Core Points - Service Credit Union was established in 1957 to support military personnel and their families, expanding its services to hundreds of thousands of members globally [1] - The credit union offers a variety of financial products including high-yield deposit accounts, loans, and business banking services [1] Product Overview - Everyday Checking account is a free account that earns rewards on debit purchases and includes online banking, remote check deposit, and loan discounts [2] - Dividend Checking account provides the same perks as Everyday Checking with an additional 0.15% APY on balances, requiring a minimum balance of $1,500 to avoid fees [3] - Primary Savings account is essential for membership, offering 5% APY on the first $500 and 0.25% APY on balances over $500, with a $5 minimum opening deposit [4] - Youth accounts for children aged 13 and up offer checking and high-yield savings with similar APY rates as the Primary Savings account [5] - Military savings accounts are tailored for armed forces members and their families, including a Holiday Club account with 3% APY on balances up to $3,000 [6] - Share certificates are available with terms from three to 60 months, offering rates up to 4.15% APY with a minimum deposit of $500 [7] - Money market accounts provide rates up to 1.7% APY, requiring a minimum balance of $2,500 to earn dividends [7] - Trust services include living trusts and payable-on-death accounts [8] - Business and commercial banking products include checking and savings accounts, digital invoicing, and merchant services [9] - A variety of loan options are available, including vehicle loans, personal loans, and mortgages [10] - Credit card offerings include no annual fee cards, rewards cards, and secured credit cards [11] - Investment services are provided through the Service Financial Group, assisting with retirement planning and college savings [12] - Insurance options include discounted coverage for home, life, and auto insurance [13] Membership and Fees - Membership is open to active duty military, veterans, and their families, as well as members of select employer groups and associations [15][22] - A minimum deposit of $5 is required to open a Primary Savings account for membership [19] - Certain fees may apply depending on account types and usage [14] Customer Service and Technology - Service Credit Union offers 24/7 phone support and various contact options including live chat and email [16] - The mobile app has high ratings and allows members to manage accounts, transfer funds, and deposit checks [17] Social Impact - The Service CU Impact Foundation promotes initiatives in education, housing, and support for veterans and first responders, offering scholarships and grants [18]

This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Members of the nation’s largest community development financial institution will soon be able to build credit through their routine rent and utility payments with the help of Bloom Credit, the New York City-based infrastructure credit fintech announced Wednesday. Tampa, Florida-based Suncoast Credit Union will begin offering Bloom+ to its 1.1 million checking account ...

Find out which banks are offering the best MMA rates right now. The Federal Reserve cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024 and recently made its first rate cut in 2025. As a result, deposit interest rates — including money market account rates — have been falling. It’s more important than ever to compare MMA rates and ensure you earn as much as possible on your balance. A look at the best money market account rates today Although money market account rates are elevated by historical standards, t ...

Core Insights - Consumers Credit Union (CCU) is recognized as one of the top 10 credit unions for 2025, offering a range of financial products and services including deposit accounts, loans, and business banking solutions [1] Product Overview - CCU provides a Rewards Checking Account with tiered rates up to 5% APY on balances up to $10,000, contingent on meeting specific monthly activity requirements [3][4] - The Free Checking Account has no fees or minimum balance requirements, offering features like early direct deposit and unlimited check writing [5] - The Smart Saver Account offers a base rate of 0.25% APY, with potential to earn a 3% APY relationship rate when linked to a CCU checking account [10] - CCU's Membership Savings Account requires a minimum balance of $5 and offers competitive dividend rates [9] - Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are available with no minimum deposit or balance requirements, allowing tax-advantaged savings for health expenses [11] - CCU offers various loans including home purchase, refinancing, auto loans, and personal loans [13] - Credit card options include cash back and rewards cards, with introductory offers such as 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months [14] - Investment services include access to various IRAs and insurance products [15] - Business banking services encompass business accounts, Visa cards, commercial loans, and treasury management [17] Membership and Fees - Membership is open to anyone for a one-time fee of $5, which may be reimbursed, and requires maintaining a minimum balance of $5 in the savings account [21] - CCU does not charge monthly maintenance fees on deposit accounts, making it attractive for members [21] - The credit union has limited physical branches primarily located in Illinois, which may pose accessibility challenges for members outside the state [21] Customer Service and Technology - CCU offers 24/7 customer service via phone and live chat during business hours, with a mobile app rated 4.7 and 4.5 stars on respective platforms [20] - The mobile app facilitates various banking activities including bill payments, remote check deposits, and account management [20]

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. ESL Federal Credit Union, a Rochester, N.Y.-based financial institution, has acquired Alesco Advisors, a local wealth manager and investment outsourcing business. The deal, expected to close in November, expands ESL’s wealth management and investment advisory business to more than $10.8 billion in assets under advisement and $9.3 billion in assets under management.  Alesco was founded in 20 ...

Core Insights - Personal loans are versatile financial products that can be used for various purposes, but choosing the right lender involves considering multiple factors beyond just the annual percentage rate (APR) Group 1: Key Factors in Choosing Personal Loans - Loan amounts vary by lender, with most offering up to $50,000, while some, like Alliant Credit Union and SoFi, allow borrowing up to $100,000, often requiring stricter eligibility [2][3] - Repayment terms typically range from one to five years, with some lenders offering terms of seven years or more, impacting monthly payments and total interest paid [3][4] - Fees, particularly origination fees, can significantly affect the amount received; these fees can range from 0% to 10%, with higher fees often associated with lenders catering to those with poor credit [4][5] Group 2: Additional Considerations - Permitted uses of personal loans are generally flexible, but many lenders restrict funds for education or business purposes, necessitating a review of each lender's terms [6] - Funding speed varies, with some lenders disbursing funds on the same day of application, while others may take several days [8] - Eligibility requirements differ among lenders, with factors such as credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio, and the option for co-borrowers or co-signers influencing approval chances [9][13][14] Group 3: Customer Experience - Customer satisfaction is crucial; potential borrowers should check reviews and ratings from sources like TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau to gauge lender reliability [9][10] - Comparing lenders based on the seven key factors—loan amounts, repayment terms, fees, permitted uses, funding speed, eligibility requirements, and customer satisfaction—can help in selecting the best personal loan [11] Group 4: Market Comparison - Credit unions generally offer lower rates than banks, with a reported average APR of 10.74% for three-year personal loans from credit unions compared to 12.02% from banks, indicating a potential cost advantage for borrowers [15]

Core Insights - Money market accounts (MMAs) are highlighted as a favorable option for storing cash due to their relatively high interest rates, liquidity, and flexibility [1][2] - The current landscape shows that despite a recent decline in rates, many MMAs still offer rates exceeding 4% APY [3][7] Interest Rate Trends - Historical data indicates that MMA rates have experienced significant fluctuations, primarily influenced by the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies [4][6] - Following the 2008 financial crisis, MMA rates were extremely low, typically ranging from 0.10% to 0.50% due to the Fed's near-zero federal funds rate [5] - The Fed's aggressive rate hikes starting in 2022 led to historically high MMA rates, with many accounts offering 4% or higher by late 2023 [7][8] Account Comparison Factors - When selecting a money market account, it is crucial to consider factors beyond just the interest rate, such as minimum balance requirements, fees, and withdrawal limits [9][10] - Some MMAs may require a minimum balance of $5,000 or more to earn the highest advertised rates, while others may charge monthly maintenance fees [10] - There are competitive MMAs available that do not impose balance requirements or fees, emphasizing the importance of thorough comparison [10] Insurance and Safety - It is essential to ensure that the chosen money market account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA, which protects deposits up to $250,000 per institution, per depositor [11] - Most MMAs are federally insured, but verification is recommended to safeguard against potential financial institution failures [11] Current Market Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is reported at 0.59%, while the best rates can reach around 4% to 4.50% APY [12] - As of now, no MMAs are offering 5% APY, although some high-yield savings accounts from online banks do [14]

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024 and made its first rate cut in 2025, leading to a decline in deposit interest rates, including money market account (MMA) rates [1] - The national average rate for MMAs is currently 0.59%, while top high-yield accounts offer rates exceeding 4% APY, significantly higher than the national average [2][9] - Online banks and credit unions are highlighted as the best sources for competitive MMA rates due to lower overhead costs and not-for-profit structures, respectively [4][5] Group 1: Money Market Account Rates - The national average MMA rate is 0.59%, but high-yield accounts can offer rates over 4% APY, which is more than six times the national average [2] - Online banks typically provide the best MMA rates due to reduced operational costs, allowing them to offer higher deposit rates and lower fees [4] - Credit unions also offer competitive rates, often ranging from 4% to 5% APY, although membership requirements may apply [5] Group 2: Account Features and Considerations - Money market accounts are considered low-risk and are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, making them safer than money market funds [6] - Many MMAs require a minimum balance to earn the highest advertised rates, and failure to maintain this balance may result in fees or lower rates [6] - MMAs may limit the number of transactions per month, which could be a consideration for those needing frequent access to funds [7]

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Group 1 - The Federal Reserve has cut the federal funds rate three times in 2024, totaling a reduction of one percentage point, leading to a decline in deposit interest rates, including money market account rates [1] - The national average rate for money market accounts (MMAs) is currently 0.59%, while top high-yield accounts offer rates exceeding 4% APY, significantly higher than the national average [2][9] - Online banks and credit unions are highlighted as offering competitive MMA rates due to lower overhead costs and not-for-profit structures, respectively [4][5] Group 2 - Money market accounts are considered low-risk and are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, making them safer than money market funds [6] - Many MMAs require a minimum balance to earn the highest advertised rates, and failure to maintain this balance may result in fees or lower rates [6] - MMAs may limit the number of transactions per month, which is a consideration for those needing frequent access to funds [7]