Credit unions are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional banks. Unlike banks that answer to shareholders, credit unions are owned by members and are non-profit. Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union in North Carolina is open to a wide variety of people in the area, including employees of public and private schools, hospital staff members, local business employees and members of the SSFCU Retirement Association. Some parents with children enrolled in schools in the area are also eligible to join the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union.
Members of Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union can save a significant amount of money over banks for services like checking accounts and personal loans. Interest rates for a 15 Year Home Equity loan start at an 8.25% fixed rate. Variable Rate 20 Year Home Equity Loans start at 5%.
Mortgage loan rates are also lower than many banks. Fixed Rate Land/Mobile Home Loan Packages start at 7.25% for a 144 month term. For a 240 month Variable Rate Land/Mobile Home Package, rates start at 6.25%. There are also loans available for the first time home buyer. Benefits include quick closings with an average closing time of 10 days. Local down payment assistance is also available and applications are available online.
Loans are also available for a variety of transportation, including new cars, recreational vehicles,motorcycles and Harley Davidsons. A 60 month loan on a new motorcycle starts at 7.25% interest.
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union also offer personal lines of credit to qualified members. Benefits of the personal line of credit include overdraft protection and cash advances up to the credit limit.
Like traditional banks The Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union also offers checking an savings account. Regular Share Membership savings accounts has a dividend rate of 1.49% on balances over $5.00. Checking accounts earn .50% on all balances over $1000. Share certificates offer larger interest rates. A $500, six month or twelve month certificate as a dividend rate of 4.35% an an APY of 4.45%.
Kids aren’t left out of the Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union. The PAWS Kids Club is designed for elementary school students and encourages them to
save. After child members have enough in their savings account, they can transfer the money to a Youth Savings Certificate to earn higher interest rates.
Teens also have accounts geared to their needs. The CU Succeed Teen Club is designed for members who are 13 through 18. Checking accounts are offered for members over 16, ATM cards are available for account access and there are special loans and credit cards available for teens with parental consent. The CU Succeed Teen Club helps teens learn about credit and financial responsibility.
There are Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union Locations in 15 counties in North Carolina. The disadvantage to using credit unions, including Suncoast Federal, is the limited number of branches an the difficulty in accessing your account if traveling outside the area. Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union is a member if the CUHere Network, offering free ATM use for members that are away from their home area.
