You have many choices when it comes to your small business banking and lending needs. Beyond ensuring that your financial institution has the products and services your business requires on a day-to-day basis, your choice can also have an impact on the long-term success of your business.
Not all financial institutions take the same approach to business banking and lending. When it comes to selecting a banking partner who is there to talk through some of the big decisions that will optimize your financial performance for the long haul — like whether to lease or buy a property, or how to best access working capital — time spent considering which financial institution best meets your needs is a worthwhile investment.
When searching for a banking partner for your business, it’s important to weigh your options and consider all factors. One key decision to make is whether to choose a bank or a credit union. While each institution may have its own unique approach, credit unions that specialize in small business banking can offer significant benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. Taking the time to evaluate all your options and choose the best fit for your needs can pay off in the long run.
Here are four ways that a local credit union with a small business focus can help your small business grow and prosper for the long haul:
You’re a member, not a customer.
Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit financial institutions that offer banking products and services you expect from a bank. When you bank with a credit union, you’re a member — not a customer — and you’re treated as a member-owner. Credit unions are invested in helping you, the member, succeed. This can take a variety of shapes, from financial education offerings and one-on-one consultations, or tapping into a wealth of business and community knowledge, to simply experiencing what it’s like to have a banker truly invested in your financial success. After all, a credit union is only as strong as its weakest member.
Keep your money where your business is.
When you bank with a credit union, your money is invested within your community rather than going to stakeholders somewhere else. The membership’s deposits are the fuel for the credit union to offer loans — for example, your neighbor’s deposits just might help fund the loan your business needs to buy a property and grow.
For a local business, banking with a credit union feels good because you know that you’re keeping your money where your business is.
Your business banker is your neighbor.
When you bank locally with a credit union, you typically work with bankers and decision-makers who are also local. That can make it easy to meet up in person at a nearby branch or even on-site at your business. Plus, your banker has insider knowledge of your local market that can make him or her the perfect partner as you plan the best ways to reach your long-term goals for your business.
Local lending has its benefits.
If your credit union offers in-house underwriting and processing for loans (like Elevations Credit Union), you may notice some very tangible benefits to what can be an overwhelming process. First, the entire process often goes faster when it happens under one roof, rather than being outsourced. Second, when your banker, underwriter and processor work together as one lending team, they can discuss your unique business situation and provide strong communication that can only come from being in the know throughout the process.
Summary
Choosing the right banking partner for your small business can make all the difference in your success. While banks and credit unions both have their own unique offerings, credit unions that specialize in small business banking can provide significant benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. By banking with a credit union, you become a member instead of just a customer, and your money stays invested within your community. Plus, you’ll work with a local business banker who has insider knowledge of your market and can provide personalized support throughout the lending process. Taking the time to evaluate your options and finding the right fit for your needs can ultimately lead to long-term growth and prosperity for your small business.
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