DCU Credit Builder Loan Review
DCU's Credit Builder Loan aims to give your credit a boost in just 12 to 24 months. But does this member-only service deliver? Read on to find out.
Overall Score | 4.3 | ||
Fees | 3.5 | ||
Credit Building Tools | 3.5 | ||
Credit Bureaus Reporting | 5.0 | ||
Mobile App | 5.0 | ||
Pros and Cons
- 12-24 months repayment term
- Available in all 50 states
- No need to pay during the first 60 days
- Must be a DCU member
- Potential membership fees
- Late fees
Bottom Line
Credit builder loan with low interests exclusively for DCU members
Building your credit can seem daunting if you don't know how to begin. Not to mention, credit-building tools like apps and loans aren't free—so you need to know what you're getting yourself into.
That said, DCU's credit builder loan can help you build your credit and improve your credit history easily. The catch is that you need to be a DCU member to apply.
The eligibility requirements can be a setback. Plus, you may need to shell out more cash for the membership. At the end of this review, you should be able to decide if all the requirements are worth it.
What is DCU Credit Builder Loan?
DCU's credit builder loans are flexible loans that range from $500 to $3,000, with repayment terms from 12 to 24 months. They have an APR of 5%, which is lower than other credit builder loans.
You can also earn dividends from your loan funds at the published dividend rate.
These loans are offered to DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) members to help them build savings and credit simultaneously.
DCU stands for Digital Federal Credit Union, and it's a nonprofit cooperative founded in 1979. The credit union offers services for banking, lending, insurance, and real estate to its (now over 1 million) members.
It's the chosen credit union by more than 700 companies, communities, and organizations. It's also one of the top 20 largest credit unions in terms of assets.[1]
Who Is It Best For?
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DCU's credit builder loan is ideal for you if:
- Your company, organization, community, or condominium association is a participating member of DCU
- You have a relative who is already a DCU member
- You want to build credit and savings at the same time
Note that DCU's credit builder loan is strictly for members only. Here's how to determine if you're eligible for a membership.
Membership Eligibility
You can become a DCU member and apply for a credit builder loan if you:
- Work for or retired from a supported employer
- Belong to a member organization
- Live in a participating condominium community
- Live, work, or attend school in one of the eligible communities
DCU published a list of its supported employers, organizations, associations, and communities on its website. You can consider joining an organization for eligibility. But take note of the organization's fees.
If you're on the fence about applying for a membership, you can further weigh the pros and cons of the loan to see if it's worth it.
Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Reports to the 3 credit bureaus
- APRs start at 5%
- No hard credit check
- No origination fee
- No loan payments within the first 60 days
- A+ rating from BBB
- Available in all 50 states
- iOS and Android apps available
Cons:
- Late fees
- Strictly for DCU members only
- Borrow up to $3,000 only
- Can't access your funds immediately
- Potentially insignificant dividends
How the DCU Credit Builder Loan Works
Here's how the DCU can help boost your credit:
- Choose loans from $500-$3,000 and select your loan terms for 12–24 months.
- Make on-time payments for your loan every month.
- DCU reports your monthly payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
DCU does not require you to pay your loan for the next 60 days after receiving your funds. This can help you out if you're on a tight budget.
Once you start paying for your loan, you can access your money from your savings account. This will also give you the chance to earn a small dividend from your savings.
Use the calculator below to find out how much you need to pay every month based on your loan amount and repayment term.
Pricing And Fees
DCU's credit builder loans have fixed loan rates starting at 5% annually. There are no hidden fees. But ensure you make monthly payments on time to avoid late fees.[2]
In addition, if you are an employee from a participating employer, or live in any participating community or eligible condominium, there are no fees for joining DCU.
That said, if you want to become a DCU member by joining an organization, you need to pay a membership fee. Memberships range from $10–$120.[3] Some organizations charge this fee yearly.
Is It Worth It?
DCU's credit builder loans can be worth it if you're a DCU member. This way, you won't need to worry about additional membership fees just to qualify. Membership fees of participating organizations can range from $10 to $120.
Additionally, they can be worth it if you're looking to save money and improve your credit at the same time. DCU's credit builder loans have one of the lowest APRs compared to their alternatives.
Terms are also flexible, with fewer fees than other credit builder loans. Plus, your payments get reported to the 3 main credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
How To Get Started
You need to be an eligible member and 18 years old to apply for DCU's credit builder loans. Here's how you can sign up:
- Go to the sign-up page.
- Check and sign the electronic agreement.
- Enter your phone number and the last 4 digits of your SSN.
DCU will review your application and send your approval. This may take some time. You can check your application status on DCU's website.
No, DCU does not perform a hard pull on your credit when applying for DCU credit builder loans.
Is DCU Legit?
Yes, DCU is a legitimate credit union. It is insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a federal agency in the United States. It also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).[4]
This financial cooperative has been around for over 40 years and has an established membership base across the US. It is the largest credit union headquartered in New England.
In addition, the DCU app from the Apple Store has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from over 49,000 ratings. It also has over 100,000 downloads from the Google Play Store. These downloads and ratings can testify to its great service.
Speaking of ratings, keep scrolling for examples of feedback from DCU's customers.
Customer Reviews
| RATINGS SOURCE | AVERAGE RATING |
|---|---|
| Apple App Store | 4.9 out of 5 ★ from over 60,000 ratings |
| Google Play Store | 4.6 out of 5 ★ from over 5,900 reviews |
| Better Business Bureau | 1.21 out of 5 ★ from over 70 reviews |
DCU has mixed reviews from different online platforms. Although it has received positive ratings on its mobile apps, these ratings focus on the apps only—not on the credit builder loans.
That said, some positive comments commend DCU's reliability and credibility as a credit union. Mobile apps are helpful, and the customer service team is responsive, as in Pamela's case.
(From Google Play review)
Unfortunately, the more recent reviews highlight that DCU has gotten worse in the past few years. Customer experience has changed, particularly since the pandemic hit.
The mobile app glitches. Plus, customers get charged with fees they don't know about, like in Simon's case.
In case you encounter issues of your own, here's how you can contact DCU.
How to contact DCU
DCU has several customer support channels:
- Phone: 800-328-8797
- Fax: 508-263-6392
- Address: 853 Donald Lynch Boulevard, PO Box 9130, Marlborough, MA 01752-9130
DCU also offers chat support on its website. Or just send them an email through the mobile app.
How DCU Compares
There are other financial services that offer credit builder loans. Compare some of them side-by-side with DCU below.
DCU Credit Builder Loan vs Cheese
Cheese can be one of your cheapest options for building credit. Cheese offers you 3 credit builder loans at $500, $1,000, or $2,000, with 12 and 24 months as your loan term.
In comparison, DCU offers credit builder loans from $500 to $3,000, with similar repayment terms.
If you want to save on fees, Cheese may be a better fit. It only charges its loan APRs as its fees, which isn't the case for DCU. That said, Cheese's APRs range from 5% - 16% (varies by state).
Digital Federal Credit Union | Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
Referral Program - $10 Bonus - | Build Your Credit Now - | |
| Fees | ||
| Credit Building Tools | ||
| Credit Bureaus Reporting | ||
| Monthly Loan Payment | Depends on loan amount ($500 - $3,000) | |
| Loan Term | ||
| APR | ||
| Mobile App | ||
Digital Federal Credit Union: Information sourced from the published website as of 11/18/2023. | ||
DCU Credit Builder Loan vs Self
Self offers 4 credit builder loans that cost $25–$150/mo for 24 months.[5] Self holds your loan in a Certificate of Deposit (CD), and when your term ends, you receive most of your payments back, minus interest and fees.
With Self's highest plan, you can get back almost the same amount as a $3,000 DCU credit builder loan. The big advantage is you don't need to worry about memberships with Self.
However, Self has an APR of:
15.92% APR for $25/mo plan;
15.69% APR for $35/mo plan;
15.51% APR for $48/mo plan;
15.82% APR for $150/mo plan.
Self also charges more fees than DCU.
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| Learn More | Visit Site | |
Referral Program - $10 Bonus - | Apply for a Credit Builder Account at Self - | |
| Fees |
| |
| Credit Building Tools |
| |
| Credit Bureaus Reporting |
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| Monthly Loan Payment | Depends on loan amount ($500 - $3,000) | Starts at $25/month. Sample loans: $25/mo, 24 mos, 15.92% APR; $35/mo, 24 mos, 15.69% APR; $48/mo, 24 mos, 15.51% APR; $150/mo, 24 mos, 15.82% APR. See self.inc/pricing |
| Loan Term | ||
| APR | 15.92% APR for $25/mo plan; 15.69% APR for $35/mo plan; 15.51% APR for $48/mo plan; 15.82% APR for $150/mo plan | |
| Mobile App | ||
| Learn More | Visit Site | |
Digital Federal Credit Union: Information sourced from the published website as of 11/18/2023. | ||
Sample loans: $25/mo, 24 mos, 15.92% APR; $35/mo, 24 mos, 15.69% APR; $48/mo, 24 mos, 15.51% APR; $150/mo, 24 mos, 15.82% APR. See self.inc/pricing.
Apply for a Credit Builder Account at Self
- Get the Credit Builder Account that helps build credit today!
- Choose the plan that fits within your budget
- Monthly payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus.
DCU Credit Builder Loan vs MoneyLion
With MoneyLion, you can borrow as much as $1,000 for a 12-month term. But first, you need to sign up for a Plus membership that costs $19.99/month.[6]
If you want to access a portion of your funds immediately, MoneyLion is a better choice. Unlike DCU or other credit builder loans, you don't need to wait until your term ends to get some of your funds.
The downside is that MoneyLion has an APR that ranges from 5.99% - 29.99%. You may end up paying higher for MoneyLion than DCU, in addition to a large monthly membership fee.[7]
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| Learn More | Learn More | |
Digital Federal Credit Union | MoneyLion | |
|---|---|---|
Referral Program - $10 Bonus - | Up to $500 Instacash℠ advances - | |
| Fees | ||
| Credit Building Tools | ||
| Credit Bureaus Reporting | ||
| Monthly Loan Payment | Depends on loan amount ($500 - $3,000) | Depends on approved loan ($1,000 maximum) |
| Loan Term | ||
| APR | ||
| Mobile App | ||
Digital Federal Credit Union: Information sourced from the published website as of 11/18/2023. | ||
MoneyLion: Up to $500 Instacash℠ advances
- Short on cash? Get up to $500 of your pay, any day.
- No interest. No credit check. Enjoy flexible repayment dates.
- Link a checking account with direct deposits to see if you qualify.
Bottom Line
DCU is a great option if your budget is tight, but you still want to improve your credit. You can get a loan for as low as $500. APRs start at 5%, which beats other credit builder loans.
You do need to be a DCU member to apply. This could be a con if you dislike the extra membership fee. But you may also end up enjoying the other benefits offered by DCU.
References
- ^ DCU. Our Story | DCU , Retrieved 01/14/2024
- ^ DCU. Credit Builder Loans, Retrieved 02/16/2024
- ^ DCU. Member Eligibility, Retrieved 03/08/2024
- ^ Better Business Bureau. Digital Federal Credit Union, Retrieved 02/16/2024
- ^ Self. Credit Builder Loan, Retrieved 03/02/24
- ^ MoneyLion . Raise your credit score with our Credit Builder Loan., Retrieved 03/09/2024
- ^ MoneyLion. Credit Builder Plus membership, Retrieved 05/18/2024
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- The $300 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
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- Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
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- Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
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- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
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U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking - Up to $400 Bonus
Earn up to $400 with a new Bank Smartly Checking account. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:
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Discover® Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
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What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers, including co-branded, or affinity accounts. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 03/13/2025, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding your Account, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank. See advertiser website for full details.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 4.70% APY
- 4.70% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
- 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
- $100 minimum opening deposit
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Write to Alex Mambaje at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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Credit Builder Accounts & Certificates of Deposit made/held by Lead Bank, Sunrise Banks, N.A., First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. The secured Self Visa® Credit Card is issued by Lead Bank or First Century Bank, N.A., each Member FDIC.
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