About Gulf Winds
Your best financial life starts here.
As a full-service financial institution, Gulf Winds Credit Union provides a wide range of accounts and banking services designed to help members live their best financial lives.
In other words, banking with Gulf Winds isn’t just banking; it’s a relationship developed by helping you live life on your own terms. We care about the things that matter to you – that first car, college tuition, weddings, homes, retirement – all the dreams and responsibilities that fill your life. As a non-profit credit union, we focus on finding banking solutions that empower you to build the best financial life for you and your family.
Back in 1954, starting with just a few employees, we began helping members with their financial goals. Today, we carry over $627 million in assets and our 60,000+ members enjoy the conveniences of 11 branch locations along with a nationwide network of CO-OP ATMs. With our comprehensive mobile and online banking services, you can stay close to your money no matter where you live or travel. Take a look at all we offer to see what works best for you.
Our Mission
- We will build a strong Relationship with our members, by offering the products that meet their needs and enhance their financial well-being.
- We will provide Service beyond the expectations of our members, across all channels and delivery platforms.
- We will Communicate with our members and provide relevant, timely guidance and education in order to build trust in our brand.
- We will provide Solutions to challenges when they arise and be proactive in our planning to meet the changing needs of our members and the communities we serve.
- We will work diligently to improve our communities in order to enhance the quality of life in our Gulf Coast market.
Our Values
- We are a Cooperative, owned by and operated for the benefit of all Members.
- Gulf Winds will make doing business with us Easy, and we will strive to Find a Way to Say Yes.
- Each Team Member will take Ownership of the Member’s experience, operate in a Responsible and Caring manner, and Educate our Members.
Who can join Gulf Winds?
Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the following counties:
- Florida
Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia and Gilchrist Counties - Alabama
Escambia, Baldwin, Mobile, Washington, Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, Covington, Butler, Crenshaw, Coffee, Geneva, Dale, Houston and Henry Counties - Georgia
Brooks, Colquitt, Decatur, Echols, Grady, Lowndes, Seminole, and Thomas Counties
Plus businesses and other legal entities located in these counties, and anyone who is an immediate family member of a current member.
There’s plenty of room for everyone. Ready to join? It's easy – let's get started.
What’s the difference between a bank and a credit union?
Bottom-line: We work to help members, banks make profits for shareholders. And that difference is huge. Unlike banks, at Gulf Winds, our members are owners – people just like you who want to save money, get a loan, and make their financial life easy. Every member owns an equal “share” in Gulf Winds, regardless of how much money they have in their account. As a non-profit, our earnings directly benefit you in the form of higher savings rates, better loan rates and lower fees. This isn’t a newfangled idea; for more than 100 years credit unions have been serving people who simply want a place to bank that isn’t, well, a bank.
History & Structure
Gulf Winds Credit Union, formerly Chemstrand Employees Credit Union and Monsanto Employees Credit Union, was organized April 9, 1954. The credit union is directed by a volunteer Board of Directors presently composed of 13 members. The Board of Directors, elected by the general membership, appoints a Supervisory Committee of four individuals who watch over the financial soundness of the credit union. The Board also hires a management team, composed of the President/CEO and others, who manage the daily activities of the credit union.