Member Information

How to Become a Member

Congratulations! If you’ve decided to be an informed consumer, and find out more about a new account at Chippewa County Credit Union, you’re in the right place. We’re excited to have you as a member and we’d like to show you some of the benefits of membership.

The Credit Union Difference:

Credit Unions are different than banks. Why? Because credit unions are owned by their members and controlled by a volunteer board of directors. There are no big shareholders to pay, which means more benefits for the members who hold their accounts at the credit union. On average, credit union members experience lower rates on loans, higher rates on savings and much lower service fees than banks.

Still not convinced? Check out this short video from www.youngandfreealberta.com that helps describe the credit union difference. The video was created by some of our northern neighbors in Alberta, Canada. We’re not affiliated with them but they have a way with words:

Becoming a Member:

Our membership is SEG (Select Employee Group) based, meaning not just anyone can join our credit union. Membership at Chippewa County Credit Union is exclusive, that’s what makes our membership extra special.

There are a few ways to qualify for membership:

  1. You must work for one of our qualified employer groups, or
  2. have the same address as one of our existing members, or
  3. be an immediate relative of a member, or
  4. live in Chippewa County and receive a retirement benefit from one of our employer groups or social security benefits.

The easiest way to find out if you qualify for membership is to call us and we can verify your eligibility.

Some of our largest employer groups are:

  • Sault Area Schools – We were chartered in 1955 by a board of school employees who wanted a place they could deposit their money and to offer an inexpensive loan option to their colleagues. Our first cash drawer was a shoe box that Mrs. Grout carried from classroom to classroom on payday for deposits!
  • Employees of Chippewa County
  • War Memorial Hospital
  • Lake Superior State University Staff and Students
  • Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians
  • Michigan Department of Corrections
  • Active Duty, Civilian and Reserve Coast Guard members in the Sault Ste. Marie area

Are you an employer who would like your employees to be eligible for membership? Please contact us and we will work with you to add your group. Credit union membership is a free and easy benefit that businesses can make available to their employees. We are also happy to provide free financial seminars or just be there to answer some of life’s tough money questions for your staff.

To Open a New Account, We Will Need:

  • Your state or government issued ID (driver license or passport),
  • social security number,
  • proof of your current address (if different than the address on your ID),
  • a $5.00 deposit,
  • 20 – 30 minutes of your time, and
  • your smiling face! You will need to visit one of our offices to open your account. After all, you’re more than just a number and we would like to get to know you!

Check Out Our Suite of Online Services:

After your account is opened, we have a variety of services that you can use online or remotely:

  • AVA – Automated Voice Assistant: 24/7 phone access to your balances (877)811-8227
  • Mobile Banking – We have free apps available for iPhone and Android in the iTunes and Google Play stores!
  • ItsMe247 – Online banking from your PC or tablet: Go to chippewacountycu.com and click on the Online Banking button in the top right hand corner.
  • Online Bill Pay (inside ItsMe247) – Pay your bills effortlessly online, schedule reoccurring payments, and enjoy the convenience of payment guarantee.
  • eStatements – Reduce the chance of losing your statement in the mail and waiting on the post office each month! With eStatements you will get a monthly or quarterly notification that your statement is ready to view. No confidential information is transmitted in email and only you may view your statement with your ItsMe247 User ID and Password.
  • You’re never far from your money – Direct Deposit, Debit Cards, VISA, Shared Branching and the nation’s largest ATM network with nearly 30,000 surcharge free ATMs across the country. We understand that convenience is key!