The main advantage is that credit unions are member-owned and therefore run to benefit the members, not some investors. This keeps them from having an interest in screwing you via weird fees and whatnot. The main disadvantage I've seen is that smaller ones have less leverage and so you pay more ATM fees to other banks.
I've been in the no credit card boat, so I know exactly what you mean. I got mine by having a car loan I don't really need that my brother cosigned to create a credit history. You may also be able to get a loan from your broker. Mine keeps telling me how big a loan I'm approved for, though I've never tried it.
> The main disadvantage I've seen is that smaller ones have less leverage and so you pay more ATM fees to other banks.
Many credit unions are now part of ATM networks where you can use any of the members' ATMs fee-free, and in some cases can use other members' branch offices for free as well (at least for routine stuff). Depends somewhat on your location and your ATM-using habits; if you need to use a random mall ATM that doesn't help, but there are usually several member ATMs nearby.
I notice this because the only free ATMs I know of are too far out of my way to be practical. I would probably do better to move to a larger credit union, but I don't know of any others I could join.
I've been in the no credit card boat, so I know exactly what you mean. I got mine by having a car loan I don't really need that my brother cosigned to create a credit history. You may also be able to get a loan from your broker. Mine keeps telling me how big a loan I'm approved for, though I've never tried it.