Find and Join a Credit Union Near You:
What is a Credit Union?
If you’ve never heard of a credit union or aren’t sure what makes one different, you’re not alone! At first glance, credit unions might look a lot like banks. They offer the same kinds of financial products—checking and savings accounts, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and more. But the way they operate, and who they serve, sets them apart.
Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives: owned by the people they serve--their members. That means earnings are returned to you through better rates, lower fees, and member-focused services. That means they exist to serve their members, not to make money for shareholders or Wall Street investors. When you join a credit union, you become a member-owner—not just a customer. Profits are returned to members in the form of better rates, lower fees, and improved services.
Credit unions are built around a common bond--a field of membership—like where you live, where you work, where you go to school, what you believe in, or how you serve (for example, military or public service). This creates a sense of community and shared purpose. Credit unions are governed by a volunteer board of directors, elected by members to represent their best interests.
Credit unions are deeply involved in their local communities—donating time, money, and resources to causes that matter. Whether it’s financial literacy programs, disaster relief, school supplies, or support for nonprofits, credit unions show up where it counts.
Worried about deposit safety? Don’t be. Credit unions are federally insured by the NCUA, just like banks are insured by the FDIC. Your money is protected up to $250,000. Bottom line: Your money is just as safe at a credit union as it is at any bank.
In short: Credit unions are all about people helping people. And when you join one, you're not just getting a place to bank—you’re joining a community that puts your financial well-being first.
Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives: owned by the people they serve--their members. That means earnings are returned to you through better rates, lower fees, and member-focused services. That means they exist to serve their members, not to make money for shareholders or Wall Street investors. When you join a credit union, you become a member-owner—not just a customer. Profits are returned to members in the form of better rates, lower fees, and improved services.
Credit unions are built around a common bond--a field of membership—like where you live, where you work, where you go to school, what you believe in, or how you serve (for example, military or public service). This creates a sense of community and shared purpose. Credit unions are governed by a volunteer board of directors, elected by members to represent their best interests.
Credit unions are deeply involved in their local communities—donating time, money, and resources to causes that matter. Whether it’s financial literacy programs, disaster relief, school supplies, or support for nonprofits, credit unions show up where it counts.
Worried about deposit safety? Don’t be. Credit unions are federally insured by the NCUA, just like banks are insured by the FDIC. Your money is protected up to $250,000. Bottom line: Your money is just as safe at a credit union as it is at any bank.
In short: Credit unions are all about people helping people. And when you join one, you're not just getting a place to bank—you’re joining a community that puts your financial well-being first.
Find the Right Credit Union for You
Did you know that anyone can join a credit union? Anyone can join —no secret handshake required. Credit unions are built on the philosophy of people helping people, and they exist to uplift the communities they serve. Unlike big banks, credit unions answer to members, not shareholders. That means profits go back to you—through better rates, fewer fees, and personalized service you might not find at a typical bank. When you join a credit union, you're not just opening an account. You're becoming part of something bigger.
When you join a credit union, you can enjoy:
When you join a credit union, you can enjoy:
- High level of personalized service
- Better rates on loans and savings accounts
- Lower (or no!) fees on overdrafts and over charges
- Profits that go back to you (the members)!
- Easy access to your money through 30,000 ATMs nationwide
- Peace of mind that NCUA insures deposits up to $250,000
- A financial institution that's involved in your community
- Ability to vote on important decisions
Why Credit Unions Are the Trusted Choice for Millions
It’s easy to see why over 142 million Americans choose to be members of one of the 5,000+ credit unions across the country.
- Our mission of people helping people.
- Credit unions are rooted in community. We’re small enough to know you and your neighbors, yet strong enough to bring the world to your fingertips. We care about who you are—and what you’re striving for.
- We’re invested in our communities.
- Every year, credit unions nationwide give back—offering time, resources, and financial support to local organizations and causes. While each credit union has its own unique community partnerships, all share a deep commitment to the people and places they serve.
- We care about your financial well-being.
- In every corner of the country, credit unions prioritize people over profits. Whether you're building a better future, recovering from a setback, or just getting started, we’re here to help you thrive—and to uplift the communities we’re proud to be part of.
CU State-Wide Awareness Program: (SWAP)
The Dakotas have been part of the national CU consumer awareness campaign since 2019. In fact, our association was one of the first leagues to sign on to this valuable initiative! The initiative has made significant strides nationwide - strides that cannot be ignored. Starting in 2024, as Your Money Further™ moved in a different direction, DakCU took over complete control of our unique local SWAP initiative to continue increasing credit union awareness across the Dakotas.
Building on the success of the national credit union awareness initiative (increasing consideration of credit unions as a “top of mind” financial services provider), DakCU took the campaign local in 2022 with our state-wide awareness program (SWAP) and began using a targeted, multi-tiered advertising approach. This strategy has generated more regional awareness and supports local businesses at the same time, allowing our contributing credit unions to keep their money right in their local communities, where they can experience the impact firsthand. SWAP allows for more input, more recognition, and a more cohesive marketing campaign larger than just the digital platform. Since then, we have set a new and bold goal, aiming for 40% of the population throughout the Dakotas to be credit union members by the year 2030. Working together towards this goal, we can achieve great things!
Together, we can bring more Dakota consumers to their best financial partner - their local credit union!
Building on the success of the national credit union awareness initiative (increasing consideration of credit unions as a “top of mind” financial services provider), DakCU took the campaign local in 2022 with our state-wide awareness program (SWAP) and began using a targeted, multi-tiered advertising approach. This strategy has generated more regional awareness and supports local businesses at the same time, allowing our contributing credit unions to keep their money right in their local communities, where they can experience the impact firsthand. SWAP allows for more input, more recognition, and a more cohesive marketing campaign larger than just the digital platform. Since then, we have set a new and bold goal, aiming for 40% of the population throughout the Dakotas to be credit union members by the year 2030. Working together towards this goal, we can achieve great things!
Together, we can bring more Dakota consumers to their best financial partner - their local credit union!
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Thank you 2025 Awareness Champions:
Affinity First Federal Credit Union Area Community Credit Union Aspen Federal Credit Union Avanti Federal Credit Union Black Hills Federal Credit Union Consumer's Federal Credit Union Coteau Valley Federal Credit Union Dakota Plains Credit Union Dakotaland Federal Credit Union East River Federal Credit Union Explorers Federal Credit Union Fargo Public Schools Federal Credit Union |
Fargo VA Credit Union
Fort Randall Federal Credit Union Healthcare Plus Federal Credit Union Hometown Credit Union Huron Area Education Federal Credit Union Lakota Federal Credit Union Lamoure Credit Union Lisbon Farmers Union Credit Union Med Park Credit Union Minot Area Schools Federal Credit Union Minuteman Community Federal Credit Union M-O Federal Credit Union Norstar Federal Credit Union |
North Star Community Credit Union
Northern Hills Federal Credit Union Oahe Federal Credit Union Postal Family Federal Credit Union Railway Credit Union Riverfork Federal Credit Union Sentinel Federal Credit Union Sioux Valley Co-op Federal Credit Union United Savings Credit Union Vue Community Credit Union Western Cooperative Credit Union |
For questions regarding SWAP or how your credit union can engage, please contact:
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