GTE Financial Difference for Members
The Credit Union Difference
Credit Unions are financial institutions that offer the same products and services as banks but operate quite differently. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, we're formed by and continue to be owned by our members; whose purpose is to beneficially serve and help each other – hence the credit union philosophy of “people helping people”. This means our decisions are made with the members' needs in mind, rather than dictated by profits or anonymous shareholders.
GTE Financial
- You’re a member! Every member owns a share of the financial cooperative.
- The organization is run by a volunteer, unpaid Board of Directors elected by the membership.
- We’re not-for-profit and motivated by what’s best for our membership. Profits are returned to members in benefits like higher yields, lower rates and fees, new products and services.
- GTE is locally owned and operated.
- We approach philanthropy as a responsibility to the community - a privilege that we wholeheartedly view as a fundamental purpose and reason for existing.
- GTE offers all the virtual conveniences you want like the GTE Mobile App, Future Change, Online Banking, Bill Pay, person-to-person payments, remote deposit capture and fee-free ATMs nationwide.
- Additional member benefits like financial literacy programs, free loyalty rewards programs, special promotions throughout the year as well as highly-competitive and unique products delivered at a special member value.
Banks
- Banks are owned by and answer to paid executives and stockholders.
- As publicly traded companies, profits and decisions are often driven by benefiting stockholders.
- Big banks are operated on a national level, often with high operating expenses that are passed on to the bank customer.
- You may be able to use virtual services, but they often come with additional costs.
- You might get a lollipop in the drive-thru.