Why should I save in a credit union?
The main benefits of a credit union vs. a bank are that credit unions tend to offer better rates and customer service, lower fees, and a national network of ATMs. However, a bank may offer more branches and products than a credit union.
Expect lower interest rates and bigger returns with a Credit Union. Don't believe us? Take a look at our interest rates and see for yourself! Your money is safer in a Credit Unions hands because all accounts are federally insured up to $250,000 and backed by the U.S. government.
Local and personalized service.
Credit unions are a great choice if you are looking to have a voice in the way your financial institution is run, save money on interest and fee expenses, earn more on your savings, build relationships with those who serve you, and get timely decisions on your financial applications.
Limited accessibility. Credit unions tend to have fewer branches than traditional banks. A credit union may not be close to where you live or work, which could be a problem unless your credit union is part of a shared branch network and/or a large ATM network such as Allpoint or MoneyPass.
Like banks, which are federally insured by the FDIC, credit unions are insured by the NCUA, making them just as safe as banks.
Because banks are focused heavily on profits, many—especially the brick-and-mortar ones—offer lower-than-average interest rates on savings and higher rates on loans compared to credit unions (and many online banks).
Generally, credit unions are viewed as safer than banks, although deposits at both types of financial institutions are usually insured at the same dollar amounts. The FDIC insures deposits at most banks, and the NCUA insures deposits at most credit unions.
Better rates
According to a study by Informa Research Services, credit unions have lower average rates on credit cards, auto loans, personal loans, and home equity lines of credit. In addition, credit unions have higher average return rates on personal savings, checking, money market, and 1-year certificate accounts.
The main benefits of a credit union vs. a bank are that credit unions tend to offer better rates and customer service, lower fees, and a national network of ATMs.
However, because credit unions serve mostly individuals and small businesses (rather than large investors) and are known to take fewer risks, credit unions are generally viewed as safer than banks in the event of a collapse. Regardless, both types of financial institutions are equally protected.
Why do banks not like credit unions?
For decades, bankers have objected to the tax breaks and sponsor subsidies enjoyed by credit unions and not available to banks. Because such challenges haven't slowed down the growth of credit unions, banks continue to look for other reasons to allege unfair competition.
Experts told us that credit unions do fail, like banks (which are also generally safe), but rarely. And deposits up to $250,000 at federally insured credit unions are guaranteed, just as they are at banks.
The limit on Current Accounts remains unchanged at €20,000. The Current Account limit is in addition to the Share Account limit and provides a total available savings limit of €50,000 for our members who operate current accounts. The change will take effect from 24th January 2024.
If a credit union is placed into liquidation, the NCUA's Asset Management and Assistance Center (AMAC) will oversee the liquidation and set up an asset management estate (AME) to manage assets, settle members' insurance claims, and attempt to recover value from the closed credit union's assets.
The biggest reason to leave your money in a credit union or bank is simple—they are insured. All credit unions are insured by the NCUA up to $250,000, while banks are insured by the FDIC for the same amount. If you have over $250,000 in your accounts, work with your financial institution.
The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.
If you want higher deposit rates and don't need access to branches across the country, for example, you might prefer a credit union. If you want access to in-person services and don't mind lower interest rates, a bank might be more suitable.
Alliant Credit Union.
Alliant offers an above-average interest rate for savings. Membership is not restricted; you can join with a $5 donation to a nonprofit. Alliant's mobile app is highly rated, and members have fee-free access to an 80,000-ATM network.
Any income the credit union generates through interest, fees and loans is then used to fund community projects, reinvest into the organization or provide services that directly benefit members, like paying higher savings interest rates.
But compared to banks, credit unions tend to be smaller, operate regionally and are not-for-profit. In many instances, they offer lower rates on loans, charge fewer fees and offer better interest rates for deposit accounts than traditional banks.
Do credit unions improve credit?
While the individual options may differ from one to the next, most credit unions offer custom loan programs designed to help borrowers establish credit for the first time or rebuild damaged credit. Some credit unions use aptly-named “credit builder loans” that function much like secured credit cards.
Both Wells Fargo and Bank of America can be good choices for low-income earners since the direct deposit minimums are not overly burdensome.
Some require you to be present in a branch to close an account, while others allow you to close bank accounts and switch banks completely online. If you're worried about how much it costs to switch banks, be sure to ask your old credit union or bank in advance about any account closing fees you may need to pay.
People choose banks primarily because of the convenience of multiple branches across the country, along with better technology. On the flip side, people choose credit unions primarily because of discounted loan rates, higher interest rates and better customer service.
Joining a credit union won't help build your credit score on its own, but it can be a good first step toward building your credit. Here are a few other ways that you can build your credit score: Use a credit card cosigner to increase your approval odds. Apply for a secured credit card, which requires making a deposit.
