“Selected an Excellent Choice Credit Union, Ohio University Credit Union currently serves the University of Ohio as well as the counties of Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton, and Washington County, Ohio."
By: Allan R Kirby
We review Credit Unions:
Mysmallbank.com feels compelled to find the best credit unions and community banks to write a small review. These reviews are to help you learn more about community banks, possibly one that's in your area that you might be interested in. In this review we are choosing the following local Credit Union:
Location: Athens
Headquartered: PO Box 476, Athens, Ohio, 45701
Branches: 3
Year Established: 1955
Review:
Ohio University Credit Union (OUCU) is a 3 branch full-service bank that serves not only alumni, students, and staff of the university but also the counties of Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton, and Washington County. Our decision to name Ohio University Credit Union, Excellent Choice Credit Union, was based on our own research on reviews, services offered as well as their commitment to their membership and the communities they serve. What we found was a great community credit union that provides great services such as the college student checking account with:
No minimum balance and unlimited transactions
No monthly maintenance or low balance fees
Free debit card, online services & mobile app
5 Free non-OUCU ATM transactions a month
Additionally, we also liked the no-fee Visa Platinum and Visa Platinum Rewards credit cards, the Visa Platinum for example is a great basic credit card to get you started while the Visa Platinum Rewards allows you to earn CU rewards points for cash, travel, merchandise, gift cards & OUCU discounts.
We were also surprised by the number of account service offerings such as the Charitable & Memorial Accounts as well as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to help you get started with your retirement. However, what we liked most is that the credit union does try to help students out by offering computer loans to allow students get the equipment they need to succeed in school.
About OUCU
Ohio University Credit Union currently has close to $424 million in assets, 3 branches, and nearly 25,000 members. ibanknet. Ohio University Credit Union got its start in 1955 when Dr. Harry Crewson, then professor of economics and later president of Ohio University along with Ohio University Treasurer Paul O'Brien secured a charter from the State of Ohio. OUCU officially opened for business in 1955 in the cashier's office in Ewing Hall.
"Overall we found OUCU has keept to their roots in providing high quality financial services to its members."
We will now provide you some highlights of specific products and services Ohio University CU provides its members as well as their commitment to their community.
Great Credit Cards:
When looking at service offerings, we found OUCU has a great set of credit cards specifically the Visa Platinum and Visa Platinum Rewards:
Both OUCU credit cards feature great benefits:
No annual fee
No balance transfer fee
No cash advance fee
Local member service
Access through online banking
Security with EMV chips + more
VISA Platinum
Great basic card
Helps establish your credit history
6.25% - 18.25% APR
VISA Platinum Rewards
Earn CU Rewards points for cash, travel, merchandise, gift cards & OUCU discounts
8.25% - 18.25% APR
Kids Accounts
We love credit unions that provide accounts for younger generations, and Ohio University Credit Union does not disappoint with the Bobcat Savings Club for members ages birth to 12 which includes:
No fee savings account
Seasonal fun family events
Treasure chest prizes with each deposit
Cool Cat register to keep track of your money
Cool Cat savings card – make 10 deposits totaling $50 and earn your own stuffed Cool Cat.
Get a $5 deposit if you get Bs or higher on your report card. Just bring your report card to the teller line!
Start Smart Teen Account
It's a Free Checking Account for kids 13 - 17 with parent(s) as a joint owner. This is another service offering that allows teens to learn more about banking. The good grades bonus is a great idea!
No monthly service fee or minimum balance.
Debit/ATM Card.
Online and Mobile Banking
Alerts by text or email for teens and parents.
Snap a picture to deposit checks.
Lock debit card if lost or stolen.
Good Grade Rewards
Get a $5 deposit if you get Bs or higher on your report card.
Just bring your report card to the teller at the branch.
Commitment to Community:
OUCU created founded the Harry B. Crewson Foundation a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, honors the memory of OUCU Founder Harry B. Crewson. The mission of the foundation is to fund educational opportunities for OUCU members and the children of members.
Scholarships
Harry B. Crewson OHIO Freshman Scholarship
The fund provides three $3,000 scholarships to high school seniors planning to attend Ohio University through an endowment with the Ohio University Foundation. Applicants must be members of the children of members.
Excellent Choice Credit Union:
With such a wide range of service offerings, a commitment to their community, and great products and services for Youths, Teens, and University Students, it's not hard to see why this is such a great Credit Union. This is why Mysmallbank.com believes Ohio University Credit Union is well deserved to receive the designation of Excellent choice, Credit Union [2]. So if you're looking for a great community-based credit union and you plan to study at Ohio University or plan to live in the counties of Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton, and Washington County, this could be a great financial institution for you.
Finally, we found that Ohio University CU is a federally insured credit union through NCUA [1].
Who is Eligible:
As per their website: You are eligible to join OUCU if you fit one of these requirements:
OUCU can serve those who live, work, worship or attend school in the following counties: Athens, Fairfield, Hocking, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton, and Washington County.
Additionally, you can be eligible if you are:
An Ohio University or Hocking College Employee (active or retired), student, or Alumni.
Belong to one of the following Association:
Ohio University Friends of the Libraries
Athens Friends of the Library
Athens County Area Beekeepers Association
Athens Amvets Post 76
Albany Amvets Post 93
Athens Country Club
Athens Elks
Athens Masonic Bodies
Career Connections Alumni Association
Belong to a Select Employers groups
Have a Family member Eligible for membership
Family members of current and eligible members can join. (Examples include parents, siblings, aunts & uncles, cousins, grandparents, in-laws, etc.)
Apply Now to become a member.
The following provides additional information on Ohio University CU services, branches as well as hours of operation.
Services Offered:
Full-Service Credit Union: Yes
Ohio University Credit Union (OUCU) Routing Number: 244273826
Banking:
Checking Accounts
College Student Checking
Estate Accounts
Savings Accounts
Bobcat Savings Club (1-12)
Start Smart Teen (13-17)
Certificates
Individual Retirement Account
Charitable & Memorial Accounts
Credit Union Loans:
Auto Loans
Recreational Loans
Tractor & Farm Equipment
Personal Loans
Line of Credit
Computer Loans
Energy Efficiency Loans
Home Loans
Home Equity Lines & Loans
Rental Property
Business Banking
Checking
Savings
Loans
Visa Platinum
Rentals
Shared Branching
Payroll & Accounting
Tax Preparation Services
Credit Card: VISA Platinum
Credit Union Online
Online and Mobile Banking: Yes
Ohio University CU Branch Locations:
944 E State St. Branch Athens, OH 45701
Lobby Hours: Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
Drive-Thru Hours: Monday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Sunday Closed
90 S. Shafer St. Branch Athens, OH 45701
Lobby Hours: Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
Drive-Thru Hours: Monday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
12 W Union St Branch Athens, OH 45701
Lobby Hours: Monday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday Closed Sunday Closed
eBranch Call Center
Local: 740 597-2800
Toll-free: 800 562-8420
Fee Schedule: Yes
About Ohio University:
Ohio University is a public research institution that was founded in 1804 in Athens Ohio. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students, on-campus, and a campus size of 1,800 acres. Ohio University's ranks #53 in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, Ohio State University--Columbus | US News Best Colleges
Ohio University is the oldest university in Ohio, the tenth oldest public university in the United States, and the 32nd oldest among public and private universities [3]
Notes:
1. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is one of two agencies that provide deposit insurance to depositors in U.S. depository institutions. NCUA's standard maximum share insurance amount at $250,000.00.
2. Periodically Mysmallbank.com will name a credit union as a top choice (Top credit union) based on several criteria such as customer and employee reviews, complaints, satisfaction, growth, locations, brand, and social responsibility. We only select the best credit unions, so they must meet minimum standards of excellences (Excellent Choice) to be reviewed by Mysmallbank.com
In Review is a segment of the MySmallBank.com blog written by Allan R Kirby, who writes and produces Personal Finance articles and videos.
Disclosure: mysmallbank.com nor the author received any compensation from the mentioned credit union for this article. The article is our opinion only and is written to help readers learn more about local credit unions.
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