If you live, work, worship, or attend school in Michigan, KCCU is an option for you. Starting a membership is easy; all you need is a $5 deposit. You don't need a Kellogg's cereal commection, no Battle Creek address, and we definitely don't require you to jump through any hoops.
If you've never been a member of a credit union, we bet you have a lot of questions about the process of joining, and what makes it different from opening a bank account. We'll walk you through it all - from who qualifies, to what joining looks like, and why thousands of Michigan residents have made KCCU their financial home for decades.
Do I Have to Work at Kellogg's to Join KCCU?
Who is Eligible to Join KCCU?
You are eligible to join KCCU if you:
- Live in Michigan
- Work in Michigan
- Worship in Michigan
- Attend school in Michigan
- Own/operate a business in Michigan
Relatives of KCCU members are also eligible for membership with us! Regardless of where you live or work, if your family member is a member, you are eligible as well.
What's the Difference Between Joining a Credit Union and Opening a Bank Account?
You're an Owner, Not Just a Customer
The idea of “joining” a financial institution might feel unfamiliar if you’ve only ever used big banks to manage your money. The key distinction of joining a credit union is that you become a part-owner of the establishment instead of simply being a customer.
“When you become a member at KCCU, you are simply opening an account like you would with a bank,” Rori Ross, Vice President of Marketing at KCCU, explains. “The main difference is that when you open an account, you become a member and part-owner of KCCU. You must deposit $5 in your savings account upon opening the account and keep that $5 in the account. That’s your membership/ownership share in the credit union.”
What That Means For Your Money
Unlike banks, credit unions are not-for-profit. Profits are returned to members by way of reduced fees, higher savings rates, and lower loan rates.
At a bank, the profits go to outside shareholders. At KCCU, they come back to you.
“Credit unions are member-owned, whereas banks are owned by shareholders,” Ross says. “Our executive team reports to a voluntary board of directors who have our members’ best interest in mind, compared to banks who have shareholders and are more profit-driven.”
How Do You Actually Join a Credit Union?
What to Bring
Joining KCCU is very simple. Stop by any branch and speak with a Member Service Representative, and bring your Social Security card and one of the following:
- Driver's license
- State-issued ID card
- Travel visa
- Passport
From there, KCCU membership requires a minimum savings account deposit of only $5.
What to Expect
“Opening an account at KCCU is simple and quick,” Ross notes. “Typically, we can open an account in 30 minutes, but that may vary depending on what products and services are being opened. You will leave with a KCCU membership card and other account documentation. Once you’re a member, you have access to all of our products and services.”
And that’s it. Just bring your ID, Social Security card, $5, and you’re all done. From that point forward, you’re a member-owner of a financial institution that’s been serving Michigan since 1941.
Once a Member, Always a Member. What Does That Mean?
Your KCCU Membership Follows You for Life
One of the most meaningful benefits of credit union membership is something called the “Once a Member, Always a Member” policy. This means you’ll have access to KCCU’s products and services for a lifetime, even if you retire, change jobs, or relocate.
Your membership gets locked in the moment that you join. If you want to move to another state 10 years down the road, you don’t have to requalify or look for another financial institution. You are a KCCU member for life.
Why Members Stay
This lifetime membership quality is why we have members that stay with us for 30, 40, even 50 years.
“Many long-time members enjoy the low turnover rate with our employees,” Ross explains. “They appreciate being treated with kindness, patience, and care, and they recognize our professionalism. Furthermore, several long-time members see our staff as more than consultants and tellers, they see them as family.”
What Can You Do as a KCCU Member?
Many people think that, since credit unions are smaller operations than banks, they don’t (or can’t) offer as much as a big bank does. That is not the case at KCCU.
“There may be some misconception because we are a local credit union. People may think that we don’t offer all the services of a large bank, but we do. Sometimes, we offer even more. We are truly a one-stop shop for all financial needs. And we do it with personalized, local service.”
A Full Look at KCCU's Products and Services
Here’s a quick rundown of what KCCU offers:
- Checking and savings accounts (including a high-yield eChecking account)
- Auto, boat, and RV loans
- Mortgages and home equity loans
- Personal (signature) loans and credit cards
- Business checking and commercial lending
- Certificates of deposit (CDs) and IRAs
- Investment services through LPL Financial
- Insurance products
- A full digital banking suite (that includes online banking, a mobile app, mobile deposit, bill pay, text banking, and more)
Your Money is Protected
Your money is just as safe here as it would be at any bank. KCCU is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), which is the credit union equivalent of the FDIC, and it insures deposits up to $250,000.
KCCU has also been recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Credit Unions for three years running, which speaks to the quality and consistency that our members experience.
Why Would People Choose a Credit Union Over a Big Bank?
Our Service is Personal
“Many people have transitioned from a big bank to our credit union because of their positive experiences with our personal service, lower fees, and competitive rates. We often hear from individuals that they felt like, at a bank, they were just a number. But, at KCCU, we treat them like family and have their best interest in mind,” says Ross.
“Being a member at KCCU goes beyond just a bank account,” Ross continues. “Being a member at KCCU means walking into your favorite branch to team members who offer a warm smile, and who are excited to greet you and ask how you’ve been. We’re your biggest cheerleaders, financial consultants, neighbors, friends, and family.”
The Financial Benefits
Because KCCU is a not-for-profit cooperative, it is able to offer lower loan rates and higher savings rates than many big banks. Those benefits go directly back to the people who bank at a credit union.
Are You Ready to Make the Switch?
“At KCCU, we can be the one stop for all of your financial needs,” Ross says. That’s what she most wants potential new members to understand. “We will always have your best interests in mind. KCCU is a local organization, and the team that serves you lives, works, and supports your local community.”
Getting started is as easy as stopping by any KCCU branch and bringing your ID, Social Security card and $5. You can also visit kccu4u.org to learn more about membership, explore rates, and see everything else that KCCU has to offer.
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