As the holidays grow near and we prepare to close another remarkable year at Suffolk Credit Union, I want to begin with a simple but heartfelt thank you. Your trust, loyalty, and belief in our mission continue to shape who we are and what we’re able to accomplish together. Every milestone we reach is rooted in your membership and our shared commitment to strengthening Long Island communities.
This was a landmark year for the credit union as all our branches, contact center and entire back-office team worked together to launch a major system upgrade this past summer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our team for their tireless efforts on this achievement as well as all our members for their continued patience and support as we refine experiences in the new environment. While you may not have noticed the fruits of these labors yet, in the months ahead we expect to launch several new features and enhancements built on the technological foundation the new system provides!
Suffolk Credit Union recently surpassed $2 billion in assets and grew to more than 77,000 members—a reflection of the confidence you place in us every day. That confidence was further affirmed when you—our members—voted us Best Credit Union in the Long Island Choice Awards for the fourth consecutive year, along with Best Mortgage Lender for the second year in a row. We’re honored to be a finalist again this year, and I’m pleased to announce that we were just named one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for 2026 by Newsweek!
While we’re proud of these achievements, what matters most is how we use our momentum to serve you and the communities we all call home. In May, we celebrated our 2nd Annual Suffolk Salutes Month, a credit union–wide initiative recognizing first responders, teachers, healthcare professionals, military members, and others who dedicate their lives to people across Long Island. This month-long celebration reflects our values — gratitude, service, and community-first action.
We also deepened our community partnerships in meaningful ways. I’m especially proud of our new partnership with Canine Companions. During our two-week donation-matching campaign, your generosity helped raise $2,500, and Suffolk Credit Union proudly doubled that amount to present a $5,000 check at DogFest Long Island to support the organization’s life-changing mission.
And that’s just one example. Over the past year, Suffolk Credit Union donated more than $250,000 to empower over 70 local organizations. We also supported several community organizations such as the: Jamesport, Brentwood and Yaphank Fire Departments; Maryhaven; Paws of War; and Powerful Women USA with $50,000 in grants through our partnership with FHLBNY. Alongside financial giving, our team showed up in person, to help neighbors of all ages build stronger financial futures.
Education remains one of our deepest commitments, because investing in knowledge is investing in opportunity. Suffolk Credit Union is proud to support higher education on Long Island, not just for young people starting their journeys, but also for adults advancing their careers and their lives.
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We once again supported Suffolk County Community College with $17,000 in scholarships, continuing a partnership that helps open doors for local students.
We introduced new scholarship initiatives, including…
- A partnership with SEPA Mujer to launch a First Generation American Scholarship, uplifting students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education in the United States.
- Continuing-education scholarships to four nurses at St. Catherine’s of Siena Hospital, supporting those who care for our community every day.
- And through our partnership with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, we awarded two $500 Student Ambassador Scholarships to graduating high school students—recognizing young leaders engaging with law enforcement on real issues facing teens today, from cyber-bullying to social media pressures, drug use, and vaping.
Everything we achieved this year—from growth and awards to innovation and community impact—was possible because of your trust in Suffolk Credit Union. On behalf of our Board, staff, and entire team, thank you for being part of our credit union; we’re excited to keep serving you and making a difference across Long Island in the year ahead.
With warmest regards,
Michele Dean
President & CEO
Suffolk Credit Union