REAL Solutions credit unions offer members creative new financial empowerment. People Like You need REAL Solutions to everyday financial concerns. Some examples of the solutions you’ll find with REAL Solutions credit unions include credit building and savings growth opportunities, small dollar emergency loans, second chance checking, prepaid debit cards, tax assistance, financial literacy programs and much more. Credit unions are not-for-profit, volunteer driven, and cooperative by nature. REAL Solutions credit unions mission is to help REAL People Like You feel financially secure.
Arizona’s REAL Solutions credit unions and some of the many services they offer are listed below.
* Please click through to the individual credit unions for more detailed information on any of the credit unions including field of membership or services listed with them.
AEA Federal Credit Union
2nd Chance Checking Account
$100 balance required
$10 monthly service fee
Free overdraft protection from savings
6-months of positive account management may convert to free checking account
Alhambra Credit Union
Advance Payday Loan (APL)
Loan amount – between $250 - $500
Direct deposit required
12% APR/$15 monthly periodic fee/$25 savings deposit
Arizona Central Credit Union
Central Points Member Rewards Program
Through this program, members earn one point for each dollar they earn in dividends, one point for each dollar they pay in interest, 100 points on their credit union anniversary, 500 points when they refer a new member, and additional points when they use services like Visa® Check Cards and online Bill Pay. Members redeem their points for loan rate discounts, bonus dividend rates and to waive fees they may incur.
Share-Secured Loans & Credit Cards
With a share-secured loan or Visa® Credit Card, members borrow against their savings while earning dividends on their deposits. These programs allow members to build or rebuild their credit history over time.
Visa® Credit Cards
High value, low frills credit cards featuring low fixed rates, no annual fees and no fees for cash advances or balance transfers.
Free Financial Education
Arizona Central offers free financial education on a variety of topics such as budgeting, debt management, identity theft prevention, building credit, how to buy and sell a car, home buying, retirement and more. Financial education is presented onsite through established community partnerships, through in-branch materials and online at www.azcentralcu.org.
Arizona Federal Credit Union
Checking Accounts
We believe in giving everyone a chance – so our checking accounts are not credit-qualifying or screened through ChexSystems.
Financial Education
BALANCE Financial Fitness services are available for free to all members. Services include developing a budget, getting out of debt, understanding/improving credit report, buying a home, financial planning and credit counseling. Arizona Federal also offers BALANCE financial education classes at various locations throughout the Valley. Check our website for details.
Bashas’ Associates Federal Credit Union
Step Forward Loan
One-time application fee of $30
Monthly periodic fee of $5.00
Maximum loan $500, APR 18%, term 6 or 12 weeks
Employed for six months with current employer
Provide income verification (current paycheck stub)
Canyon State Credit Union
2nd Chance Checking Account
Completion of Checking Account Management Course
No minimum balance
$10 monthly service fee
Overdraft option from savings
12 months of positive account management may convert to free-checking account
VISA or MasterCard Credit Cards
$500 minimum credit line
No annual fee
No cash advance fee
Share-secured
Financial Education Outreach Program
Access to free, unbiased money management information and assistance. Multi-lingual advisors available.
Student educational programs on importance of saving money, balancing a checking account, building good credit and budgeting.
Credit Union West
Personal Assistance Loan (PAL)
PAL is unsecured, fixed-rate, non-revolving line of credit installment loan.
Maximum loan amount $500
Payable in 1-4 paydays
Savings incentive plan and financial education included
Credit Builder Visa – to help build or improve credit
Credit line from $500 to $2500
No annual fee
No cash advance fee
Share-secured
Minimum payments are 2.5% of balance or $25 monthly, whichever is greater.
Free Financial Fitne$$ Program – www.cuwest.org
Desert Medical CU
PAL Loan
The maximum outstanding loan will not exceed $250.00 plus the $35 application fee for a total of $285
13.50% APR
Repaid within four pay periods (payroll deductions)
3 months employment required at Scottsdale Healthcare
Current pay stub required
No loan will be made to members who are currently in Bankruptcy proceedings
Credit check pulled every (3) three months
A FICO score does not determine whether a member receives a Pal Loan
First Credit Union
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
VITA offers free tax help to low and moderate income families and individuals who need help preparing their tax returns.
Tax assistance is offered at two branch locations Feb. 1 through April 9th.
Additional information available at www.FirstCU.net, click on VITA.
Hughes Federal Credit Union
Second Chance Checking (Primary Checking)
No minimum balance
ATM Card, unlimited check writing
$10 monthly service charge
Completion of a Checking Fundamentals Education Program
Pay monies owed to ChexSystems
Six-months of positive account management qualifies for line of credit loan
12-months of positive account management may convert to free checking
Visa® Credit Cards
$100 minimum credit line
No annual fee
No cash advance fee
Share Secured available
Pre-Paid Visa® Cards
If getting a credit card has been a challenge and there are times you need to pay with plastic, consider purchasing a Pre-Paid Visa® card. Cards are pre-paid, reloadable and can be used anywhere Visa® cards are accepted. Certain restrictions apply. Small fee at time of purchase.
Free Credit Score Analysis
Hughes can analyze your credit report for fraud detection and for any score enhancement opportunities. We’ll provide you with information on how you can improve your credit score and show you how to possibly lower your loan payments. Members should bring a valid picture ID and allow 30 minutes.
Share Secured Loans & Credit Cards
A Share Secured Loan at Hughes lets you borrow against your savings, build your payment history and credit, while earning dividends on your savings. Share Secured Loans are also available on credit cards starting at a limit of $100. Certain restrictions apply.
Low Cost Personal Loans
This open-ended Line of Credit Loan can be borrowed against at any time, up to your predetermined credit limit. Limits start at $500. This loan can also be used as overdraft protection on your Checking Account. Certain restrictions apply.
Tucson Learn2$ave Program (IDAs)
Hughes partners with the City of Tucson in their Learn2$ave IDA (Individual Development Account) program. Matched savings accounts are available for qualified applicants through the City of Tucson. More information is available by calling (520) 837-5336. Certain restrictions apply.
Free Financial Education
Hughes offers free financial education on a variety of topics such as budgeting, debt management, payday lending alternatives, wise use of credit, how to buy and sell a car, home buying, investments, retirement and more. Financial education is also available through our website at www.hughesfcu.org. See “Consumer Information.”
MariSol Federal Credit Union
Basic Checking AKA Start Again Checking
No minimum balance
Visa Debit Card, unlimited check writing
$10 monthly service charge
12-months of positive account management may convert to free checking
Designed for people with credit issues
MasterCard® Credit Cards
$500 minimum credit line
No cash advance fee
Same low rate even for cash advances
No rate increase penalty for late payments
Share Secured available
Open an IRA for as little as $5!
Share Secured Loans & Credit Cards
MariSol offers Shared Secured loans and credit cards as a solution to establishing or re-establishing your credit. Shared Secured loans allow you to inexpensively borrow against your own savings.
Quick Loan
A Quick Loan is a better alternative to payday loans!
-
$500 loan
-
Three month term
-
18% Annual Percentage Rate
-
$50.00 non-refundable Application fee.
-
Monthly payment is $171.69, Bi-weekly payments are $85.36
-
No credit report is pulled.
-
Must have an established account with direct deposit and six months of employment.
Mohave Community FCU
Second Chance Checking
Members must open a checking account with direct deposit.
We do charge a $6 monthly fee and no NSF's for 6 months or account will be closed.
After 1 year, account can be changed to free checking or 55+ with no service charge if handled well.
Share Secured Loans
Amounts as low as $200.
All loans are written at 3.00% margin over share savings account or term share account.
Southwest Healthcare Credit Union
We offer overdraft protection on checking accounts.
We will cover members accounts up to $1,000 negative with Direct Deposit with a 45 day pay off time limit!
Financial Hardships: three month interest only payments offered.
TruWest Credit Union
Opportunity Checking
This is a “second chance” checking account designed specifically for individuals who may have had issues when trying to open an account in the past and includes FREE financial education resources to help keep you on track.
Apply for other TruWest checking accounts after 12 months, or six months by completing a free Checking Account Management education course.
BALANCE Financial Fitness Program
Achieve financial balance with a FREE financial fitness program. TruWest members have access to the BALANCE Financial Fitness Program at no cost. From budgeting to reading credit reports, a professional financial education counselor at BALANCE can help you get on track.
Reloadable Pre-Paid Debit Card
It looks and works just like a debit card, but is safer because there’s no ability to overdraw the account. You can use the card to make purchases and pay bills in stores, online or over the phone.
-
Great budgeting and money management tool
-
Parents can view transactions, if designated
-
Can be used anywhere Visa® is accepted
-
Access account and transaction information online 24/7
-
Conveniently reload balances online or by visiting a branch
-
Eliminates possible overdraft fees
Tucson Federal Credit Union
Financial Education Outreach Program
Presented to students in schools throughout Pima County, the program teaches students the importance of saving money, balancing a checking account and building good credit.
Tucson Telco Federal Credit Union
Visa® Prepaid Debit Card
Can be used the same as a regular debit card and accepted anywhere Visa® is accepted. Cards are pre-paid and reloadable. Certain restrictions apply.
Personal and Line of Credit Loans
Borrow up to twice your monthly gross income. A Line of Credit loan can also be used as overdraft protection for your Sharedraft/Checking Account.
Personal and Line of Credit Loans
Borrow up to twice your monthly gross income. A Line of Credit loan can also be used as overdraft protection for your Sharedraft/Checking Account.
Visa® Credit Cards
Platinum and Classic cards are available. Low interest rates, 25-day grace period for purchases and cash advance rate is the same as purchase rate. We also offer a Secured Classic Visa® with a limit that you set.
Share Secured Loans
You will receive a lower interest rate by using your savings or share certificate(s) as collateral for a loan. It’s an excellent way to establish credit, and your savings account or share certificate(s) will continue to earn dividends. You may borrow up to 100% of your available balance.
VantageWest Credit Union
Share Secured Loans
A great way to build or establish credit!
Members use monies in their share account to "secure" the loan
Monies are placed "on hold" as security for the loan until it is paid off
Loans available from $500
No annual fee
No application fee
“Member Friendly” Visa Credit Cards
ValuFirst Checking with no annual fee
A basic checking account with $0 monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement
Courtesy Pay Overdraft Privilege
Discretionary Overdraft Privilege provides an added layer of protection that is available to cover transactions that may inadvertently overdraw a member’s checking account. There is no fee unless the service is utilized.
- Premium checking Overdraft Privilege coverage is $750
- ValuFirst checking $500
ID Theft Resolution and Proactive Services
Members with a Vantage West Premium Checking Account and their household members have FREE and unlimited access to one of the industry’s most comprehensive ID Theft Resolution Services, provided by Identity Theft 911® . This service includes:
- PROACTIVE/PREVENTATIVE SERVICES: assistance with general identity related events, such as travel tips, restoring documents in the event of a natural disaster, change of marital status, loss of a wallet etc.
- IDENTITY THEFT/FRAUD SERVICES: assistance with unauthorized account activity such as withdrawals from an account and unauthorized charges or erroneous items on a credit report.
- IDENTITY THEFT/FRAUD RESOLUTION SERVICES: Unlimited personal assistance from a dedicated fraud specialist with assistance, such as systematic notification to credit bureaus, creditors, and government agencies, as well help in preparation of all resolution documents, such as filing a police report and creating a Fraud Victim Affidavit, as needed, in addition to one year of FREE credit monitoring (plus, victims of true identity theft also receive one year of FREE public records monitoring).
Debt Guard
A protection plan that covers loan payments in case of death, disability, illness, injury or involuntary unemployment for just pennies a day!
Holiday Loan Skip
Members are provided the opportunity to “skip” their December loan payment in order to help free up money for the holidays. (Skipped payments simply extend the loan beyond the original terms).
Financial Education
We offer a ”Financial Education” page on our website includes helpful articles and information such as:
- “About Your Credit Score”
- “How to Get a Free Credit Report”
- “Avoiding Mailbox Theft”
- “ID Theft Education and prevention”
Free one hour consultation with an LPL Financial Advisor
LPL Financial, Member FINRA /SIPC, is located at Vantage West Credit Union and provides credit union members with independent, unbiased advice. LPL Financial Advisors have no product quotas, so they can customize a member’s portfolio to just about any financial strategy.
LPL Financial Advisors also present FREE quarterly workshops on a variety of topics, such as saving for retirement, social security details and financial planning during a recession.
Follow this link for more information on LPL Financial.
The Registered Representative(s) is/are registered representative(s) with, and securities and insurance products are offered through, LPL Financial and its affiliates, Member FINRA / SIPC. No Credit Union is an affiliate of LPL Financial.
Not NCUA Insured | No Credit Union Guarantee | May Lose Value