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Published January 12, 2023

Affinity Credit Union Review

Affinity Credit Union is a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based co-operative financial institution that offers spending, saving and investing accounts, among other things.

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Affinity Credit Union at a glance

Affinity Credit Union was founded in 2005 and is Canada’s ninth-largest credit union.

  • Affinity Credit Union account options
    Savings
    Chequing
    Mastercard credit cards
    Investing
  • Other Affinity Credit Union services
    Mortgages
    Loans and lines of credit
    Wealth management
    Business financing

Affinity Credit Union overview

Affinity Credit Union is a Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based co-operative financial institution that was founded in. Affinity provides many of the same services as a traditional bank, including savings and chequing accounts, mortgages and wealth management services. Being a credit union means Affinity has members, rather than mere customers, who are given a say in how the business is run. Affinity Credit Union membership is primarily limited to Saskatchewan residents.

Online banking capabilities at Affinity Credit Union

While members have the option of visiting one of Affinity Credit Union’s more than 50 branches, they can also do their banking online using the Affinity website or its dedicated app. 

Affinity Credit Union’s online banking services allow members to perform day-to-day personal and business transactions, file their taxes and receive direct deposits from the Canada Revenue Agency. The credit union’s app gives members access to daily banking services, financial management tools, mortgage pre-approvals and credit card applications while on the go.

Is my money safe at Affinity Credit Union?

In the unlikely event that it closes unexpectedly, Affinity fully guarantees its members’ deposits by insuring them through the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. 

The CUDGC offers full coverage for all deposits — chequing and savings accounts, GICs, RRSPs, RIFs, foreign currency deposits — and the interest earned on those accounts. Similar coverage at banks typically tops out at $100,000 per account. 

Affinity Credit Union account types

Affinity Credit Union savings accounts

Affinity Credit Union chequing accounts

Affinity Credit Union credit card accounts

Affinity Credit Union investing accounts

Other Affinity Credit Union services

Affinity Credit Union fees

Banking fees can vary based on the accounts you have and how you use them. Here are some of the common fees you may encounter using Access Credit Union’s financial products and services:

Who Affinity Credit Union is best for

Saskatchewan residents looking for competitive interest rates.

Affinity Credit Union offers many of the same services you’d find at a typical bank, albeit at a slightly lower cost to its members. Affinity’s location and business model make it best suited for Saskatchewan residents who are interested in earning competitive interest rates and seeing their money invested back into the province.

Affinity Credit Union pros and cons

Like banks, credit unions have areas where they shine and where they fall short. Affinity Credit Union is no exception. Here’s what you should consider:

Pros of Affinity Credit Union

Cons of Affinity Credit Union

How Affinity Credit Union compares to other credit unions

Affinity Credit UnionAccess Credit UnionNorthern Credit Union
Primary region of serviceSaskatchewanManitobaNorthern Ontario
Number of branchesMore than 50More than 5031
Mobile app?YesYesYes
Are deposits insured?Yes, by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation.Yes, by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba.Yes, by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s Deposit Insurance Reserve Fund.

Affinity Credit Union frequently asked questions

Does Affinity Credit Union charge monthly fees?

The fees you’ll pay at Affinity Credit Union vary depending on what kind of account you decide to open. Affinity’s chequing accounts for seniors, post-secondary students and customers 20 and under charge no fees for most transactions. The rest of the bank’s customers can choose between paying $13 a month for unlimited transactions, $4 a month for up to 12 transactions, or paying on a per-transaction basis.

Are credit unions better than banks?

Credit unions offer many of the same services as banks, including chequing and savings accounts, business accounts and mortgage lending, often while offering lower fees and competitive interest rates.

The main difference between banks and credit unions is how they operate. Credit unions are co-operatives that run on a membership basis, which allows members to vote on the bank’s direction. Banks are private companies that typically allow anyone to become a customer, but they only allow investors a chance to have a say in the company’s initiatives.

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