Editor’s note: This is a transcript of the audio file.
If you no longer care to play the fee game with big banks, consider taking your money elsewhere. I’m Kristin Arnold with your Bankrate.com Personal Finance Minute.
Last week the Credit Union National Association put out a press release touting credit unions’ free checking offerings. That big difference in pricing between big banks and credit unions is already starting to drive up credit union enrollment.
Back in January, CUNA released a survey that found 91 percent of credit unions anticipated making some change to their rates, fees or services as a result of the Durbin amendment.
In fact, according to that survey, 41 percent of credit unions were considering raising debit/check card fees as a result of the limits on what financial institutions can charge merchants for processing debit card transactions.
Hopefully, credit unions that were planning on raising some of their checking fees will reconsider now that they’ve seen how powerful a marketing tool it can be.
Outside of lower checking fees – credit unions have long offered better rates on savings vehicle, auto loans, and mortgage loans.
If a credit union is something you’re considering, you can research a little more by visiting Bankrate.com. I’m Kristin Arnold.
