Before deciding which credit union/caisses populaires you want to be a member of, you should consider asking the following questions so you can better understand what financial products they offer and the services you can expect:
□ What is the difference between this credit union/caisses populaires and a bank?
□ What services and/or financial products do you offer that a bank does not?
□ What services and/or financial products does a bank offer that this credit union/caisses populaires does not offer?
□ Banks have strong measures in place to prevent financial fraud. What measures does this credit union/caisses populaires have in place to prevent financial fraud from happening?
□ What is the difference between this credit union/caisses populaires and another credit union/caisses populaires? What do you have to offer that they don’t?
□ How big is this credit union/caisses populaires? What benefits, if any, are there of being the size that you are?
□ How is this credit union/caisses populaires governed? Who are the board members? How are they selected?
□ Is there an annual meeting for members? If so, when it is?
□ How will you communicate with me if something requires my attention?
□ Are there requirements of becoming a member of this credit union/caisses populaires? Are these requirements posted somewhere?
□ Who protects the members if the credit union/caisses populaires goes bankrupt? How will I be protected?
□ Are there member fees for being part of this credit union/caisses populaires? If so, what are they and how often are they charged?
□ Is there a limit to the number of withdrawals or deposits I can make to any of my accounts?
□ How accessible are the ATMs? Are there fees associated with ATM withdrawals or deposits?
□ Do you offer online banking, and if so, is there a fee to using this service?
□ Are there other fees I should be aware of? If so, what are they and how often are they charged?