[header] How to choose a bank or credit union that is right for you [title] Compare their sizes. [step] Banks can vary in size from small local banks to very large international corporations that are in hundreds of locations. Credit unions tend to be smaller and cater to a local community, rather than a national population. 
[substeps] Larger institutions tend to offer more services and features, while small institutions tend to offer more basic options. For instance, a small institution might not be able to provide investment consulting or be able to exchange foreign currencies.