# PRESS RELEASE SunCoast FinTech, a Tampa-based financial technology company, today announced it has closed a $12 million Series A funding round to accelerate expansion of its real-time payment infrastructure serving Florida's credit unions and community banks. The capital will fund product development, regulatory compliance infrastructure and market expansion across the Southeast, enabling financial institutions to compete with larger national competitors by offering faster, more efficient payment processing capabilities. SunCoast FinTech's platform processes transactions instantaneously, reducing settlement times from days to seconds while maintaining institutional-grade security protocols. The solution integrates seamlessly with existing core banking systems, allowing institutions to implement real-time payment capabilities without costly overhauls. "This funding validates our vision of democratizing fintech infrastructure for community financial institutions," said Michelle Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of SunCoast FinTech. "Regional banks and credit unions represent the backbone of Florida's economy, and they deserve modern payment technology that doesn't compromise their operational efficiency or member security." The company currently serves 34 financial institutions across Florida, processing more than $2.3 billion in annual transactions. The Series A round was led by Southeast Venture Partners, with participation from existing investors and regional financial industry leaders. SunCoast FinTech's technology addresses growing member expectations for instant payment capabilities while helping institutions reduce fraud exposure and operational costs associated with legacy payment systems. **About SunCoast FinTech** SunCoast FinTech is a financial services technology company providing real-time payment infrastructure to credit unions and community banks throughout the Southeast. Founded in 2021, the company is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.