Operating a full-service brick-and-mortar branch on US Highway 221 / South Jefferson Street at 1402 South Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32348 ((850) 224-4960 / Toll-Free (877) 463-7828, Branch Fax (850) 584-5150), Champions First Credit Union (formerly Florida State University Credit Union, NCUA Charter #67874, NMLS #456949, RSSD ID #887199, Florida Sunbiz Doc# Q24000000045) provides Taylor County retirees, school district educators, and state employees with NCUA-insured Traditional and Roth IRA share certificates and fiduciary retirement planning. Through Private Wealth Management & Consulting, LLC (Sunbiz Doc# L12000104617, Wealth Direct (850) 692-2500), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™) Edward 'Eddie' Allan Knowles (Individual CRD #4206181, registered with SEC/FINRA firm LPL Financial LLC, Firm CRD #6413 / SEC File #801-10970) assists Champions First members with FRS DROP lump-sum rollovers, retirement income portfolios, and Social Security optimization. This listing also cross-references Taylor County's two full-service VyStar Credit Union & VyStar Investment Services branches (NCUA Charter #68490 / #68559, NMLS #416319, Sunbiz Doc# N92928, which acquired Perry-headquartered Citizens State Bank, historical FDIC Cert #17880, in August 2019): the Perry Branch at 2000 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL 32348 ((850) 614-7142) and the Steinhatchee Branch at 913 1st Ave SE, Steinhatchee, FL 32359 ((386) 329-0577—the only brick-and-mortar financial institution in coastal Steinhatchee), offering fiduciary advisory services through VyStar Investment Services / LPL Financial LLC (CRD #6413, regional VP & Wealth Manager Stefanie Lauren Starling, CFP®, Ind. CRD #6313558, 0 disclosures), plus regional CO-OP access for Addition Financial / Envision Credit Union (NCUA #68173, (850) 942-9000) and First Commerce Credit Union (NCUA #68462, (850) 488-0035).
Official Verification Sources: Champions First Credit Union — Perry Branch (1402 S Jefferson St) & Private Wealth Management; VyStar Credit Union & VyStar Investment Services — Perry (2000 S Byron Butler Pkwy) & Steinhatchee (913 1st Ave SE); FINRA BrokerCheck — Edward A. Knowles, AIF® (CRD #4206181) & Stefanie L. Starling, CFP® (CRD #6313558)
Issuer: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), FL OFR, SEC & FINRA
Notes: Verified 2026-10-23: Champions First Credit Union (NCUA #67874, NMLS #456949) operates at 1402 S Jefferson St, Perry, FL 32348 ((850) 224-4960), providing fiduciary wealth management via Private Wealth Management & Consulting, LLC (#L12000104617, (850) 692-2500) and LPL Financial advisor Edward A. Knowles, AIF®, BFA™ (CRD #4206181).
Issuer: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), NMLS, SEC & FINRA
Notes: VyStar Credit Union (which acquired Citizens State Bank of Perry, historical FDIC Cert #17880, in Aug 2019) operates at 2000 S Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL 32348 ((850) 614-7142) and 913 1st Ave SE, Steinhatchee, FL 32359 ((386) 329-0577), with VyStar Investment Services offered via LPL Financial LLC (CRD #6413, VP & Wealth Manager Stefanie L. Starling, CFP®, CRD #6313558).
Factual details and direct answers about Champions First Credit Union — Perry Branch & Private Wealth Management (with VyStar Credit Union & VyStar Investment Services — Perry & Steinhatchee Branches)'s services, licensing, and credentials.
What happened to Citizens State Bank in Perry and Steinhatchee, and do those branches offer retirement investment services?
In August 2019, Perry-headquartered Citizens State Bank (historical FDIC Certificate #17880) was acquired by VyStar Credit Union (NCUA Charter #68490 / #68559, NMLS #416319). Both physical branches remain open—at 2000 South Byron Butler Parkway in Perry ((850) 614-7142) and 913 1st Avenue SE in Steinhatchee ((386) 329-0577)—providing NCUA-insured IRA share certificates and fiduciary retirement planning through VyStar Investment Services / LPL Financial LLC (CRD #6413, regional CFP® advisor Stefanie L. Starling, CRD #6313558).
Can Champions First Credit Union members in Perry work with an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) for FRS DROP rollovers?
Yes. Through the Champions First Credit Union branch at 1402 South Jefferson Street, Perry, FL 32348 ((850) 224-4960, NCUA Charter #67874) and its wealth partner Private Wealth Management & Consulting, LLC ((850) 692-2500), Taylor County retirees can meet with Accredited Investment Fiduciary® Edward 'Eddie' A. Knowles, AIF®, BFA™ (CRD #4206181, LPL Financial CRD #6413) for FRS DROP rollovers and retirement income planning.
Connect with complementary legal, financial, and residential providers serving seniors in Perry and Taylor County.
The Curtis Law Firm, P.A. — Donald Raymond "Ray" Curtis III, Esq.
Perry, Taylor County
(850) 584-5299
Taylor County SHIP Housing Program, NWFRHA Section 8 & Suwannee River Economic Council (SREC) Perry Center
Perry, Taylor County
(850) 838-3500
Marshall Health and Rehabilitation Center (Aviata at Big Bend / Award Care at Big Bend — Perry 120-Bed Skilled Nursing & Memory Care)
Perry, Taylor County
(850) 584-6334
Expert guidance, benefit eligibility rules, and state protections for older Florida residents and family caregivers.
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Edward Jones — Cory G. Taylor, CFP® (Perry Branch — with State Farm Investment Management Advisors Misty S. Rhoden & John A. Kasak)
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Capital City Bank — Perry Branch & Capital City Trust / Strategic Wealth (with Taylor County Community Bank & Wealth Enhancement & Preservation — John Byron Poore II)
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Page Accounting & Tax Services — Daniel Emerson Page, CPA (with Powell & Jones, CPAs & Moran & Smith, LLP)
Perry, Taylor County
Blue Coast Federal Credit Union (Buckeye Community Federal Credit Union) — Perry Corporate Headquarters & Main Office
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Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.