“Selected as an Excellent Choice Credit Union, BlueOx credit union has a long history of supporting members in the state of Michigan since 1936."
By: Allan R Kirby
We review Credit Unions:
Mysmallbank.com feels compelled to find the best credit unions and community banks to write a small review. These reviews are to help you learn more about community banks, possibly one that's in your area that you might be interested in. In this review we are choosing the following local Credit Union:
Name: BlueOx Credit Union
Location: Battle Creek.
Headquartered: 115 Riverside Drive,
Battle Creek, MI 49015.
Contact Info:
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m: Toll-Free: (800) 648-8035.
24-Hour Audio Phone Banking: (269) 965-3117/(800) 610-7830.
Branches: 6
Year Established: 1936
Review:
BlueOx Credit Union (BlueOxCU) is a six branch full-service bank that serves the State of Michigan. Our decision to name BlueOX, Excellent Choice Credit Union, was based on our own research on reviews, services offered as well as their commitment to their membership and the communities they serve. What we found was a great community credit union that provides many great services such as the eXclusive Checking accounting which provides Free checking that also pays high dividends on balances up to $7,500 and offers ScoreCard Rewards on Debit Card purchases.
Great rates are available: Carl loans as low as 3.49%, Visa Platinum Rewards Card 8.74% and Home Equity as low as 4.00%.
We however found many other services that we liked, specifically the My BlueOx rewards program which provides service rewards when members use BlueOx CU as their primary financial institution. For example at the gold rewards level you get the following:
Gold rewards
Members with up to $15,000 in loan balances or deposit balances of $25,000 or more and an active Checking Account (10 or more Debit Card purchases per month).
Overdraft Privilege amount: $1,000.
Coin machine fee waived.
Overdraft Privilege amount: $1,250.
Free Cashier's Checks and Money Orders.
Free Instant Issue Debit Card Replacements.
Lower consumer loan rates.
Higher CD rates.
One Overdraft Privilege fee waived per year.
One loan late payment fee waived per year.
Two Gift Card fees are waived per year.
One-stop payment fee waived per year.
*See BlueOx Credit Union for complete details on member rewards
BlueOx Credit Union currently has 216 million in assets, 6 branches, and over 23,000 members. ibanknet. As per their website: On April 16, 1936 – Inspired by a small handful of educators from the Battle Creek School System, the Battle Creek Teachers Association Credit Union was born. Our original field of membership was limited to teachers, principals, supervisors, and superintendents of the Battle Creek School System. At the end of the first year of operation, there were 79 members, 24 borrowers, and assets of $1,861.59.
"BlueOx Credit Union is located in Battle Creek, the birthplace of the cereal industry."
We will now provide you some additional highlights of BlueOx CU credit unions' products and services.
Visa Platinum rewards credit card:
BlueOx Credit Union offers the Visa Platinum Credit Card, this is a great low-cost credit card that allows you to get rewards for every purchase; a low, competitive rate and no annual fees. The following details all the great benefits you get with this credit card.
No annual fee
Same low, competitive, variable rate on both purchases and cash advances.
No cash advance fees.
ScoreCard Rewards.
0% APR on balance transfers for six months.
25-day grace period (for purchases only)
Low monthly payments – just 1.5% of the current balance.
Card controls security.
State-of-the-art microchip technology.
24/7 card access – analyze spending, review statements and pay bills online.
Mobile Wallet – Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay.
Zero liability protection.
Payment protection plans.
Youth accounts at BlueOx Credit Union:
We always like to highlight any credit union that provides opportunities for younger generations to learn about banking and BlueOx does not disappoint. BlueOx has two
free youth banking programs that grow and mature with their youngest members. Working together with parents and grandparents, the credit union can help young people to become successful money managers, while also having fun!
Blue's cash corral (For kids Ages 12 and Younger)
The Blue’s Cash Corral Banking is a great way to help start younger kids learn about the importance of saving money and establishing good financial habits that will last a lifetime. The following provides the benefits kids will receive with the account:
Savings Accounts with Free Online, Mobile, and Text Banking.
Free Mobile App and eAlerts.
Certificates with a special $200 minimum deposit.
Free access to online financial education and games.
Reward card and savings passbook.
Coin saver and prize from the toy chest.
Rewards
When your kids make any deposit of $5 or more they will receive a reward card stamp (child must be present). Earn five stamps, turn in the completed card, and choose a prize from the BlueOx CU toy chest. Each completed reward card is an entry into an annual prize drawing.
Money mavericks (For teens ages 13-17)
The Money Mavericks Banking offers everything young adults need to get off to a great financial start. In addition to a Savings Account, qualified teens have the opportunity to open their first Checking Account with a Debit Card, and even establish credit with their own youth loan. The following provides the benefits teens will receive with the account:
Savings and Checking Accounts.
Free MasterCard Debit Card featuring ScoreCard Rewards.
Credit-building youth loans.
Free Mobile App, eAlertse eAlertsand Card Controls.
Free Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay on Debit Card.
Certificates with a special $200 minimum deposit.
Free access to online financial education.
Reward card and premium BlueOx swag gift.
Rewards
When teens make any $20 deposit they will receive a reward card stamp (teen must be present). Earn five stamps, turn in the completed card, and receive a free gift. Each completed reward card is an entry into an annual prize drawing.
Excellent Choice Credit Union:
We were pleased with BlueOx's commitment to their members especially their younger members as well as their great service offerings. With a long history of providing financial services to the residents living in Battle Creek and the State of Michigan; it's not hard to see why this is such a great Credit Union. This is why Mysmallbank.com believes BlueOx CU is well deserved to receive the designation of Excellent choice, Credit Union [2]. So if you're looking for a great community-based credit union and you live or plan to live in the areas that BlueOx CU operates this could be a great financial institution for you.
Finally, we found that the BlueOx CU is a federally insured credit union through NCUA [1].
Who is Eligible:
As per their website: BlueOx Credit Union is a member-owned, non-profit financial cooperative serving anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the state of Michigan. Membership is also available to immediate family members, regardless of their residence. Once you’ve joined BlueOx Credit Union, you may retain your membership as long as you like.
Simply open a Savings Account with a minimum of $5.00 and begin taking advantage of our full range of affordable financial services today.
Apply Now to become a member.
The following provides additional information on BlueOx Credit Union services, branches as well as hours of operation.
Services Offered:
Full-Service Credit Union: Yes
BlueOx Credit Union Routing Number: 272476776
Personal Banking:
Checking Accounts
Savings Accounts
Money Market Accounts
Certificates
Individual Retirement Accounts
Youth Accounts
Credit Union Loans:
Mortgages
Home Equity Loans
Auto Loans
RV and Boat Loans
Personal Loans
Other Loans
BlueOx CU Credit Cards: Visa
Credit Union Online
Online and Mobile Banking: Yes
BlueOx Credit Union Branch Locations:
Battle Creek Branch Location 115 Riverside Drive Battle Creek, MI 49015
Phone: (800) 648-8035
Fax: (269) 965-2420
Albion Branch Location
200 W. Cass Street
Albion, MI 49224
Phone: (800) 648-8035
Fax: (517) 629-5222
Portage Branch Location
3070 W. Centre Avenue
Portage, MI 49024
Phone: (800) 648-8035 Fax: (269) 365-0230 Coldwater Branch Location 415 N. Willowbrook Road Coldwater, MI 49036
Phone: (800) 648-8035
Fax: (517) 279-8480
Jackson Branch Location
408 E. Ganson Street
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (800) 648-8035 Fax: (517) 787-9730
Sterling Heights Branch Location
8045 Constitution Boulevard
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Phone: (800) 648-8035 Fax: (586) 268-3280
About Community Credit Unions:
Are Community Credit Unions Better vs Banks?
Community Credit Unions are local banks that provide financial services to smaller communities and tend to be better than major banks for several reasons which include:
Better rates on savings accounts and certificates of deposits.
Competitive mortgage rates.
Fees tend to be lower at community banks.
Local deposits are used to make loans to local businesses.
Community Credit Unions tend to have a better understanding of the communities they serve.
Community Credit Unions tend to have a more personalized customer service experience and have higher customer satisfaction rates.
Community Credit Unions provide local jobs and support local charities.
Notes:
1. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) is one of two agencies that provide deposit insurance to depositors in U.S. depository institutions. NCUA's standard maximum share insurance amount at $250,000.00.
2. Periodically Mysmallbank.com will name a credit union as a top choice (Top credit union) based on several criteria such as customer and employee reviews, complaints, satisfaction, growth, locations, brand, and social responsibility. We only select the best credit unions, so they must meet minimum standards of excellences (Excellent Choice) to be reviewed by Mysmallbank.com
In Review is a segment of the MySmallBank.com blog written by Allan R Kirby, who writes and produces Personal Finance articles and videos.
Disclosure: mysmallbank.com nor the author received any compensation from the mentioned credit union for this article. The article is our opinion only and is written to help readers learn more about local credit unions.