Personal Finance Resources: Financial Education & Literacy

How to Join PSECU

Written by PSECU | Jul 9, 2019 7:44:18 PM

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your bank’s high fees, or do you wish your bank paid a little more attention to your personal needs?

If so, you’re not alone – few banks offer fee-free checking accounts or the personalized services that many people are looking for. As a result, more than 117.3 million people across the U.S. have turned to credit unions like PSECU to enjoy greater financial freedom.

As a credit union, we are member owned and not for profit, which means unlike a bank, we return surplus earnings to our members through Money Back Banking, providing everyday value with benefits like free checking, surcharge-free ATMs plus rebates*, cash rewards, low-rate refinance options, and more because we believe that your money should stay where it belongs – with you.

While anyone can join a bank, credit unions have eligibility requirements for membership. At PSECU, we offer many ways for people of all stages of life to become a member. These are the four paths you can take toward becoming a PSECU member:

1. Family or Those You Reside With

An easy way to become eligible to join PSECU is through association. If you live with someone who is a PSECU member (such as a roommate), or if you are related to a current PSECU member, you can start taking advantage of all the benefits we have to offer.

Qualifying relatives include:

  • Spouse
  • Parent or stepparent
  • Child or stepchild
  • Sibling or stepsibling
  • Grandparent
  • Grandchild
  • Adoptive relationships

2. Education

Whether you’re currently attending a college with a PSECU relationship or you’re a staff member or alumnus of a PSECU-affiliated school, we invite you to join PSECU through your campus affiliation.

We work with a wide range of universities across Pennsylvania to offer financial services right on campus. You can feel free to stop by one of our campus locations any time for helpful tips on making the most of your PSECU account.

Check out our campus locations to see if your school is in PSECU’s field of membership.

3. Employment

Are you a Pennsylvania state or local government employee, or do you work at a municipality or school district? If so, you’re eligible for PSECU membership.

Along with these workplaces, many other employers across the state also offer membership as a benefit. In fact, more than 1,000 employers throughout Pennsylvania provide PSECU membership eligibility. Check with your employer to find out if they offer credit union membership as an employee benefit.

4. Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Membership

Don’t meet any of the criteria above? No problem! You can still become eligible for PSECU membership by joining the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS).

PRPS is a statewide association providing education, advocacy, and resources for those working and volunteering to manage Pennsylvania’s 6,000+ local parks. Park and recreation departments provide safe and affordable recreation opportunities, creating stronger and more inclusive communities.

PRPS membership dues are $20, but we cover $10 when you select to join PRPS during our application process.

Why Switch to PSECU?

Now that you know how to join us, you may still be wondering what advantages we offer over traditional banks. Check out a couple of the many benefits of credit unions to help you make an informed decision about choosing our services:

  • Lower fees and better rates: Because we’re a not-for-profit organization, we offer the same or similar products and services as banks, but with few, if any, fees. In most cases, our loan rates are competitive with other lenders.
  • Nontraditional benefits: Along with our value, we also provide many unique benefits you won’t likely find at a bank. From product discounts and coupons to college scholarships and free financial education resources, our perks strengthen the financial well-being of both our members and our local community.

If you’d like more information, feel free to contact us with any questions about our member benefits.

Join PSECU Today

When you choose to make the switch to PSECU, you’re doing more than just changing financial institutions – you’re taking control of your financial future. Once you join, you can enjoy our services for life – even if life takes you out of Pennsylvania. We serve members throughout the state, across the country, and even around the world.

Since 1934, we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping people like you reach their financial goals and make smart financial decisions. More than 450,000 members enjoy the benefits of PSECU – and, with all the paths you can take toward PSECU membership, you can quickly start experiencing these benefits, too.

If you’re ready to begin your financial journey with us, why wait? Apply today to become a member.

*If you use a PSECU debit card at an outofnetwork ATM and get charged, we’ll rebate fees on withdrawals up to $20 per month with direct deposit, and up to $8 per month without.