The 2020 census counted 112,641 people living in Lakeland, FL as of April 1, 2020 (with an estimated 120,071 as of July 1, 2023). At least 8,240 Lakeland veterans were counted in the 2020 census. If nearby cities, such as Plant City or Bartow are taken into account, the veteran count increases.

The nearest Navy Federal Credit Unions is in Riverview, which is a considerable distance. Navy Federal members can use some non-NFCU ATMs at nearby locations, but it can take up to 6 business days for a deposit at a non-NFCU to go into a member's account.

Lakeland is a city with plenty of people and it is time to open a centrally-located Navy Federal branch there (preferably with a better parking lot than their branches in Riverview and Wesley Chapel). At the very least, they could add a few NFCU ATMs throughout the city so that their members do not have to be inconvenienced with long commutes to the nearest branch or deal with unreasonably long waits on transactions.

NFCU, please open a branch in Lakeland, FL.