Interview with Northeast Credit Union–What Sets Them Apart?
Are you considering moving to a local credit union? If so there are a number of benefits you’ll enjoy after making the switch. For instance, we recently interviewed Northeast Credit Union to find out what sets them apart from other financial institutions. See the Q&A below:
What sets Northeast Credit Union apart from other local banks and credit unions?
For 75 years, Northeast Credit Union has been a vital part of the communities we serve. Our roots go deep. As a trusted neighbor, Northeast Credit Union is committed to helping our members manage their finances, invest in the future, and achieve their life goals. We’re proud of our long-standing history in the region, providing safe, high-quality financial services to our member-owners. For every goal our members work to achieve — from buying a home or auto, to starting a business, to saving for college and retirement –Northeast Credit Union is with our members, every step of the way.
Do you offer your members online banking or support? What are some of these services?
Northeast Credit Union knows that time is valuable to our members, and so we offer Online Banking, Online Billpay, and eStatements to help make managing their finances fast, easy, and convenient. Members can also apply for loans through our easy online application. Great member service is always just an email away and our Member Services Representatives are also available at any time to help members with their questions.
Does Northeast Credit Union participate in any community programs? In what capacity are you involved?
Northeast Credit Union remains steadfast in our commitment to community service and support. As a trusted neighbor, Northeast Credit Union understands the unique challenges our neighbors face.
Bettering the overall health of our neighborhoods by supporting organizations such as the United Way of the Greater Seacoast, the NH Make-A-Wish Foundation, NH Food Bank and Maine Credit Union League’s Campaign for Ending Hunger is done with great pride.
Northeast Credit Union is also proud of our partnership with the CASH Coalition of Southeastern NH to bring Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) services to low-to moderate income people to help them secure their entitled tax benefits.
We are also honored to support financial literacy programs for people of all ages including: Educational programs to teach children about money; CU 4 Reality–a program that uses an in-class curriculum during the school year to teach high-school students important skills that will equip them to handle money responsibly, set and stick to budgets and avoid the pitfalls of debt; and the United Way of the Greater Seacoast’s Family Financial Stability program, an initiative geared toward helping families improve their financial literacy skills and obtain safe, permanent and affordable housing.
In addition, each of Northeast Credit Union’s branches support organizations in the communities in which they serve including: Youth sport teams, 5K road races, annual banquets, charity golf tournaments and many more local fund raising efforts.
Why should someone choose a small local financial institution over one of the well-known national chains?
Northeast Credit Union is a locally based, member-owned credit union. As a credit union, Northeast Credit Union is focused on helping our members with their financial needs rather than making a profit for investors. At Northeast Credit Union, earnings are returned to our members through higher dividends and lower loan rates and fees.
Northeast Credit Union also provides our members with great products, free educational programs, sound advice and personalized services. Throughout the decades we have sought ways to increase member value by listening to our members’ financial needs.
Our products exist because of our members, and every day we continually strive to provide the best possible service. Each and every member deserves no less.
At Northeast Credit Union, each member is part of the credit union family. We know our members by name and are privileged to be a part of their lives in good times and honored to stand by them in challenging times.
What type of special promotions or financial education does Northeast Credit Union offer members?
Throughout the year we will offer different promotions, but for the most part we supply our members with low rates, personalized service and financial education on Northeast Credit Union.org and through seminars and webinars.
What is your most popular deposit product and what are the requirements for opening this account?
Our most popular deposit product would be our Relationship Checking. A members needs to have $5,000 in loans, deposits or investments to qualify for this product.
As a trusted neighbor, Northeast Credit Union values our relationships with our members. It’s what sets us apart from big, impersonal banks. That’s why we reward members who have more than one Northeast Credit Union account.
Our members choose Relationship Checking because they want to earn dividends on combined balances, discounted consumer loan rates, 10 Free foreign ATM transactions per month, unlimited check writing and point-of-sale transactions and no minimum balance or monthly maintenance fees.
Do you offer free mortgage or auto loan quotes? How can a consumer obtain a no obligation quote?
A member can apply for an auto loan at any time free of charge. A member can also apply for a pre-qualification for a mortgage free of charge. The member can apply over the phone, online or at one of our convenient branches.
What are typical turnaround times for a mortgage loan and auto application to be processed and funded?
Mortgages usually take about 4-8 weeks depending on if it’s a refinance, new mortgage or other outside factors. An auto loan can be processed and funded in 24-48 hours if done at the branch. If it is done at one of our Credit Union Direct Auto Dealers, it can process and funded within a few hours.
How have the recent changes in service fees with banks affected Northeast Credit Union?
We have not yet seen an impact from the recent changes in service fees from banks. We expect there to be more discussion about the benefits of belonging to a credit union in general as banks ramp up fees and reduce services to their customers.
At Northeast Credit Union, we will continue to uphold the credit union creed of “people helping people,” and we look forward to welcoming more new members by offering consumer friendly alternatives not found at big banks. We invite new members to join those who place their trust in us at Northeast Credit Union.
