The credit union movement and veterans

Veteran’s Day got me thinking about the bond between credit unions and the military. A recent survey demonstrates how that bond is alive and well, and, if you look at the history of our movement, all credit unions owe a debt of gratitude to service members.

The survey to which I am referring underscores that credit unions are still living up to their reputation for helping members of the military. Specifically, of the 20 top lenders which provide government VA loans, Navy Federal offers the best rates. Based on analysis of HMDA data, of the VA lenders examined in 2019, 10 had a rate spread that was above the average prime offer rate. In fact, there was more than a 1.25% spread between the lowest annual percentage rate offered by Navy FCU and the highest rate offered by New Day Financial.

You would think from the comments of some of our Congress members that the CFPB had stopped taking enforcement actions. In fact, one of its most recent settlements involved Low VA Rates, LLC.The settlement demonstrates that the substantial rate spread reflects more than the complexity of offering VA loans. Guess what? The rates weren’t quite as low as advertised.

 

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