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What the Oregon Credit Union Offers

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Sarah Addyson

Whenever people need to do banking and require different financial services and products, they usually choose banks. They are available throughout the country, they have ATMs, branches, and are known to have a diverse portfolio. However, this does not mean they are the most suitable for everyone. Many complain about the high fees, interest rates, high requirements for loans, and more. The best credit union in Oregon manage to stand out more and more, and once you know the benefits involved, you will understand why.

What Is the Oregon Credit Union?

The Oregon credit union differs considerably from any financial institution. First, it is non-profit, which means there are no shareholders that care only about money and set high fees and interest rates to succeed. Unions are focused more on the community and have a limited number of members to be able to offer them exactly what they need. It is true there are certain membership requirements and not everyone is eligible, but nowadays conditions are less strict, and you can manage to get in simply by living in the area, working or studying at a certain location, going to a specific church, or have a family member that is already a part of it.

People are entitled to explore alternatives and they are encouraged to, because they deserve to receive high-quality services, assistance, and be treated right. When it comes to financial institutions, many are amazed by the fees they have to pay, even when they use the ATM. If they need to apply for a loan or require additional information, customer service is not always available or responsive. This treatment keeps clients away. Unions are friendlier, more accessible, and because they are smaller, they cater the needs of every member.

Why Focus on the Best Credit Unions in Oregon

Choosing among the best credit unions in Oregon  is very important if you want to benefit from quality financial services and products. Unions are also insured, but make sure you verify this when you go to your local cooperative. All members need to know their money is safe in accounts, no matter what happens. A very important aspect is that you are not a client, but a member, and as soon as you become one, you are an owner of that union. You can take part in meetings, and even if the focus is not on profits, in case they are made, money is returned to members in other forms, such as high interest rates and low fees.

Credit unions have friendlier views, and they might be more forgiving if you have a lower credit score or if you overdraw the checking account. When you are in a difficult situation, banks are unlikely to work with you, especially when it comes to loans. However, credit union representatives are focused at trying to find temporary solutions, and they guide you in the right direction. Many of them advise clients on different topics, explaining banking and financial terms, how to save money, pay loans, how to get the right type of loan, and such.

Banks make money out of fees, and they establish them for everything. The good news is that an Oregon credit union  usually has lower fees. In some cases, you don’t have to pay anything for using the ATM. Just by joining the union you can save money. It is always recommended to read policies to find out more about the topic and make sure there are indeed no fees in certain situations and how much you have to pay for the products you use.

The Oregon credit union stands out when it comes to interest rates as well. When you open a savings account, you certainly expect to receive an interest rate for the amount you deposit. These interest rates vary considerably from institution to institution. When you get a loan, you always have to consider the interest rate, because you have to give back to the lender more than you received. Credit unions want to cover their operating costs and are not focused on making a profit. This means you will most likely take advantage of a higher interest rate for deposits and lower one for loans.

At the Oregon credit union, you can expect similar services and products as you would at other institutions. You have access to loans for a new car, studies, business, mortgages, personal, and you can open checking and savings accounts, obtain a credit/debit card, have access to ATMs, internet and mobile banking. Many unions from across the country collaborate and offer access to members to their ATMs. Whenever you travel, you don’t need to worry that you will not be able to verify, deposit or withdraw funds.

Where to Find the Best Credit Unions



The best credit unions in Oregon differ based on the number of members they have, how well-established and how many funds they have. Some are smaller and oriented towards a certain category of people within the community, while others have extended their branches and offer additional programs and services, including investment opportunities, programs for people that want to financially educate themselves, and such.

Finding the best credit unions in Oregon is not such a big issue nowadays, especially if you do some research. Once you find a list with cooperatives, you can verify what they have to offer, if they cater the services/products you require, if they assist only regular clients or business ones as well, if they are insured, and the membership requirements. From the start you need to know if you can join, otherwise it is best to check the next one on the list.

Verifying policies, terms and conditions, is also highly recommended, to have a better understanding of how they work, what fees and interest rates they present. The next step is to visit the union, discuss with a representative and see exactly if it is the place where you want to store your finances, or get a loan from.

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