Our Story

Founded in 1958, Guardian Credit Union was originally created to serve the financial needs of the Alabama National Guard members and their families. Since then, we've experienced steady growth, expanding our membership base and becoming a full-service financial institution. Today, we proudly serve anyone that lives, works, worships, or attends school in the 16 counties we cover.

Guardian Credit Union bench surrounded by people passing by — representing our commitment to serve the community whenever it’s needed.

A Message from Our CEO

“Guardian is committed to serving people and being a trusted advisor for all your saving, borrowing, and insurance needs. Our team is ready to serve, always looking for new and meaningful ways to help our members achieve more. Each new member strengthens our credit union, and we invite you to join us and be part of this movement.” Heath Harrell, President and CEO

Grandfather and grandson smiling while sitting on a Guardian Credit Union bench at their farm.

Guardian Credit Union team members supporting a community endeavor.

Guardian Credit Union team members at the Pine Level new branch groundbreaking.

With branches and ATMs across Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Coffee, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties, we are deeply embedded in the communities we serve.

Community

We don't do banking differently. We do relationships differently.

Our mission at Guardian is to create an environment that puts people first—supporting local initiatives, fostering personal connections, and promoting financial wellbeing.

Guardian Foundation

Learn about Guardian Foundation.

Community Events

View our Community Events

More to come!

Guardian Credit Union team member helping at a community event.

Guardian Credit Union team members at Wetumpka Chamber breakfast, supporting local business and community involvement.

The Guardian Credit Union Wetumpka team standing together inside the branch, proudly serving and supporting the local community.

Guardian Credit Union team member helping at a Pregnancy Resource Center community event.

Guardian Credit Union team members helping at a Financial Literacy community event at local school.

Guardian Credit Union team member sharing love at a community event.

By joining Guardian Credit Union, you become a member of something larger. You become part of movement focused on building stronger communities. We look to make connections with people both inside of our branches and out in the community. We want to gain a deeper understanding of what matters most to others and work to be stronger, together.

Look for our blue Guardian Benches as a physical representation of us in the community. The bench symbolizes connection. Benches are where people gather - to watch children play, wait for the bus or chat over coffee. They represent the common ground that brings us together and we believe that building community and supporting one another starts here.

At Guardian, we’re committed to fostering connections every day as we work to meet our members' financial needs. We also lean into and partner with local organizations to strengthen connections and improve the quality of life for everyone in our communities. We value strong community partnerships and seek opportunities to serve others beyond the branch. Each community that we serve has unique and different needs that we want to support. Our team is dedicated to using our time, talent, and resources to support these individual organizations that provide great support to many and work to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls our communities home. If you have an opportunity for Guardian to serve alongside your organization, please contact us and we would love to get to know you.

Credit Unions are built by members, not stakeholders. We differ from traditional banks primarily in terms of membership, purpose, and community focus. When you join the credit union, you gain an equal share and voice in the credit union's success. With a not-for-profit structure, we are able to offer better rates and lower fees than traditional financial institutions.

Our volunteer board of directors ensures that decisions prioritize our members well being. The greatest thing that sets us apart from banks is that we're not driven by profit, but by people. We offer competitive products and meaningful service with fewer fees.Our member-first mindset empowers our entire team to go beyond banking—it drives us to create meaningful opportunities for the individuals, families, and communities that we serve.

Do the Right Thing
Create Great Experiences
Take Care of People
Pursue Excellence
Work Together

Who We Serve

At Guardian, we are more than just a credit union — we are a community of members helping one another. As a not-for-profit organization, our focus is solely on serving our members, not on generating profits. We serve individuals and families in all stages of life. Our team is committed to finding solutions that fit your individual needs and helping you achieve more out of life. The Guardian team wants to come alongside you in life and support you through the mundane and milestone moments that life brings. We understand how hard our members work to provide for others and want to offer solutions that make managing your money and resources easier. Join us in the branch for a cup of coffee and great conversation or take care of business on the go. We look forward to serving you.