You’ve probably heard that credit unions have lower fees than banks and offer better rates on loans and credit cards. But while the financial incentives for joining a credit union have been well-documented, membership isn’t growing as fast as you might think.

“A lot of people know about credit unions, but their advantages aren’t always top of mind,” says Patty Briotta, spokeswoman for the National Association of Federal Credit Unions in Washington, D.C. “Oftentimes, people don’t look into credit unions until they’re shopping for a particular product like a mortgage or a car loan, or when they move and need a new financial institution.”

But many consumers still hesitate to join credit unions, often for reasons that may not make much sense. Here are a few of them.

1. Am I eligible for a credit union? Unlike banks, credit unions serve a specific group or community, which means there are rules about who can join. In some cases, eligibility can be based on where you live, but oftentimes a credit union exists to serve a particular profession, college alumni or even a religious institution.

“For a lot of people, there’s still a perception that they aren’t eligible to join a credit union because they don’t meet the criteria,” Briotta says. “But that just isn’t the case because there are so many credit unions. There are probably several that most of us are eligible to join.”

Finding an eligible credit union isn’t difficult. Briotta advises consumers who are interested in joining a credit union to visit CreditUnionLookup.com. The site is free, and consumers can search for credit unions based on location, the name of the institution or a particular affiliation like a profession or employer. But consumers shouldn’t limit their search to their own status.

“In a lot of cases, you may be eligible for a credit union because of a family member’s status,” Briotta says. “So it’s important for consumers to understand that eligibility is a lot broader than they probably think.”

First Financial membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ. Stop into any branch to get started today!

2. Credit unions have fewer locations. If you look around, you won’t see a credit union on every corner, and you certainly won’t see a credit union that has as many physical locations as the big banks but limited locations may not mean as much as you think, Briotta says.

“A lot of credit unions partner to offer a shared banking network,” she says. “That means there are more ATM locations than just the branch, and many of those locations are inside 7-Eleven stores, so getting cash is actually quite convenient, even if you’re away from your branch.”

Usually, credit union members can take advantage of a shared banking network without incurring fees, Briotta says. But they also can perform additional banking services through sister credit unions.

“It’s part of the cooperative nature of a credit union,” Briotta says. “Many credit unions will allow members of other credit unions to do their banking at their locations.”

First Financial is part of the Co-Op Surcharge Free ATM Network, where members have access to over 28,000 Surcharge Free ATMs nationwide, plus Canada!  Members have Surcharge Free access at 7-11 convenience stores and select Walgreens, Costco, Cumberland Farms, Pantry, and Publix stores within the Co-Op Network. Find your nearest ATM by clicking here.**

Banking online with First Financial is accessible anywhere Internet access is available – anytime. Our members have free 24/7 access to their accounts with our online banking and mobile app.

3. Do I really want to leave my bank? Whether you’re thinking of changing from one bank to another or making the switch to a credit union, the power of inertia can often keep you from moving.

“A new or raised fee, or a bad customer service experience is what it usually takes for a person to switch financial institutions,” says Thomas Nitzsche, a St. Louis-based spokesman for ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions. “Unless that happens, many of us are resistant to change.”

But Briotta says that shouldn’t be a reason for staying put if you’re unhappy.

“It’ll take a little work, but many credit unions offer free switch kits that will walk you through the transition process,” Briotta says.

4. Banks have smooth marketing. Banks spend a lot of money on slick advertising campaigns in just about every medium. In fact, the financial services industry spends tens of billions of dollars annually, and the numbers just keep rising. As it turns out, that’s money well spent.

“One reason that consumers stay with large banks rather than switching to credit unions is that we tend to fall prey to smooth marketing,” says Elle Kaplan, CEO of LexION Capital Management in New York City. “But if a large bank isn’t giving you the best deal, it’s worth the effort to move that money to a credit union.”

Credit unions do advertise, but according to Nitzsche, their pockets aren’t nearly as deep as banks. Primarily, that’s because credit unions are member-owned, so instead of spending money on ads, profits are rolled back into the institution to make loans cheaper.

“Local credit unions rely heavily on local community partnerships, referrals and word of mouth. Some consumers may have the perception that more advertising equals better service, which isn’t necessarily true,” Nitzsche says.

5. Banks have hefty rewards programs. Whether they’re offering airline miles, discounted hotels, cash-back rewards, or other perks, banks have made good use of loyalty programs that keep their customers focused on earning points. But if you’re focused on rewards, you’re not seeing the big picture, Nitzsche says.

“Many credit unions offer rewards on debit cards and credit cards, too,” he says. “And quite a few banks stopped offering debit cards with rewards a few years ago. Plus, many banks have discontinued offering free checking accounts.”

In some cases, Nitzsche says consumers can become so focused on rewards programs that they often miss the fact that the gains from those programs are a lot less than the fees they’re paying to their bank.

“When you sit down and do the math, the risks and losses associated with loyalty programs often surprise consumers,” he says. “The benefits of doing business with a credit union are far more advantageous to consumers in the form of better rates on loans, deposit accounts and lower fees.”

Our VISA Platinum Credit Card comes with fully loaded with great low rates and for each purchase made with your Platinum Card, you’ll earn CURewards points redeemable for travel, merchandise items, and merchant gift cards! 

We also reward our members who choose to THINK FIRST. Our Rewards First program is designed to give our members rewards that add back to their bottom line based on their combined balances. For more information, call us at 732.312.1500 or email us at info@firstffcu.com.

Unlike many other financial institutions, we also offer a Free Checking Account!***

6. Banks offer advanced technology. If you believe that credit unions may not be as cutting edge as banks with online and mobile banking, you’re probably not alone, says Terry Redding, vice president of marketing and product development at CFI Group, a research firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that studies consumer sentiment. While Redding expects credit unions to promote technology more aggressively, it’s not necessarily true that there’s a technology gap.

In fact, CFI reports indicated that credit union members were highly satisfied with their financial institutions and their banking technology. Banks scored an 86 out of 100 in online and mobile banking versus 90 out of 100 for credit unions.

“Our research shows us that the perception that credit unions are behind the curve does not hold water,” he says.

Credit unions provide a place for members to save, get loans at reasonable rates, and receive high quality service. Did you know that credit unions pass any “profits” they make directly back to their members? Credit unions are able to offer, on average, better rates and lower fees. Join a credit union today, you’ll be happy you made the switch!

Original article source by Michael Estrin of Fox Business.

*$5 in a base savings account is your membership deposit and is required to remain in your base savings account at all times to be a member in good standing. All credit unions require a membership deposit. **Non-First Financial ATM fees may apply based on your Rewards First tier.***All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Accounts for children age 13 and under are excluded from this program.