Credit union credit cards offer several advantages over traditional bank credit cards, primarily due to the member-focused nature of credit unions.
One key benefit is lower interest rates. Credit unions are non-profit organizations, meaning they aim to serve their members rather than maximize profits. This often translates into lower annual percentage rates (APRs) on credit cards, which can result in significant savings on interest, especially for those who carry a balance.
Another advantage is reduced fees. Credit unions typically charge lower fees for late payments, balance transfers, and cash advances compared to traditional banks. Some credit unions even offer credit cards with no annual fees, making them more cost-effective over time.
Credit unions also tend to have a more personalized customer service approach. As member-owned institutions, they often provide more attentive and individualized service, which can lead to a better overall experience for cardholders. Additionally, credit unions may be more willing to work with members who have less-than-perfect credit, offering more flexible terms and better approval chances.
Credit union credit cards may offer community-focused rewards programs, where points or cash back are geared towards local businesses or charitable donations, fostering a sense of community involvement.
While mostly locally based, some include organizations that anyone can join with a modest donations towards the cause.
CU = Credit Union
FCU = Federal Credit Union
A+ FCU ($10 donation to A+ Education Foundation)
Achieva CU ($10 donation to the Achieva Foundation)
Affinity FCU ($5 member share)
Affinity Plus FCU ($25 donation to Affinity Plus Foundation)
AgFed CU (member of Friends of the National Arboretum)
Alabama CU (The Secret Meals Association)
Allegacy FCU (become an Association Member of select groups)
Alliant CU (join Foster Care 2 Success)
America’s CU (join Association of the United States Army)
American First CU (donate $5 membership fee)
American Heritage FDU (donation to Kids-N-Hope Foundation)
Consumers CU (donation to Connect Vets)
Andrews FCU ($8 donation to American Consumer Council)
Aspire FCU ($8 donation to American Consumer Council)
BECU (donate to BECU Foundation)
Bellco CU (donate to Bellco Foundation)
Blaze FCU (donate to Blaze Foundation)
Blue FCU (donation to Blue Foundation)
California Coast CU ($5 membership fee)
Chartway FCU (donation to We Promise Foundation)
Chevron FCU (join through the Costa County Historical Society)
Connexus CU (donation to Connexus Association)
Consumers CU (IL) (join Consumers Cooperative Association)
Credit Union of America (member of American Consumer Council)
Credit Union Of New Jersey (donate to Credit Union of New Jersey Foundation)
Digital FCU (DFCU) (join Reach Out for Schools or others)
EdiFi CU ($8 donation to American Consumer Council)
Elements Financial CU (Elements savings account)
Expedition CU (join United Educators Foundation)
Financial Partners CU (join American Consumer Council)
Financial Resources FCU (join American Consumer Council)
First Flight Federal CU (join Capital Area Preservation Club)
First Technology FCU (member of Computer History Museum)
Garden Savings FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Garden State FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Golden 1 CU (join Financial Fitness Association)
Great Lakes CU (Not Listed – let us help section)
Greenwood CU (open a share account, e.g. checking or savings)
Hanscom FCU (Nashua River Watershed Association)
Highway FCU (join AUSA)
Houston FCU (join Associational SEG Organization)
Hughes FCU (several SIGS)
Interior Federal Credit Union (New Mexico Wildlife Federation)
Justice Federal Credit Union (National Sheriff’s Association)
Kinecta FCU (join Innovision Society)
La Capitol FCU (Louisiana Association for Personal Financial Achievement)
Lafayette FCU (join Home Ownership Financial Literacy Council for $10)
Lake Michigan Credit Union (donate $5 to ALS Association)
Langley FCU (join various SIGs)
Latino Credit Union (join Latino Community Development Center for $10)
Liberty FCU (donate $5 to Mater Dei Friends & Alum Association)
Listerhill CU (join American Consumer Council)
Marine FCU (Marine Corps Museum Support Association)
Market USA FCU (Market USA Cares Foundation or select states)
Matadors Community Credit Union ( join CSUN Arts Council)
Michigan State University FCU (donate to MSU Alumni)
Mountain America CU (join American Consumer Council)
MTC Federal Credit Union (Roper Mountain Science Center)
NASA FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Northrop Grumman FCU (member of Western Museum of Flight)
Northwest FCU (join a select Special Interest Group)
NuVision FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Ohio University CU ( join Ohio University Friends of the Library)
Oklahoma Central CU (membership in any other credit union)
Partner Colorado Credit Union (donation to Partner Colorado Foundation)
Patelco CU (open a share account)
Pen Air Federal Credit Union (join Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society)
PenFed Credit Union (join National Military Family Association)
People’s Trust FCU (join People’s Trust Foundation)
Pinnacle FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Premier America Credit Union (join Thousand Oaks Arts)
Premier Members Credit Union (donate to Impact on Education)
Princeton FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Quorum FCU (join American Consumer Council)
RiverLand FCU (join New Orleans Arts Council)
Merrimack Valley FCU (join Amesbury Carriage Museum)
Salal CU (join Salal Foundation)
Sklyla CU (join American Consumer Council)
Signature FCU (join American Consumer Council)
Soarion CU ($25 membership for Airman Heritage Foundation)
Spectra CU (join nonprofit partner associations)
Stanford FCU (join Friends of the Palo Alto Library)
St. Mary’s Bank (open charter)
Summit CU (WI) (open charter)
Sun East FCU (join Sun East Charitable Foundation)
SunWest FCU (join SunWest Educational Association)
Superior Choice CU (join American Consumer Council)
Taleris CU (join Public Animal Welfare Society)
Tampa Bay FCU (join Prime Time Club)
Technology CU (join Financial Fitness Association)
TruStone FCU (join TruStone Foundation)
U S Postal Service FCU (join American Philatelic Society)
UNIFY FCU (join Friends of Hobbs)
University FCU (join University of Texas Longhorn Foundation)
USALLIANCE Financial (join American Consumer Council)
Wings FCU (join Wings Financial Foundation)
Xcel FCU (join a select Special Interest Group)
BOLD = Elan Financial