Gold Coast Federal Credit Union

What Gold Coast Federal Credit Union does

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned not-for-profit cooperative financial institution headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving over 20,000 members across Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties. Founded in 1936 with 51-100 employees, the institution operates from a single primary branch with nationwide cash-access reach via the CO-OP shared branch and ATM network, and holds a 5-Star Bauer Financial rating (March 2026) with NCUA federal deposit insurance. The credit union is led by President/CEO Steven D Bush alongside a four-CEO executive team (CFO Claudia Allison, Chief Experience Officer Shannon Duran, Chief Lending Officer Joyce Dew) and a volunteer member-elected board.

The institution operates a cloud-based digital banking platform with iOS/Android mobile apps, online banking, mobile deposit, bill pay, Zelle person-to-person payments, and a MeridianLink-served mortgage application portal. In March 2026, Gold Coast selected Algebrik AI's Algebrik ONE, a cloud-native AI-powered loan origination suite, to automate consumer and real estate lending workflows. The product set spans multiple checking tiers (EasyPay, Traditional, Fresh Start for credit rebuilders, Student), savings products (Main Share, Club, Share Certificates 6-60 months, Student, MORE Money Market up to 3.00% APY), consumer lending (auto loans from 4.24% APR, RV/boat, motorcycle, personal $500-$30,000, personal line of credit, credit builder $500-$3,000, share-secured lines), real estate lending (conventional, FHA, VA, 5/1 ARM, 0% Down/No PMI program, home improvement up to $250K, home equity loans, HELOC from 6.75%), small business lending (via MBFS partner), VISA credit cards (via Elan), Sallie Mae student loans, and an insurance/identity protection stack (TruStage life/auto, AD&D, hospital accident, recuperative care, LifeLock, Route 66 vehicle protection). Financial wellness services are delivered through the Coastal Compass program in partnership with KOFE, and retirement/investment planning via Buttelman & Associates.

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest margin on the loan portfolio (autos, mortgages, unsecured personal, home equity, business), transaction-based fee income (overdraft $34/item, courtesy pay, wire transfers, account service fees), and credit card interchange via the Elan Financial Services partnership. As a cooperative, surplus is returned to members through competitive rates (e.g., auto loans from 4.24% APR, HELOC from 6.75%) and lower fees rather than shareholder returns. Go-to-market is community-led: membership is acquired through a network of 300+ affiliated employers in the four-county field of membership, a $5 PTA donation pathway, the Gold Coast CARES monthly volunteer program, the 'I Got More' member testimonial/referral program (with $25 monthly gift card drawings), and digital channels (website, mobile, Zelle). Customer segments include individual consumers (primary), small business owners, school district employees, licensed medical doctors, and students aged 14-21.

Name

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union

Legal name

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union

Website

https://gcfcu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned cooperative financial institution headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving over 20,000 members across four South Florida counties with a full suite of consumer, real estate, small business, and student lending products plus digital banking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking (Credit Union)

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC), Business / Corporate Credit Cards (FSAKABAF), Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer lending products
• Mortgage and home equity
• Member-owned credit union
• Small business lending

Headquarters

HQ city

West Palm Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income on Loans: Gold Coast generates primary revenue from interest earned on various loan products including auto loans, home mortgages, home equity loans, personal loans, business loans, and credit builder loans. As a credit union, earnings are returned to members through better rates and lower fees.
2. Fee Income: Fees charged for various services including overdraft/NSF fees ($34 per item), courtesy pay fees, wire transfer fees, and other standard banking fees disclosed in the fee schedule.
3. Credit Card Interchange: Revenue generated through VISA credit card partnership with Élan Financial Services, including interchange fees on card transactions.
4. Overdraft Protection Service Fees: Fees for EasyPay Overdraft Protection service: $34 per overdraft item paid, $7 per overdraft transfer from linked account.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union is a member-owned cooperative providing retail banking and lending products to individuals and small businesses across South Florida. Its core offerings include checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, share certificates, auto/boat/RV/motorcycle/personal/home equity/HELOC/mortgage loans, business lending, VISA credit cards, student loans, and insurance products, delivered through branch, online, and mobile channels.

Product overview

Gold Coast Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of banking and lending products. The core offerings include multiple checking account options (EasyPay, Traditional, Fresh Start, Student), various savings products (Main Share, Club Accounts, Share Certificates, Student Savings, MORE Money Market Savings), and a full range of loan products. Vehicle financing includes Auto Loans and Smart Choice Loans for cars, plus Boats/RV and Motorcycle loans. Personal financing spans Personal Loans, Personal Lines of Credit, Credit Builder Loans, and Share Secured Loans. Real estate lending includes Conventional Mortgages, 5/1 ARM, 0% Down/No PMI Program, Home Improvement Loans, Home Improvement PLUS, Home Equity Loans, and HELOCs. Business services encompass Business Lending and Business Savings through partner MBFS. Additional offerings include VISA Credit Cards (via Elan Financial Services), Sallie Mae Student Loans, insurance products (TruStage Life/Auto, AD&D, Hospital Accident, Recuperative Care), LifeLock Identity Theft Protection, and digital banking tools (Online Banking, Mobile Banking with MORE Access App, Mobile Deposit, Bill Pay, Zelle, eDOCS). Financial wellness services include the Coastal Compass program, KOFE Financial Education, and Buttelman & Associates investment planning. The credit union also offers Auto Buying Services, Gold Coast CARES community program, and homebuyer seminars.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Checking Accounts Multiple checking account options for individual members, including EasyPay Checking with no monthly fee and overdraft protection, Traditional Checking, Fresh Start Checking (for members rebuilding finances), and Student Checking (ages 14–21).
• Savings Accounts Various savings products for members: Main Share Savings ($5 minimum to establish membership), Club Accounts, Share Certificates (term deposits with higher dividend rates), Student Savings (ages 14–21), and Money Market Accounts.
• MORE Money Market Savings Money market savings account offering up to 3.00% APY with unlimited access to funds and tiered interest rates; $50,000 minimum balance to earn the top rate.
• Share Certificates Term deposit accounts with $1,000 minimum balance and terms of 6, 12, 30, and 60 months offering higher dividend rates than regular savings.
• Auto Loans New and used vehicle financing with rates as low as 4.24% APR, flexible terms, and optional GAP Total Loss Protection and Credit Life/Disability Insurance.
• Smart Choice Loan Auto financing product combining lower lease-style payments with ownership benefits and a guaranteed future value (GFV) at end of term.
• Boats/RV Loans Financing for boats, RVs, pontoons, ATVs, jet skis, golf carts, and campers with new and used purchase and refinance options.
• Motorcycle Loans Financing for new or used motorcycles with competitive rates and payment protection available.
• Personal Loans Unsecured personal loans from $500 to $30,000 for purposes including debt consolidation, vacations, home improvements, and education; rates around 10.74% APR disclosed.
• Credit Builder Loans Loan designed to build or rebuild credit, with amounts from $500 to $3,000 and terms of 9 to 24 months; approved amount placed in a savings account earning interest.
• Conventional Mortgage Fixed-rate first mortgages with terms up to 40 years, including conventional, FHA, and VA loan options, with 30–45 day closings and discounted rates for school district employees and licensed medical doctors.
• 0% Down/No PMI Mortgage Program 100% financing program combining a 30-year first mortgage for 80% of the purchase price with a 20-year home equity loan for the remaining 20%, eliminating down payment and PMI requirements.
• Home Improvement Loans Loans up to $50,000 for home improvement projects exclusively, with quick decisioning and competitive rates.
• Home Equity Loans Fixed-rate home equity loans with terms up to 20 years, no closing costs, and potentially tax-deductible interest for various purposes; rates as low as 5.50% APR.
• Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Flexible revolving credit line using home equity, rates as low as 6.75% (WSJ Prime Rate), minimum loan amount $20,000, with a 10-year draw period and 15-year repayment.
• Business Lending Small business lending delivered through partner MBFS, including commercial real estate loans, business vehicle loans (starting at $50,000), equipment loans, and investment property financing, for Florida-based sole proprietorships, LLCs, non-profits, corporations, and partnerships established two or more years.
• Business Savings Account Business savings account with tiered interest rates and quarterly dividends, serving Florida-based sole proprietorships, LLCs, non-profits, corporations, and partnerships.
• VISA Credit Cards Consumer and business Visa credit cards offered through partnership with Élan Financial Services, providing competitive pricing and a range of reward options, zero fraud liability, and 24/7 cardmember service.
• Sallie Mae Student Loans Student loan products offered through partnership with Sallie Mae, including Smart Option Student Loans, Graduate School Loans, MBA Loans, Medical School Loans, Dental School Loans, Law School Loans, and loans for health professions.
• TruStage Life and Auto Insurance Affordable whole and term life insurance policies underwritten by CMFG Life Insurance Company, plus auto insurance through Liberty Mutual, exclusively available to credit union members.
• MasterCard Debit Card Free debit card with chip security accepted at millions of locations worldwide, with mobile app controls through the My Cards feature for real-time notifications and spending tracking.
• Online and Mobile Banking Free online banking at online.gcfcu.org and the MORE Access mobile app for iOS and Android, offering account viewing, fund transfers, mobile deposit, bill pay, Zelle person-to-person payments, and Touch ID access.
• Auto Buying Service No-haggle auto buying service with a professional consultant assisting members with vehicle research, price negotiation, and dealership coordination, plus a 0.25% rate discount on approved auto loans.
• Coastal Compass Financial Wellness Program Financial education program including free webinars and workshops on budgeting, credit building, debt management, and homeownership preparation, delivered in partnership with KOFE.
• Buttelman & Associates Financial Planning Investment and retirement planning services offered through exclusive partnership with Buttelman & Associates Financial Services since 1996, providing mutual funds, annuities, retirement planning, and insurance products (securities offered through GWN Securities).
• Zelle Person-to-Person Payments Person-to-person payment service integrated with member accounts, enabling members to send and receive money using email or U.S. mobile number, with funds typically available within minutes and no fees for Zelle transactions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rated 5-Stars by Bauer Financial (March 2026)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Algebrik AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 March 2026Gold Coast selected Algebrik AI's cloud-native, AI-powered Loan Origination Suite (Algebrik ONE) to modernize lending processes. The platform provides automation and AI-driven decision-making to reduce loan processing times, increase efficiency, and enhance compliance. This is a strategic technology upgrade for the credit union's lending operations.
• MBFS (Member Business Financial Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for member business lending services including commercial real estate loans, business vehicle loans, and equipment loans. MBFS provides expertise and financial tools to help grow small business member operations.
• Élan Financial ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for VISA credit card products. Élan is an industry leader providing competitive pricing and full range of reward options for both consumer and business credit cards.
• Sallie MaecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for student loan products including Smart Option Student Loan, Graduate School Loans, MBA Loans, Medical School Loans, Dental School Loans, Law School Loans, and loans for health professions. Multiple loan types for undergraduate and graduate students.
• TruStage InsurancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for TruStage Life Insurance and Auto Insurance programs. TruStage offers affordable life insurance policies and auto insurance discounts exclusively for credit union members, underwritten by CMFG Life Insurance Company and Liberty Mutual.
• LifeLock (Norton)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIdentity theft protection partnership offering special access and pricing for LifeLock services. Includes dark web monitoring, identity restoration support, and lost wallet coverage for Gold Coast members.
• KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for free financial education tools and unlimited access to certified financial coaching. Includes personal finance coaching, housing counseling, credit counseling, and webinars. KOFE provides the Coastal Compass Financial Wellness Program.
• Buttelman & Associates Financial Services, LLCsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive financial and retirement advisory partner for Gold Coast members since 1996. Provides retirement planning, investment services, mutual funds, annuities, and insurance products. Securities offered through GWN Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.
• CO-OP Credit UnionsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShared branch network and ATM access partner. Gold Coast members can access their accounts through CO-OP shared branches and ATMs nationwide when traveling outside the Florida service area.
• ZellecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for person-to-person payment transfers. Members can send and receive money quickly directly from their Gold Coast account to enrolled recipients using email or mobile number. No fees for Zelle transactions.
• Route 66 Extended WarrantysupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExtended warranty and vehicle protection products offered through Gold Coast membership. Route 66 provides coverage for new and used vehicles including mechanical breakdown protection, roadside assistance, and transferrable warranties.
• Sam Zahr / MBFSsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMBFS Relationship Manager providing business lending expertise. Contact provided for business services consultation: (225) 288-4991, [email protected].

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GoldCoastFCU

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gold Coast Federal Credit Union