6 Things That Probably Annoy you if you Work at a Credit Union!



If you work at a credit union, chances are you hear some interesting stereo-types. Here are a complied list of some of the most common things I experience working at a credit union

 1.   “I have accounts at the bank because credit unions just aren’t as good”
Where did you get that logic? I have this feeling that for some reason credit unions are viewed as the lesser fortunate of financial institutions. But there isn’t a good reason why. Credit unions have things to offer that big banks could NEVER offer. For instance? Less fees. We don’t charge for the small, everyday tasks of banking like a lot of banks do. Most credit unions won’t charge you to ask a question over the phone. Most credit unions won’t charge you for checking accounts (or require a minimum balance) and so many other things!!
  2.  “Credit unions can’t offer the same services that my bank can”  

     While that may be partially true, for the most part that is false. Credit unions, like banks, need funds so they can expand. If a credit union, or bank, has the money to expand their services and options for their customers/members, they are going to expand! There is a great deal of need to make sure each financial institution is competing with the newest and greatest technology, therefore a lot of credit unions have options just like banks do. Including phone apps, competitive credit card and loan rates, annuities and much more!

3. Crumpled up checks and cash.

     Branch capture (or the machine you run your work or checks through at the end of the day) won’t read those crumply checks! You have to constantly smooth them out on the edge of the counter. Seriously, how hard is it to just put the check or money in your wallet when you get it? ;)

 4.   Those that think that, because you’re a credit union, you must be desperate for business. 

      Trust me, banks and credit unions alike can be operating in the red. But they could both just as easily be operating in the black. Just because the word “credit union” is not as common as the word “bank” doesn’t mean that they are always tiny, inoperable institutions who never have more than a handful of employees because they don’t generate enough business.

      5.  People don’t understand that credit unions can almost always offer better member service than a bank. 

      Credit unions everywhere carry the logo “people helping people”. Almost all credit unions will not treat you like you are just another number, because to them, you aren’t! You are a valued MEMBER not customer! You are a member of the credit union in the way that you own a share when you open a savings account at a credit union.

      6.  “You only have one branch, how could I bank on vacation??” 

      Credit unions have thought of that too! It’s something that is very obvious to a lot of the smaller credit unions. That’s why they’ve created something called the ‘shared branch network’. It’s a very simple process. Say you open an account at a credit union in Illinois but you are traveling in Missouri for the day. But, you forgot to grab some cash before you left. No big deal! Some specific credit unions nationwide have teamed up to combine their networks so you can make deposits and withdrawals at other credit unions. It may even be more convenient than baking at a larger bank. For more information on the coop network you can go to http://www.co-opfs.org/solutions/locations/shared-branching/

 

Credit unions want and deserve your business than big banks in the same way that small businesses need your business more than the local supermarkets. They will treat you like you would treat you!