Credit Unions Offering More Services

Credit unions, which as a group weathered the financial crisis better than banks, have been expanding their range of products and offerings recently. Today, credit unions offer much more than just ordinary deposit accounts and loans. A growing number are rolling out student and small business loans, mobile banking and even reward programs. This trend is happening even as banks are curtailing perks like debit rewards, and tightening standards for lending.

For the full article: http://www.walletpop.com/2011/03/07/credit-unions-offering-more-services/

What are The Requirements to Join a Credit Union?

While most people gain access to a credit union through their employer, there are other ways to join the nonprofit financial institutions: All it takes is a little research.

For the full article: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/02/24/requirements-join-credit-union/#

Banking at credit unions, community banks

Are you fed up with your bank?

You’re not alone.

The Move Your Money movement launched in late December 2009 and is urging bank customers angered by the reckless lending practices of too-big-too-fail national banks to move their money to a community bank or credit union.

Read more: Banking at credit unions, community banks http://www.bankrate.com/finance/savings/banking-at-credit-unions-community-banks-1.aspx#ixzz1FXrfGgES

Best Way to Get Free Checking

While many banks are shifting away from free checking accounts, the country’s biggest credit unions are bucking the trend. Bankrate.com’s 2011 Credit Union Checking Study examined 50 major credit unions – not-for-profit financial institutions that are owned and controlled by members – and found that a 96% still offered free checking accounts or accounts that can become free as long as you meet certain conditions, such as keeping a minimum balance.

Read the full article here: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/so-money/best-way-to-get-free-checking/1513/?tag=col1%3Bfd-banner-news