7 Ways Credit Unions Are Better Than Banks

As the Occupy Wall Street movement takes full swing, many Americans are expressing their anti-corporate sentiments by supporting local businesses and boycotting all types of consumer goods altogether. When it comes to money matters, you might have considered the real value of working with a corporate bank versus a local financial institution. Could moving your hard-earned dollars out of the larger, Wall Street-operated banks also be good for your wallet?

Credit unions are essentially cooperative organizations owned by their depositors, not stockholders. Most offer exactly the same set of financial products as a bank, yet only some Americans have accounts solely at a credit union.

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Here are seven ways credit unions are better than banks:

1. Making you a top priority. Unlike corporate banks, credit unions are working in the best interest of depositors, not stockholders. This is why most can offer much better customer service and will go out of their way to make you, the depositor, happy. They’re less focused on turning a profit and more focused on ensuring they’re providing depositors with a high level of service and competitive rates. They even have a nonprofit status so they’re exempt from many taxes.

2. Low or no minimum balance requirements. As corporate banks continue charging high fees for dropping below a minimum balance on savings and checking products, credit unions are doing the opposite–lowering balance requirements so that maintaining an account is less stressful. Many only require a minimum balance of $5 to $10 and have very few rules or provisions for keeping your account in good standing. If you’re fed up with the complex rules and requirements of larger banks in your area, consider opening up an account at a credit union.

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3. Lower fees on banking products.