Credit Unions vs. Banks and Which Is Best for Getting The Most Out Of Your Money

In years past when you wanted to open a checking or savings account, obtain financing for a car or other big purchase, or were interested in making your money work for you as much as possible, you likely did like many other people and relied on a bank.

While there's nothing wrong with this, many people are now taking a closer look at credit unions as an alternative. Are there major differences between the two? If you're wondering which will help you get the most out of your money, here's what you need to know.

Interest Rates

If you do business with a credit union, chances are it will offer you lower interest rates on all types of loans, and will also provide you with higher interest rates on savings and checking accounts. 

In many cases, the average difference in interest rates between the two can be as much as two percentage points, meaning you could save thousands of dollars in interest costs on a loan.

Services and Conveniences

If you want your financial transactions to be extremely convenient and have access to a wide array of services, banks tend to get the nod in these areas over most credit unions. 

As banking has moved online, even the smallest banks tend to offer their customers mobile apps that allow most transactions to be done through a smartphone.

Insurance Protection

Just as banks are insured by the FDIC, credit unions such as the Credit Union of Denver also protect the money of their customers by having insurance protection from the National Credit Union Administration. 

Like the FDIC, the NCUA insures deposits up to $250,000, meaning you can have peace of mind no matter where you are keeping your money.

Educational Resources

When you visit a bank, you probably are not going to find many resources available to you regarding how to learn more about making your money grow. However, credit unions do this and much more. 

In fact, most credit unions are well-known for offering workshops and seminars on investing, how to manage credit cards, how to stay protected from identity theft, and other important topics. 

Also, most credit union customers tend to feel that credit unions offer more of a personal touch than traditional banks.

Since credit unions and banks offer various advantages in certain areas, the choice of which one to use comes down to personal preference. 

However, if you like better interest rates, a personal touch when doing business, and being educated about your finances, a credit union may be worth exploring.