Are Credit Unions As Good As Banks? How Do They Compare?

At first glance, banks and credit unions look alike. Both offer checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and certificates of deposit. But the difference lies in their structure.

Credit unions are cooperative financial institutions owned by their members — the people who use their services. Instead of aiming to generate profits for shareholders, they return earnings to members in the form of lower loan rates, reduced fees, and sometimes higher savings rates.

Membership is typically based on a “common bond.” This can mean working in a certain profession, living in a specific area, or being related to someone who is already a member. In practice, eligibility requirements are broad, and many people can qualify without difficulty.

Like banks, credit unions are safe. Deposits are insured up to $250,000 per account by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) (unless you happen to be in one of these states that allow credit unions NOT to be NCUA insured), just as banks are covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Here are the main pros and cons of using a credit union vs. a bank:

Benefits Of A Credit Union

People love credit unions because of the perceived benefits:

Lower Costs and Better Rates

Because credit unions are nonprofit, their pricing often reflects member benefit rather than profit margins. Auto loan rates, for example, are generally lower at credit unions compared to banks, according to data from the NCUA.

Community and Service Focus

Members often highlight the personal service they receive at local branches. Credit unions may be more willing to consider individual circumstances when approving loans, rather than relying solely on credit scores.

This may be true with small businesses especially, as many are unique to their communities and the local banker at the credit union may have a better understanding than a far-away national lender.

Fewer Hidden Fees

While credit unions may still charge overdraft or late fees, the amounts are often lower than those at major banks. Many also avoid monthly maintenance fees by setting low or no minimum balance requirements.

Drawbacks Of A Credit Union

There are some major drawbacks to a credit union, and I've experienced many of these first hand:

Limited Access and Technology

Big banks like JPMorgan Chase or Bank of America have thousands of branches and ATMs nationwide. Credit unions, by contrast, may have only a few locations in a single region. While many credit unions participate in ATM networks that reimburse fees, travelers may still find them less convenient.

Digital services can also lag. Most credit unions now offer mobile banking apps with mobile check deposit and bill pay, but the user experience may not match the sophistication of the largest banks. After testing countless online banking apps, Chase Bank has one of the best mobile apps in the United States - and we've never seen a credit union come close on ease of use, especially for small business owners.

Unable To Work With More Complex Situations

Credit unions, for whatever reason, seem to have trouble working with more complex financial arrangements. While they may be more flexible lending to small business, they don't offer the banking tools that small businesses may need in terms of cash management, employee accounts, and other features.

Also, credit unions seem to struggle with estate planning for their members. I personally struggled to handle power of attorney setups for my parents at two credit unions (both in the top 30 by size) - including one national one. The simplest solution was sadly to close our accounts and migrate to a major bank that hand no issues setting up online banking and other access.

Smaller Rewards Programs

Large banks fund robust credit card reward programs, with cash back of up to 5% in certain categories. Credit union credit cards usually offer 1 - 1.5% cash back, making them less competitive for people chasing points and perks.

Can Credit Unions Compete With Banks?

Credit unions compete on trust, member service, and community rather than perks. Rates on loans and savings accounts are often similar to what online banks offer, and usually significantly better than what traditional brick and mortar banks offer.

Importantly, their smaller scale means they often don’t appear on comparison sites that rank financial products. That absence doesn’t necessarily mean their products are worse - it simply reflect the fact that large banks spend advertising dollars to appear on those lists.

For many consumers, the choice boils down to priorities:

How To Find The Right Credit Union

Eligibility rules are broader than most people expect. Many credit unions allow anyone in a geographic area to join, and others open membership through associations you can join for a small fee (usually a one-time $5 donation).

To compare options:

Common Questions About Credit Unions

Are credit unions safer than banks?

They are equally safe. Deposits at both are insured up to $250,000 per account, though by different federal agencies (NCUA vs FDIC).

Do credit unions offer better loan rates?

Often yes, especially for auto loans and personal loans, though online banks sometimes compete aggressively on savings rates.

Can anyone join a credit union?

Most people can qualify through where they live, work, or associations they can join. Eligibility requirements are far less restrictive than they once were.

Do credit unions have mobile apps?

Many do, but the quality varies. Larger banks generally lead in technology and user experience.

Which is better — a bank or credit union?

It depends on what you value most: convenience, rewards, and technology (banks) or lower fees, local service, and community orientation (credit unions).

Final Thoughts

Is a credit union the best choice for you? The answer really depends on what you want in a financial institution. If you want accessibility and the ability to cash in on great promotions and rewards, then a big bank may be your thing. 

However, if you desire to have a financial institution that cares for you and your finances, then a credit union wins hands down. However, also realize that we're in a period of credit union consolidation - where credit unions are simply growing larger to grow larger. Many big city credit unions may not feel any different than a national bank.

When it comes to rates, the top competitive banks and credit unions will have very similar rates on financial products (just look at The College Investor's list of the best money market accounts - where about half are credit unions). Since most rates are competitive, you can then focus on other features that matter to you.

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