Question 1

What is MAX Credit Union?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union is a state-chartered credit union headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, serving Central and East Alabama communities. With over $2.26 billion in assets and approximately 129,899 members as of 2025, MAX ranks as the 5th largest credit union in Alabama by asset size. The credit union operates 18 branch locations across five counties and provides comprehensive consumer and commercial financial services to member-owners who live, work, worship, or attend school in its service area.

MAX is a full-service financial cooperative that has evolved from its military roots to become a community-focused institution. The credit union is regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

Question 2

When was MAX Credit Union founded?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union was founded on April 27, 1955, as Maxwell Federal Credit Union by 16 Air Force employees and enlisted personnel at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. The credit union officially opened for business on June 27, 1955.

Mamie S. Maples, Director of the Management and Training Office at Maxwell Air Force Base, served as the first president of the board of directors. She spearheaded the effort by investing her own money and encouraging 15 others to contribute, ultimately gathering $125 in initial capital that was safeguarded in a cigar box in her desk drawer. By December 31, 1955, the credit union had grown to 144 customers and $62,000 in assets.

The institution underwent several name changes reflecting its expansion: from Maxwell Federal Credit Union to Maxwell-Gunter Federal Credit Union in June 1960, then to MAX Federal Credit Union in 1985, and finally to MAX Credit Union in 2007 when it converted to a state charter.

Question 3

Where is MAX Credit Union headquartered?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union is headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. The main administrative address is P.O. Box 244040, Montgomery, AL 36124, with a primary branch location at 400 Eastdale Circle, Montgomery, AL 36117.

Question 4

Where does MAX Credit Union operate?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union serves Central and East Alabama, as well as select counties in West Georgia. The credit union operates 18 branch locations in cities including Montgomery, Auburn, Opelika, Prattville, Wetumpka, Millbrook, Tallassee, and Troy, Alabama.

Membership eligibility extends to individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in the following counties: Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, Shelby, and Tallapoosa in Alabama, as well as Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, and Troup counties in Georgia. Immediate family members or household members of current MAX members are also eligible for membership.

The credit union received a community charter on February 25, 1998, which expanded membership beyond military personnel to anyone living, working, or attending school in Montgomery, Autauga, and Elmore counties. Conversion to a state charter in 2007 allowed further expansion outside the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Question 5

What services does MAX Credit Union offer?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union provides a comprehensive range of personal and business banking services:

Deposit Accounts: Share (savings) accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and business checking and savings accounts with tiered interest rates.

Lending Services: Mortgage loans, home equity loans, vehicle loans, personal loans, credit cards, construction loans, commercial real estate loans, equipment loans, business lines of credit, and commercial vehicle financing. The credit union also operates MAX Leasing USA, a subsidiary commercial leasing company established in February 2009.

Digital Banking: Online banking platform, mobile banking app (available on iOS and Android), mobile check deposit, bill pay, account alerts, card controls for locking/unlocking cards, digital wallet integration (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Wallet), peer-to-peer money transfers, and 24/7 account access.

Additional Services: Insurance products, investment services, financial wellness coaching through the Sidekick Financial Wellness program, credit score monitoring, and access to nationwide CO-OP Shared Branching and surcharge-free ATM networks.

Question 6

What makes MAX Credit Union unique?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union distinguishes itself through several key characteristics:

Deep Community Roots: Founded in 1955 with just $125 in a cigar box, MAX has grown while maintaining its commitment to personalized service and community investment. The credit union emphasizes local decision-making with representatives who understand the unique needs of Central and East Alabama.

Community Investment: The MAX4Kids Foundation, established in 2001, has donated over $1.3 million to children's charities and the MAX4Kids Scholarship Program in the River Region and East Alabama. The credit union actively supports local organizations including the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, Prattville Field of Dreams, Miracle League of Troy, and Storybook Farm.

Member-Owner Structure: As a not-for-profit cooperative, MAX returns profits to members through lower loan rates, higher deposit dividends, and reduced or eliminated fees. Membership begins with a $1 one-time fee and $5 minimum deposit, representing each member's ownership share.

Financial Wellness Focus: The Sidekick Financial Wellness program offers workshops at local schools and organizations, along with one-on-one financial coaching to help members achieve their financial goals.

Workplace Recognition: MAX has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Alabama for six consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to employee satisfaction and company culture.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is MAX Credit Union?

Accepted Answer

MAX Credit Union is a state-chartered credit union, having converted from federal to state charter in November 2007. This conversion allows the institution greater flexibility to expand operations outside its original Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area boundaries.

As a credit union, MAX operates as a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. Each member holds one share of ownership (represented by the $5 minimum savings deposit) regardless of account balance, and the cooperative structure means the institution exists to serve member interests rather than generate profits for external shareholders. Members have voting rights and can participate in the democratic governance of the credit union.

The credit union is regulated and insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), providing federal deposit insurance up to $250,000 per depositor. MAX has been designated as a low-income credit union, reflecting its commitment to serving underserved communities.

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About MAX Credit Union in the United States