I am all about supporting local. And Credit Unions have LOCAL written all over them.
Here are 5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Using a Credit Union vs. a Bank:
1.) Credit unions exist solely to provide financial services to their members. Not. Like. Big. Banks.
2.) Members actually own Credit Unions. Not shareholders. Credit Unions’ profit is invested back into its members. Think dividends, rebates, and lower interest rates, which, equals more $ for you.
3.) Credit Unions typically offer lower interest rates than banks. Think car loans, credit card rates, home equity loans, etc. Big score for all you 20-somethings out there buying a new car or house!
4.) On average, Credit Unions boast lower fees for checking accounts, ATM surcharges, overdrafts, and stopped payments. Again, this means more $ for you.
5.) Credit Unions are focused on providing low-interest loans for their local communities. This means that the money stays closer to home. In the last year, Credit Unions provided millions in support of new + local commercial, residential, industrial and farm-related developments.
“The impetus for this joint campaign came from the fact that credit unions offer all the products and conveniences you’d expect from a big bank, but unlike those big banks, credit unions are built around strengthening communities by providing low-interest loans and giving all their profit back to members, truly ‘making your money matter’. With membership, the money you deposit stays in the community – your dollar could become somebody’s college degree or a loan for a family’s first home – and it’s these types of reinvestments that draw local-minded consumers intent on consumption that keeps communities growing.” – Fredda McDonald, Executive Vice President, Public Service Credit Union
Want to know more? Check out Make Your Money Matter. Have suggestions on a great + local Credit Union? I’d love to hear more.
This post is sponsored by Make Your Money Matter, in association with PSCU, though all views expressed are my own.
I am a member of four credit unions (because apparently I can’t get enough). I really like Telhio and Credit Union of Ohio for local banking. Just checked out the Make Your Money Matter website, pretty cool.