Do Credit Unions Build Credit to Help Your Finances? | PSECU (2024)

If you’ve heard that credit unions offer significant money-saving advantages over traditional banks, you might be wondering what exactly a credit union is and if joining one can help you fix your credit.

It’s important to note that every credit union is different – each provides unique benefits. However, many of these institutions offer quality products that can help you on your journey toward managing your debt and improving your credit.

Because credit unions are member-owned, theyoffer services with people like you in mind. They are also not for profit, meaning they return their surplus earnings to members in the form of low or no fees.

Can a Credit Union Help Me Improve My Credit Score?

Becoming a credit union member does not improve your credit score by association. But taking advantage of the products, services, and resources offered by credit unions like PSECU, such as our Secured Visa® card, free credit score service¹, andfinancial educational programming, could help you get your credit on track.

How Will Joining a Credit Union Help My Finances?

As a not-for-profit financial institution, credit unions typically offer an array of wallet-friendly products that can help you save money and pay off debt faster, which may allow you to more easily fix and build your credit. Check out the following four ways credit unions can help you save money, so you can pay off your debt and get your finances back in order.

1. Fewer and Lower Fees

Because credit unions return their surplus earnings to members in the form of low or no fees, this means members keep more of their hard-earned money where it belongs – with them. Even a small amount of savings goes a long way toward improving your finances when used correctly.

2. Low Interest Rates

Lower interest rates on loan products are one of the most significant benefits that most credit union members enjoy. Lower interest rates mean less to pay off in the future, so you can accrue less debt when you’re carrying a balance or taking out an installment loan. You can also pay off your bills faster since more of your monthly bill goes toward paying your actual debt – which gets you that much closer to being debt-free.

3. Secured Cards

Many credit unions, like PSECU, offer secured credit cards for members to help build their credit. With a secured card, you place funds in your account that you “borrow against.”

For example, if you put $1,000 into your account, you can charge your card up to $1,000. Different card companies have different requirements. For our secured Visa, you may borrow between $500 and $2,500 with member-friendly collateral requirements - $200 or 25% of credit limit (whichever is higher). It’s also important to note that the funds in your Regular savings share that secure your card cannot be accessed for any use. But although they’re “frozen” and unavailable for use, they’ll continue to earn dividends at the prevailing rate.

Since you need good credit to qualify for most traditional credit cards, a secured card can help you start building or rebuilding your credit history and score, so you can qualify in the future.

4. Free Money Management Resources

A credit union is more than a place to store your money or take out loans from – it’s a place you can turn to for financial guidance through every stage of life.

As a member-owned institution, a credit union aims to provide its members with benefits and resources that can help improve their lives financially. We offer an array of financial education resources on our websiteto help our members make smart budgeting, credit, savings, lifestyle, and security choices.

Our resources are for every age and every stage of life including college students, young adults, parents, and seniors. You’ll learn about the latest financial facts and statistics, as well as actionable tips you can apply to save yourself money.

Start Saving Today with PSECU

Weoffer many benefits, discounts, and perksto thank you for putting your trust in our services. Some examples include:

• Free checking and cash rewards² debit card., which can help you keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs – with you.
• Easy and convenient digital banking tools to manage your money anytime, anywhere.
• Member discountson phone plans, tax preparation services, and more.

We offermany ways to join, soapply todayto start enjoying savings and benefits that can help you get your finances back on track.

¹PSECU is not a credit reporting agency. Members must have PSECU checking or a PSECU loan to be eligible for this service. Joint owners are not eligible.