We get it – you are busy with school, studying, socializing and sleeping when you are a student! Trying a new financial institution is not high up on your priority list.
But embarking on your own as a student and an adult is the best time to branch out and try a credit union. Why? Because if you sign-up early, not only will you have access to all the products and services you need from student life to family life and beyond, but you’ll also be able to building up your credit score out on your own.
There’s a myth out there that joining a credit union is a time-consuming, expensive and onerous process – and a worry that if you switch financial institutions you won’t have access to the same products and services you did before or that you’ll be charged higher fees.
But we’re here to tell you none of that is true!
Signing up as a new credit union member takes minutes. It can be done in the branch quickly and easily and for most credit unions there are online sign-up options too (so even if you’re not studying in Alberta, we got you).
With a credit union, you’ll have access to all the same products and services you get from a big bank, and often your fees will be a lot less. On top of all that, we pay YOU to bank with us because you’re a credit union member and part owner – so you get rewarded when your credit union makes a profit!
Most of the time all you need to sign-up is one dollar to buy your first common share as a member and then you can begin collecting dividends (aka more money in your pocket every year).
Credit unions are different because we put people before profits. When you join a credit union, you become a member and that means you have a say in how we invest in your community. And credit unions are truly local financial institutions – we not only support local families and businesses with our services, but we donate time and money to local charities and non-profits every year.
So if you’re unhappy with your current financial institution and want to try something different, find your local credit union today to learn more about how quick and easy it is to become a new member.