Tampa-based GTE Financial announced May 14 what it previously confirmed, that it plans to expand into the Jacksonville market with the opening of two community financial centers in South Jacksonville.
The not-for-profit financial cooperative said it will establish its first Jacksonville-area branch in late 2026 along Gate Parkway and a second at Beach Boulevard and San Pablo Road in 2027.
GTE Financial said in the news release that the expansion is its first full-service retail presence in Duval County and part of GTE Financial’s broader statewide growth strategy after receiving approval to serve additional regions across Florida.
Brian Best, president and CEO of GTE Financial, said Jacksonville represents an opportunity to serve more communities “with a personalized, community-focused banking experience.”
“As we grow, our focus remains the same, empowering our members with the financial tools, guidance and support they need to achieve their goals and build stronger financial futures,” he said in the release.
GTE Financial said it operates 24 community financial centers across Florida, serves more than 230,000 individuals and businesses, and manages about $3 billion in assets.
“The expansion into Jacksonville is part of GTE Financial’s long-term commitment to meaningful growth,” said Channing Thornton, managing director of Retail Member Sales.
The release said the credit union and its employees contribute millions of dollars annually to charitable organizations and dedicate thousands of hours to financial counseling, volunteerism and community outreach.
As part of the expansion, GTE Financial is recruiting personal bankers and relationship officers for Jacksonville.
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 Thornton, 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.
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.
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 cities. 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 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.
The Palms at Gate Parkway is west of Interstate 295 and south of Butler Boulevard.
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 of the property at northwest Gate Parkway and Burnt Mill Road, north of Ikea.
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.
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, outlined in red, next to Shores Liquors.
Le Petit Paris Cafe is on Outparcel 3.
Cushman & Wakefield Managing Director David Hillegas and Senior Associate Francesca Neuman represented GTE Financial in the lease negotiations for both locations.
