Hello there, I'm your Credit Union Buddy! Have a question or want to know more about credit unions? Let me know, and maybe I can help!
What are credit unions?
We are not banks, we are better! Credit unions do not pocket the money made off of the people who use our services like banks do. The money earned by credit unions is given back to the members through low interest rates, and other products/services.
Credit unions look out for their members’ interests and provide a level of service that is not generally available at other financial institutions. Whether it’s providing a loan to help a member cover unexpected medical bills, giving financial counseling to a member whose company closed its doors, or simply offering a better deal on a used car loan, credit unions make a difference for their members and the communities they serve.
Credit unions are for everyone, but the law places some limits on the people they may serve. A credit union could serve your employer, church, school, or community. Anyone working for an employer that sponsors a credit union, for example, is eligible to join that credit union.
If you don't belong, here's how to find a credit union to join:
Ask your boss. Your company may sponsor a credit union, or may be a select employee group (SEG) that has access to a credit union. Many employers offer direct deposit of payroll to your credit union.
Ask your parents, brother, sister or grandparents. Most credit unions allow credit union members' families to join. Each credit union, however, may define "family" differently. At some, only members of your immediate family are eligible. At other credit unions, family may include extended family members, such as cousins, uncles, and aunts.
Ask your friends and neighbors. Some credit unions have a "community" field of membership, serving a region defined by geography rather than by employment or some other association. Ask friends in the community if they know of a credit union you may join.
Read the yellow pages or check the web. Some credit unions rarely advertise, so you might not know about them unless you look them up.
