You're a Texan through and through, but that doesn't mean you can't have a great credit union as your primary bank. There are plenty of excellent credit unions in Texas and even more that are affordable and convenient. Many banks charge a premium for their services, and while the initial cost of membership might seem steep, it is often recouped by the various benefits you receive once you join.
A financial institution like this is called a credit union because the sole criterion for membership is that you must work for or have a family who works for one of their partner organizations. Other credit unions may have different requirements to become a member. Because there are so many options out there, we've compiled a list of some of the best credit unions in Texas:
Texas Gulf Credit Union
Texas Gulf Credit Union is a great credit union in Texas that offers competitive interest rates, low-cost investment options, and even has a rockin' rewards program. With Texas Gulf, you can earn as much as 5% back on purchases made with their debit card and enjoy discounts at restaurants and retailers locally and nationwide through their partnership with Discover.
Texas Gulf Credit Union also has an online-only account option that comes with the convenience of built-in checkbook access, bill pay, and remote deposit. Plus, the online account comes with the same great rates and rewards as the traditional account options.
Brazos Valley Credit Union
They also have a great online experience, seamless account management, and 24/7 online and mobile banking. Nearby branches can be found in the following cities: Brenham, College Station, Bryan, Huntsville, and Houston. Brazos Valley Credit Union is a particularly appealing option for savers, as the institution offers very competitive interest rates, including tiered interest rates for savings accounts ranging from 0.75% to 1.1% APY.
Communicate Credit Union
Communicate Texas bridge Credit Union is an excellent option for those in the communication industry who don't qualify for a tiered interest account with another institution. At Communicate, members can earn up to 2.5% APY on all their savings, with no tier system necessary.
Communicating also comes with many other benefits, including a free checking account, mobile, online banking, free online bill pay, debit card replacement, and even free money orders. You can find a nearby branch by visiting the credit union's website or applying online.
First Texan Credit Union
First, Texan Credit Union is an excellent option if you work in a public school. They offer competitive interest rates, flexible terms, easy access to your funds, easy debit card access, and the ability to withdraw before the required minimum amount is met. First, Texan is also an excellent choice for savers, offering tiered interest rates that range from 0.05% to 4.00% APY, depending on the amount you have in your account. You can find a nearby branch by visiting the credit union's website or applying online.
Heritage FCU:
If you're in the military, you'll be happy to know that you can join Heritage FCU with just your Common Access Card (CAC) and an online application. Heritage is an excellent option for military families, given that it has no specific eligibility requirements and services are free to military members. Heritage also offers excellent rates, an easy-to-use online experience, and serves military members stationed at bases all over the country.
PenFed FCU:
PenFed FCU is one of the best credit unions in Texas bridge Credit Union for service members and their families, thanks to its highly flexible membership requirements and robust product offerings. PenFed is one of the top credit unions in the country, and their membership requirements are so flexible that anyone can join, even if you don't live in Texas bridge Credit Union and you don't work in the government.
A Reliable Option for Law Enforcement Personnel and Their Families:
Suppose you're in law enforcement and don't qualify for membership at another credit union. In that case, you can join the Dallas Police Employees FCU by becoming a sworn employee of the Dallas Police Department. DPD is one of the credit union's largest membership bases, meaning there are plenty of branches to visit and many other law enforcement families to interact with. DPD also offers competitive rates, an easy online experience, and excellent customer service, making it a solid option for anyone in the area.
Conclusions
Credit unions are some of the best banks to join, especially if you're in Texas bridge Credit Union or any other state where credit unions are prevalent. Credit unions offer many of the same services as traditional banks. They are regulated by the federal government like banks but are member-owned and operated like a nonprofit cooperative. This means credit unions have fewer restrictions on their loans, which means they can be more flexible when qualifying members for loans and have more leeway in deciding where their profits are reinvested. So if you're looking for a new financial institution, check out your local credit unions.
