Since 1961 employees or family members of an employee of any
Baptist entity in North Carolina have been eligible for membership in the
Baptist Employees Credit Union.
The Credit Union is an expanding resource for North Carolina
Baptists. With $4.3 million in assets and more than 1,000 members, the Credit
Union is a member-owned service that offers higher savings rates and lower loan
rates than most banks.
Craig Snyder, who has 30 years of experience in banking and
credit unions, is the new director of the Baptist Employees Credit Union, with
offices in the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina staff building in
Cary.
“We are non-profit,” Snyder says, to explain some of the
financial advantages of doing business with the Credit Union. “Unlike banks
whose intention is to get as much money out of you as they can, our intention
is to help you save as much money as we can.”
BR photo by Norman Jameson Craig Snyder |
The Baptist State Convention provides the Credit Union
office space, phone and utilities.
“The trend is heading up for credit unions as people are
less trusting of banks,” Snyder said. “People generally are looking for a place
where they feel they are a priority and not just a number.”
The Credit Union offers savings accounts, Christmas clubs,
IRAs, multiple loan products, direct deposit, financial counseling, long term
care products, debt consolidation and a credit card. It also offers financing
on vehicles that are older than a bank will typically finance, enabling a
member to buy an older, less expensive car.
“Right now, it’s kind of hard to borrow money at the bank
for any reason,” Snyder said. “We are a member owned organization and we
analyze the total picture for a member instead of just looking at a credit
score as lone determining factor.”
Call the Credit Union and you will talk with a real person,
likely Snyder himself or assistant Sherry Bowling, who has been with the Credit
Union 10 years.
“You’re not leaving a message for a stranger,” Snyder said.
“We handle our transactions through the mail and over the phone, with a quick
turnaround.”
Snyder said new products the Credit Union will offer
next year include internet banking, debit cards, ATM service at more than 100
locations across the state, check writing and audio banking for those without a
computer. Just call the credit union and you will be able to initiate
transactions with audio prompts.
“We are rock solid and up and coming” Snyder said.
Call Snyder at (800) 395-5102, ext. 5660. Or write
[email protected] or visit www.ncbaptist/resources.