Are Savings Accounts Better at Credit Unions or Banks?

Are you in a savings account dilemma and trying to decide if a bank or credit union is the best place to park your money?

Look no further! We’ve done the dirty work for you and have put together some important info to help you figure out which option will be most beneficial. Whether it’s better interest rates, convenience, customer service, or other great benefits—we cover the important topics so that you can make an informed decision about where should save your hard-earned cash.

Don't worry, we're taking an unbiased route with this article.

Get ready for some serious financial knowledge bombs —–it's time to ask yourself: savings accounts at banks OR credit unions??

here's a quick look at what we'll cover

what is a savings account?

Let's start with the basics. A savings account is a type of account that helps you save money gradually over time. By doing this, it allows you to plan for the future and protect your saved funds from being spent impulsively.

Having a savings account can be a great tool for financial health, but there are also some drawbacks that need to be considered. For instance, depending on the type of savings account, there may be fees assessed or limits on how often funds can be withdrawn. Additionally, savings accounts typically offer lower returns than other investment vehicles which means savings accumulate more slowly than they would otherwise.

Psst... There's more than one type of savings account you can choose from. Here's a look at what they are:

If you're thinking about interest on savings accounts, the amount of return could depend on the financial institution you open the savings account at. Hence the reason we're diving into savings accounts at a bank and credit union.  

pros and cons to saving at a bank vs. credit union

bank

credit union

Take Skyla for example. To become a member you'll need 1 of 4 things:

• You have an immediate family member who already has a Skyla account
• Where you live
• Who you work for, or
• By joining our partner association, the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation (but don't worry - we'll handle this for you!)

Learn more about our eligibility for membership here>

how to decide where to open a savings account?

Ultimately, when deciding between a savings account at a bank or a credit union, it’s important to consider your individual financial needs and goals to make an informed decision.

• What's the interest rate and APY? 
• Is there a required deposit? What's the amount?
• Are there any fees that comes with having a savings account? 
• Is there accessible customer services when needed

In case you want to compare apples to oranges, here's a comparison chart to help you see the difference with having a savings account at a credit union and a bank: 

BANKS

CREDIT UNIONS

MORE PHYSICAL BRANCHES AND ATMS

DEPOSIT INSURANCE

PERSONALIZED CUSTOMER SERVICE

HIGHER INTEREST ON SAVINGS

BECOME A MEMBER TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT

ready to open a savings account?

Ok so you got a good run down of the difference between credit unions and banks through our pros and cons list. Now it's a matter of determining which is better for you.

Are you looking for greater interest rates on your savings with a credit union, or would you prefer to become an account holder at a bank that has higher minimum balance requirements yet provides access to more financial institutions? Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Also, don't let the membership with credit unions scare you. Anyone can join a credit union as long as you’re within the field of membership. Once you join, you become a member and part-owner of a credit union.   

You can learn more about credit unions vs banks so you'll have a better scope of which financial institutions may be best:

As always If you have any questions or comments, our Customer Service Representatives are here for you. You can send an email, give us a call at 704.375.0183, or visit any of our branches.