Making use of financial institutions is one of the most important aspects of properly managing your money. At the very least, your money is safe when it’s tucked away into an account somewhere. Most financial centers offer a variety of investment options too. Credit unions in particular have a lot of great benefits to take advantage of. Some of the most important are as follows:
Superior Customer Support
Credit unions are able to provide personalized service to their members as opposed to big banks that tend to care more about their bottom line than the people who rely on them to keep their money safe. Because they are owned and governed by members, they tend to be more accessible overall. Their goal is not to make more money from their members, but to provide a fair and economical way for members to share in financial opportunities.
Lower Rates and Fewer Fees
In general, these financial cooperatives offer lower rates than banks do for everything from loans and savings accounts, to CDs and credit cards. You’ll find that fees for services such as public notaries are a lot less than those found in banks as well. Some services, such as ATM usage, are completely free which is not a common option with most banks.
Useful Perks and Freebies
Most credit unions offer useful perks like pet insurance or financial advisory services that can save you a lot of money throughout the years. Free educational courses are also a common opportunity. Some institutions may offer ongoing classes for things like computer basics, while others might offer financial classes on a quarterly basis. Each one is different, so you’ll have to do some research to determine what’s offered at the places you’re interested in doing business.
Money Making Opportunities
In addition to being able to invest your money in a variety of different types of accounts and products, the best financial cooperatives offer interest accruing accounts so you can make some money as you put your own savings into your account. There’s nothing better than putting some money away and being able to watch it grow throughout the year without any additional effort on your part.
Do You Qualify?
Most credit unions have qualifications that have to be met in order to become a member. Some institutions are set up for employees of specific companies, while others offer services to entire regions. You may qualify for one or more options depending on your specific living situations such as your affiliation with certain organizations or insurance companies.
While these financial co-ops are typically smaller than most banking institutions, they have many great services and features that just can’t be found elsewhere. You will find that the services themselves are just as professional and reliable, if not more so, than those found in the biggest financial institutions out there. Online banking, loans for homes and vehicles, and even discounts for big life purchases are all things to look forward to.