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GTE Financial expanding into Jacksonville. The Tampa-based credit union plans 2026 and 2027 openings in Southside. * By Karen Brune Mathis * | 5:00 a.m. May 4, 2026 * | 2 Free Articles Remaining! * Columnists * Mathis Report Tampa-based GTE Financial is preparing to build-out a Jacksonville office at The Palms at Gate Parkway in South Jacksonville, which its job postings show will be one of two offices in the area. The second office appears to be at Intracoastal Plaza at 14444 Beach Blvd. GTE Financial says it is a not-for-profit financial cooperative operating through West Central Florida with $3 billion in assets and 24 community financial centers. It calls its customers "member-owners." GTE Financial said in an emailed statement May 1 that it is scheduled to open its first full-service retail branch in Duval County in late 2026 and a second location in 2027. "The expansion into Jacksonville is part of GTE Financial's long-term commitment to meaningful growth, recently approved by the NCUA to serve six new service areas throughout the state of Florida," said the statement by Channing Thornton, managing director of retail member sales, referring to the National Credit Union Administration. The administration, created by the U.S. Congress in 1970, says it is an independent federal agency that insures deposits at federally insured credit unions, protects the members who own credit unions, and charters and regulates federal credit unions. Thornton said GTE Financial is recruiting leadership and relationship officers in the market. The statement did not provide the addresses for the offices. "The new service areas are distributed across Florida. We will prioritize opening locations in Jacksonville while exploring additional sites in other regions," Thornton said. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial says it is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 230,000 individuals and businesses. The GTEFinancial.org site says funds deposited at GTE are covered by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. It calls itself a "community-centric credit union that truly focuses on providing advantageous products with service you can count on." The site says it is the official credit union of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 24 centers in 16 cities comprise six in Tampa, two each in Clearwater, Lakeland and St. Petersburg and one each in 12 more. The closest to Jacksonville is in Ocala. The website shows personal, student and business services that include checking, savings, money market and health savings accounts; IRAs; certificates; credit cards; auto, home, personal, home equity, motorcycle, boat and RV loans; and wealth and advisory. The Palms at Gate Parkway The city is reviewing a permit for GTE Financial in 1,983 square feet of space at 7570 Gate Parkway, Unit 105, at an estimated project cost of $1.75 million. BDG Architects LLP of Tampa is the architect. AEC Integrated LLC of Jacksonville is providing private plan review. Plans show three offices, a breakroom, a lounge, lobby and rotunda and a walk-up ATM. Jacksonville-based Ash Properties is the landlord at the property, at northwest Gate Parkway and Burnt Mill Road, north of Ikea. The general site is at southwest Interstate 295 and Butler Boulevard. The 7570 Gate Parkway structure is one of three two-story buildings comprising The Palms at Gate Parkway. As Building 1, it is the southernmost structure. It is at the left when facing the central building. Unit 105 is on the ground floor. Also in the building are The Chocolate Bar, Foxtail Coffee Co. and Fore Score Golf Tavern. The site is across Gate Parkway from The Block Jax outdoor food hall, live music venue, kids play park and dog park. Intracoastal Plaza A second office is shown on site plans for Intracoastal Plaza, also owned by Ash Properties. The Ash Properties plan shows GTE Financial as a 3,392-square-foot building on Outparcel 1, next to Shores Liquors. Le Petit Paris Cafe is on Outparcel 3. Intracoastal Plaza is at southeast Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road. Cushman & Wakefield Managing Director David Hillegas and Senior Associate Francesca Neuman represented GTE Financial in the lease negotiations for both locations. Job postings GTE Financial says in job postings that it will open two Financial Community Centers in Jacksonville. It is seeking candidates with target hire dates in September for personal banker in two locations identified as Jacksonville Intercoastal and Jacksonville Palms. The intracoastal area, as it is considered because of the Intracoastal Waterway, also is generally in Southside. The financial institution says the member relationship officer "will ensure members' needs are achieved by conducting a thorough financial assessment and recommending the most appropriate products and services fulfilling the member's immediate and future financial goals. They will assist in generating leads, building new and maintaining existing member relationships while providing a great member experience." It asks candidates to "join us as we get to know the Jacksonville community, support local families, and create a positive impact for both current and future members."

GTE Financial awards $81,000 in scholarships to 27 students. GTE Financial celebrated the next generation of leaders and changemakers on August 13 during its annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon at the T-Pepin Hospitality Centre in Tampa. The event honored 27 local students with $3,000 scholarships each, totaling $81,000 in awards this year alone. Now in its 14th year, the GTE Student Scholarship Program continues to make a lasting impact on students across the region. Since its launch in 2012, GTE has awarded over $1 million in scholarships, empowering hundreds of students to pursue higher education and strengthen their communities. "Celebrating 14 years of GTE Student Scholarships at our annual awards luncheon. Congrats to 27 local scholarship recipients for a total of $81,000 in awards in 2025," said a GTE Financial spokesperson. "These young leaders give back in big ways. Thank you to the families and students who pave a brighter future for all." This year's recipients represent a broad swath of Florida communities, including Brandon, Tampa, Valrico, Lutz, Dale City, Clearwater, Odessa, St. Petersburg, Land O' Lakes, Holiday, Tierra Verde, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sarasota and Pinellas Park. Several students hail from the Southeastern Hillsborough County area, particularly Brandon and Valrico. Among the 2025 recipients is Ryan Fidler of Brandon, who is planning to attend Florida State University. Like his peers, Fidler was selected for his academic excellence, leadership and dedication to community service - key criteria evaluated by an independent committee made up of local business and education leaders. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, GTE Financial's ongoing support remains critical. Beyond alleviating financial burdens, the program shines a spotlight on students who are already making meaningful contributions in their neighborhoods and beyond. The luncheon also offered media attendees the opportunity to speak directly with recipients, scholarship committee members and GTE leadership - capturing powerful stories and celebratory moments from an event focused on hope, achievement and community impact. For more information on the scholarship program, visit www.gtefinancial.org/personal/for-students/student-scholarships.