Top 11 Best Credit Unions in Ohio | 2017 Ranking & Review

2017 RANKING& REVIEWS
TOP RANKING CREDIT UNIONS IN OHIO

Intro: Finding the Top Credit Unions in Ohio

If you are finding yourself becoming increasingly fed up with banks and their ever-growing list of fees and requirements, you’re not alone.

As banks continue to put steadfast focus on ways to increase their bottom line and raise profits for their shareholders, more and more Ohioans are giving their business to local Ohio credit unions.

While the idea of utilizing a credit union for their financial needs may feel foreign to some people, credit unions are far from a new concept.

Many of the credit unions in Ohio have deep roots in the state, and a good number of them were established as far back as more than a century ago.

Ohio credit unions can be a good economic alternative to banks because they operate as not-for-profit financial cooperatives.

In lay terms, this means that credit unions are owned by their members, who each get a share of the credit union. Any profits that are made by a credit union are returned to the members in the form of better rates and fewer fees than most traditional banks.

Award Emblem: Best Credit Unions in Ohio

Using our stringent selection methodology, we put together a list of credit unions in Ohio that represent the best credit unions in Ohio. Each best credit union in Ohio on this list offers outstanding customer service and an array of low- or no-cost financial products, making them a good alternative to a traditional banking institution.

The credit unions on our list encompass the entire state of Ohio. Whether you are looking for credit unions in Columbus or credit unions in Cleveland, you are sure to find a credit union in Ohio to fit your needs here.

AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Best Credit Unions in Ohio

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the names above to go directly to the detailed review section for that credit union)

Methodology for Selecting the Best Credit Unions in Ohio

What methodology did we use in selecting this list of best credit unions in Ohio?

Using publicly available sources, AdvisoryHQ identified a wide range of credit unions that provide services to communities in Ohio.

We then applied AdvisoryHQ’s “Breakthrough Selection Methodology” to identify the final list of top credit unions that provide services in Ohio.

Top Credit Unions in Ohio

Credit Union	Location
BMI Federal Credit Union	Dublin
Directions Credit Union	Toledo
DoverPhila Federal Credit Union	Dover
General Electric Credit Union	Cincinnati
Kemba Credit Union	West Chester
KEMBA Financial Credit Union	Gahanna
Seven Seventeen Credit Union	Warren
Superior Federal Credit Union	Lima
Telhio Credit Union	Columbus
Universal 1 Credit Union	Dayton
Wright-Patt Credit Union	Beavercreek

(List is sorted alphabetically)

Detailed Review—Top-Ranking Best Credit Unions in Ohio

Below, please find the detailed review of each firm on our list of top Ohio credit unions.

We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these credit unions in Ohio to score so high in our selection ranking.

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Directions Credit Union Review

Established in 1953 by a group of parishioners from St. Clements Church, Directions Credit Union serves approximately 75,000 members in the Toledo and central Ohio area and holds over $600 million in assets. This top credit union in Ohio prides itself on providing a complete line of cost-effective and efficient financial services to all its members.

Throughout the years, Directions Credit Union has grown to be become one of the largest Ohio credit unions in the state. Despite their rapid growth, their vision of being a trusted community where members can achieve their financial dreams has never wavered.

In addition to their dedication to improving the lives of their members, Directions Credit Union is also focused on improving the lives of all those who live in the communities they serve. They accomplish this through promoting financial literacy, participation in various community outreach programs, and monetary donations.

Image Source: Pixabay

Key Factors Leading Us to Rank This Firm as One of This Year’s Top Credit Union Firms

Upon completing our detailed review, Directions Credit Union was included in AdvisoryHQ’s ranking of this year’s best credit unions based on the following factors.

Directions Credit Union Review: Checking Account Options

Directions Credit Union offers a variety of checking account options to fit every need. Whether a member is looking for free checking with just the basics or prefers their checking with all the bells and whistles, this Ohio credit union offers something for everyone.

Checking accounts available at this top credit union in Ohio are:

eChecking: no monthly service fee, no minimum balance requirements, earns dividends, requires enrollment in eStatements
Free Checking: No monthly service fee, no minimum balance requirements, free checks with enrollment in eStatements
Basic Advantage Checking: offers rate discount on loans, $500 minimum balance to avoid monthly fee, monthly fee waived for those aged 55 and older, free checks with eStatements, $2500 minimum balance to earn dividends
Investment Checking: discounted loan rate and earns dividends, $10,000 in combined balances required to avoid monthly fee, free checks, earns periodic bonus rates on certificates

All Direction Credit Union checking accounts feature free online banking and bill pay, free eStatements, unlimited check writing, and a Visa debit card with ScoreCard rewards.

Directions Credit Union Review: Business Services

Not all Ohio credit unions offer services to businesses, but Directions Credit Union does. This top credit union in Ohio is dedicated to helping Ohio businesses get to where they want to go.

Directions Credit Union offers an array of business loan products to help businesses achieve their goals. Business loans offered by this Ohio credit union are:

Construction loans
SBA loans
Term business loans
Commercial real estate loans
Business lines of credit
Business auto loans

This top Ohio credit union also offers a business checking account with no monthly fee, no minimum balance requirement, up to 200 items a month free, and that earns dividends when the balance is kept at $5,000 or more.

Directions Credit Union also offers an array of business savings products to help businesses grow and prosper. Business savings account options are:

Business Primary Savings: basic savings account with no monthly fee and dividends compounded quarterly
Money Management Account: $2500 minimum balance requirement, features higher rates for higher balances
Certificates: $500 minimum required to open, interest compounded monthly, available in short or long terms
Health Savings Account (HSA): business owners can refer to their staff, available to members enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan to help cover qualified medical expenses

Additional business services available from this best credit union in Ohio are:

Business Rewards Visa credit card
Merchant card services
OnDemand financing
Remote deposit capture

Directions Credit Union Review: Loans

Directions Credit Union offers a variety of loan products to help members make their dreams a reality.

Loan types available from this credit union in Ohio are:

Vehicle loans & leasing
Mortgage loans
Home equity loan
Home equity line of credit
Revolving line of credit
Student loans
Signature loans
Share secured loans
Overdraft line of credit
PayStretcher loans
LifeStyle loans for medical expenses
Ability loan to help finance disability equipment

DoverPhila Federal Credit Union Review

Originally established in 1953 as an employee credit union, DoverPhila Federal Credit Union has since grown into a community chartered credit union.

This homegrown Ohio credit union currently operates five branch locations in Dover, New Philadelphia, Newcomerstown, and Uhrichsville. Their field of membership includes anyone who lives, works, attends, school, or worships in Tuscarawas County.

Headquartered in Dover, Ohio, DoverPhila FCU currently serves more than 35,000 members and holds more than $370 million in assets. The credit union in Ohio offers a complete line of financial products and services including checking, savings, loans, and bill paying services.

Key Factors That Enabled This Credit Union to Rank as a Best Credit Union in Ohio

Below are key factors that enabled DoverPhila Federal Credit Union to be rated as one of this year’s best credit unions in Ohio.

Personal Checking

DoverPhila FCU offers a one size fits all personal checking account that provides everything their members need in a checking account. This top credit union in Ohio believes in giving all of their members the very best they have to offer, without making them worry about having to achieve a preferred account status to get it.

With their personal checking account, this Ohio credit union provides straightforward checking that works the way their members want it to work.

Benefits of a personal checking account with DoverPhila FCU are:

No minimum balance
No monthly fees
Free overdraft protection from savings account
ATM/debit card access
eStatements
No per check charges
Free checks for senior citizens

Loan Options

By providing loans, DoverPhila FCU is doing what they do best—building community. This credit union in Ohio understands that the critical next step in achieving many dreams is securing a loan. That is why they strive to make thoughtful decisions locally with everyone’s best interests in mind.

Their loan programs are competitive and come with highly personal and professional service. This Ohio credit union commits itself to helping those who do not yet qualify for a loan to improving their credit standing so that they can qualify and avoid high-interest alternatives.

Loan products available at DoverPhila FCU are:

Auto loans
Personal loans
Share secured loans
Home equity loans
Home equity line of credit
Mortgage loans
Construction loans

Credit Cards

DoverPhila offers an array of both consumer and business credit cards to help members finance their day to day purchases. All credit cards offered by this top Ohio credit union come with EMV chip technology for added security. They also feature mobile purchasing capability for added member convenience.

Personal credit cards available from this credit union in Ohio are:

Visa Platinum Card: features a longer introductory rate to help members pay off high interest balances
Visa Bonus Rewards Card: earn one point on every dollar spent on eligible net purchases and enjoy automatic bonus points each month
Cash Rewards American Express Card: earn cashback every time the card is used: 3% on gas, 2% at supermarkets, and 1% for everything else
Travel Rewards American Express Card: 3X rewards for airline purchases, 2X at restaurants and hotels, and 1X on all other purchases
Visa College Rewards Card: great rate and manageable credit line, plus rewards for everyday spending
Visa Secured Card: helps build or rebuild credit history, credit limit based on a security deposit

Business credit cards from this best credit union in Ohio feature award-winning business management tools and free employee cards. Available business credit cards are:

Visa Business Cash Card: earn cash back every time card is used: 3% on office supplies and phone/Internet services, 2% on restaurant and gas, and 1% on all other purchases
Visa Business Bonus Rewards Card: earn one point for every dollar spent and receive automatic bonus points each month

Seven Seventeen Credit Union Review

Seven Seventeen Credit Union was founded in 1957 to provide hourly employees at Packard Electric with an opportunity to promote thrift and borrow money at reasonable rates. With the intention of promoting community, this hometown Ohio credit union prospered and grew to serve all of those who live or work in Trumbull, Mahoning, Columbiana, Portage, Summit, and central Stark counties.

Today this best credit union in Ohio has grown from its humble beginnings to include eleven branch locations that serve 74,000 members. They are the sixth largest credit union in Ohio by number of members and hold $831 million in assets. Seven Seventeen Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative offering a complete line of traditional banking products.

Image Source: Seven Seventeen Credit Union

Key Factors Leading Us to Rank This Firm as One of This Year’s Top Credit Union Firms

Upon completing our detailed review, Seven Seventeen Credit Union was included in AdvisoryHQ’s ranking of this year’s best credit unions based on the following factors.

Seven Seventeen Credit Union Review: Personalized Debit Cards

This credit union in Ohio wants its members to be excited about carrying their debit card in their wallet. Each customer is different, with their own interests and quirks, so why should their debit cards all look exactly the same? Seven Seventeen feels that a debit card should showcase their members’ personalities.

This is why Seven Seventeen Credit Union offers its members the opportunity to express themselves through a free “Mine by Design” personalized debit card. This unique program allows members to choose a photo to be featured on their debit card. Members can upload their own photo or choose a free image from Seven Seventeen’s online library of images.

Members of this Ohio credit union can choose to have their debit card feature a photo of themselves, their family, their pet, or their favorite hobby or activity. A free personalized debit card is one of the ways this top Ohio credit union embraces their members’ individuality.

Seven Seventeen Credit Union Review: Online and Mobile Services

Seven Seventeen Credit Union prides themselves on providing their members with the conveniences of the latest in banking technology. They offer a slew of online and mobile banking features to keep members connected to their credit union accounts at anytime from anywhere.

With their twenty-four hour online and mobile banking platforms members can:

Get balances and review transactions
View and print cleared checks
Transfer funds between accounts
Transfer money to other members
Schedule recurring transfers
Pay bills, people, or businesses
Access eStatements
Reorder checks
Set up account alerts
Access secure online forms within online banking
View loan rates and complete online application
Export information to Quicken

With included free online bill pay, members can also:

Pay any person or business
Pay multiple bills quickly and easily
Schedule future and recurring payments
Set up reminders so they never miss a payment due date
Receive electronic bills

Other online and mobile convenience services offered by this top Ohio credit union include mobile deposit, eLerts, and Apple, Samsung, and Android pay.

Seven Seventeen Credit Union Review: Business Services

Seven Seventeen Credit Union offers a full range of business services and financial products to local businesses. They specialize in providing financial services to small business and offer a variety of products to meet all of their banking needs.

Business services available at this top credit union in Ohio are:

Free business checking
Business savings
Business money market
Commercial mortgage
Term loans
Credit lines
SBA loans
Visa business credit card
Payroll solutions
Small business payments
Merchant services
Workplace banking program

Business services also come with the same conveniences offered to all members of this top Ohio credit union, including:

Online banking
Mobile banking
Bill pay
Mobile deposit

Universal 1 Credit Union Review

Universal 1 Credit Union has been serving the citizens of the Dayton, Ohio area since 1937. This top Ohio credit union currently serves more than 50,000 members from eleven full service branch locations. It is a state-chartered credit union that holds $379 million in assets.

Universal 1 Credit Union is among the largest credit unions in Ohio, ranking seventh largest by both the number of members and the amount of assets. They offer a complete line of financial services and products including deposit accounts, bill pay services, and credit cards. This Ohio credit union also offers real estate loans in addition to auto and other loan programs.

Key Factors That Enabled This Credit Union to Rank as a Best Credit Union in Ohio

Below are key factors that enabled Universal 1 Credit Union to be rated as one of this year’s best credit unions in Ohio.

Mortgage Programs

Universal 1 Credit Union knows that when a member invests in a home its personal to them. That’s why they want to help their members secure the home of their dreams. For that reason they offer many different home loan options to fit each of their member’s unique circumstances.

At this top-notch Ohio credit union, home lending options are:

VA loans
FHA loans
Conventional mortgages
Mortgage refinancing
Home equity line of credit
Home remedy loans

Business Accounts

At Universal 1 credit Union, they have a motto that local business is their business. With this in mind, they support local businesses by providing them with the essential business accounts needed for their day to day banking needs.

They offer three great business checking accounts for businesses to choose from, all with no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirement, and overdraft to savings:

Progress Checking: 200 free transactions a month
Advantage Checking: earns dividends when daily average balance is $5,000 or more
Success Checking: earns dividends when daily average balance is $50,000 or more

In addition to business checking accounts, this top credit union in Ohio also offers these additional business accounts to local businesses:

Business savings account
Health savings account

Universal 1 Credit Union also offers a merchant lending program that features 1% cash back.

Financial Planning Services

Universal 1 Credit Union knows that planning a financial future can be a confusing journey. With all the options and possibilities out there it can be hard for consumers to know which investment option makes the most sense for them.

That’s why this best credit union in Ohio offers financial planning services with Certified Financial Planners on staff to help members build the financial future they want. Universal 1’s financial planners can help members to prepare for the future, invest for the long run, and protect those that matter to them most.

Services offered include:

Saving for retirement
Living in retirement
Saving for college
IRA
Mutual funds
Stocks & bonds
Managed accounts

To browse exclusive reviews of all top rated credit unions in Ohio, please click on any of the links below.

Conclusion—Top 11 Best Credit Unions in Ohio

All of the best credit unions in Ohio on our list of credit unions in Ohio subscribe to the credit union philosophy of people helping people. While each of these Ohio credit unions offer their own respective financial services and products, at their core, they are truly committed to helping their members live better lives.

The majority of the credit unions on this list have been serving the members of their communities for more than seventy years and have a strong commitment to community involvement. In fact, each of the top credit unions in Ohio on this list supports financial literacy and education in the communities they serve.

When looking for a credit union in Ohio many people worry about losing the many technological advances that big name banks offer. Each best credit union in Ohio on our list has made great strides to keep up with technological advances and all offer modern conveniences such as online banking, bill pay, and mobile banking.

With a combination of history, tradition, and modern-day banking, each Ohio credit union reviewed within this article has their own unique aspects that make them best. These top Ohio credit unions encompass the entire state, from credit unions in Columbus, Ohio to credit unions in Cleveland, Ohio. They also encompass many different sizes and backgrounds, offering something for everyone.

AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:

Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

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