Why might you get a better loan rate at a credit union versus a bank?
Credit union profits go back to members, who are shareholders. This enables credit unions to charge lower interest rates on loans, including mortgages, and pay higher yields on savings products, such as share certificates (the credit union equivalent of certificates of deposit).
Credit Unions are Member-Owned, Not-for-profit Organizations
Most banks operate as for-profit financial institutions that answer to stakeholders. In this environment, the focus on profits influences everything from lending decisions to interest rates assigned to loans.
Credit unions can be ideal for a low-interest loan, lower mortgage closing costs, or reduced fees, but you'll need to qualify for membership. Larger banks may offer you more choices regarding products, apps, and international or commercial products and services, and anyone can join.
Better Loan Rates
Just like a typical bank, a credit union offers all products, from car loans to mortgages. However, they offer lower interest rates on loans because of a customer-centric model. They are not focused on generating profits for shareholders and are primarily aimed at creating value for their members.
The main benefits of a credit union vs. a bank are that credit unions tend to offer better rates and customer service, lower fees, and a national network of ATMs.
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Credit unions operate to promote the well-being of their members. Profits made by credit unions are returned back to members in the form of reduced fees, higher savings rates and lower loan rates.
Banks are typically for-profit entities owned by shareholders who expect to earn dividends. Credit unions, on the other hand, are not-for-profit, member-owned cooperatives that are committed to the financial success of the individuals, families, and communities they serve.
In addition, credit union members are able to vote in policies and make decisions that are more friendly to borrowers. This means your credit union loan approval odds are often more favorable than they would be if you choose to work with a larger, more impersonal lender.
Credit unions offer many of the same financial services as banks, including access to personal loans. Personal loans from credit unions often have benefits like lower interest rates, options for smaller loan amounts, more flexible terms, and less stringent approval requirements.
But compared to banks, credit unions tend to be smaller, operate regionally and are not-for-profit. In many instances, they offer lower rates on loans, charge fewer fees and offer better interest rates for deposit accounts than traditional banks.
What are three pros and three cons for credit unions?
- Better interest rates on loans. Credit unions typically offer higher saving rates and lower loan rates compared to traditional banks. ...
- High-level customer service. ...
- Lower fees. ...
- A variety of services. ...
- Cross-collateralization. ...
- Fewer branches, ATMs and services. ...
- The biggest negative.
Called the five Cs of credit, they include capacity, capital, conditions, character, and collateral. There is no regulatory standard that requires the use of the five Cs of credit, but the majority of lenders review most of this information prior to allowing a borrower to take on debt.
Compare the current interest rates offered by credit unions and banks. On average, credit unions offer higher saving rates and lower loan rates. This could help group your savings grow faster and your loan will cost less.
First, bankers believe it is unfair that credit unions are exempt from federal taxation while the taxes that banks pay represent a significant fraction of their earnings—33 percent last year. Second, bankers believe that credit unions have been allowed to expand far beyond their original purpose.
- Lower Fees. Credit unions tend to offer lower fees than banks. ...
- Better Savings. ...
- Lower Loan Rates. ...
- Local Experts. ...
- Commitment to Members. ...
- Elected Board of Directors. ...
- Investments in Your Community.
Higher returns, better savings, low interest on borrowings, and a sense of community – these are just a few of the benefits of credit union membership.
Banks | Credit unions |
---|---|
National banks have many more branches; regional ones don't have quite as many. | Fewer branches than banks, but may share branches via a network. |
Often quicker to roll out new apps and other tech. | Generally lag in new technology. |
The main difference between the two is that banks are typically for-profit institutions while credit unions are not-for-profit and distribute their profits among their members.
Whereas a bank customer might have to pay a fee for their checking account, credit union members will face a lower fee or no fee at all. If you need to borrow money for a car or a home, then credit unions are the way to go, as they charge less interest on loans.
Just like banks, credit unions are federally insured; however, credit unions are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Instead, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is the federal insurer of credit unions, making them just as safe as traditional banks.
What is the best credit union to bank with?
Alliant Credit Union.
Alliant offers an above-average interest rate for savings. Membership is not restricted; you can join with a $5 donation to a nonprofit. Alliant's mobile app is highly rated, and members have fee-free access to an 80,000-ATM network.
The biggest is that banks are for-profit institutions typically owned by shareholders, while credit unions are not-for-profit entities owned by their members. These different business structures also lead to differences in the missions of credit unions vs. banks.
On one hand, as they are not-for-profit institutions, credit unions are better able to charge lower interest rates on loans than for-profit banks. On the other hand, credit unions typically aren't able to provide higher loan amounts than the larger banks.
Worst Place to Get a Personal Loan
The absolute worst place to get a loan is from a payday lender. With a payday loan, you borrow money against your next paycheck. The lender gives you a lump sum, and you will have to pay them back that amount, plus a fee, when you receive your paycheck.
In general, lenders extend $30,000 loans to borrowers with good to excellent credit, which is typically 670 and higher. But there may be lenders who lend to borrowers with bad credit. If you're having difficulty qualifying, you may consider getting a cosigner or co-borrower to help you get approved for the loan.