Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives that serve their local communities; part of that means stimulating their local economies. One way to do that is by “keepin’ the business in the family.” Enter the membership criteria. (Spoiler alert: membership doesn’t necessarily mean exclusive!)
Could you give me the basics?
Credit union membership criteria can vary from C.U. to C.U. In general, you’re in if you live, work, or worship (or have a blood-related family member that does) in the areas they serve.
You can read Altana’s requirements here.
But what if I move away?
You can stay a part of the family. Once you’ve established membership, you can stay with us no matter where life takes you. It’s a good thing; we’d miss you too much!
We just had a baby; are they too young to join?
Congratulations! We love helping everyone get started on their road to financial empowerment – no matter what stage of life!
You can check out our Cubby accounts and FYI accounts here!
I’m not sure I make enough money…
Credit unions are here to help, not judge. Whether you’ve got years of experience managing your money or are just getting started, credit unions are built on the promise of people helping people.
I have goals but no idea how to get there.
Ready to build better credit? Or save for a down payment on your first home? Or acquire a loan to purchase your first car? It’s our job and our privilege to listen to and work with you to reach your goals in the best way for you.
The term “membership” is crucial to credit unions.
It sets us apart from other financial institutions that mainly do business with their shareholders. When you deposit money in a credit union account, you become an owner-member of the credit union.
No way?!
Way. And, since a credit union’s primary goal is to serve its members, the money that would have been profit is used to benefit credit union members.
How?
Many of those benefits directly impact members in reduced fees, higher savings rates, and lower loan rates. Some are indirect benefits, like equipping branches with technology for easy access to products and services; ITMs, free digital banking & budgeting platforms, mobile banking apps, etc.
Bottom line.
A credit union may be just for you if you’re looking for a member-focused, community-based, judgment-free financial institution. If you think Altana is suitable for you, let’s meet.
(P.S. – If you’re more of a Social Media person, DM us on Facebook or Instagram, and we’ll personally set you up with someone perfect for you and your goals.)
