Monterey Credit Union

501 E. Franklin St., Monterey | 1566 N. Main St., Salinas | 915 Playa Ave., Sand City | 26135 Carmel Rancho, Carmel | 161 Fountain Ave., Pacific Grove | (831) 647-1000 | montereycu.com

Here’s a rare example of pure democracy: The 19,000 or so members of Monterey Credit Union get to vote on decisions affecting governance and major changes in policy. That means if you open an account here, you’re one of the tens of thousands of decision-makers running the place. That’s big-picture stuff, but the nuts and bolts here are worth noting too: five locations scattered conveniently across Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula with some locations open on Saturdays too, 24-hour ATM machines, loans at low rates and friendly customer service. Also, the checks have pictures of sea otters—easily as cute as kittens.