Credit unions have services for everyone, but not everyone can belong to a
given credit union. The federal government or state government grants a credit
union's charter, which defines its "field of membership." That may
be an employer, an association, or a community. For example, anyone working
for an employer that sponsors a credit union is eligible to join that credit
union. Still interested in joining a credit union? Here are five ways to find
one to join.
1. Ask the boss or your company's personnel office. Often you will find out
when you are hired that the company sponsors a credit union or is a select employee
group (SEG) that has access to a credit union.
2. Poll your family. If your employer does not sponsor a credit union, perhaps
your spouse's employer does. Or a parent, brother, sister, or child might work
at a company sponsoring a credit union. However, each credit union defines "family."
Some credit unions allow members of the immediate family - spouse, parents,
and children - to join their family member's credit union.
3. Try the Find a Credit Union web site
to see which credit unions you may be eligible to join.
4. Start your own credit union. If you cannot find a credit union, you might
consider starting one yourself. It will take time, effort, and dedicated volunteers.
As a rule of thumb, 3,000 potential members are the smallest group that can
successfully form a credit union. If your group is small, you might consider
finding a nearby credit union that would be willing to add your group to its
field of membership. Contact the Delaware Credit Union League for legal and
organizational assistance.
5. Call us. The Delaware Credit Union League offers a service to help you find
a credit union. Call Ruth Lawley at (302) 322-9341 or toll-free at (800) 292-7875.
If you are not a Delaware resident, look at the Credit
Union National Association (CUNA) web site for information on how to join
a credit union in your state.
|
