--- title: "Credit Unions vs. Banks: Which is Right For You?" description: What does it mean to be a credit union person? Here are a few signs that opening an account at a credit union might be the best choice for you. image: https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-banks-vs-credit-unions-update-blog1.jpg --- [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) [Online Banking Login](https://banking.rmcu.net/auth/signin) [Online Banking Login](https://banking.rmcu.net/auth/signin) [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) - - [Home Loans](https://rmcu.net/home-loans) - [Personal](https://rmcu.net/personal) - [Business](https://rmcu.net/business) - [Membership](https://rmcu.net/membership) - [Careers](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/careers) - [Contact Us](https://rmcu.net/contact-us) - Search - [Financial Education ▾](https://rmcu.net/blog/credit-unions-vs.-banks-which-is-right-for-you#financial-education-nav) - [About RMCU ▾](https://rmcu.net/blog/credit-unions-vs.-banks-which-is-right-for-you#about-rmcu-nav) - [Security](https://rmcu.net/membership/security) - [TruStage: Security Alert](https://rmcu.net/trustage-security-alert) - [Money Mastermind](https://rmcu.net/money-mastermind-lessons) - [Financial Counseling](https://rmcu.net/financial-counseling) - [Savvy Money](https://rmcu.net/membership/financial-education/savvy-money) - [Blog](https://rmcu.net/blog) - [Resources](https://rmcu.net/resources) - [RMCU Team](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/rmcu-team) - [Member Information](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/member-information) - [Annual Meeting](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/annual-meeting) - [Community](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/community) - [Our History](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/history) [back to blog](https://rmcu.net/blog) [Financial Literacy](https://rmcu.net/blog/topic/financial-literacy) # Credit Unions vs. Banks: Which is Right For You? Read Time **2 mins** | Written by: Rocky Mountain Credit Union [mailto:?subject=Credit%20Unions%20vs.%20Banks%3A%20Which%20is%20Right%20For%20You%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fcredit-unions-vs.-banks-which-is-right-for-you](mailto:?subject=Credit%20Unions%20vs.%20Banks%3A%20Which%20is%20Right%20For%20You%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fcredit-unions-vs.-banks-which-is-right-for-you) ## You’re all about your community Credit unions like Rocky Mountain Credit Union are founded and run in the same communities where they operate. Finance isn’t one size fits all, and financial institutions shouldn’t be either. If you’re proud of your hometown, keep your money someplace close by. When your hard-earned dollars stay in the community, everyone benefits.  ## You want to make the most of your money Pay less and earn more: that’s the dream, right? Credit unions are known for lower interest rates on credit cards and personal loans and higher dividend rates on savings accounts. That’s because members are the owners of the credit union, so they get the profits distributed to them in those higher rates and lower credit card APRs. The more you save by paying less, the more wealth you can grow through the years. And as your financial situation evolves, your credit union can help you at whatever stage you’re in.    ![Teller at Rocky Mountain Credit Union](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/2022%20RMCU%20Banner%20Images/RMCU-banks-vs-credit-unions-update-blog2.jpg?width=2894&height=1929&name=RMCU-banks-vs-credit-unions-update-blog2.jpg) ## You like putting a face to your financial institution If you’re the type of person who hates sitting on hold to talk to a robot that can’t even forward your call to a real person, a community credit union could be the best choice for you. You can go into your branch and talk to a person—in person—whenever you want to. And when you call, you’re talking to those same friendly people you’ve built a relationship with over the years. It’s a much more personal way of managing your money.    ## You want your money to help people Big banks are beholden to their shareholders, who want to make as much money as possible. As not-for-profit entities, credit unions have their members to answer to. That’s why credit unions distribute profits to members in the form of higher dividend rates. And it also means that they tend to put ethics above profits when it comes to investments.  Your money isn’t just sitting in a vault when you entrust it to a financial institution: the bank invests it to help it grow and benefit stakeholders. RMCU is intentional about where investments go, and Rocky also takes the opportunity to give back through scholarship funds and other forms of giving. Members make that kind of community engagement possible.    ![New customer at Rocky Mountain Credit Union](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/2022%20RMCU%20Banner%20Images/RMCU-banks-vs-credit-unions-update-blog3.jpg?width=2894&height=1929&name=RMCU-banks-vs-credit-unions-update-blog3.jpg)   If you’re ready to make the credit union commitment (it’s painless, we promise!), apply with Rocky Mountain Credit Union. There are a few ways to qualify, and then it’s easy to open an account online or in person in Bozeman, Belgrade, Butte or Helena. State of Montana employees qualify, and so do relatives of current members, [employees of certain businesses](https://www.rmcu.net/become-a-member-select-businesses), MSU alums, or people who live or work in some [Southwest Montana counties.](https://www.rmcu.net/membership/rmcu-membership) [Open your account,](https://rmcu.symapp.jhahosted.com/) and find your community credit union. ##### Rocky Mountain Credit Union Share the Love [mailto:?subject=Credit%20Unions%20vs.%20Banks%3A%20Which%20is%20Right%20For%20You%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fcredit-unions-vs.-banks-which-is-right-for-you](mailto:?subject=Credit%20Unions%20vs.%20Banks%3A%20Which%20is%20Right%20For%20You%3F&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fcredit-unions-vs.-banks-which-is-right-for-you) You May Like These ## Related Articles ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/baxter%20branch.jpeg?width=700&name=baxter%20branch.jpeg) ### [Celebrate International Credit Union Day with Rocky Mountain Credit Union!](https://rmcu.net/blog/international-credit-union-day) International Credit Union Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Keep Reading ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_Template_Blog_Advantage_Credit_Union_Header.jpg?width=700&name=RMCU_Template_Blog_Advantage_Credit_Union_Header.jpg) Tips from the Pros ### [Perks You Should Be Taking Advantage of at Your Credit Union](https://rmcu.net/blog/perks-of-credit-unions) Credit unions are member-owned, with resources tailored to your community. Here are some of the perk... Keep Reading ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_career-benefits-blogHeader.jpg?width=700&name=RMCU_career-benefits-blogHeader.jpg) Lender Spotlight ### [6 Benefits of a Career at Rocky Mountain Credit Union](https://rmcu.net/blog/6-benefits-of-a-career-at-rocky-mountain-credit-union) When you work at Rocky Mountain Credit Union, you benefit from more than just a paycheck, you get re... Keep Reading ## [**FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM**](https://www.instagram.com/rockymountaincu/?hl=en) - [Privacy Policy](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/DISCLOSURES%20(FILES)/Privacy_Notice.pdf) - [ADA Compliance](https://rmcu.net/ada-compliance) - [Careers](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/careers) - [Fee Schedule](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/DISCLOSURES%20(FILES)/RMCU_ScheduleOfCharges_Members_2024-DIGITAL-2.pdf) ![Equal Housing Leader](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/RMCU_2022/images/home-lender-logo.png?width=140&name=home-lender-logo.png "Equal Housing Leader") ![American Strategic Insurance](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/raw_assets/public/RMCU_2022/images/asi-logo.svg "placeholder_200x200") Each account is insured by American Share Insurance up to $250,000. By members' choice, this institution is not federally insured. [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) All share and loan accounts are subject to membership eligibility. Equal Housing Opportunity. **RMCU NMLS# 585490** © 2026 Rocky Mountain Credit Union All Rights Reserved × ## You Are Leaving Our Website You are leaving the Rocky Mountain Credit Union website and accessing a third-party website. The privacy, security, and accessibility policies of third-party websites may differ from those of Rocky Mountain Credit Union. We encourage you to review the policies of any website you visit. Rocky Mountain Credit Union is not responsible for the content, privacy, security, or availability of external websites and does not endorse or guarantee the products, services, or information they provide. 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