Millennials help make 100 million memberships a reality
by. Amaia Kirtland
Stressed by economic doldrums and callous bank policies, young adults may be finding safe harbor in credit union membership, according to an Aug. 18 report by Chris Chmura, WOFL-TV, in Tampa Bay, FL.
“I think millennials choose credit unions because they connect to it, because they connect with the mission,” said Suncoast CU’s Gary Vien, who is chief administrative officer at the credit union. “We save people money.”
As the credit union movement celebrates the milestone of 100 million memberships, its not-for-profit cooperative structure and better rates are attracting members like Larissa Dias-Lizarraga.
“Immediately, I felt the difference,” said Dias-Lizarraga, a teacher who spent 10 years with a traditional bank paying fees for account maintenance and statements. “They were just trying to take my money, and that’s not OK,” she told Chmura.