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• Learn About Credit Unions
  • Historical Timeline of Credit Unions

    As not-for-profit depository institutions, credit unions were created to serve members as credit cooperatives.

  • How is a Credit Union Different than a Bank?

    In the United States, credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that exist to serve their members rather than to maximize corporate profits.

  • How to Find a Credit Union in Your Area

    Once you select a specific credit union, you can view more details about that credit union, including contact information, branch locations, services offered, and recent financial statements.

  • How to Join a Credit Union

    Anybody can join a credit union. Each credit union serves what’s called their “field of membership” – that’s the commonality between the members.

  • How to Start a Credit Union

    If your group is eligible, NCUA's staff will assist you with preparing an application for a charter and see that your group receives guidance in getting your federal credit union started.

  • Is a Credit Union Right for Me?

    Because credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions, their focus is serving the financial needs of their members and not making a profit.

  • Credit Union and Bank Interest Rate Comparison

    In general, credit unions offer higher savings rates, meaning that your money grows faster, and lower rates on loans, meaning that you will owe less over the lifetime of the loan.

  • Learn More About Your Credit Union

    NCUA makes financial information about credit unions available to the public through Financial Performance Reports (FPRs).

  • Low Income Credit Unions

    Credit unions provide valuable access to financial services for people underserved and unserved by traditional financial institutions.

  • Understanding Differences in Federal vs. Privately Insured Credit Unions

    Federally-chartered credit unions are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration and insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

  • What is a Credit Union?

    A federal credit union is a cooperative financial institution chartered by the federal government and owned by individual members.
• Protect Your Finances
  • Credit Reports and Credit Scores

    It’s a good idea to monitor your credit report on a regular basis to make sure that the information is accurate. You can also verify that no one has stolen your identity to make fraudulent charges.

  • Share Insurance Coverage

    Federally insured credit unions offer a safe place for you to save your money, with deposits insured up to $250,000, per individual depositor.

  • Online Financial Safety Tips

    When performing transactions on your credit union's website, it's wise to make sure that the website is legitimate and that your deposits are federally insured.

  • Prevent Identity Theft

    If you believe that someone has stolen your identity, you should contact any credit union, bank or creditor where you have an account that you think may be the subject of identity theft.

  • Frauds and Scams

    NCUA reports on frauds and scams aimed at credit union members. In this section, we provide an overview of recent activity.

  • Tips for Young Adults

    Credit unions offer young adults desirable, affordable financial services, as well as the advantage of personal service developed to help them grow their savings. Many credit unions offer services within schools or have student-run branches.

  • Pocket Cents

    Learn about the history of money, different currencies used around the world, the power of dividends and how to be smart about preparing for your financial future with Pocket Cents from NCUA.

  • Understand Your Privacy Rights

    Federal privacy laws give you the right to stop (opt out of) some sharing of your personal financial information. The law permits your financial companies to share certain information about you without giving you the right to opt out.
• Financial Tools and Resources
  • College Savings Calculator

    Grants, scholarships and loans will likely be part of how you will pay for college. With tens of billions of dollars of financial aid available every year, some of that aid could be yours. It’s important to know what’s available to you.

  • Consumer Loan Calculator

    You can adjust variables, including number of payments, principal, and interest rate, to determine your monthly payment.

  • Consumer Resources

    The following links to government websites may be helpful as you investigate the financial tools available to you.

  • Mortgage Loan Calculators

    Compare the monthly payments and the amount of equity you will build in your home for several kinds of fixed and adjustable rate mortgages.

  • Personal Budgeting Worksheet

    This worksheet will help you understand where you can be flexible each month.

  • Savings & Retirement Calculator

    The Social Security Administration’s Retirement Estimator calculator will provide estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record.

  • Share Insurance Estimator

    The Electronic Share Insurance Estimator helps credit union members calculate their coverage under National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund.
• Credit Unions and You
  • Dealing with Debt

    Bill payer services, or debt consolidation services, can help consumers preserve their credit scores by merging debts and establishing a workable schedule to pay down money owed to creditors through a single monthly payment.

  • Buying A Car

    It's important to know how to make a smart deal. Your credit union can discuss car loan options with you.

  • Paying off Credit Cards

    Read your statement carefully for information about how long it would take to pay off your account balance if you only pay the minimum payment. It can take years, even decades, to pay it off.

  • Home Ownership and Mortgage Options

    Once you are ready to buy a home, consult your credit union about competitive interest rates and to find out about your mortgage options, including the term of the loan and the conditions.

  • Mortgage Modifications

    NCUA encourages credit unions to work constructively with residential mortgage borrowers who may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations.

  • Preparing for Retirement

    Between longer life expectancies and fewer employers offering traditional pension plans, it’s a good idea to take an active role in planning for retirement.

  • Saving for College

    Whether you are saving for your own education or for your children’s, it’s wise to start planning for college as soon as possible.

  • Short Term Loans

    Payday loans (a.k.a. deferred advance loans, cash advance loans, check advance loans, post-dated check loans, or deferred deposit check loans) are loans borrowers promise to repay from their next paycheck or salary deposit.

• Learn About Credit Unions
• Protect Your Finances
• Financial Tools and Resources
• Credit Unions and You
• Pocket Cents

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