About Emblem CU

Where Banking Blends with Purpose 

Our name, Emblem Credit Union, is a simple, clear way of communicating what we’re all about — a trusted financial institution that values and supports the unique potential in everyone we serve. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or technician, you’re welcome here and we’re honored to be your trusted emblem of financial wellbeing in Northeast Alabama.

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Our Today

Since our start in 1959, our focus has been providing the community with competitive rates and terms, excellent member service, resourceful financial tools, and the opportunity to learn from one another. Through the years, we’ve adapted to the needs of our communities, showing support and figuring out the ways we can be most impactful.  

This year, 2024, is no different. Our new name, Emblem Credit Union, honors our educational roots while moving us into a future focused on empowering all people to achieve financial wellbeing. An emblem is a ‘mark of distinction’ and reflects our dedication to expanding our reach to serve more people across Alabama. Our solid reputation is a testament to our dedicated members of the past as well as our commitment to current and future members. 

Our History

Before we became Emblem Credit Union, we proudly served the community as Alabama Teachers Credit Union. Alabama Teachers Credit Union was organized in March 1959 with just two employees, and was located on the second floor of the Gadsden City Board of Education Building. Previously known as Etowah Teachers Credit Union, our original Select Employee Group (SEG) was only open to employees and family members of the Gadsden City and Etowah County School Systems. 

In 1982, the credit union moved to a new location on 6th Street in downtown Gadsden. Six years later, in August 1989, the credit union received approval from the Alabama Credit Union Administration (ACUA) and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to convert from a federal charter to a state charter, which allowed the credit union to change its name from Etowah Teachers to Alabama Teachers Credit Union. In July 2001, Alabama Teachers received further permission from the ACUA to expand its membership to include anyone residing, working, or attending school in the five counties we serve: Calhoun, Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah, and Marshall.  

Our Purpose

We empower people and communities to learn, grow, and achieve financial wellbeing, building a stronger Northeast Alabama.

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The Credit Union Difference

While services from a credit union such as Emblem may appear nearly the same as a bank, the structure and philosophy are very different.

• Not-for-profit — Like all credit unions, Emblem is a not-for-profit financial cooperative. Unlike most other financial institutions, credit unions do not issue stock or pay dividends to outside stockholders. Instead, earnings are returned to our members in the form of lower loan rates, higher interest on deposits, and lower fees.
• Taxation — Credit unions pay taxes: payroll taxes, and property taxes. But Congress exempts credit unions from federal income taxes. According to the Credit Union Membership Access Act, " … credit unions are member-owned, democratically operated, not-for-profit organizations generally managed by volunteer boards of directors and they have the specified mission of meeting the credit and savings needs of consumers, especially persons of modest means."
• Ownership — Each member has equal ownership and one vote — regardless of how much money a member has on deposit.
• Volunteer Boards — Emblem is governed by a board of directors, elected by and from the credit union's membership and serve voluntarily.
• Membership Eligibility — By current federal statute, credit unions such as Emblem cannot serve the general public. People qualify for a credit union membership through their employer, organizational affiliations like churches or social groups, or a community-chartered credit union.
• Financial Education for Members — Emblem is dedicated to helping members become better-educated consumers of financial services.
• Social Purpose: People Helping People — Credit unions exist to help people, not make a profit. Emblems' goal is to serve its members, neighbors, and communities to further enrich their financial health and overall well-being. As a member, we welcome the opportunity to help you with your everyday life goals as we all learn together.