Credit unions, unlike banks, are based on a cooperative or “co-op” model in which the customers (or, as we call them, “members”) are also the owners. This is the biggest difference between credit unions and banks. While a bank is a for-profit company that distributes profits among shareholders or individual owners, a credit union is a not-for-profit institution “owned” by its members. Therefore, you can think of credit union membership as buying a stake in an organization rather than paying somebody else in exchange for services.

With Affinity you are more than a member, you are part owner. Affinity is owned and controlled by members who use its services.

This ownership happens when you establish your $5 membership account, which gives you one par value share in Affinity. This is not a transactional account, and these funds will not earn dividends. The account must remain open and funded with the $5 during your child’s membership with Affinity.

Our digital tools, such as the Affinity Mobile Banking App and Online Banking, make it easy to manage your child’s account and deposit checks right from your phone. You can also view our branches, shared branching locations and ATMs.

Yes, your money is safe at a credit union. Affinity is a federally insured credit union, which means that all deposits are protected by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, with deposits insured up to at least $250,000 per depositor.