Arrowhead Credit Union, based in San Bernardino, California, is a financial institution that prides itself on providing a secure, convenient environment for its members to operate their personal and business accounts. It is a member-first, community-oriented institution that offers perhaps the most comprehensive and wide-ranging member benefits package in the state.
It charges a non-refundable lifetime membership fee of $5 prior to applying, and has a minimum of $25.00 opening deposit.
According to its online application, those who meet at least one of the following criteria qualify for membership:
– You reside in or are employed by San Bernardino or Riverside county
– You have a family member who is a current credit union member
– Your employer has an affiliation with the credit union
– You are a current or former student of California State University, San Bernardino
– You are an employee of California State University, San Bernardino
– You are an employee of the county or state
If you meet one or more of these criteria and wish to open an account, you may do so by visiting its website here or by visiting one of its 27 locations, listed here. When you apply for an account you will be asked for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will be used to verify your identification. The application process takes only a few minutes to complete, and you will be provided a debit card and personalized check before you leave the building.
Some basic features of membership you will receive are: no monthly fees; freedom to write/cash an unlimited number of checks, which are provided free of charge; access to over 25,000 ATMs nationwide; and free online banking with bill payment included. The free online banking applies to both personal and business accounts. Online services can also be used to find ATMs or service centers, free of charge.
In addition to the free online banking, the Arrowhead Credit Union website has made available seven consumer guides to educate its members. The member education guides, posted here, are as follows:
– A home buying guide offering strategies and information for potential home owners
– A guide warning members about the dangers of identity theft
– A guide designed to help balance and manage members’ checking accounts
– A guide to managing credit scores
– A new and used car buying guide with information on smart buying as well as financing
– A couples and money guide to help couples manage money cooperatively
Each of these guides is available in English and Spanish.
The most outstanding aspect of Arrowhead Credit Union, however, is the extensive services it offers to its members. Services for its members includes but is not limited to: special member-only discounts and offers from Dell computers; savings on over the counter and prescription medicine at select stores; special offers and savings from 1-800-flowers.com; free tax services, which include free tax advice and use of TurboTax online software; ATM services at most any credit union or banking institution in the United States of America; CU – Hear Automated Voice Response service for the hearing impaired at its ATMs; and a partnership with Montrose Travel for a 5% discount on any vacation to Hawaii, Asia, or the Republic of Mexico.
For those most interested in interest rates, a complete list of Arrowhead Credit Union rates can be found here.
Contact information is as follows: Mailing address – Arrowhead Credit Union, P.O. Box 735, San Bernardino, CA 92402; the primary telephone number is 800-743-7228.
