What is the best credit union to bank with?
Alliant Credit Union takes the top spot for a few reasons: The credit union offers one of the best no-fee checking accounts, an industry-leading cash-back credit card and it has one of the top mobile banking apps. Other financial products include personal, auto and home loans, savings accounts, CDs, IRAs and more.
- Consumers Credit Union: Best for High APYs.
- PenFed Credit Union: Best for ATM Access.
- Connexus Credit Union: Best for Checking Accounts.
- Alliant Credit Union: Best for Digital Banking.
- Bethpage Federal Credit Union: Best for Savings Accounts.
Teachers Federal Credit Union is among the easiest credit unions to join, requiring just a $1 minimum deposit into a TFCU savings account. Likewise, Alliant Credit Union is also easy to join with a one-time $5 donation to the Foster Care to Success organization. Best of all, Alliant pays this fee.
A credit union might be the better choice if you value high savings account rates and low fees, plus like the idea of being part of the ownership group. But if you need a bigger menu of banking products and services and want to be near a branch, then you may be better off at a traditional bank.
The Bottom Line. Credit unions can be ideal for a low-interest loan, lower mortgage closing costs or reduced fees, but you'll need to qualify for membership. Larger banks may offer you more choices regarding products, apps, and international or commercial products and services, and anyone can join.
Rank by Asset Size | Credit Union Name | Total Assets |
---|---|---|
1. | Navy Federal Credit Union | $168.4 billion |
2. | State Employees' Credit Union | $50.68 billion |
3. | Pentagon Federal Credit Union | $35.36 billion |
4. | Boeing Employees' Credit Union | $29.17 billion |
- Rates and Fees. Credit unions (CUs) offer lower rates and fees on most of their products. ...
- Outstanding Customer Service. ...
- Community Focus of Credit Unions. ...
- Apps and Technology. ...
- ATMs and Branch Locations. ...
- Security and Insurance. ...
- Assess Your Needs. ...
- Check Eligibility.
- Alliant Credit Union. Alliant offers an above-average interest rate for savings. ...
- Consumers Credit Union. ...
- Navy Federal Credit Union. ...
- Connexus Credit Union. ...
- First Tech Federal Credit Union.
Progressive Credit Union - You must be recommended by another member. This might be the most unique credit union requirement, and it also seems to be the toughest.
1. Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal is the largest credit union in the country. It has more than 300 branches (which rivals one or two of the biggest banks in the U.S.), mainly in the Northeast, and more than 12 million members, totaling $144 billion in deposits.
Is there a downside to a credit union?
Limited accessibility. Credit unions tend to have fewer branches than traditional banks. A credit union may not be close to where you live or work, which could be a problem unless your credit union is part of a shared branch network and/or a large ATM network such as Allpoint or MoneyPass.
- Mobile Banking Might Be Limited or Unavailable. ...
- Fees Might Not Be as Low as You Think. ...
- Credit Card Rewards Might Be Limited. ...
- ATMs and Branches Might Not Be Convenient.
However, because credit unions serve mostly individuals and small businesses (rather than large investors) and are known to take fewer risks, credit unions are generally viewed as safer than banks in the event of a collapse. Regardless, both types of financial institutions are equally protected.
Experts told us that credit unions do fail, like banks (which are also generally safe), but rarely. And deposits up to $250,000 at federally insured credit unions are guaranteed, just as they are at banks.
- Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union.
- Ally Bank: Best bank; best CDs.
- Charles Schwab Bank: Best for ATM access.
- Chase: Best for sign-up bonuses; best for branch access.
- Discover® Bank: Best online banking experience.
You'll save more money.
Instead of paying shareholders a portion of the profit generated, credit unions return their profits to their member-owners in the form of better dividends on savings, lower interest rates on loans, interest-earning checking and fewer fees.
Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in the USA, with over $166 billion in total assets.
Navy Federal Credit Union is the world's largest credit union with 10.8 million members and has over 32,000 employees. It has 345 branches, serving the men and women of the Armed Forces, Department of Defense, veterans and their families.
Generally speaking, credit unions are safer than banks in a collapse. This is because credit unions use fewer risks, serving individuals and small businesses rather than large investors, like a bank.
Bank | Forbes Advisor Rating | Products |
---|---|---|
Chase Bank | 5.0 | Checking, Savings, CDs |
Bank of America | 4.2 | Checking, Savings, CDs |
Wells Fargo Bank | 4.0 | Savings, checking, money market accounts, CDs |
Citi® | 4.0 | Checking, savings, CDs |
What is a good credit score for a credit union?
A good FICO Score falls between 670 and 739, while an exceptional score measures 800 and above. A good VantageScore ranges from 700 to 749, while an excellent score is 750 and above. The higher the number, the lower the perceived credit risk.
Joining a credit union can make sense if you want to benefit from a specific credit union's higher CD interest rates, lower loan rates, and no-fee checking. But joining a specific credit union can be challenging because of the potential for membership requirements.
- Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking (7.50% APY) ...
- Digital Credit Union Primary Savings (6.17% APY) ...
- Popular Direct High-Yield Savings (5.20% APY) ...
- TAB Bank High Yield Savings (5.27% APY) ...
- High-yield savings accounts. ...
- Certificates of deposit (CDs) ...
- Money market accounts (MMAs)
Because we're not-for-profit, any surplus funds are returned to our members as dividends, reduced loan interest and improvements to our products and services. That means we have great rates, lower fees and exclusive discounts.
Above all, one of the most acclaimed credit union advantages is that all deposits remain secured. You won't lose your hard-earned money because the National Credit Union Association (NCUA) backs credit union deposits. Each depositor's account is insured for up to $250,000.
References
- https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-join-a-credit-union-7495339
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/credit-union-vs-bank
- https://www.1edcu.org/are-credit-unions-safer-than-banks-in-a-collapse/
- https://blog.121fcu.org/how-to-choose-a-credit-union
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/banking/best-banks-and-credit-unions
- https://www.investopedia.com/credit-unions-vs-banks-4590218
- https://www.financestrategists.com/banking/largest-credit-unions-in-the-usa/
- https://www.lendingclub.com/resource-center/personal-savings/fdic-vs-ncua-insurance-are-banks-or-credit-unions-safer
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/best-credit-unions/
- https://smartasset.com/checking-account/drawbacks-of-banking-with-a-credit-union
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/credit-unions/credit-union-pros-and-cons/
- https://www.marketplace.org/2023/06/02/just-how-safe-are-credit-unions/
- https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/banking/biggest-credit-unions/
- https://fintechmagazine.com/top10/top-10-largest-credit-unions-usa
- https://www.gobankingrates.com/banking/credit-unions/credit-unions-anyone-can-join/
- https://www.navyfederal.org/about.html
- https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/safest-banks-in-the-us/
- https://www.depositaccounts.com/blog/2010/08/10-of-the-strangest-credit-union-eligibility-requirements.html
- https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/7-percent-interest-savings-accounts
- https://www.hughesfcu.org/blog/detail/2023/01/12/reasons-to-move-your-money-to-a-credit-union
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/credit-unions/biggest-credit-unions-in-america/
- https://www.usnews.com/banking/credit-unions
- https://www.cusocal.org/Learn/Financial-Guidance/Blog/Why-Bank-at-a-Credit-Union
- https://mycreditunion.gov/life-events/consumer-loans/credit-reports-scores/credit-score