WSECU Names Harry Zhu President and CEO as Gary Swindler Retires

Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) has named Harry Zhu as its next President and CEO, appointing an experienced credit union executive to lead the $5.1 billion institution as longtime chief executive Gary Swindler prepares to retire.

WSECU announced the appointment on August 20. Zhu will join the Olympia, Washington-based member-owned credit union on September 21, 2026, following a nationwide search conducted by the board of directors. He will succeed Swindler, who will retire next month after a 37-year career at WSECU.

The leadership transition comes as WSECU approaches its 70th anniversary in 2027. Zhu is expected to focus on member value, financial performance and employee engagement as the credit union enters its next phase.

Harry Zhu Brings Credit Union and Digital Banking Experience

Zhu joins WSECU with more than a decade of senior leadership experience across the credit union sector.

Most recently, he served as president and CEO of USALLIANCE Financial, formerly USAlliance Federal Credit Union, in Rye, New York. USALLIANCE appointed Zhu CEO in 2023 after selecting him through a leadership search.

USALLIANCE announced in June 2026 that Brett J. Wheeler, previously its CFO, would become president and CEO, succeeding Zhu. The move followed Zhu’s departure to pursue another opportunity.

Before joining USALLIANCE, Zhu spent 13 years at Alliant Credit Union, where he held several senior positions. His roles included chief retail lending officer, chief financial officer and chief risk officer.

According to WSECU, Zhu helped lead transformation initiatives at Alliant as the digital-focused credit union grew from $7 billion to $18 billion in assets and more than doubled its membership.

That background gives the incoming CEO experience across lending, finance, risk management, digital banking and organizational transformation.

WSECU Targets Its Next Phase of Growth

WSECU’s board said Zhu’s leadership experience and focus on people made him the right candidate to guide the credit union.

Vikki Smith, WSECU’s board chair, said the organization expects Zhu to build on its previous progress while advancing member service and organizational growth.

The appointment comes at an important point for WSECU.

The credit union currently reports more than 315,000 members, 25 branches, more than 800 employees and $5.1 billion in assets. Its press center identifies WSECU as a member-powered cooperative serving people who live in Washington state.

Zhu’s mandate will therefore extend beyond a routine executive transition.

WSECU said he will focus on increasing value for members, strengthening financial performance and building engaged teams as the organization approaches its 70th anniversary.

Those priorities point to a leadership strategy that combines financial discipline with continued investment in member experience.

Digital Banking Experience Could Shape Zhu’s Tenure

Zhu’s previous roles suggest that digital transformation will remain an important part of his leadership toolkit.

At Alliant, he worked across lending, finance and risk while the digital-only credit union expanded significantly. USALLIANCE also highlighted his focus on growth, innovation and member service during his tenure.

That experience is relevant as credit unions compete with banks and fintech companies for customers who increasingly expect digital-first financial services.

WSECU itself has invested in digital services under Swindler. The credit union credited its outgoing CEO with helping advance digital offerings, expand its branch network and guide the organization through workplace changes during the pandemic.

Zhu will inherit that foundation rather than start from scratch.

The challenge will be maintaining WSECU’s member-owned identity while continuing to improve technology, financial products and service delivery.

Swindler Leaves After 37 Years at WSECU

The appointment also marks the end of an unusually long leadership journey for Swindler.

WSECU said Swindler began his career with the credit union as a loan officer and eventually rose to the executive office. He will retire after 37 years with the organization.

During his tenure, WSECU expanded its branch network and advanced its digital services. He also guided the credit union through significant workplace changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smith credited Swindler with maintaining a people-focused approach throughout his career.

His departure creates a significant succession moment for the credit union. Zhu will need to preserve the strengths of an established member-owned institution while setting priorities for its next stage of growth.

Zhu’s Background Spans Finance, Risk and Strategy

Zhu’s professional background extends beyond traditional credit union leadership.

WSECU says he brings Fortune 500 leadership and strategic consulting experience to the role. He holds master’s degrees in business administration and engineering from the University of Michigan.

His academic and professional background combines financial services management with engineering and strategic problem-solving.

That combination could be particularly relevant as financial institutions balance technology investment with risk management and financial performance.

For WSECU, the incoming CEO will oversee an organization operating at a much larger scale than the institution Zhu most recently led.

Industry coverage has noted that WSECU’s $5.1 billion asset base is larger than USALLIANCE’s current approximately $3 billion footprint.

A Leadership Change at a Pivotal Time for Credit Unions

Credit unions across the United States are navigating a financial-services environment shaped by digital competition, changing member expectations and pressure to operate efficiently at scale.

For WSECU, Zhu’s appointment provides an opportunity to combine established cooperative principles with his experience in digital banking and organizational transformation.

The credit union’s size also gives the incoming CEO a substantial platform.

With more than 315,000 members and $5.1 billion in assets, decisions around technology, lending, member experience and operational efficiency can have a meaningful impact across its Washington membership base.

The next phase will therefore involve more than simply replacing a retiring CEO.

It will test how effectively WSECU can preserve its existing culture while adapting to a financial-services market where banks, credit unions and fintech companies increasingly compete on technology and customer experience.

Zhu and Swindler to Work Together on the Transition

WSECU said Zhu and Swindler will collaborate during the leadership transition to support continuity in both operations and management.

That handover should give the incoming CEO an opportunity to understand WSECU’s existing strategy, member priorities and organizational structure before assuming full leadership.

For Swindler, the transition provides a planned conclusion to a 37-year career at the credit union.

For Zhu, it marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter at a larger institution with a long history in Washington.

What Comes Next for WSECU

Zhu officially joins WSECU on September 21, 2026.

His initial priorities will include increasing member value, strengthening financial performance and developing engaged teams. WSECU is also approaching its 70th anniversary in 2027, giving the new CEO an early opportunity to shape the institution’s next strategic chapter.

The broader question will be how Zhu applies his experience in digital banking, lending, finance and risk to an established member-owned cooperative.

His record at Alliant and USALLIANCE provides experience with transformation and growth. WSECU, meanwhile, offers a larger member base and a broader Washington presence.

That combination makes the leadership change one to watch in the U.S. credit union sector.

Conclusion

WSECU’s appointment of Harry Zhu as President and CEO marks a major leadership transition for the $5.1 billion Washington credit union.

Zhu will take over from Gary Swindler on September 21 after building a career across senior credit union roles at USALLIANCE and Alliant. His experience spans lending, finance, risk management, digital transformation and organizational growth.

At the same time, Swindler’s retirement closes a 37-year chapter at WSECU. Under his leadership, the credit union expanded its branch network and digital services while navigating major organizational changes.

For Zhu, the next challenge is to build on that foundation while strengthening member value and financial performance. With WSECU approaching its 70th anniversary, his arrival gives the credit union a new leadership perspective at an important point in its growth strategy.

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