Rooted in Service, Growing With Purpose
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PUBLIX EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION | DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIX EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
At the Oakbridge shopping center, a new business stands as a symbol of both history and growth. Publix Employees Federal Credit Union (PEFCU) recently opened its newest Lakeland branch there, joining the long-standing headquarters branch already rooted in the city. For PEFCU, expanding in Lakeland isn’t just about adding another location—it’s about strengthening its connection to the community where it began nearly 70 years ago.
“Lakeland is home,” says CEO Jeremiah Kossen. “This is where our credit union started in 1957 with George Jenkins, John Turner, and other Publix leaders who wanted better financial options for Publix associates. To add another branch here shows our commitment to this community and to the associates and families who make Publix what it is.”
That commitment to growth extends beyond Lakeland. PEFCU also recently opened new branches in Jacksonville, bringing the total branch count to 10. And according to Kossen, this is only the beginning: “We have our eyes on additional locations in the near future so we can continue meeting members where they are.”
For Lakeland residents, PEFCU may appear like a standard financial institution, but to its members it feels more like family. Chief Experience Officer Shannon Patten explains, “When people hear our name, we want them to know we’re not just another credit union. We’re a trusted partner for Publix associates and their families. Our members aren’t customers—they’re neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They are the heart of who we are, and everything we do is about helping them succeed.”
As PEFCU grows its footprint in Lakeland, financial stewardship remains at the heart of its mission. Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Straker emphasizes that strength and trust are inseparable.
“Members place their confidence in us to protect their hard-earned money,” she says. “That’s not something we take lightly. Every decision we make is with two goals in mind: supporting our members today and ensuring PEFCU is just as strong for the next generation.”
That philosophy has helped PEFCU earn a spot among the nation’s top five percent of credit unions with more than $1.7 billion in assets and an A+ financial health rating. But Straker is quick to point out that the numbers aren’t the story. “What matters most is what those numbers make possible—more first-time home buyers, more Publix families with peace of mind, and more opportunities for us to give back locally.”
In Lakeland, community ties run deep, and PEFCU has made giving back a natural part of who it is. The credit union sponsors local events, partners with area nonprofits, and encourages its associates to volunteer their time.
“Supporting the community is woven into everything we do,” Patten says. “Whether we’re helping with financial education, lending a hand at a service project, or sponsoring a local program, we know that when Lakeland thrives, our members thrive.”
Kossen said the new Oakbridge branch is designed not just to expand convenience, but also to make PEFCU more visible and accessible in the neighborhoods where members live and shop.
With two branches in Lakeland and a growing membership of over 120,000 Publix associates and their families, PEFCU is both honoring its roots and embracing the future. The credit union continues to expand digital platforms, strengthen financial education, and roll out programs that make major life steps more accessible—from buying a first car to saving for the holidays.
“We’re not trying to be the biggest credit union,” Kossen says. “We’re striving to be the most trusted. For us, success means every member feels cared for, confident and proud to call PEFCU their financial home.”
Patten said from the time Mr. Turner and “Mr. George” founded PEFCU in 1957 until today the promise has been that the credit union will care for Publix associates, their families, and this community with the same dedication that guided us since the very beginning.”
Kossen puts it plainly: “Service is our purpose—always has been, always will be.”
From left to right:
CFO Stephanie Straker, CEO Jeremiah Kossen, Chief Experience Officer Shannon Patten