Banking that puts
you first

Find a credit union near you. Lower fees, better rates, and a community that actually cares about your financial future.

0 Saved by members
annually
0% Offer free
checking accounts
0% Member satisfaction
vs. banks
0 Lower fees than
traditional banks

The Credit Union Difference

Why smarter people
choose credit unions

💰

Lower Fees & Better Rates

Credit unions return profits to members through lower loan rates, higher savings yields, and fewer fees — not to shareholders.

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Member-Owned, Member-Served

You're not a customer — you're an owner. Every member has a vote in how their credit union is run, regardless of account size.

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NCUA Federally Insured

Your deposits are insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration — the same protection as FDIC-insured banks.

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Financial Education

Credit unions are built on community. Many offer free financial counseling, workshops, and resources to help you build lasting wealth.

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Shared Branch Network

Access 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs and 5,000+ shared branch locations nationwide — banking wherever life takes you.

Modern Digital Banking

Full-featured mobile apps, online banking, remote deposit, and digital wallets — everything you expect from a modern financial institution.

Federal tax exemption — savings passed on to you

Their not-for-profit, cooperative structure — and special mission to serve consumers — earns credit unions a federal tax exemption. Members see earnings as higher savings returns, lower loan rates and lower, fewer fees.

Credit unions serve a field of membership

Credit unions serve a common field of membership based on characteristics like a geographical area, employee groups, or membership in an organization. Becoming a member is simple and easy.

Not-for-profit, member-owned financial institutions

Credit unions are not-for-profit, member-owned financial institutions that exist to serve the financial needs of their member owners. Their main focus is their members and their local community.

Owned & governed by members democratically

Credit unions are owned by their members and governed in a democratic way by a volunteer board of directors who are also members of the credit union.

Best Payday Loan Alternatives

Editorial Note & Methodology: Credit unions offer statutory caps on interest rates for payday alternative loans (PALs) but require membership. Direct online lenders and loan marketplaces offer higher loan limits and faster processing, but rates depend heavily on credit profile.
Provider / Service Entity Type Key Features & Products Membership / Qualifications Best For
FCLOANS Online Loan Marketplace Free platform allowing users to submit one pre-qualification form to compare options from multiple independent online lenders. No initial hard credit check. U.S. citizen/resident, 18+, verifiable regular income, and an active checking account. Fast online rate comparisons across multiple lenders without a hard credit check.
SoFi Direct Online Lender Offers unsecured personal loans up to $100,000 with zero origination fees, flexible repayment terms, and fast funding for qualified borrowers. Fair-to-good credit profile, minimum income requirements, and U.S. citizenship/residency. High loan limits and additional member benefits (career coaching, rate discounts).
LightStream Direct Online Lender Provides low-interest personal loans with no hidden fees and same-day funding availability for strong credit applicants. Requires good-to-excellent credit history and demonstrated financial stability. Large loan amounts with competitive rates for borrowers with strong credit scores.
All In Credit Union Federal Credit Union Offers CashPlease® Payday Assistance Loans (small-dollar emergency loans up to $2,000 with capped rates and low fees). Requires credit union membership (based on geographic location, employment, or military affiliation). Existing members seeking small-dollar emergency cash as a direct payday loan alternative.
Alliant Credit Union Federal Credit Union Unsecured personal loans with competitive APR caps, flexible payoff schedules, and potential same-day funding. Available nationwide by joining the Foster Care to Success (FC2S) partner foundation. Members looking for traditional credit union loan protection and fixed monthly rates.

Side by side

How is a Credit Union
different from a Bank?

✓  Credit Union
—  Bank
Not-for-profit. Earnings are returned to members through free ATMs, better rates and lower fees.
For-profit corporations. Earnings go to outside stockholders in the form of dividends.
Insured by NCUA up to $250,000.
Insured by FDIC up to $250,000.
Democratically governed. Elections based on a one-member, one-vote philosophy.
Governed by paid shareholders. Voting rights depend on the number of shares owned.
More than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.
Customers must use branded ATMs and branches or pay fees. Some services unavailable outside the bank.
Local, community-based. Members support their local communities when they bank at a credit union.
Banks are big. The average size of a bank is double that of a credit union.
Credit unions have members, not shareholders. The focus is always on serving you.
Banks have customers and shareholders. They must make money from customers to please shareholders.

Member benefits

The Value of Membership

A Sense of Loyalty

Credit union members often feel a stronger sense of loyalty and a familiar connection because of a shared sense of community.

Better Rates and Lower Fees

A credit union's bottom line is to benefit its membership; earnings are returned through lower loan rates, higher savings rates and contributions to offset fees.

Invest in Financial Education

Because credit unions aren't focused on making a profit, they value educating each of their members on which financial option would be best for their situation rather than what would benefit the credit union.

A Personal Touch

Many credit unions are willing to work with their members through unexpected or unforeseen circumstances to benefit the member and their community.

Ready to make the smarter choice?

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