The Importance of Having a Checking Account

The Importance of Having a Checking Account

About 14 million adults in the U.S. do not have an account with a credit union or bank. Whether this is by choice or because they don’t think they qualify to open an account, they end up missing out on many financial services that make life easier. For instance, instead of using a credit union to cash their paychecks, they use check-cashing stores like Check into Cash or retailers like Walmart, which charge a fee of 1% to 6% of the check amount.

In addition, people without a credit union account don’t have a safe place to keep their funds, are less likely to qualify for loans, and can’t earn interest on the money they save.

There are many other conveniences to having a checking account:

Opening a checking account is very easy. You’ll need a Social Security number [or ITIN], two forms of identification, and $20.00 for the first deposit.

Many banks charge checking account fees, some as high as $9 a month. But at Members 1st of NJ, you can get a free checking account. And when you become a member, you become a co-owner of the credit union. Among the perks are lower loan rates and higher savings rates than you would get at banks or other financial institutions.

To get started, learn about our checking accounts online or contact one of our Member Representatives at 856-696-0767.

 

*Article Source: CUNA