Associated Credit Union
Associated Credit Union is a Georgia-based, member-owned credit union founded in 1930 that provides retail and small-business banking, consumer and commercial lending, and digital financial services to over $2.2 billion in assets across 18 branches and 25 ITMs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1930
- HeadquartersPeachtree City, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Associated Credit Union does
Associated Credit Union (ACU) is a state-chartered, member-owned credit union founded in 1930 and headquartered at 6251 Crooked Creek Road, Peachtree Corners, Georgia. The institution operates 18 physical branches and 25 Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs) across the Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, and Augusta regions, and reports assets exceeding $2.2 billion. ACU is regulated by the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), with member deposits insured up to $250,000.
ACU delivers a full-service retail and small-business banking platform, including savings and checking products, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, home equity lines, personal loans, student loans, recreational vehicle loans, and business loans. Business loans above $300,000 are originated through a partnership with Credit Union Business Services, LLC (CUBS). The digital banking stack includes the ACU Mobile App, ACU Wallet, and a 24/7 online banking platform that integrates MeridianLink for loan applications, Zelle for person-to-person payments, Apple Pay/Samsung Pay/Google Pay for contactless transactions, Autobooks for business invoicing, and TurboTax for tax preparation. Member acquisition is driven by employer partnership branches (Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Warner Bros. Discovery, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, IRS, VA Medical Center), community engagement, and brand partnerships including NIL deals with University of Georgia athletes.
ACU generates revenue primarily through net interest income (the spread between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits), supplemented by transaction fees (online/phone loan payment processing, money orders, official checks, safe deposit boxes), insurance product referral fees, and referral income from the LPL Financial / MEMBERS Financial Services retirement and investment partnership. As a not-for-profit cooperative, ACU reinvests earnings into member benefits such as the PRO$PER high-yield checking (3.50% APY) and CU $aveMore savings (4.00% APY on first $500), competitive loan rates, and lower fees relative to for-profit banks. The credit union also operates ACU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity established in 2009.
Associated Credit Union firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Associated Credit Union
- Legal name
- Associated Credit Union
- Website
- https://acuonline.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1930
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Associated Credit Union is a Georgia-based, member-owned credit union founded in 1930 that provides retail and small-business banking, consumer and commercial lending, and digital financial services to over $2.2 billion in assets across 18 branches and 25 ITMs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Associated Credit Union industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Banking (Credit Union)
- NAICS
- Credit Unions (52213), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221), Credit Card Issuing (522210)
- SIC
- Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Savings Institution, Federally Chartered (6035)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Credit Cards & Revolving Credit (FSABAAAC), Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)
Keywords
Where Associated Credit Union is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Peachtree City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices20 records
Markets served
Associated Credit Union business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Interest Income from Loans: ACU earns interest income from various loan products including auto loans, mortgage loans, home equity loans/lines, credit cards, personal loans, student loans, recreational vehicle loans, and business loans. Interest rates vary by product and creditworthiness.
- Fee-based Services: The credit union generates fee income from various services including online loan payment processing ($1.95 per transaction), phone payment processing ($13.00 per transaction), money orders, safe deposit boxes, official checks, Visa gift card purchases, and various account service fees.
- Deposit-based Revenue: ACU uses member deposits to fund loans and generates revenue through the spread between interest earned on loans and interest paid on deposits. Savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit are core deposit products.
- Financial Services Referral Fees: ACU partners with LPL Financial through MEMBERS Financial Services for retirement and investment services. The credit union receives referral fees for directing members to these investment services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | Monthly | PRO$PER Checking - High-Yield Checking Account |
| Subscription | Quarterly | CU $aveMore Savings Account |
| Subscription | Quarterly | Share Account (Basic Savings) |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Vehicle Loan Rates |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Certificate of Deposit Rates |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Loan Payment Processing Fees |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Personal Loan Rates |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels8 records
Associated Credit Union product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Associated Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative providing deposit products (savings, checking, money market, CDs, IRAs), consumer and business lending (auto, mortgage, home equity, personal, student, recreational vehicle, credit cards, and commercial loans), and digital banking services (online banking, mobile apps, mobile deposit, Zelle, text banking). The institution also offers merchant services, financial planning through MEMBERS Financial Services/LPL Financial, insurance products, and educational resources. Membership is granted through employer partnership programs or community eligibility across Georgia, with mortgage lending extended into Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Product overview
Associated Credit Union (ACU) operates as a full-service financial institution offering a comprehensive suite of banking and lending products. The core banking platform encompasses Personal Banking (savings, checking, online services) and Business Banking (business savings, checking, online services, merchant services). The lending portfolio includes Auto Loans with ACU AutoMall car-buying service, Credit Cards (Visa PRO$PER Signature and Visa Platinum), Home Loans including mortgages and Home Equity products (with No Closing Cost HELOC), Personal Loans, Student Loans, Recreational Vehicle Loans, and Business Loans through CUBS partnership. Digital banking services include Online Banking, ACU Wallet Mobile App, ACU Business Mobile App, PRO$PER PAY, Bill Pay, Mobile Deposit, Mobile Payment (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay), Text Message Banking, Money Management, eStatements, and Transfers. Additional services include AutoMall vehicle purchasing, ACH Origination and Autobooks for business, financial planning through MEMBERS Financial Services/LPL Financial, financial education resources, calculators, insurance products, Visa Gift Cards and Reloadable Cards, ACU Foundation community initiatives, and Ronald K. Ford Memorial Scholarship. The institution serves members across Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee through 18 branch locations and 25 ITMs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PRO$PER Checking: A high-yield Checking Account product offering competitive rates for members.
- PRO$PER Savings
- Autobooks
Products and services
- Personal Banking Comprehensive personal banking suite offered to ACU members including savings accounts, checking accounts, online services, credit cards, and other personal banking services such as safe deposit boxes, notary services, and wire transfers. Available to Georgia residents who join as members.
- Business Banking Business banking solutions for small businesses and non-profits including business checking (Basic, Growth, Non-Profit variants), business savings, business money market, business CDs, ACH origination, Autobooks invoicing, and merchant services via FiTech by Deluxe. Business loans under $300K are direct; larger facilities are referred to CUBS.
- Savings Accounts Deposit products including Share Account, PRO$PER Savings, CU $aveMore (4.00% APY on first $500 with requirements), Holiday Club, Money Market, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Safari Savings Club, IRAs, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), and Trust Accounts. Available to ACU members.
- Checking Accounts Personal checking account options including PRO$PER Checking (3.50% APY high-yield), Associated Checking (value-added), Simple Checking (free basic), Health Savings Account (HSA), and Lend-A-Hand Checking. PRO$PER pays 3.50% APY on balances $0-$24,999 when active direct deposit or eStatement requirements are met.
- Business Checking Accounts Business checking options including Business Checking Basic for small businesses, Business Checking Growth for growing businesses, and Non-Profit Checking for non-profit entities. Designed for Georgia-based small businesses and non-profits needing operating accounts.
- Business Savings Accounts Business savings products including Primary Business Share, Business Savings, Business Money Market, and Business Certificate of Deposits (CDs). For small businesses and non-profit members requiring business deposit accumulation.
- Online Banking Digital banking platform accessible 24/7 providing account access, money management, financial tools, TurboTax integration, ACH origination (for business), Autobooks (for business), Zelle, and bill pay. Available to all ACU members.
- ACU Wallet Mobile App iOS/Android mobile banking application supporting mobile deposit, Zelle P2P, bill pay, transfers, eStatements, account management, mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay), and money management. Available to ACU personal banking members.
- ACU Mobile App (Business) Business-focused mobile banking application enabling business members to access accounts, initiate ACH payments to vendors/employees, view transactions, and manage treasury functions on the go. For ACU small business members.
- Auto Loans Comprehensive auto financing including new and used vehicle purchases, refinancing, lease buyouts, and title loans. Rates from 4.00%-15.00% APR for 2026-2023 vehicles (up to 84 months); minimum loan amount $5,000; No Payments for 60 Days on qualifying loans. Available to ACU members in Georgia and surrounding areas.
- ACU AutoMall Vehicle shopping and financing service combining a vehicle search platform with ACU financing. Provides vehicle search, loan approval, and door-to-door delivery with dedicated vehicle experts, plus 0.25% APR discount on AutoMall purchases. For ACU members shopping for vehicles.
- Credit Cards Visa credit card products including PRO$PER Signature Credit Card and Visa Platinum Credit Card with low fixed rates, no annual fees, and ScoreCard Rewards on purchases. Available to ACU members.
- Home Loans (Mortgages) Mortgage products including purchase loans, refinancing, VA and FHA loans, and home equity options (HELOC). Available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For members purchasing or refinancing primary residences.
- No Closing Cost HELOC Home Equity Line of Credit with no closing costs (up to $400 credit at closing). For debt consolidation, home improvements, or financial cushion. Available to members in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
- Personal Loans Personal financing options including unsecured personal loans (7.00%-15.00% APR for up to 48 months), personal lines of credit (18.00% APR), share-secured loans (6.00%-8.00% APR), and CD-secured loans. Loan amounts from $500 to $30,000. Available to ACU members.
- Student Loans Private student loan program provided through partnership with Student Choice covering undergraduate and graduate funding. One application covers the entire college journey with the ability to request additional funds in future years without reapplying. Features competitive rates and no origination fees. Available to ACU members and their families.
- Recreational Vehicle Loans Financing for boats (new and used 1-7 years), recreational vehicles (1-7 years), campers (1-2 years), and motorcycles (new and used 1-6 years). Available to ACU members.
- Business Loans Commercial real estate loans, business acquisition loans, SBA loans, and equipment financing provided through partnership with Credit Union Business Services, LLC (CUBS). Minimum loan amount of $300,000. For Georgia-based businesses needing commercial financing.
- Merchant Services Business payment processing services provided through FiTech by Deluxe, including point-of-sale solutions and credit/debit card acceptance. For ACU small business members seeking merchant services.
- Retirement and Investing Services Retirement and investment services offered through partnership with LPL Financial / MEMBERS Financial Services, including IRA accounts, Coverdell ESAs, retirement planning, investment advisory services, and financial planning seminars delivered through licensed representatives. Available to ACU members.
- Insurance Products Insurance offerings including Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP), Depreciation Protection (DPW), Loan Payment Protection, Connect 2 Protect, TruStage Auto & Home Insurance, TruStage Life Insurance, AD&D, Hospital Accident Insurance, and Humana Dental & Vision. Available to ACU members and borrowers.
Companies that use Associated Credit Union
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Associated Credit Union technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration16 records
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Associated Credit Union partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Credit Union Business Services, LLC (CUBS)coreACU has collaborated with CUBS, a Credit Union Service Organization, to offer business loans. CUBS specializes in commercial real estate loans, SBA loans, business acquisition financing, and large business loans (minimum $300,000). This partnership allows ACU to serve business members needing larger commercial lending facilities that ACU doesn't directly offer.
- LPL Financial / MEMBERS Financial ServicescoreACU partners with LPL Financial through MEMBERS Financial Services to provide retirement and investment services to members. LPL Financial is a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer. The partnership enables ACU to offer retirement planning, investment advisory services, and financial planning seminars to members through licensed representatives.
- FiTech by DeluxecoreACU has partnered with FiTech by Deluxe for merchant services, providing business members with payment processing and point-of-sale solutions. This enables ACU to offer comprehensive business banking services including merchant services to small business members.
- Student ChoicecoreACU partners with Student Choice for private student lending solutions. Student Choice provides an innovative line-of-credit product that allows students to fund their entire college journey (undergraduate or graduate) with one application, with the ability to request additional funds in future years without reapplying.
- AutobookscoreAutobooks is integrated with ACU's business online banking services, providing business members with invoicing, payment collection, and accounting tools. This helps small businesses manage their finances and get paid faster through an integrated banking experience.
- Co-op Credit UnioncoreACU participates in the Co-op Credit Union shared branch network, providing members with access to branch services at other credit unions nationwide. This extends ACU's physical service reach beyond its own branch locations.
- Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google PaycoreACU supports mobile payment options including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Google Pay, allowing members to make contactless payments using their ACU debit and credit cards through their mobile devices.
- ZellecoreACU offers Zelle person-to-person payment integration within its online and mobile banking platforms, allowing members to send and receive money quickly and securely to friends and family.
- Member Companies (Employer Partners)coreACU partners with employers including Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Warner Bros. Discovery, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, IRS, and VA Medical Center to offer banking benefits to employees. Some partners have dedicated on-site ACU branches. This employer partnership model helps ACU reach new members through workplace banking.
- University of Georgia Athletics (NIL)minorACU has Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) partnerships with University of Georgia athletes Gunner Stockton (Quarterback), Lawson Luckie (Tight End), and Sole and Sanna Frederick (Olympians). These partnerships serve as brand ambassadors targeting young adult members and sports fans.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Associated Credit Union competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- CDC Federal Credit Union: Atlanta-based CDC-focused credit union offering similar member-company employer-group acquisition and community-banking services, comparable to ACU's employer partnership model.
- LGE Community Credit Union: Marietta, Georgia credit union serving the northwest Atlanta suburbs, with overlapping employer partnership and consumer lending strategies; competes with ACU branches in Cobb County.
- Coosa Valley Credit Union: Rome, Georgia-based cooperative institution with a similar community-credit-union business model, operating north of ACU's footprint and providing comparable share draft accounts, consumer lending, and employer partnership programs.
Broad incumbents
- Alliant Credit Union: Large national digital-first credit union with similar high-yield checking and savings products, competing for ACU's digitally engaged members on rate and digital UX without a regional branch requirement.
- VyStar Credit Union: Southeast-headquartered credit union offering full deposit, mortgage, and wealth products with regional presence including Georgia; bigger scale and digital capability make it a competing incumbent for members in ACU's footprint.
- Navy Federal Credit Union: The largest U.S. credit union by assets, serving military-affiliated members nationally through shared branching and digital channels; competes with ACU for military-adjacent segments (e.g., Dobbins ARB) while dwarfing it in scale.
Direct peers
- State Employees Credit Union (SECU): While North Carolina-based, SECU operates a comparable member-owned, full-service model with employer-affiliated membership, and competes for multi-state mortgage and HELOC business across ACU's six-state lending footprint.
- Delta Community Credit Union: Georgia-headquartered credit union also serving the Metro Atlanta market, offering full personal and business banking products and competing directly for the same employer-group and retail depositor base as ACU.
- Georgia's Own Credit Union: Atlanta-area credit union with a similar regional retail and business banking focus, competing for employer partnerships, deposit growth, and mortgage origination in the same Georgia counties as ACU.
- Emory Alliance Credit Union: Atlanta-based member-owned credit union offering a comparable product set (deposits, auto loans, mortgages, business banking) to Georgia residents and small businesses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Associated Credit Union social profiles
Digital presenceAssociated Credit Union compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Associated Credit Union financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Associated Credit Union leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Associated Credit Union subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Associated Credit Union funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Associated Credit Union M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Associated Credit Union
What does Associated Credit Union do?
Associated Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative providing deposit products (savings, checking, money market, CDs, IRAs), consumer and business lending (auto, mortgage, home equity, personal, student, recreational vehicle, credit cards, and commercial loans), and digital banking services (online banking, mobile apps, mobile deposit, Zelle, text banking). The institution also offers merchant services, financial planning through MEMBERS Financial Services/LPL Financial, insurance products, and educational resources. Membership is granted through employer partnership programs or community eligibility across Georgia, with mortgage lending extended into Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Is Associated Credit Union a public or private company?
Associated Credit Union is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Associated Credit Union founded?
Associated Credit Union was founded in 1930. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Associated Credit Union based?
Associated Credit Union is headquartered in Peachtree City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Associated Credit Union make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Interest Income from Loans are the primary driver. The others are fee-based Services, deposit-based Revenue and financial Services Referral Fees.
Who are Associated Credit Union's main competitors?
Regional players on record are CDC Federal Credit Union, LGE Community Credit Union and Coosa Valley Credit Union. Broad incumbents are Alliant Credit Union, VyStar Credit Union and Navy Federal Credit Union. Direct peers are State Employees Credit Union (SECU), Delta Community Credit Union, Georgia's Own Credit Union and Emory Alliance Credit Union.
Does Associated Credit Union have an API?
No public API is recorded for Associated Credit Union.
What industry is Associated Credit Union in?
Associated Credit Union's product category is Retail Banking (Credit Union). Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABAEAA, Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus), with a secondary code of FSABAAAC, Credit Cards & Revolving Credit. Its NAICS code is 52213 and its SIC code is 6141.