Field of Membership

Credit unions are for everyone, but there are regulations that limit who they may serve. A credit union's charter defines its "field of membership," which may be an employer, church, school or community. For example, if you work for an employer that sponsors a credit union, you are eligible to join that credit union. Learn more about credit unions.

To find a credit union to join:

CU Match Up is a good start

The program is a free, user-friendly, web-based service that matches people looking for member owner benefits credit unions offer, with those credit unions that they may be eligible to join.

Ask your boss

Your company may sponsor a credit union, or may be a select employee group (SEG) that has access to a credit union. Many employers offer direct deposit of payroll to your credit union.

Poll your family

Does your spouse's employer sponsor a credit union? Most credit unions allow credit union members' families to join. Each credit union, however, may define "family" differently. At some, only members of your immediate family are eligible. At other credit unions, family may include extended family members, such as cousins, uncles and aunts.

Quiz the neighbors

Some credit unions have a "community" field of membership, serving a region defined by geography rather than by employment or some other association. Ask friends in the community if they know of a credit union you may join.

Visit the Pennsylvania credit unions online

Or the Credit Union National Association's credit union locator to see if you fall into any of these credit union fields of membership. (Note: not all credit unions have Web sites.)

Check with your place of worship or membership organization(s)

Many religious, fraternal and social groups have established a credit union or credit union affiliation. Contact the headquarters or Web site of your organization for information.

Peruse the yellow pages

Some credit unions rarely advertise, so you might not know about them unless you look them up. A yellow pages display ad may state a credit union's field of membership. If not, at least you'll know what number to call to ask about membership eligibility.