Credit unions assess fewer fees than other financial institutions and when fees are charged, they are on average much lower than bank fees. And many require little or no minimum balance on interest bearing checking. The credit union philosophy of people helping people is put into action every day. For example, a credit union in San Antonio, TX deliberately located its main office in a run down section of the city in order to play a positive role in revitalizing the neighborhood where many of its members live or work. In short, credit unions are often a helpful choice for people who might otherwise go unserved - and alternative services such as these benefit consumers and ultimately society.
Credit unions rank the lowest in financial difficulties among all financial institutions.
And there is no safer or sounder federal insurance fund than the one which protects credit union members' savings. Today, nearly one in every four Americans is a member of a credit union. That amounts to over 60 million people, and the number grows every year. These people continue to support their credit union because they know from first-hand experience that their credit union offers a range of services at affordable rates. And that it provides something that is often missing in other aspects of the business world today - friendly, personal service.