Member-owned credit union serving the Greater St. Louis area since 1928, offering checking, savings, loans, and mortgages with lower fees and competitive rates.
Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology
Neighbors Credit Union has operated as a not-for-profit financial institution in the Greater St. Louis region since 1928, built on a cooperative model where members own and govern the organization through a volunteer Board of Directors. The credit union serves over 47,000 members and maintains multiple physical branch locations plus ATM network access across the region. As a not-for-profit entity regulated by the NCUA, all member deposits are insured and the institution reinvests surplus back into member benefits rather than shareholder profits.
Neighbors offers a comprehensive range of financial services including personal checking and savings accounts (SMART Accounts and Main Street Club offerings), home mortgages with 100% financing options, auto loans for new and used vehicles with refinancing options, personal loans, commercial loans with flexible terms and no prepayment penalties, and online banking for both personal and business accounts. Their stated mission emphasizes reducing member costs through better rates and lower fees compared to traditional banks.
The credit union differentiates itself through its member-governance structure, local community focus in the St. Louis market, and emphasis on personalized service. They actively promote financial literacy through blog content on topics like holiday budgeting, year-end financial planning, and student financial education. The organization maintains visible fraud awareness messaging and a dedicated Fraud & Security Center to protect members.
As a credit union, Neighbors is fundamentally limited to serving members in their field of membership, with geographic concentration in the Greater St. Louis area. While they advertise competitive rates and lower fees, specific rate comparisons and fee schedules are not detailed on their public website. Membership eligibility requirements and account minimum balances are not explicitly stated in the available content, which may affect accessibility for some consumers.
Neighbors processed 474 mortgage applications in 2023, approving 74.3% of applicants across 2 states.
474
Applications
74.3%
Approval Rate
$74K
Avg Loan
2
States Served
Based on 474 applications. Income in thousands (reported by applicant).
Source: CFPB Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) Data, 2023. Applications include originated, approved, and denied loans.
Neighbors offers 12 services including Personal checking accounts (SMART Accounts), Savings accounts (Main Street Club), Home mortgages with 100% financing, Auto loans for new and used vehicles, Auto loan refinancing, and 7 more.
Neighbors is best suited for St. Louis area residents seeking lower-cost banking with community-focused service, Homebuyers interested in 100% financing mortgage options without substantial down payments, Small business owners needing commercial loans with flexible terms and no prepayment penalties, Members who value democratic governance and want a voice in institutional decisions.
Key strengths: Not-for-profit structure means surplus returns to members rather than external shareholders; Member-owned governance allows members to vote on policies and board positions; 100% financing option available on home mortgages, reducing down payment barriers. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation to Greater St. Louis area field of membership restricts accessibility for out-of-region consumers; Specific APR rates, fees, and account minimum balances not disclosed on public website.
In the Credit Unions category, comparable providers include 705, Aneca, Barton Plant Employees. Each company has different strengths — compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records to find the best fit.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Neighbors Credit Union is best for Greater St. Louis residents seeking member-owned, not-for-profit banking with emphasis on lower fees and competitive rates. The primary caveat is geographic restriction—membership and branch access are limited to the St. Louis area, making this institution inaccessible for consumers outside that field of membership.
705 Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union serving the Acadiana area since 1968, offering savings accounts, loans, credit cards, and financial education to eligible members.
Best for: Employees of Acadiana-area businesses with partnerships with 705 FCU seeking lower-cost financial services, Family members of existing 705 FCU members looking to join a member-owned credit union
ANECA Federal Credit Union is a member-owned credit union offering auto loans, credit cards, share certificates, and free credit monitoring through SavvyMoney.
Best for: Members seeking free credit monitoring and score tracking without hard inquiries or membership fees, Auto loan borrowers looking for competitive rates below 6% APR with community-focused lending
Bloomington Postal Employees Credit Union (BPECU) is a federally insured, state-chartered credit union serving postal workers and families since 1933, operating as McLean County's oldest credit union.
Best for: U.S. Postal Service employees seeking financial services from a member-owned, mission-aligned institution, Postal worker families wanting relationship banking with long-term institutional stability and community focus
Answer 3 quick questions to see if this provider matches your needs.
1. What's your primary financial goal?
Your credit report contains the raw data behind your score. Learn what's in it, how to read it, and how to dispute errors that could be dragging your score down.
Read guide →Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm — they make spending easy. But what happens to your credit score when you use them? Here's what the fine print doesn't tell you.
Read guide →Learn what makes up your credit score, how it's calculated, what the ranges mean, and how to check yours for free.
Read guide →Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Neighbors and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.