Welcome back to the Northwest Community Credit Union Podcast. Today we are discussing credit unions and how they compare to other financial institutions. Why should someone open an account at a credit union? There are many benefits of being a member at a credit union.
Lower fees, lower loan rates, better saving rates, access to local experts, and more. Many people don't know this, but because credit unions do not have to pay profits to shareholders as banks do, credit unions can pass this money onto their members by offering lower interest rates on loans and dividend-bearing saving accounts. As credit unions are owned by their members, this can save them a lot of money in the long run. At NWCCU, our slogan is, we're here for you.
We're proud to offer a more personal approach to customer service by answering any questions or helping to solve any problems our members might have. That does sound great, but wouldn't a bank have a wider reach and easier access? Not necessarily. These days, just about every financial institution has a wider reach due to online and mobile banking.
Here at NWCCU, we offer pretty flexible options. You can bank through our website, our mobile app, and if you're someone that prefers in-person banking, we've over 5,600 shared branch locations across the country. Meaning you don't actually have to walk into an NWCCU branch in order to bank with us. As long as the branch you're walking into shares a location with us, then you can bank there the same as if you walked into an actual NWCCU branch.
We also have ATMs located all over the country. There are convenient places such as 7-Elevens just to make sure that it's accessible to reach your money when you need it. What benefits does NWCCU offer compared to other credit unions and banks? Right off the bat, all SXU students, faculty, alumni, and residents of Lake Will and suburban cook counties are eligible to open the count at NWCCU, and you only need $10 to get started.
Members matter at NWCCU, and we want to help everyone achieve their financial goals. We've competitive rates, excellent personal service, and we trust the importance of financial literacy so members can learn about a wide range of financial topics while living with us. For SXU students, we have an ATM located outside the Student Diner in the Ward Academic Center as well as a student-run branch located in the Gram School Management. How can I get started with Northwest Community Credit Union today?
It's very easy to become a member by visiting our website, NWCCU.com, and submitting a quick application. If you have any questions, you can call our main office at area code 847-647-1030. We also encourage you to check out our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram and follow us for financial literacy tips, budgeting hacks, and updates from NWCCU. Thank you for listening to the NWCCU podcast.
If you have any questions or like more information, feel free to stop by our on-campus branch located next to the main office in the Gram School of Management. You're also welcome to head over to our website, NWCCU.com.