Alabama ONE Credit Union Celebrates 75 Years with Community Event at Centre Branch

CENTRE — Alabama ONE Credit Union marked a major milestone Friday as staff, executives, community leaders and residents gathered at the Centre branch to celebrate the organization’s 75th anniversary and reflect on its growth from humble beginnings to a statewide financial cooperative.

The celebration highlighted the credit union’s long history of service while recognizing the important role local branches and community partnerships continue to play in its success.

Executives from Alabama ONE traveled to Centre to join the celebration, which included remarks from leadership, recognition of local staff, and a charitable donation to a Cherokee County nonprofit organization.

Alabama ONE was founded in 1951 as TRW Federal Credit Union with a modest beginning. The organization’s first funds—$35—were stored in a King Edward cigar box and contributed by seven charter members. Their goal was simple: to empower members with the resources needed to build strong financial futures.

Over the decades, that small financial cooperative evolved into one of Alabama’s largest credit unions. Today, Alabama ONE serves more than 97,000 members across 58 of Alabama’s 67 counties and manages more than $1.4 billion in assets. The organization operates 31 branches statewide and employs more than 300 people.

Jared Kirby, area executive for East Central and Northeast Alabama, opened the celebration by welcoming guests and reflecting on the credit union’s history and continued growth.

Kirby spoke about the importance of the Centre branch and praised the staff for their dedication to serving members in Cherokee County.

He also noted that the credit union’s longevity reflects the strength of the relationships it has built over time.

“Longevity is a measure of success,” Kirby said, noting that newer branches benefit from the heritage and reputation Alabama ONE has built since its founding.

Kirby also recognized members of the executive leadership team who traveled to attend the celebration and highlighted the credit union’s commitment to giving back to the communities it serves. As part of each anniversary celebration across the state, Alabama ONE is recognizing a nonprofit organization in the host community.

Local Branch Manager Mark Gossett followed with remarks thanking those who have supported the Centre branch, including local media, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, its staff and board members, and Centre Mayor Bill Warren.

Gossett also expressed appreciation for the community’s continued support before announcing the nonprofit selected to receive a donation during the event.

This year, the Centre branch chose the Child and Senior Advocacy Foundation (CSAF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping vulnerable populations in Cherokee County, including children, seniors, veterans and widows.

The organization provides a variety of services and programs designed to assist residents facing difficult circumstances.

Among its most well-known initiatives is the “Christmas for Kids” program, which provides toys and gifts for children in need ranging from newborns to 15 years old. The program is often supported by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Centre Fire Department.

CSAF also offers crisis assistance to seniors, veterans and widows in the community. That support can include projects such as building wheelchair ramps, helping install essential appliances, or assisting families dealing with losses caused by fires or other emergencies.

In addition, the organization operates a hygiene program that provides essential personal care items to senior citizens.

The nonprofit works closely with community partners including the Alabama Department of Human Resources as well as local law enforcement agencies to help identify needs and connect residents with assistance.

Gossett thanked members of the CSAF board who were present before presenting the organization with a donation on behalf of Alabama ONE.

He also thanked the employees of the Centre branch for their dedication and the important role they play in serving members across Cherokee County.

Following the formal remarks, the celebration continued throughout the remainder of the business day. Visitors were invited to stop by the branch to enjoy refreshments, giveaways and displays commemorating the credit union’s 75-year history. New Alabama ONE T-shirts were also available for purchase during the event.

The anniversary celebration also served as an opportunity to reflect on the credit union’s long path of growth and expansion.

After its founding in 1951, the organization was renamed BF Goodrich Employees Federal Credit Union in 1973, reflecting its connection to the workers of the BF Goodrich Tire Plant.

For decades, the credit union primarily served employees of that company before expanding its reach.

In 1997, the organization made its first move outside Tuscaloosa County with an expansion into Carrollton.

Another milestone came in 2001 when it was granted community credit union status, allowing membership eligibility to expand beyond company employees to anyone who lived, worked, worshiped or attended school in Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties.

The organization continued to grow and in 2009, following a merger with Alabama Mental Health Credit Union, it adopted the name Alabama ONE Credit Union to better reflect its broader community focus.

Additional growth followed through mergers and acquisitions, including Alabama Rural Electric Credit Union in 2020 and First Bank of Linden in 2021. In 2023, Alabama ONE acquired First Bank of Wadley, adding multiple branches in East Central Alabama, while Brewton Mill Federal Credit Union and McIntosh Chemical Federal Credit Union also merged with the organization.

Expansion continued in 2023 and 2024 with new branches serving communities such as Millbrook, Demopolis, Pike Road, Valley, Dothan and Samson.

A Valley branch opened in June 2025, expanding services in East Central Alabama and supporting local businesses and families. Alabama ONE also plans to continue its growth in the region with a new branch scheduled to open soon in Southside.

Today, Alabama ONE continues to grow while maintaining its mission of supporting the financial wellbeing of its members and communities.

From the original cigar box holding $35 to a statewide cooperative serving tens of thousands of members, the credit union continues to emphasize trust, service and community connection.

As Kirby noted during the Centre celebration, each branch represents more than a financial location—it serves as a connection to the communities Alabama ONE calls home.

For the staff and members gathered at the Centre branch, the anniversary celebration was both a recognition of the past and a look toward the future of Alabama ONE in Cherokee County and across the state.