5 billion in assets and 24 branches serving more than 150,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union and Preferred Community Bank Successfully Complete Merger

October 1, 2018 (Dunedin, Fla.) – Achieva Credit Union today announced it has successfully completed a merger with Preferred Community Bank, a Florida state-chartered bank in Lee County with $118 million in assets. This purchase brings Achieva’s total number of branches to 26 and total assets to $1.7 billion.

Established in 2007, Preferred Community Bank had three branches -- in Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, and Cape Coral. All three branches are now operating as branches of Achieva. Under the terms of the merger agreement, this was a whole bank acquisition.

“Achieva Credit Union is excited about welcoming new members from Preferred Community Bank, and we are thrilled to offer residents of Lee County the opportunity to experience our member benefits,” said Achieva CEO Gary Regoli. “Nearly two-thirds of Preferred customers have already voluntarily opted-in to transfer their accounts to Achieva over the last several months, and more customers are signing up every day.”

Three years ago, Achieva made national news as the first credit union in America to acquire a bank in whole, with the purchase of Calusa Bank. Since then, several other credit union acquisitions of banks have occurred and Achieva has developed a consulting service, Achieva Merger Services, to provide expertise to other credit unions and community banks.

Unlike banks, credit unions are cooperatives, owned and operated by the members they serve. At Achieva Credit Union, the board of directors is made up of Achieva members – all unpaid volunteers – who look out for the best interests of their fellow members and the long-term strategic viability of Achieva. Federally insured credit unions, like Achieva, are insured by the National Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) which backs deposits up to $250,000 with the full faith and credit of the United States government.

ABOUT ACHIEVA CREDIT UNION

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5- Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has with over $1.7 billion in assets and 26 branches, serving more than 150,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Credit Union and Preferred Community Bank to Join Forces

February 14, 2018 (Dunedin, Fla.) – Achieva Credit Union today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Preferred Community Bank, a Florida state-chartered bank in Lee County with $118 million in assets. This purchase will bring Achieva’s total number of branches to 26 and total assets to $1.6 billion.

Established in 2007, Preferred Community Bank has three branches in Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, and Cape Coral. All three branches will continue to operate as branches of Achieva after the sale is finalized later this year.

Under the terms of the merger agreement this will be a whole bank acquisition. This transaction is expected to close later this year and is subject to customary closing conditions and Preferred Community Bank shareholder and regulatory approvals. Achieva and Preferred’s management teams say they expect the sale to move forward smoothly.

“This consolidation of complimentary services and products along with our entry into new markets makes this combination a strong strategic move for Achieva. Along with all of those positives, our corporate cultures are greatly aligned which is a key ingredient in any successful consolidation”, said Achieva CEO Gary Regoli. “Additionally, we already have a presence in the Lee County community with three branches, and we are excited about becoming an even stronger part of this vibrant community.”

Three years ago, Achieva made national news by being the first credit union in America to acquire a bank in whole, with the purchase of Calusa Bank. Since then several other credit union acquisitions of banks have occurred and Achieva has developed a consulting service, Achieva Merger Services, to provide its expertise to other credit unions and community banks.

Unlike banks, credit unions are cooperatives, owned and operated by the members they serve. At Achieva Credit Union, the board of directors is made up of Achieva members – all unpaid volunteers – who look out for the best interests of their fellow members and the long-term Page 2 of 2 strategic viability of Achieva. Federally insured credit unions, like Achieva, are insured by the National Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) which backs deposits up to $250,000 with the full faith and credit of the United States government.

“We are very proud of the dedicated team of bankers and valued clients that we have built at Preferred Community Bank and we are looking forward to our partnership with Achieva. This exciting combination will continue to support and expand our highly personalized service with even more products and services” said Brenda O’Neil, Chairman and CEO of Preferred.

Dennis Holthaus, President of Achieva Merger Services, served as financial advisor to Achieva.

ABOUT ACHIEVA CREDIT UNION

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has with over $1.5 Billion in assets and 23 Branches, serving more than 150,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto,Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva Launches New Breed of Checking Account with Host of Perks

Growing credit union providing extra to members

Dunedin, Fla. (February 6, 2017) – Achieva Credit Union is proud to announce the launch of Achieva Checking Plus, a new form of interest-bearing checking account that offers a host of extra perks, from ID theft protection¹* and cell phone protection to health discounts and $hopping Rewards.

Achieva is among the first financial institutions in its ten-county service area to launch a checking account with such extra benefits, offering even more value for Achieva members.

“These are fantastic benefits that go well beyond what other checking accounts offer,” said Achieva CEO Gary Regoli. “This is yet another example of Achieva breaking the mold to bring new and exciting products and services beyond the typical banking experience to our members.” Among the deals and benefits:

n Credit File and Total Identity Monitoring* to detect if your identity has been compromised, plus alerts of key changes to your credit file sent to you via email or text message, and up to $10,000 in Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement Coverage.²

n Free Unlimited Official Checks and Money Orders and a High-Yield Interest Bearing³ Account and Online Banking.

n Cell Phone Insurance² for theft or damage up to $300, covering up to three phones.

n Free withdrawals at more than 900 Publix Presto! ATMs, and access to more than 5,000 shared branching locations nationwide.

n Retail Savings*, with immediate access to mobile coupons to favorite retailers, plus $hopping Rewards* of cash back that can be used towards future purchases, or sent to you via a check.

n Healthcare Savings Program*, providing discounts on health-related costs, such as discounts of up to 30 percent on brand name and generic prescriptions, dental care and eyewear. (This is NOT Insurance)

Beginning February 1, all new members of Achieva will have access to a wide range of perks with Achieva Checking Plus, all included in a monthly cost of $6.95, and existing Achieva members are encouraged to upgrade their accounts. Further details of the program are available online at www.achievacu.com/checkingplus.

ABOUT ACHIEVA: Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.4 billion in assets and 24 branches serving more than 140,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

*Registration/activation required.

¹IDProtect service is a personal identity theft protection service available to account owner(s) and their joint account holders. For revocable grantor trusts, the service is available only when a grantor is serving as a trustee and covers the grantor trustee(s). For all other fiduciary accounts, the service covers the beneficiary, who must be the primary member (fiduciary is not covered).

Achieva Checking Plus is not available to businesses, clubs, organizations and/or churches and their member, schools and employees/students.

²Special Insurance Program descriptions are summaries only and do not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual polices for complete details. Guide to Benefits is provided at account opening. Insurance is offered through the company named on the certificate of insurance. Achieva Credit Union has partnered with Econ-O-Check Corporation to offer certain products and services. These products and services are not offered, performed or insurance by Achieva Credit Union.

³You may earn interest on your Achieva Checking Plus Account when you have 18 posted transactions per checking statement cycle, using your Achieva debit or credit card or a combination of both. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Achieva Checking Plus Account can be earned for balances up to and including $15,000. Certain fees may apply and may reduce earnings. Refer to Consumer Schedule of Fees https://www.achievacu.com/pdfs/Fees.pdf or call 800.593.2274 for details.

Insurance products are not insured by NCUA or any Federal Government Agency and are not a deposit of or insured by the Credit Union or any Credit Union affiliate.

Achieva Celebrates 80 Years of Service

Expanding credit union grows upon foundation of values

May 22, 2017 (Dunedin, Florida) – When Achieva Credit Union was first formed in 1937, nearly half the America’s banks had failed amid the Great Depression. Nevertheless, seven Pinellas County educators pooled together $99.25 to create a new credit union for teachers. Today, 80 years later, Achieva serves more than 140,000 members in 10 counties and has more than $1.4 billion in assets.

Achieva has not only grown in size, it has also built a reputation for innovative leadership and as a great place to work. As Achieva enters its ninth decade, some things have changed but others have not. The size and technology behind a modern credit union would stun its founding members, but they would recognize the culture, according to Achieva Chief Executive Officer Gary Regoli.

“Our founders demonstrated cooperation, frugality and service – and they believed in the growing credit union movement,” Regoli said. “Those values formed the bedrock of this organization, and we still believe in those values today.”

Over the decades, Achieva grew and became a leader and innovator in credit unions in Florida. The organization was named the Pinellas County Teachers Credit union in 1950, and became community chartered in 1985. By 2003, it expanded into Pasco and Hernando county and changed names in 2004 to Achieva Credit Union.

Regoli became President and CEO in 2008, and Achieva merged with Sarasota Coastal Credit union in 2009, expanding to seven counties. In 2012, membership expanded to Lee and Collier counties, and in 2015 Achieva set a trend in the financial world by acquiring Calusa Bank and becoming the first credit union to buy a whole bank operation in Florida.

Achieva sponsors a myriad of community events, such as box car rallies, scrapbooking events, 5k runs, soccer teams and baseball clubs. The Achieva Foundation supports education projects across the region, and provides scholarships to high-achieving students.

“Achieva is an organization that this entire region can be proud of,” said Achieva Board of Directors Chairman T.D. Hawkins. “I offer my heartfelt congratulations on this milestone, and I look forward to the next chapter of Achieva’s growth.”

About Achieva Credit Union

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5-Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.4 billion in assets and 24 branches serving more than 140,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit www.achievacu.com.

Achieva to Help Credit Unions in Bank Mergers

BY ROBERT TRIGAUX

Tampa Bay Times Staff Writer

Who knew a Dunedin-based credit union could be nicknamed the Great Disrupter?

Achieva Credit Union, which once served mostly Pinellas teachers, is launching a consulting service that would help larger credit unions buy smaller community banks.

Sounds mundane, but it borders on revolutionary. In the financial world, credit unions are the Hatfields. Commercial banks are the McCoys. They compete head-on to capture consumer and some business banking services. But they are different animals, with credit unions enjoying tax benefits not available to banks. And banks provide many services beyond the expertise of many credit unions. Banks have long complained that credit unions do not pay theirfair share of taxes, while credit unions argue their lower costs help small savers and families with modest incomes.

Now Achieva is launching the first-of-its-kind Achieva Merger Services, which hopes to makea profit out of telling credit unions of the merits behind buying smaller commercial banks, and urging banks to consider credit unions a rich new resource of potential buyers.

Achieva knows this special financial niche better than anyone. In 2015, Achieva purchased a community bank called Calusa Bank. It was the nation's first 'whole-bank' acquisition of a bank by a credit union - meaning Achieva bought all of Calusa by acquiring its stock for cash.

Is this a case of mixing dogs and cats? Not so, says former commercial banker Dennis Holthaus, who as Achieva's senior vice president is charged with getting this consulting business off the ground.

'Once the CEOs of a credit union and a prospective community bank start talking to one another and see the similarities of their culture and philosophy, any animosity quickly goes away,' he said.

Besides, smaller community banks used to be able to rely on bigger banks to buy them up. That happens a lot less often since the recession, which makes expansion-minded credit unions looking to make deals all the more enticing to small banks hoping to sell.

Says Holthaus: 'Cash deals to bank shareholders can go a long way.'

Dennis Holthaus is in charge of the new consulting service.

Achieva Launches Bank Merger Consulting Group

Specialized M&A practice will help credit unions and banks nationwide merge operations

June 1, 2017 (Dunedin, Florida) – Achieva Credit Union is pleased to announce the formation of a specialized mergers and acquisitions consulting practice group called Achieva Merger Services that will help credit unions and banks identify suitable partners, guide them through the transaction, and help merge their operations.

The project is born from Achieva’s experience as a pioneer in the practice of acquiring banks, including acquiring Calusa Bank in 2015, the first whole-bank acquisition of a bank by a credit union in the nation.

“Our acquisition of Calusa helped spark interest nationwide among other credit unions who see an opportunity in buying banks, and vice versa,” said Achieva Executive Vice President Dennis Holthaus, who is leading the new group. “We’ve gone down this road before, and now we’ve gathered the experts and the resources to find these opportunities and execute transactions properly.” As a result, Achieva can provide everything from a-la-carte support to a turnkey-level solution.

For Achieva, acquiring Calusa significantly expanded Achieva’s reach in key areas of Florida, and added more services, including business services for commercial clients. Holthaus now sees many other credit unions looking to expand in similar ways, but they want the skills of someone who has done it before.

The new Achieva Merger Services brings to bear all that expertise, Holthaus said, including: Identifying targets, due diligence, pricing analysis, merger applications, regulatory advice, acquisition accounting, and integration of operations and technologies.

The new service can help financial institutions in all 50 states, and will be staffed by current Achieva executives who can also activate specialists, such as law firms, loan analysts and investment bankers with experience in these transactions.

Besides credit unions, Holthaus said more than a few community banks expressed interest in finding out how they can be acquired by credit unions, particularly because this can vastly expand the number of potential buyers for their organization.

“With our experience, we can help with both sides of that equation,” Holthaus said. “These are dynamic times in the financial industry, and we are thrilled to assist institutions looking to navigate these waters.”

About Achieva Credit Union

Achieva Credit Union was founded in 1937 in Pinellas County. Today, it is rated a Superior 5- Star credit union by Bauer Financial and has more than $1.5 billion in assets and 24 branches serving more than 150,000 members. Anyone who lives or works in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, or whose family member has an Achieva Credit Union account can bank with Achieva. For more information about Achieva, visit theAchieva Credit Union website.

Achieva Named One of Best Places to Work

Expanding credit union makes top workplace list five years in a row

April 10, 2017 (Dunedin, Florida) – Achieva Credit Union is not only a great place for banking. Achieva is also a wonderful place to work, and this week the community-minded credit union won the #4 spot among mid-sized companies in the Tampa Bay Times ranking of “Top 100 Workplaces.”

Dunedin-based Achieva has consistently ranked high among the workplace rankings for the last five years in a row, with five years in the top 10 list alongside the area’s most-respected hotels, banks, law firms, resorts, sports teams and charitable organizations.

“It’s an honor to continually be ranked one of the best places to work,” said Achieva Chief Executive Officer Gary Regoli. “To ensure our members have a wonderful banking experience, we do all we can to attract, develop and retain the best employees. Our employees are essential to our success and it’s gratifying to know we are creating a culture where they flourish.”

Achieva has more than 350 employees and 24 branches across the wider Tampa Bay and Sarasota region, serving more than 140,000 members. Among the superior benefits of working at Achieva:

Ø 18 paid days off in the first year and 12 paid holidays

Ø Tuition reimbursement

Ø Computer purchase incentive

Ø Health dental, life and disability insurance

Ø Excellent 401k plan

Ø Fitness reimbursement program and excellent working hours

Fast-growing Achieva Credit Union has long served the wider Tampa Bay region and now serves members who live or work in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties.

Achieva has been an innovator in financial services, acquiring traditional bank branches to expand access for new members, and investing in the latest technology to enhance the credit union experience.

About Achieva Credit Union

Achieva Credit Union Names Janice Hollar as Chief Financial Officer

Long-time banker joins top ranks of Achieva professionals

February 24, 2017, (Dunedin, Florida) – Achieva Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of long-time credit union leader Janice Hollar as Chief Financial Officer.

Hollar will begin her post as CFO on March 1, taking over for Achieva CFO Dennis Holthaus who is taking a new position within the credit union. Hollar will oversee all aspects of financial affairs at the organization, including financial reports, audits, mergers, capital markets and regulatory reporting.

Hollar brings a wealth of experience as a senior leader with a wide range of organizations, including RP Financial, the Kennedy Space Center Federal Credit Union and other well-regarded institutions. Most recently, Hollar served as Senior Vice President at the Shared Services for Credit Unions organization based in Palm Beach Gardens.

“We are thrilled to bring Janice into the Achieva family,” said Achieva President and Chief Executive Officer Gary Regoli. “She has a tremendous range of experience with projects across the marketplace, and she leads with a positive example that fits perfectly with Achieva’s mission of doing GOOD. As well, we are grateful to Dennis for his years of service to Achieva. His dedication and skill has positioned Achieva well for the future.”

Hollar is well acquainted with Achieva, having worked with the company before as a consultant in the financial industry, and that experience helped lead to her interest in joining the organization.

“Achieva has a well-deserved reputation as a wonderful organization that is full of people dedicated to helping their members and the community – and that’s what it’s all about,” Hollar said. “I am excited to join the team and I look forward to helping the organization achieve its goals.”

Hollar graduated the University of Central Oklahoma, and received a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Beyond the executive suite, Hollar has served with a range of business groups, including the Florida Credit Union League Governmental Affairs Committee, the Cocoa Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Rotary International, and the Credit Union Executives Society.

About Achieva Credit Union

Achieva Credit Union Named one of Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay

April 11, 2016 (Dunedin, Fla.) — Achieva Credit Union was recently named one of Tampa Bay’s Top Workplaces 2016 by the Tampa Bay Times.

Achieva Credit Union’s employees nominated us and were surveyed about several topics, including practices and policies that make these companies the top places to work.

In the Tampa Bay region, nearly 180 leading employers were nominated by their employees. To be considered for participation, companies or government entities had to employ at least 50 workers in Florida and be at least a year old.

The Top Workplaces 2016 in Tampa Bay program was created by the Tampa Bay Times and WorkplaceDynamics.

The companies were ranked based on leadership, compensation and training, workplace flexibility, and diversity. The rankings were published on TampaBay.com, in the April 10 edition of the Tampa Bay Times and on April 11 in tbt*.

“The reports are so enriching because the stories come directly from the employees, which gives the readers a pure behind-the-scenes look into these companies,” said Chris Tisch, Times business editor. “Tampa Bay companies are truly interested in creating productive work environments and engaging employees.”

For a complete list of the 2016 Top Workplaces in Tampa Bay, go to www.tampabay.com/topworkplaces2016.

About the Tampa Bay Times

The Tampa Bay Times is widely considered one of the Top Ten newspapers in America and has won 10 Pulitzer Prizes. It is Florida’s largest newspaper, with an average circulation of 367,936 Sunday and 297,626 daily (AAM Annual Audit 2014). The Times is produced by the Times Publishing Company, which also publishes TampaBay.com - Tampa Bay’s largest local news Web site with about 2.7 million unique visitors each month (comScore six-month average for 7/15-9/15). Additionally, the company publishes the free daily tbt*, an edition of the Tampa Bay Times, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning website, PolitiFact.com; and produces special events, specialty publications, and targeted advertising programs.

About WorkplaceDynamics

WorkplaceDynamics is one of the largest workplace survey providers in the United States. Each year it surveys thousands of companies and partners with leading media organizations to produce definitive Top Workplaces lists. Using proprietary, cutting-edge online applications, WorkplaceDynamics is bringing employee engagement to the web.

Achieva Credit Union Opens Community Dog Park in Dunedin

Puppy Bowl event, Kitten Room, doggie football outfits

February 1, 2016 (Dunedin, Fla.) – Achieva Credit Union this Saturday will open “Paw Park,” a spacious and new community dog park near downtown Dunedin, and celebrate opening day with all sorts of Super Bowl-themed events for puppy (and kitten) lovers.

Organizers expect more than 300 dogs and owners at the free event, which will run at 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, February 6, at the new park, recently built adjacent to Achieva headquarters at 1659 Virginia Street, Dunedin, FL, just south of Main Street. Pet owners are encouraged to bring their pets dressed in their best football outfits to celebrate Super Bowl weekend. Events for the day include:

“Puppy Bowl,” where dogs can compete to run the football in for especially furry touchdowns.
“Kitten Room,” full of kittens to play with and adopt.
Mobile pet groomers.
Onsite vaccinations and micro-chipping.
Brady's on the go food truck.
Pet treat giveaways and pet games.

To launch the park, Achieva partnered with Suncoast Animal League, a non-profit no-kill animal rescue agency dedicated to the protection and welfare of animals.

“A core value of Achieva is reaching out to the community and being inclusive, and in this case, that means people’s pets too,” said Achieva Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tara Murphy. “Opening a good dog park is a wonderful way for us to give back to the community in a very personal way, and we’re thrilled to have all these new and furry visitors nearby.”

All proceeds from the event will benefit local schools in Sarasota in the form of classroom grants awarded by the Achieva Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation and administered through the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Achieva Credit Union Announces ‘Run for GOOD’ Event in Sarasota

5K Run/Walk, Dog Walk, Kids Run to Provide Classroom Grants for Local Schools

December 17, 2015 (Sarasota, Fla.) – Achieva Credit Union announces its second-annual ‘Run for GOOD’ fundraiser event will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016, from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Payne Park in Sarasota.

The family-friendly event will feature a 5K run/walk, a half-mile kids run and half-mile dog walk. All proceeds from the event will benefit local schools in Sarasota in the form of classroom grants awarded by the Achieva Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Corporation and administered through the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success, attracting more than 200 runners. Achieva is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County’s classroom grant program, funding to date nearly $100,000 in educational grants.

‘Run for GOOD’ is open to all ages and offers fun for the whole family. In addition to the walking and running events, there will a doggie costume contest with a great prize for the best-dressed furry friend. The event will also feature music, face painting, bounce house and a post-race pancake food truck breakfast, provided free for participants.

Registration is now open and information is available at www.achievarunforgood.com. There is a $5 registration discount for all Manasota Track Club members. All participants will receive a commemorative event shirt and all finishers of the Kids Run will receive a finisher's medal.

Awards will be given to the top male and female finishers overall as well as Master (age 40 & over), Grand Master (age 50 & over), Senior Master (age 60 & over), and Veteran Master (age 70 & over). Age group awards will be given to the top six male and female finishers in the following categories: Nine & under, 10-12, 13-15, 16-19, and in five year increments up to 80+.

Achieva Credit Union Acquisition of Bank Approved

Calusa Bank to Become Part of Achieva

December 1, 2015 (Dunedin, Fla.) – Achieva Credit Union today announced it has gained the necessary federal and state approvals to complete its acquisition of Calusa Bank, a Florida state-chartered bank in Sarasota and Charlotte counties that holds $165 million in assets. This is the first acquisition of a bank by a credit union in Florida, and the seventh nationally. The merger will bring Achieva’s total number of branches to 24 and total assets close to $1.4 billion.

This approval represents the last step required to complete the planned transaction, and the conversion of Calusa branches into Achieva locations is already underway. Established in 2007, Calusa has four branches in North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and Venice. All four locations will now become branches of Achieva, and the bank’s customers will become Achieva Credit Union members.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Achieva will purchase all of the issued and outstanding shares of Calusa Bank, making this the first “whole bank” acquisition by a credit union, according to the negotiators. This is unique, negotiators say, because previous transactions between credit unions and banks were all structured as purchase and assumption of only a majority of the assets and deposits.

“The transaction process has gone just as smoothly as we could have wished,” said Achieva Chief Executive Officer Gary Regoli. “This helps broaden our reach, and it follows the Achieva strategy of growing smartly into areas where we can provide the tremendous benefits of Achieva to new members. We are looking forward to becoming a stronger partner in each of these communities because community involvement and leadership is a big part of the Achieva ethos.”

Unlike banks, credit unions are cooperatives that are owned and operated by the members they serve. At Achieva Credit Union, the board of directors is made up of Achieva members – all unpaid volunteers – who look out for the best interests of their fellow members. Federally insured credit unions such as Achieva are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) which backs individual deposits up to $250,000 with the full faith and credit of the United States government.

“It was immediately evident that Achieva’s service culture and attention to the customer was in lockstep with ours, giving us assurance that our customers will continue to receive the unparalleled level of service they have come to expect,” said Lew Albert Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Calusa.

Atlantic Merchant Capital Advisors LLC and Feldman Financial Advisors Inc. served as financial advisors to Achieva and Michael Bell of Howard & Howard provided legal counsel to Achieva. Hovde Group LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Calusa Bank and Richard Pearlman of Igler Pearlman P.A. served as legal counsel.

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