Education First Federal Credit Union offers a wide variety of financial services, such as savings accounts, auto/home loans, mortgages, credit cards and more. They are renowned for their superior customer service and offer generous perks like shared-network ATM access and free checking accounts.
Credit unions are nonprofit financial cooperatives owned and controlled by its members, not stockholders. Their unique structure enables them to offer superior member service as well as higher returns on savings products and lower loan rates and fees. Furthermore, credit unions often provide more creative financial solutions for their members than other financial institutions do.
Selecting a credit union is usually straightforward, but there are some things to consider. First and foremost, make sure your bank offers federal deposit insurance, which protects up to $250,000 per account in case of failure. Furthermore, see if they provide free overdraft protection – an added advantage over banks that charge these fees.
Additionally, make sure your credit union has an ATM network so you can avoid any unnecessary fees when using an ATM outside their coverage area. Some credit unions, like Connexus, even reimburse their members for out-of-network ATM fees.
Some of the top credit unions offer competitive APYs, low fees and straightforward membership. Furthermore, they have earned a solid reputation for customer satisfaction and are accessible to everyone in their community.
Most credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is the government agency responsible for overseeing them. This ensures that your savings are federally insured up to $250,000.
Establishing a credit union doesn’t need to be an intimidating process. Many of them offer user-friendly online banking solutions and even mobile apps for on-the-go financial management.
Savings and checking accounts are the two most popular types of accounts at credit unions; however, some even offer specialized credit cards. Alliant and Consumers in particular are known for their low rates on auto loans.
Other popular accounts include IRAs, student accounts and money market accounts. These types of accounts offer higher annual percentage yields (APYs) than savings accounts and can be great investments over the long haul.
Some of the top credit unions also provide additional services like investments and insurance products. Some, like Connexus, can even provide mortgages as well as business and personal loans.
According to WenFang Bruchett, who previously worked as a bank and credit union branch manager and is the founder of BlissFinance in Houston, credit unions may offer more competitive savings and lending rates than banks can offer.
Education First Federal Credit Union in East Texas offers a 9-month CD with an impressive interest rate. The minimum deposit required is $500 and there’s no balance cap on this account.
No matter if you’re an educator, student, or alumni – this credit union is the place to be. They take pride in working with local schools and donate money for every purchase made with the High School Affinity Visa Credit Card.