I don't know that much about Credit Unions. But as for service charges, our Credit Union is no cheaper than our bank. (personally I don't care for the Credit Union)
I don't know this for certain, but for accessability, I would think a bank would serve you better.
[TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0] [TBODY] [TR align=middle bgColor=#330000] [TD][FONT face=Tahoma color=#ffffff]Credit Unions[/FONT][/TD] [TD][FONT face=Tahoma color=#ffffff]Banks[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Are not-for-profit institutions[/FONT][/TD] [TD][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Are profit-oriented institutions[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Can serve only those individuals within their field of membership[/FONT][/TD] [TD vAlign=top][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Can serve anyone in the general public[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Have members, each person who deposits money has a share of ownership[/FONT][/TD] [TD vAlign=top][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Have customers with no ownership in the organization[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Members elect a volunteer Board of Directors to represent their interests[/FONT][/TD] [TD align=TOP][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Have a paid Board of Directors who represent the owners; customers do not have voting privileges[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Democratically controlled by members[/FONT][/TD] [TD][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Controlled by stockholders and paid officials[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Are member service-driven[/FONT][/TD] [TD][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Are profit-driven[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Return profits to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher savings rates and free or low cost services.[/FONT][/TD] [TD vAlign=top][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Return profits to a small group of stockholders[/FONT][/TD][/TR] [TR bgColor=#cccc99] [TD width="50%"][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration[/FONT][/TD] [TD][FONT face=Tahoma size=2]Are federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation[/FONT][/TD][/TR][/TBODY][/TABLE][BR clear=all]