How to Join a Credit Union

If you’re looking for an alternative to a bank, you may be wondering how to join a credit union. Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit financial institutions that offer many of the same services as banks.

Joining a credit union is often easy and can be done online or in person at a branch. To join, you’ll likely need to open a savings account and make a small deposit. Some credit unions may also require you to become a member of

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Research credit unions in your area.

When you join a credit union, you become a member-owner with a say in how the credit union is run. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, credit unions return earnings to members in the form of higher dividends on savings, lower loan rates, and enhanced services.

To find a credit union that meets your needs, use NCUA’s Find a Credit Union tool or call NCUA’s toll-free number at 1-800-755-1030. You can also ask family and friends if they belong to a credit union. To learn more about how credit unions operate, call the Association of Credit Union Leagues at 1-888-358-3222 or visit www.acul.org.

Once you’ve selected a credit union, visit their website or stop by a branch location to learn about membership requirements.

Find one that best suits your needs.

When you’re looking for a credit union, it’s important to find one that best suits your needs. Consider what type of credit union you’re looking for—a national credit union or a local one. You can also look for a credit union that is affiliated with your employer, or one that serves your community.

Once you’ve decided what type of credit union you’re looking for, use our Credit Union Finder tool to search for members in your area.

You can also ask family and friends if they have any recommendations. Once you’ve found a few candidates, take some time to research each one. Consider the following:
-Do they offer the products and services you need?
-Do they have good reviews?
-Do their fees make sense for what you plan to use them for?
-Is their customer service responsive and helpful?
-Do they have branches or ATMs near you?

Research membership requirements.

Most credit unions have membership requirements, such as living or working in a certain area, being a member of a particular organization, or meeting other qualifications. For example, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union is open to anyone who joins the National Defense Transportation Association, while Andigo Credit Union requires that you live or work in one of several Illinois counties.

You may be able to join a credit union through a family member or friend who already meets the membership requirements. For instance, if your parent is already a member of Andigo Credit Union, you can join as well.

Others credit unions accept membership from individuals who make a one-time donation to a qualifying charity. For example, qualifying charities for Becu include the Credit Union for Eating Disorders Awareness and the Humane Society.

Join the credit union by meeting the membership requirements.

Before you can join a credit union, you’ll need to meet the membership requirements. Most credit unions have requirements related to your employment, residency, or affiliations. For example, you may need to live or work in a certain area, be a member of a particular organization, or have a family member who is already a credit union member.

Once you’ve found a credit union that you’re eligible to join, the next step is to open an account. To do this, you’ll need to provide the credit union with some personal information, like your name, address, and Social Security number. You may also need to make an initial deposit into your account.

Once your account is open, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the benefits that credit union membership has to offer! For example, you’ll be able to apply for loans, use mobile banking apps, and take advantage of competitive interest rates on savings accounts.