How to Find and Join a Credit Union
In the past, joining a credit union meant you had to be part of a company or organization in order to qualify as a member.Now, there are countless credit unions with the sole eligibility requirement being that you live within a local geographic area.
The best resources for finding a credit union are:
- MyCreditUnion.gov — the official NCUA credit union locator
- CreditUnion.coop — Credit Union National Association's finder tool
You simply fill in your zip code or enter any organization you're affiliated with, and you see all the credit unions available within your area. Many credit unions have websites where they list their car loan rates.
Joining a credit union is very simple. In most cases, you just have to open a savings or checking account with a small minimum balance (often just $5-$25).
Example of a Credit Union web site showing their auto loan rates
Last reviewed: January 2026
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