Are you trying to hold on to more of your hard-earned cash, and tired of being nickel-and-dimed by endless bank fees?
These days, I do most of my banking with an online credit union, and honestly, I wish I’d made the switch sooner.
It felt strange at first not having a physical branch, but to be honest, how many times do you actually go into a bank anymore? Several of the bank locations nearest to me reduced their hours or closed their doors permanently. Upon entering one bank, they directed me to the ATM in the lobby, as if they didn’t even want to bother seeing customers. Then when mobile checking came along, I didn’t even need to visit the ATM to deposit checks.
It felt like my money was just sitting there, barely growing, while fees chipped away at my balance, and they didn’t even offer convenient in-person customer service, so what was I paying them for?
If you’re still with a traditional bank that’s nickel-and-diming you, it’s time to move on.
I was inspired to change after listening to Dave Ramsey, a personal finance educator and radio host, best known for The Ramsey Show and Financial Peace University. Ramsey is a fiscally conservative evangelical Christian who follows God’s plan for stewardship, saving, giving, and building wealth.
Dave Ramsey endorses FAIRWINDS Credit Union because it aligns closely with his financial principles, offers member‑focused services, and avoids the profit‑driven practices he criticizes in big banks.
Ramsey’s core message is to help people achieve financial peace, avoid debt, and build wealth. FAIRWINDS has committed to training its employees using these same principles, and it does not push debt products on customers.
FAIRWINDS is a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union that provides personal and business financial services, including checking and savings accounts, mortgages, loans and investments. FAIRWINDS was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Orlando, Florida.
If you sign up for a FAIRWINDS Credit Union account, you can get cash out at any of its partner ATMs at credit unions across the country. These partner locations are a national network of credit unions where you can take care of in-person FAIRWINDS transactions, such as deposits, withdrawals, and transfers.
Some key facts about FAIRWINDS Credit Union:
- It operates as a credit union, meaning it is owned by its members rather than shareholders.
- Membership is available nationwide, according to its website.
- It offers personal banking, business banking, wealth management, loans, treasury services, merchant services, and retirement planning.
- The credit union emphasizes helping members reduce debt, build savings, and achieve financial freedom.
Unlike traditional banks, credit unions generally return profits to members through products, services, rates, and fees rather than distributing profits to investors. FAIRWINDS specifically describes itself as a not-for-profit financial institution focused on serving members. Its earnings are returned to members through rates, technology, and financial solutions rather than to stockholders.
So would you rather trust your hard-earned savings to a bank that is in business to generate profits for its shareholders and investors? Or a non-profit credit union that returns the profits to its members, which includes YOU?
Advantages of FAIRWINDS
- Member-owned structure.
- Focus on helping members save, reduce debt, and build wealth.
- Nationwide membership availability.
- Access to a large network of partner credit union locations and fee-free ATMs.
Note About Fees
Fairwinds Credit Union does have bank fees, but they are transparent, often waivable, and can be avoided with straightforward account activity or balance requirements. Fairwinds does have some monthly service charges and ATM out‑of‑network transaction fees, but they are transparent about it. The credit union states that “we’re not big fans of fees” and provides clear ways for members to avoid them.
Fairwinds allows you to waive many charges by meeting simple criteria such as:
- Maintaining a minimum balance
- Receiving a certain amount in direct deposits
- Having an investment account above a set threshold
- Making regular transfers or deposits
Also, if you don’t use your account regularly, be aware that there is a $10/month dormant account fee if your account is inactive for 12 months. You can monitor your account online or via mobile and set alerts to track activity and avoid charges.
Bottom Line
If you need international banking, extensive branch access, complex business services, or a broad range of financial products, a large bank may be a better fit. But if you’re looking for a simple savings account and a member-focused experience, a credit union such as FAIRWINDS can be attractive. Remember: banks are built to earn profits for shareholders, while credit unions like FAIRWINDS are built to serve their members.
