USF CU’s History You Can Bank On: From $505 in a Cigar Box to $1.4 Billion

Today, we're continuing our History You Can Bank On series by spotlighting a story that's especially close to home: the history of USF Credit Union itself as we celebrate 67 years of service.

As Diana T, branch manager at our flagship Fletcher Branch shares, USF CU's story began with a simple idea that still guides us today: people helping people.

Founded in 1959 in Tampa, we started with just 16 members and $505 kept in a cigar box.  And what began as a small university-affiliated credit union serving the University of South Florida community has since grown into something much larger.

Today, USF CU serves more than 80,000 members and manages over $1.4 billion in assets, continuing a journey shaped by steady growth and a consistent focus on members first.

As the needs of our members evolved, so did we. In 2015, USF CU merged with Darden Employees Federal Credit Union, expanding our reach and creating specialized divisions to better serve Darden and Red Lobster employees nationwide.

This year, we extended our footprint into Central Florida with the opening of our newest branch in Winter Park, bringing our mission of better banking to even more communities.

Along the way, our commitment to people-first service and leading with heart has earned national recognition, including being named the #1 credit union in Florida by Forbes, along with recognition as a top workplace by both the Tampa Bay Times and USA TODAY.

Most recently, we received Florida’s highest distinction for sustained excellence from The Sterling Council, further affirming the strength of our culture and commitment.

From a cigar box in Tampa to a growing statewide presence, our story has always been about one thing: people.

And that’s History You Can Bank On!