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?
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??
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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For instance, depending on the type of savings account, there may be fees assessed or limits on how often funds can be withdrawn.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.
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Take Skyla for example. To become a member you'll need 1 of 4 things:
Learn more about our eligibility for membership here>
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.
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:
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QUICK TIP: It might seem like all credit unions have a limited number of ATMs since credit unions are typically very regional, but that’s simply not true! Most credit unions joined an ATM network known as a CO-OP Shared Branch Network (known as the CU Cooperative Systems, Inc). The network provides a connection of fee-free ATMs between other credit unions allowing the member to access their money at more than 30,000 ATMs nationwide. |
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.