WSECU names Zhu as next CEO.
Harry Zhu will succeed Gary Swindler, who is retiring after 37 years at the $5.1 billion Washington credit union.
Washington State Employees Credit Union has chosen Harry Zhu as its next president and chief executive, turning to a veteran credit union executive as the $5.1 billion-asset institution prepares for a leadership change and approaches its 70th anniversary.
Zhu will join WSECU on Sept. 21, succeeding Gary Swindler, who will retire next month after a 37-year career at the credit union. The board selected Zhu after a nationwide search.
“We are excited for Harry to build on our past success and elevate WSECU to the next level of member service and organizational growth,” said Vikki Smith, WSECU’s board chair. She cited Zhu’s executive experience, people-focused leadership and record of helping financial institutions adapt to a changing industry.
Zhu most recently served as chief executive of USAlliance Federal Credit Union in Rye, N.Y. Before that, he spent 13 years at Alliant Credit Union, the $20 billion digital-only institution, where he held senior positions including chief retail lending officer, chief financial officer and chief risk officer.
During his tenure at Alliant, Zhu helped lead a period of substantial expansion. The credit union grew from $7 billion to $18 billion in assets, while more than doubling its membership and improving its member banking experience, according to WSECU.
“I am honored to be joining the team at WSECU,” Zhu said. He said the credit union’s focus on members, appetite for innovation and role as a community partner attracted him to the position.
WSECU, based in Olympia, has 323,382 members and $5.1 billion in assets. The credit union earned $6.3 million in the first six months of 2026, down from $11.4 million in the same period a year earlier, according to National Credit Union Administration call report data.
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The leadership change comes as Zhu is expected to focus on member value, financial performance and employee engagement. WSECU will also enter its 70th anniversary year in 2027.
Swindler’s departure marks the end of one of the longer leadership careers in the credit union industry. He joined WSECU as a loan officer and eventually became chief executive.
“We can’t thank Gary enough for his contributions over 37 years – starting as a loan officer and rising to the executive office,” Smith said. Under Swindler, she said, WSECU expanded its digital services and branch network and navigated the workplace changes brought on by the pandemic.
Zhu and Swindler will work together during the transition before Swindler’s retirement. Zhu holds master’s degrees in business administration and engineering from the University of Michigan and will live and work in the Olympia area.
“We are excited for Harry to build on our past success and elevate WSECU to the next level of member service and organizational growth.”
– Vikki Smith
Board Chair
WSECU
Ken McCarthy is manager of marketing communications at Tyfone, where he monitors the credit union industry and contributes to conversations shaping its future. He previously covered credit unions and community banking for American Banker and S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a journalism degree from Point Park University and has more than 15 years of experience covering financial services. He is also the author of three literary fiction novels.
