(a) For the purposes of this chapter, both a natural person credit union and a corporate credit union are considered a credit union unless otherwise indicated.
(b) The following may apply to the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration for permission to organize a credit union:
(1) For a natural person credit union, any seven residents of the state.
(2) For a corporate credit union, any seven or more individuals each representing different natural person credit unions.
(c) A credit union is organized in the following manner: The applicants shall execute in duplicate a certificate of organization by the terms of which they agree to be bound. The certificate shall state: (1) the name and location of the proposed credit union, (2) the names and addresses of the subscribers to the certificate and the number of shares subscribed by each, and (3) the par value of the shares of the credit union. They shall next prepare and adopt bylaws for the general governance of the credit union consistent with the provisions of this chapter and shall execute the same in duplicate. The certificate and bylaws, both executed in duplicate, shall be forwarded to the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration. Not later than 30 days after receiving the certificate of organization and bylaws and proof of the issuance of a certificate of insurance for member accounts from either the National Credit Union Administration or a private insurance carrier approved in writing by the administrator, the administrator shall determine whether the certificate of organization and bylaws conform with the provisions of this chapter and whether or not the organization of the credit union in question would benefit the members of it and be consistent with the purpose of this chapter. Thereupon the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration shall notify the applicants of his or her decision. If it is favorable, the administrator shall issue a certificate of approval, attached to the duplicate certificate of organization, and return the same, together with the duplicate bylaws, to the applicants. The applicants shall thereupon file the duplicate of the certificate of organization, with the certificate of approval attached thereto, with the judge of probate of the county within which the credit union is to do business, who shall make a record of the certificate and return it, along with his or her certificate of record attached thereto, to the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration for permanent record. Within 180 days, the applicants shall become and be a credit union operating with normal business hours to serve its field or fields of membership and be incorporated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. In order to simplify the organization of credit unions, the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration shall cause to be prepared an approved form of certificate of organization and a form of bylaws, consistent with this chapter, which may be used by credit union incorporators for their guidance, and on written application of any seven residents of the state, shall supply them without charge a blank certificate of organization and a copy of the form of suggested bylaws.
Last modified: May 3, 2021