Manatee Community Federal Credit Union, already one of the state’s most stable and strong credit unions, is now “superior,” according to the respected Bauer Financial ratings service.

Manatee Community received a five-star, superior rating for the second quarter of 2012. The latest ranking marks the 89^th straight quarter – meaning 22 years – that the locally based credit union has earned “recommended status.”

That’s a distinction only 25 percent of the state’s credit unions can claim, said Karen Dorway, Bauer Financial’s president and director of research. “It’s certainly an indication of long-term stability and strength.”

“Recommended” status means a banking institution has received either four stars (excellent) or five stars (superior) on Bauer’s five-star scale. Manatee Community’s five-star status is largely because of its financial stability and increased profitability, Dorway said. The credit union was “already doing really well” with low levels of loan delinquency, but three straight quarters of profitability bolstered its five-star status.

Manatee Community is on its way to increasing its loan growth by 4 percent this year.

“We’re excited about our ability to maintain our high net worth while increasing the number of loans and products we provide to our members,” said Cindy Barco, Manatee Community’s president.

Founded in 1958, Manatee Community is dedicated to strengthening the community by improving the lives of Manatee County residents, workers and worshippers — especially those who are low-income — through innovative loan programs and high-quality financial products and services. Located at 604 13^th Ave. E., Manatee Community is one of only three Florida credit unions to be certified as a Community Development Institution by the U.S. Treasury Department and is ranked 17^th out of 7,000 credit unions nationwide for its net worth-to-assets ratio.