Credit unions were the favored banking option for almost 35% of participants in a recent poll conducted by GoBankingRates.com, but 41% of the 1,508 respondents preferred local community banks, while less than 23% opted for national banks.

“The benefits of credit union membership are becoming increasingly apparent to consumers, but it will take some more time before they're the prevailing choice,” said Casey Bond, managing editor of GoBankingRates.com,which gathered the data via Google Consumer Surveys.

Bonds said the surveyprovides key insight, including that credit unions were the preferred choice for approximately:

46 % with income of $100,000-149,999

37% within the ages of 34 to 44

41% in states in the U.S. West

37% living in major cities

Jaime Catmull, public relations and social media manager for GoBankingRates.com, said that conducting the poll provided an interesting glimpse into the way consumers feel about credit unions.

“One thing I personally found out by conducting the poll was that people who belong to a credit union are more passionate and vocal about their banking choice,” she said. “Members love their credit union”