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Money SmartsFebruary 27, 2020
When you’re ready to open a free checking account, you have several banking options available to you. However, there’s a reason why credit unions are preferred time and time again over traditional banks and online banks. Actually, we can name seven reasons.
While you have many choices available, the financial institution where you choose to open your free checking account can significantly impact your banking experience. That’s why you want to make sure you choose wisely.
The primary reason why credit unions offer better free checking accounts is their nonprofit status.
Unlike traditional banks, they don’t operate with their profit goals front and center. Instead, they have the interests of their members at the forefront. Since profit is not of primary concern, credit union practices are generally more beneficial to the members.
As a member of a credit union’s cooperative organization, you are a co-owner and have voting rights to help determine important decisions within the credit union. These decisions include tasks such as selecting credit union board members. Your co-owner status allows you to vote on how the credit union operates and select options that benefit you.
As you continue reading, most of the primary reasons why a credit union offers improved service stem from their nonprofit status.
Credit unions will pass along the savings they experience to their members. This is often seen in their ability to offer higher interest rates on their deposit accounts. Whether you have a free checking account, a high yield checking account, a savings account or money market account, you can expect to have a higher interest rate at a credit union.
Credit unions tend to be smaller in size with fewer chains and provide a more personalized member care experience.
Due to their size, credit unions get to know you by name or by face, instead of being just another member. By developing a relationship with the staff, you build a level of trust that makes handling your banking needs with the credit union better.
Most credit unions strive to decrease the amount their members pay in fees. You will find a $0 fee for most transactions that you’d typically pay for at a bank. When a fee is required, like processing a returned check, you can expect to pay less than you would at a traditional bank.
Along with offering free checking accounts, many credit union accounts also have $0 minimum balance requirements. Although fees are generally small, they can add up quickly, so paying no fees or less in fees will save you money over time.
Since credit unions are smaller and customer-oriented, they are also more flexible with their decision making in regards to who is approved for checking accounts, credit cards, loans, etc.
Credit unions have the capacity and wherewithal to focus on each member application. When they do this instead of quickly passing paperwork through a process based on a set of predetermined requirements with no flexibility, they experience an increased acceptance percentage.
Also, many credit unions come to know their members individually. So, if you try to qualify for a product such as a credit card, the bankers will review your standing with the credit union and consider your history with them.
While credit unions are known for offering higher interest rates for deposit accounts, they provide lower interest rates for loans and credit cards.
Again, since profit is not their primary focus, they can pass their savings on to you as a member in the form of lower rates. When you secure a loan or credit card from a credit union, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars over the period in which you borrow money. That savings is a significant benefit to your finances.
When you’re ready to open a free checking account, consider doing so at your local credit union.
The seven reasons why credit unions have better checking accounts and offer an improved banking experience overall isn’t all-inclusive. Once you open a free credit union checking account you’ll discover more reasons why it’s a great option.
If you haven’t experienced the credit union difference, the time is now!