(MONEY Magazine) – MAYBE YOU THINK YOU DON'T QUALIFY FOR a credit union, where savings yields tend to be higher and fees lower than they are at banks. It's true, participation in credit unions is by law restricted to members of groups of various sorts. But the barriers to admission are low--and have been getting lower. Consider this: If you have a relative, no matter how distant, by "blood, marriage or law" who ever joined the 420,000-member-strong Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va. (800-247-5626) while in the Army, Air Force or National Guard or working at the Pentagon, then you're generally eligible to join too. Even if your fourth cousin joined briefly when he was drafted in 1969? It's worth checking. Among the advantages, Pentagon Federal's one-year CD currently yields 6.6%--nearly a percentage point above the national average for bank CDs. Credit unions, which offer checking and savings accounts plus personal loans and mortgages, can give consumers better deals than most banks because they are nonprofit. Not only are credit union CD rates higher but their loan rates are lower too. For example, the average credit union credit-card rate is 13.1%, well below the banks' national average of 18%.

Most credit unions are closed to all but those who work for a particular employer or live within a given geographical area. Still, since '82, when Congress deregulated the financial services industry, credit unions have been loosening their criteria in order to be less susceptible to economic downturns in any specific industry. The movement sparked an onslaught of lawsuits from banks claiming that credit unions were violating the 1934 Federal Credit Union Act that establishes how membership must be limited. So far, the courts have sided with the credit unions-good news if you're looking for banking alternatives. "Most people will find they qualify for something," says Chris Langley of the New York Credit Union League.

If you want to find institutions you may qualify for, call the Credit Union National Association (800-358-5710) to get steered to a credit union in your area. Meanwhile, here's a sampler that shows there is a place out there for almost everyone.

NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION in Vienna, Va. (800-656-7676)--the world's largest credit union (1.5 million members)--is looking for more than a few good Navy and Marine personnel. It also accepts family members who've lived in the same household--even in-laws and grandchildren.

THE ARTISTS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION in New York (212-366-5669) welcomes artists of any kind--musician, writer or sculptor (or an arts administrator)--living anywhere in the U.S.

THE POLISH AND SLAVIC FEDERAL in New York City (718-383-6268) is for people of Polish or Slavic descent who live in New York or New Jersey.

AMERICAN BAPTIST CREDIT UNION in Covina, Calif. (800-347-2228) serves any person who belongs to an American Baptist church anywhere in the United States, except Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

THE DALLAS GAY & LESBIAN ALLIANCE (214-528-4233) operates a credit union for its members. The Alliance is open to anyone in the U.S. who supports gay rights.

--KELLY D. SMITH