Credit Unions vs. Banks: What’s Better for Me?
Most people keep their money in either a credit union or a bank. If you’re trying to choose between these financial institutions, we review credit unions vs. banks to help you decide which is a better place for your money.
What Is a Credit Union?
Credit unions are member-owned cooperatives. This means you (as a member) not only keep your money there, but also own a part of the corporation.
Credit unions do have membership requirements. Most often, these require you to be part of the surrounding community, although some credit unions have other requirements like a shared religious affiliation or employer.
Credit unions also require members to have a “share account”. A “share account” is a savings account and a “share draft account” is a checking account. The savings account has a minimum balance you must keep in the account to pay dividends. The minimum balance is usually very low ($5-$10) and easy to maintain for members.
Credit Unions vs. Banks
Credit unions and banks each have a distinct function and design. The table below outlines the major differences between credit unions and banks.
| Credit Unions | Banks |
|---|---|
| Credit Unions are not-for-profit organizations. | Banks are for-profit organizations with investors. |
| Credit unions require a membership. | Banks do not require membership. |
| Members of a credit union must open a savings account and keep a low minimum in this account. | Typically, consumers who apply for checking and/or saving accounts must make a minimum deposit. |
| Generally lower fees | Generally higher fees |
| The savings rate (interest) tends to be higher. | The savings rate (interest) tends to be lower. |
Branches are limited to your community. However, credit unions will often partner with other credit unions (Credit Unions Co-Op) to allow members access to ATMs with zero fees in other areas. | Access to branches is more widespread and can be both national and local. |
| NCUA Insured | FDIC Insured |
| Emphasis on customer service and the community. | Emphasis on accessibility and ease of use. Typically have better technology. |
Is a Credit Union Right for You?
Credit unions are popular for many reasons, including the lower fees. According to the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), these not-for-profit organizations serve 115 million members (or depositors) in the US. Below, we look more closely at the advantages and disadvantages of credit unions:
Advantages of Credit Unions
You have voting privileges as members, meaning that you have a say in the board of directors.
Credit unions tend to offer better rates, including lower rates on loans and higher rates on the money deposited.
Members are more likely to get approved for a loan.
There are typically no monthly maintenance fees, unlike at banks.
Because credit unions are smaller, they are more likely to provide exceptional customer service and create a stronger sense of community among members.
Disadvantages of Credit Unions
Larger banks often have an edge on technology.
Banks are able to provide numerous online services, such as
easy transfers between accounts
deposited money being immediately reflected in your account
24-hour automated systems with chatbot.
Credit unions typically keep bankers’ hours, so you may not be able to reach anyone at night or on weekends.
Since banks have numerous locations, it’s easy to find an ATM. Credit union withdrawal and deposit options are more limited if you don’t want to incur fees.
How to Find Top Credit Unions
To find a top credit union in your area, visit MyCreditUnion.gov. You can also look at reviews online and consider what the community has to say about the financial institution. Since they look to serve the community, it’s best to listen to the target consumer.
Credit Unions vs. Banks: Our Final Takeaway
There are pros and cons to using either credit unions or banks. Keep the following list in mind when comparing credit unions vs. banks:
Savings rate
Fees
Branch locations
Online banking services
Lending rates
Financial products other than a checking/savings account
Your decision should be based on personal preference and determining which factors are most important to you.
Are Credit Unions FDIC Insured?
No matter where you choose to deposit your savings, having some sort of insurance is important. FDIC coverage (through banks) is effectively the same as what NCUA provides for credit unions.
FDIC coverage is another factor to consider when deciding between a bank and a credit union. Banks are insured by the FDIC for up to $250,000 per account, per person. So if the bank fails, the FDIC will make sure that you get your money back up to $250,000 for a single account or $500,000 for a joint account. This applies to:
Checking
Savings
negotiable order of withdrawal accounts
time deposits
cashiers checks
money orders
Investments, life insurance policies, annuities, and safe deposit boxes are not covered by the FDIC.
Credit Unions are not insured by the FDIC, though they are insured by another entity known as the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). According to the NCUA, deposits in federally-insured credit unions are also insured to at least $250,000. These credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF).
Are All Credit Unions Insured?
While most credit unions are insured by the NCUA, there are exceptions. If the credit union is state-chartered (instead of being federally-chartered), it may or may not be insured by NCUA.
It is good practice to always check to check whether the financial institution that houses your money is insured before opening an account.
Are Online Banks Insured?
Online banks are another attractive option for savings and sometimes loans. This is especially true as they don’t usually maintain a physical presence and are able to pass along these savings in overhead expenses to customers via better rates. Typical online savings banks offer far superior savings rates and these accounts come with the same FDIC insurance (though they may be subject to other limitations such as a certain number of withdrawals or transfers per month).
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