Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, which serves teachers, school staff, students and families across Southern Maryland, has been named Best Credit Union in the 2026 Best of Southern Maryland awards.
The Greenbelt-based credit union announced the honor Sept. 28. It operates three Southern Maryland branches: Lexington Park, Prince Frederick and Waldorf.
“We are honored to be named the Best Credit Union of Southern Maryland,” said Girado Smith, the credit union’s president and CEO. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the relationships our Ambassadors build every day and the trust our members place in us to support their financial goals. We are grateful to everyone across Southern Maryland who continues to welcome and support our Credit Union.”
“Ambassadors” is the credit union’s term for its front-line staff.
The award is the second workplace or community honor for the credit union reported in the Chronicle this week. On Monday, the Chronicle reported that it had earned a 2026 Top Workplaces Remote Work Award, based on confidential employee surveys. Earlier this year it was also named a 2026 USA Today Top Workplace.
A growing footprint in the region
The credit union has invested in its Southern Maryland branches over the past two years. In May 2024 it opened a new Lexington Park branch at 46320 Lexington Village Way, where St. Mary’s County Commissioner Scott Ostrow presented a county citation. In July 2025 it finished a redesign of its Waldorf branch in the Smallwood Village Center. The Waldorf project expanded the lobby and replaced traditional teller lines with cash-recycling machines meant to cut wait times. The Prince Frederick branch, at 705 Prince Frederick Blvd., has a 24-hour drive-up ATM that accepts deposits and a free coin machine for members.
Members can use checking and savings accounts, certificates, vehicle loans, mortgages, credit cards and financial education resources, along with digital banking.
Who can join
Like all credit unions, Educational Systems limits membership to a defined field. In Southern Maryland, eligibility covers employees, students and parents of the Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s county public school systems, and employees, students, parents and alumni of the College of Southern Maryland. Anyone who lives or works in St. Mary’s County also qualifies, as do immediate family members of eligible people and existing members.
Beyond banking
The credit union’s community work in the region centers on schools. This summer its nonprofit arm, the Support Education Foundation, ran its Pack the Pack backpack drive, which sent about 5,000 backpacks and more than 16,000 pounds of supplies to students in 14 Maryland counties, including Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s. The credit union has also funded a special scholarship at the College of Southern Maryland since 2013 for students who live in Southern Maryland.
“This recognition motivates us to continue finding new ways to serve our members and strengthen the communities we are part of,” Smith said. “We look forward to building on the relationships we have established throughout Southern Maryland and continuing to help our members achieve a brighter financial future.”
Smith has led the credit union since January 2023, when he succeeded Chris Conway, who retired after 16 years as CEO. Smith joined the credit union in 1998 as an accounting manager and served as its chief financial officer beginning in 2004.
Educational Systems Federal Credit Union was founded in 1955 to serve the education community. It reports $1.4 billion in assets, 13 branches and more than 80,000 members.
