Do you use a credit union?
By Catkin
@Catkin (480)
United States
March 7, 2013 5:08pm CST
Several years ago, my long-time bank was bought out by Chase, a large bank that I really didn't want to be doing business with. It was about the time that they started letting customers know we would be charged a monthly fee if we didn't maintain a certain minimum balance or deposit a certain amount of money each month that I decided to jump ship. I had been considering local credit unions for a little while and ended up choosing one that I have been very happy with. Though there are definitely fewer branches around than the banks have, many credit unions, including mine, take part in a co-op program that allows customers to access their accounts through any 7-Eleven that has an atm. This is quite useful, especially for depositing checks; the only time I really need to visit my local branch is if I have cash to deposit or need to speak directly to someone.
Do you use a credit union or have you perhaps been considering switching to one? A number of my friends have been ripped off by banks and want out, and some have indeed switched to using a credit union. I wouldn't go back!
1 response
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
8 Mar 13
There are a lot of benefits to having a credit union account; they generally have less fees than a bank. You usually have to join through a job or a family member one though. There are a few where I live that are connected to a particular community, though I don't know the details of those.
@Catkin (480)
• United States
9 Mar 13
There are several in my area that don't require having a certain job or a family member who is already a customer, but I know the kind you are talking about. I work in retail and see all sorts of credit/debit cards, including quite a few from teachers' credit unions, etc. I think there are some that are specific to certain counties, too? I'm sure that varies place to place, too, though.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
9 Mar 13
I don't know about a credit union that is specific to a county, but there was one in my city that had to do with a Catholic church. The members were people who lived in the neighborhood and had some connection to the parish.
