Our Cooperative Heritage
In the spring of 1956, a small group of University of Alabama faculty and staff pooled their modest savings to establish an alternative to the rigid, fee-heavy commercial banking practices of the era. They operated on a radical idea: that working individuals could pool their earnings, borrow at fair rates, and govern their own financial destiny without paying tribute to outside corporate stockholders.
Today, Alabama Credit Union manages more than $1.7 billion in cooperative assets, operating branch locations across Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Although our technology has advanced from ledger cards to mobile biometric apps, our founding principle has never wavered: People Helping People.
The Pillars of Feel Good Banking
Democratic Member Ownership
Every member who deposits $5 in a share savings account owns an equal stake in our credit union. Our volunteer Board of Directors is elected by members, ensuring decisions reflect community priorities.
Financial Health For All
We don't view members as credit scores. We offer free certified financial counseling, credit rebuilding programs, and personalized coaching to help members overcome past setbacks.
Secret Meals For Hungry Children
In 2008, Alabama Credit Union staff recognized an urgent crisis in our local classrooms: thousands of elementary school children who relied on free school lunches were going hungry over the weekend.
To combat childhood food insecurity, we created Secret Meals For Hungry Children. Every Friday, discreet 3.5-pound food packs containing vitamin-fortified, child-friendly meals are slipped into children's backpacks without drawing unwanted attention from peers.
Alabama Credit Union covers 100% of all administrative and promotional overhead for Secret Meals, ensuring every dime donated directly purchases nutrition for an Alabama child.
Leadership & Cooperative Stewardship
Alabama Credit Union is guided by an executive leadership team and an elected volunteer Board of Directors dedicated to sound risk management, data security, and sustainable cooperative expansion. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Steve Swofford, ACU has consistently ranked among the strongest financial cooperatives in the Southeast.
Our operations undergo regular examination and audits by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and state supervisory authorities, safeguarding member deposits through all economic cycles.