70 years, 39k members and growing—name this Birmingham business

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_{A vintage shot of Legacy Credit Union’s main office on 20th St in Birmingham (left) + Legacy’s main office in the same location today (right) (Left: Legacy Credit Union; Right: Nathan Watson / Bham Now)}

We’ve seen a lot of businesses come and go in Birmingham over the past 70 years.

The city has been home to many Fortune 500 and 1000 companies with a global impact on fields like medicine, research, tech, steel production, banking and more. But as our community’s needs evolve, so must these businesses to keep up with the times.

We’re profiling one stalwart org that has done just that. It’s been around for 70 years and continued to grow and expand—and, it turns out, the company’s legacy might just surprise you.

With a very low-barrier to entry and lending available to residents within a 10-county radius of Birmingham, membership makes you part of what is moving Birmingham forward.

See how Legacy Credit Union is rooted in tradition but continues to evolve with the times.

Legacy’s lasting impact on the city + its skyline

In addition to the local expertise and helpful financial tools and benefits it offers members, Legacy’s roots in Birmingham stretch back to 1955.

They opened 70 years ago under the name University Credit Union, serving just the UAB community, before growing to a larger membership eligibility pool nearly 20 years ago—see below how that probably includes you now, too!

While their name and scope may have shifted, their connection to UAB remains strong as ever. In fact, they’re in the middle of a 20-year commitment to this Birmingham mainstay, operating as the Official Credit Union of UAB and fully serving its students, staff, alumni and fans. This includes features like:

• the Legacy Pavilion: a covered practice field for the Blazers’ football team
• the Legacy Plaza at Protective Stadium
• employee discounts
• no minimum balance for UAB students
• a partnership with UAB Alumni that includes fun events, seminars + special savings opportunities
• Craft Your Legacy scholarship: This annual $2500 stipend helps fund future learners at UAB.

But UAB isn’t the only place you’ll spy their footprint in and around Birmingham. The Legacy Arena at the BJCC is an 18,000-seat capacity performance and sporting venue that features internationally acclaimed touring artists, exhibits and sports teams. It also serves as a visual commitment from Legacy to Birmingham, and reminds visitors that Birmingham hosts world-class events, concerts and entertainment offerings right at its front door.

Did you know?: Fun and exciting concerts aren’t the Arena’s only lasting legacy in the city. According to a recent report*, the Legacy Arena supported a combined total of 673 jobs in 2024. Its far-reaching economic impact (via tourism spending on restaurants and hotels, ticket sales, concessions, merch sales and more) was estimated to total $117.2 million last year alone.

_{*Source: Data was provided by the BJCC, and key assumptions were made by Maynard Nexsen; IMPLAN provided economic language and other supporting services for the preparation of this report.}

What is a credit union + how can it serve you?

Credit unions are a different way to save, spend and borrow money than a more traditional bank. They’re typically not-for-profits that operate like a member co-operative—almost always with competitive rates and low fees.

“Our hearts are focused on service and minds set on growth. Everything we do begins with serving our members, our colleagues and our community.

Sustainable service cannot happen without sustainable growth, and sustainable growth will not happen without sustainable service.”

_{– Glenn Bryan, Legacy President and CEO}

How do you become a credit union member?

Each credit union may have different requirements to join, but at Legacy, membership is open to pretty much everyone in and around Birmingham, and applying is easy through their website or by visiting a branch.

To become a Legacy Credit Union member, you simply need to start with a deposit as low as $5 and must live, work, worship or learn in of one of these area counties:

• Bibb
• Blount
• Chilton
• Coosa
• Cullman
• Jefferson
• Shelby
• St. Clair
• Talladega
• Walker

Tip: If you have an immediate family member who is a member of Legacy (child, spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent or grandchild), you also qualify for membership!

Don’t live in one of these counties or fit the above requirements? No worries! By donating a minimum of $5 to the Legacy for Good Foundation, you become a Friend of the Foundation and are eligible to join—which means you can enjoy the benefits of Legacy anywhere.

What’s next for Legacy Credit Union in Birmingham?

Though Legacy remains a growing, safe financial institution with deep roots in Birmingham’s past, it’s also staying ahead of the curve when it comes to modern (and future!) ways of doing banking business.

“Legacy is transforming what it means to be a credit union in the digital age.

We’re constantly evolving to meet our members where they are and deliver smarter, faster and more connected financial experiences for our members.”

_{– Leia Ragland, AVP of Marketing and Business Development}

Their website and app recently got a “glow-up” that promises to help you:

• get paid up to two days early
• instant access to your money since Legacy supports Real-Time Payments (RTP)
• pay bills
• move money with ease between internal and external accounts
• get real-time credit score insights directly in the app for FREE for all members

“It’s all about making your money move smoother, faster and with ease. It’s built for how you bank now.”

_{– Leia Ragland, AVP of Marketing and Business Development}

Visit the App Store on your phone to download and use this handy new tool, or visit here for more info.

But these changes aren’t just via technology and online banking, Legacy is cementing its physical commitment with a new branch that recently opened in McCalla (a growing community in southwestern Jefferson County that’s home to UAB Medical West Hospital, a Smucker’s plant and more, just about 30 minutes from downtown Birmingham). Find branch details here.

Next up: Legacy recently acquired First Community Bank of Cullman and will be setting up a branch to open this fall/winter, effectively expanding its footprint up I-65N.

As our banking, savings and lending needs evolve with the changing times, it’s helpful to know that there are friendly folks who are building a strong legacy—right here in the heart of Birmingham.

Ready to become a member of Legacy Credit Union? Find out how quick + easy it is by visiting a local branch, LegacyCreditUnion.com + downloading their app for details on how to join!

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