101 Reasons Why You Must Join a Credit Union

I’m a member of a few credit unions and support the financial cooperative movement. And as a disclosure, many credit unions have supported my mission through sponsorship during my Road to Financial Wellness events and other partnerships.

I’ve compiled a list of 101 reasons to be a credit union member. You can learn more about financial cooperatives.

There are two things I want to spotlight about credit unions. First, credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions offering many of the same services as banks. Second, all credit unions were founded with the same financial cooperative principles, but each operates differently based on its unique team, culture, and mission statement.

Here you go…

Credit Unions and Your Financial Well-being

1. Credit unions are financial cooperatives.
2. Offer banking products and services.
3. Not-for-profit business model.
4. Democratically controlled by its members.
5. You’re a member-owner, not a customer.
6. Voluntary and open membership.
7. Members share a common bond.
8. Your family members can become members.
8. A volunteer Board of Directors.
10. As a member, you can run for a Board seat.

Competitive products and services

11. Little to no-fee accounts and services.
12. Better rates on deposit accounts.
13. Lower minimum balance requirements.
14. Lower rates on loans.
15. Personalize loan service.
16. Offers Visa or Mastercard debit cards.
17. Many offer no-fee balance transfers.
18. Easy transfers from credit lines to checking accounts.
19. Auto loan pre-approval.
20. Very competitive auto loan rates.

Member service as a member-owner

21. You get a member number, not just an account number.
22. Personal greetings because you’re a member.
23. Provide member service, not lip service.
24. A motive to help members, not increase stockholder profits.
25. Profits reinvested back and not distributed as stockholder dividends.
26. Answers to members, not stockholders.
25. Flexible fee refund policy.
26. Less banking jargon or confusing terms.
27. High tech – invests in online mobile services.
28. High touch – a priority to get to know you.
29. Multigenerational banking relationships.
30. Staff is typically members too.

Convenience is a priority

31. Direct deposit capability.
32. Automated savings transfers.
33. Connected accounts and cross-member transfers.
34. Offer convenient online and mobile access.
35. Access to online statements.
36. Text message alerts and controls.
37. Online and telephone loan applications.
38. 24-hour telephone support.
39. Pay your loans and bills online.
40. Deposit checks using your smartphone.

Help each other and partner together

31. Many cooperate under a shared branch agreement.
32. Access your accounts with other credit unions through networks.
33. Cash access through thousands of ATMs on a shared network.
34. Share resources and services.
35. Invest together in developing new tools.
36. Sponsor events as a team.
37. Big credit unions lend support to smaller operations.
38. Collaborate on projects.
39. Socially share each other’s articles.
40. Compete with each other to better the industry.

Invested in communities

41. Provides financial education sessions.
42. Sponsor community programs.
43. Participates in local chambers and networking groups.
44. Hosts events and workshops.
45. Wants you to attend the Annual Meeting.
46. Access to speak with the CEO and other executive management.
47. Community and member feedback are taken seriously.
48. Attends employee health and wellness fairs.
49. Provide banking services to underserved communities.
50. Educates students in high school and college classrooms.

Supports your financial wellbeing

51. Not offer a loan that can put you under.
52. Wants to work with you through financial hardships.
53. Offers free credit counseling services.
54. Access to financial experts.
55. It provides insurance products to protect your legacy.
56. Websites with financial education.
57. Provides financial education workshops
58. Offers financial calculators and tools
59. Creates programs to improve your financial wellbeing.
60. Shares financial knowledge on social media.

Offer credit that helps you achieve goals

61. Credit cards without penalty APRs.
62. Credit cards offer the same interest rate on purchases and cash advances.
63. Credit cards with a rewards program.
64. Credit cards with no balance transfer or cash advance fees.
65. Credit cards used for overdraft protection.
66. Mortgages to buy your first home or your rental property.
67. Home equity loans and lines of credit.
68. Recreational vehicle loans.
69. Motorcycle loans.
70. Student loans to help you achieve a life goal.

Changing the status quo

71. Wants to end the payday lending cycle.
72. Loan officers who will go over your credit reports.
73. Financial recovery specialists who want to work with you.
74. Offer loan skip payments.
75. Loan payment deferrals and modifications.
76. Secured credit cards to establish credit.
77. Loan programs to improve credit scores.
78. Provide credit scores through online banking.
79. Not afraid to find ways to say “yes.”
80. Access to people.

Staff are fun and engaging

81. Take member concerns seriously.
82. Dress up during holidays.
83. Make an effort to know your name.
84. Offer services that reflect your needs, not sales goal.
85. Give hugs to members.
86. Wear jeans on Friday.
87. Genuinely wants to know how your day is going.
88. Spend time getting to know you.
89. Volunteer their time for community events.
90. Management return phone calls.

Some more interesting things about credit unions

91. The first credit union in Manchester, New Hampshire founded in 1909.
92. Federal Credit Union Act was signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1939 to “promote thrift and thwart usury.”
93. Federal tax-exemption status.
94. But pay other types of taxes.
95. No tax dollars have been used to bail out credit unions.
96. Regulated and held to high standards to mitigate risk.
97. Not a single penny of federally insured deposits (NCUA) has been lost.
98. Cool names like Navy Federal, Lake Trust, and Blue.
99. Credit unions are international.
100. Offer discounts on cell service, tax preparation, cars, theme parks, and more.

101. Once a member, always a member.

I want to congratulate you if you’re reading this sentence. You made it!  This list is based on personal experiences as a former credit union employee and current member of a credit union.

There are many credit unions to choose from and you’re more likely to qualify for several memberships. Learn how to join a credit union here.