# Why aren't you part of a credit union? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 10, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213 "2011-10-10T19:26:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213/61 "2011-10-12T11:55:35Z")
Not convenient. I used to, when I worked for a place that had the credit union in the building. I’m at the bank physically a few times a month. And lack of services. My brokerage account is held by the same corporation, meaning I can move money around really quickly. And I have enough money in the bank that I don’t pay fees - I don’t even pay fees to trade. The credit union didn’t do currency exchange. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213/62 "2011-10-12T12:31:59Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Isn’t free online bill-pay pretty much standard these days? (Maybe this is a hopelessly naive question.) I would assume so for most major banks. I don’t know about credit unions or small banks. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213/63 "2011-10-12T15:50:25Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Isn’t free online bill-pay pretty much standard these days? (Maybe this is a hopelessly naive question.) I’ve generally used small banks, and yes, I would consider this to be pretty much standard. In regards to the OP, I would consider a credit union but banks have offered me a better deal. I’d prefer not to deal with a huge bank because I find that they try to nickel and dime you with fees, and tend to be difficult to work with, but I like small or regional banks. Small banks in my area seem to offer the best deals on checking accounts in particular; my checking account pays 2.5% interest up to $25,000, among other benefits, as long as I use my debit card for 10 purchases per month. Finding ATMs is no big deal due to being a part of the ‘privileged status’ network, which constitutes the majority of ATMs in my state, and plus they refund $25 in ATM fees per month if you need an out-of-network ATM. No fees for the account, no fees for the debit card, no minimum balance. It works for me and I can’t find a credit union in my area with anything remotely comparable. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213/64 "2011-12-31T14:28:24Z")
Sorry - meant to start new thread, not revive zombie, please ignore this post ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213/65 "2011-12-31T16:06:45Z")
According to Google maps, there is no credit union in my zip code, while there are branches of 6 different banks within a five-minute walk of my apartment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-you-part-of-a-credit-union/599213.md?page=3)