Can anyone join a credit union?
Credit unions are for everyone, but not everyone can belong to any given credit union. That may sound strange, but it’s another example of the credit union difference and how it brings people together and defines what a credit union is. Members of a credit union must share a common bond, such as being employed at the same workplace, belonging to the same church or fraternal organization, or living in the same area. Some credit unions, like OSU Federal, serve an entire community rather than a single employee group or workplace. That’s why you’ll often hear us say, “Anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion or Polk County can join OSU Federal.
Almost anyone can join a credit union. It’s just a matter of finding what credit union you are eligible to join. Criteria for joining a credit union can include where you live, where you work, religious affiliation, ethnic group or associations to which you belong. Use the “How to Join a Credit Union” feature in order to find what credit unions you are able to join.
That depends on the credit union. Credit union membership is dictated by the state or federal charter that allows the credit union to do business. There are two types of credit unions: organizational based and community based. An organizational based credit union will offer membership only to those within the organization. For example, a church may offer membership to its parishioners or a company may offer membership to its employees.
