Like many consumers, Kerie Campbell an Oakland resident, mother and Bank Transfer Day participant operated under the belief that larger banks were safer and the better overall best place for her money. But as a strong believer and participant in the Occupy movement, she has had a change of heart.

"I simply cannot ... ethically and morally I cannot keep my money with Wells Fargo," Campbell said. "I'd rather bring it home." 

While she is admits that it's been a bit of a process switching her direct deposits and changing over accounting information, she also said it is worth the time. 

"If people really do feel that the banks are out of control, if people really do feel that these large banks are destroying our economy as I do, that the hassles are a small price to pay for doing a very ethical thing and supporting the 99 percent movement," Campbell said.

If you are thinking about transferring banks because you are an Occupy supporter, not happy about fees or just looking for a something new, here is some information to guide you.

What is a Credit Union?

While credit unions have many of the same options as large banks, including savings and checking accounts, automatic bill pay and online banking, credit unions are not for profit institutions. They also tend to have lower fees associated with their accounts and loans, partly because of their lower operating cost. Credit unions are owned by account holders, not stockholders.

How to Find a Credit Union

Sites like findacreditunion.com allow you to search for banking options by zip code and also provide detailed information about the history of and services offered by CU's. Using customer ratings like those available on Yelp! allow consumers to take into account customer service while selecting a new home for their money.

What to Look for

Most people have learned to look for banks that are FDIC insured. But what about when you are dealing with credit unions? The key is to look for organizations that are NCUA insured. The National Credit Union Administration protects up to $250,000 of your money.

Making the Switch

Once you've done your research and picked the CU that best suits your needs, give yourself a bit of time to make the change. After you have updated all of your billing information and transferred funds to your new account, head to your branch to complete your close.

A Few Local Options

• The Golden1 Credit Union - golden1.com
• Patelco Credit Union - patelco.org
• Alliant Credit Union - alliantcreditunion.org
• Provident Credit Union - providentcu.org