Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that exist to serve their members. Chances are, though, unless you’re a government employee or you work for a big company, you probably didn’t think that you could ever belong to one.
But here’s some good news. If you live or work in Hollywood — and if you’re reading this you probably do — there’s a good chance that you can actually qualify to become a member at Hollywood’s own SUN Credit Union.
Originally founded in 1946 as the Hollywood Municipal Employees Credit Union, they only served city employees and their families. Fast forward over 70 years, SUN Credit Union has widened its membership requirements to include a lot more people. Today, employees and members of many businesses and organizations in Hollywood are able to join. Organizations like the YMCA, The Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the South Broward Board of Realtors, and more can enjoy the benefits that a credit union offers.
The main benefit, said SUN’s Marketing and Business Development Coordinator Shirley Langford, is that credit unions save you money doing the same thing banks do.
“Lower-cost auto loans are our bread and butter,” said Langford. “We offer services like checking accounts with no monthly fees, other products with prices that are better than most, and fees that are much lower than almost all the banks.”
There’s more though. SUN Credit is truly a Hollywood business. With two locations, one at 4205 Hollywood Blvd. and one at 701 Promenade Drive in Pembroke Pines, they’re there to serve you at home and at work. And with only two locations, they can maintain a small-town, homey feeling where you actually know the name of your member service representative, loan officer, teller, even the people who answer the phone.
“I think that’s really nice,” continued Langford. “It’s what sets us apart; our relationships with our members.”
Of course, like with any bank, SUN also offers complete phone and online services, so you can do your banking from home, work or anywhere. And all deposits are federally insured by the NCUA, the National Credit Union Administration, so your money is safe!
This October 17th, SUN Credit Union will join with 56,000 credit unions around the world to celebrate their relationships with members on International Credit Union Day, with a members-only lunchtime event at the Hollywood location.
Members will be welcomed by several of SUN’s partners, including Enterprise Car Sales, Your Auto Source of America, Inc., FEMBi Mortgage, and the Broward County Humane Society, and will be served delicious morsels from local food truck the Chubby Mermaid, from noon until two.
“We like to do things like this and just spend time with our members and show them how much we appreciate them,” Langford remarked.
Find out how you can become a member and join the party! Go online at www.suncu.org, visit one of the branches, or call Langford on 954 967 4441 x 333.