Best Nationwide Credit Unions

Credit unions offer higher interest rates and better fees, helping you make the most of your money. In the past, only employees of a specific company or members of an organization could join a credit union. But today, there are nationwide credit unions that make it easy for anyone to join and take advantage of these great benefits.

Like banks, no two nationwide credit unions are the same. Therefore, it’s always best to compare your options and find the credit union with the best benefits if you’re eligible for multiple credit unions.

Here are the best nationwide credit unions to help you make the most of your finances.

1. Connexus Credit Union

Connexus Credit Union has 440,000 members and operates in all 50 states. Connexus partners with some of the country’s largest companies, including BMW, Honeywell, Liberty Mutual Insurance, TSI Incorporated, and Kraft.

Connexus is committed to giving back to its members with low rates and fees on mortgage, car, and personal loans. They also strive to offer high APYs on checking accounts and other deposit products.

Connexus uses its surplus funds to offer lower loan rates and continually upgrade the services offered to its members.

Connexus Money Market funds pay as much as 3% APY, and their Xtraordinary Checking Account pays as much as 1.75% APY on certain balances, helping you make your money work for you.

Pros

Has over 5,600 shared branches
Has over 67,000 fee-free ATMs
Offers special discounts and higher rates throughout the year on different products

Cons

Members pay an inactivity fee after 90 days of no activity on a checking account with a balance of $100 or less
Savings account APY is low compared to most credit unions
Dividends compounded monthly

Who is Connexus Credit Union Best For?

Consumers who use their checking accounts will receive some of the highest interest rates if they opt-in to e-statements and spend at least $400 on their debit card monthly.

Learn more:

Connexus Credit Union Review

2. Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union has become a popular nationwide credit union. It’s open only to families of the armed forces. Today it has 12 million members, but its mission has never changed; it remains 100% focused on serving military families.

Navy Federal Credit Union states they save members as much as $350 a year and offer a $1,000 closing cost credit to any member borrowing a mortgage.

Pros

Family and household members of military members are eligible too
Offers many digital banking services
Has over 30,000 free ATMs

Cons

You must have military DoD eligibility
Has only 350 branches
Interest rates aren’t as high as other credit unions

Who Is Navy Federal Credit Union Best For?

Navy Federal Credit Union is perfect for military members, their families, and household members.

Learn more:

Navy Federal Credit Union Review

3. Consumers Credit Union

Consumers Credit Union is the best nationwide credit union to consider if you’re looking for a credit union open to almost anyone. All you need is a $5 membership payment, and you can become a member and take advantage of their great products.

Consumers Credit Union has been in business for over 90 years, and since its opening, its focus has always been on consumers. They’ve been there through good times and bad and have always had their clients’ backs. They proudly celebrate diversity and cater to clients of any race, age, or background.

Pros

Anyone can join with a $5 membership fee
Offers a large selection of products, including a Health Savings Account
Has one of the largest fee-free ATM networks

Cons

You need a high balance to earn interest
They charge overdraft fees, which most credit unions don’t

Who is Consumers Credit Union Best For?

Consumers Credit Union can be a good option if you don’t qualify for a credit union based on where you work or live.

Learn more:

Consumers Credit Union Review

4. PenFed

PenFed Credit Union was founded in 1935, and today is the second-largest credit union in the nation. They have 2.8 million members and $36.6 billion in assets. Originally, the credit union was only open to military members and their families, but today it’s open to anyone.

PenFed offers almost every product you’d find at a bank, including checking, savings, credit cards, mortgage, car, and student loans.

A popular product they offer is the Access America Checking Account, which earns as much as 8x the national rate in interest. The only catch is you must receive at least $500 in direct deposits monthly.

Pros

Has low minimum deposit requirements
Easy to avoid the $10 monthly fee
Has a large network of 85,000+ fee-free ATMs

Cons

Minimum deposit fees are high
Charges a high non-sufficient funds fee

Who is PenFed Credit Union Best For?

PenFed is great for anyone who doesn’t qualify for any other credit union but wants the benefits of high-interest rates and a large network of fee-free ATMs.

Learn more:

PenFed Credit Union Review

5. SkyOne Federal Credit Union

SkyOne Federal Credit Union has 40,000+ members and $600 million in assets and a focus on helping families achieve financial peace.

Founded in 1949, SkyOne offers a variety of products, including interest-bearing checking, savings, money market, and credit cards. They also offer mortgage and car loans.

SkyOne offers some of the most competitive rates on Share Certificates (similar to a CD), helping you make your money grow faster.

In addition to their product offerings, they have a wide selection of free educational tools to help you make important financial decisions for your future.

Pros

Offers a wide selection of products
Has a free mobile banking app
They network with thousands of credit union branches to provide members with easy access

Cons

You must meet their membership requirements, which can be strict
Most of their accounts have fees, but they are low

Who is SkyOne Federal Credit Union Best For?

SkyOne Federal Credit Union may be a good fit if you work in the air transportation industry. They’ve recently opened up their membership requirements to include more people, but they cater to people in the air transportation industry.

Learn more:

SkyOne Credit Union Review

6. Alliant

Alliant Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in Illinois and the nation with $17 billion in assets. Today, they have over 700,000 members nationwide.

Alliant operates differently than most credit unions, as it’s online only. Their online accounts pay impressive interest rates, paying as much as 22x the national average, and you can bank anywhere using their mobile app.

They don’t charge overdraft fees and reimburse all ATM fees, so members don’t have much to lose!

Members earn interest on all balances, including 2.20% on savings accounts with at least a $100 balance. This makes it possible for anyone to earn interest, even members who don’t have much money to deposit.

Pros

Competitive rates on almost every product
User-friendly mobile app
Has access to over 80,000 fee-free ATMs

Cons

No physical branches to visit
Hard to get a hold of customer service

Who is Alliant Credit Union Best For?

Alliant Credit Union is open to anyone who works for an Alliant partner or who lives/works near the headquarters in Chicago, IL. Alliant Credit Union could be a good fit if you meet those requirements and prefer to bank online.

Learn more:

Alliant Credit Union Review

7. America First Credit Union

America First Credit Union is a Utah-based credit union that offers services in several states nationwide.

Founded in 1939, today America First has over $16 billion in assets and 1 million members. They have many products for members, including checking, savings, and money markets, and their eligibility is simple to achieve.

In addition to a wide selection of products, they offer competitive rates, making it a good option for those eligible.

Pros

Membership is open if you live or work in the communities the credit unions are located
Has a wide selection of accounts, including many different checking and savings account options, such as a wedding account
Has a mobile app

Cons

The branches are mostly located in western states, including Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah
The money market account has a high minimum balance requirement

Who is America First Credit Union Best For?

America First is best for people who live and/or work in the communities the credit union is located.

8. First Tech Federal Credit Union

First Tech Federal Credit Union is a credit union that caters to people working in the technology industry. First Tech was founded in 1952 by people working at Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix. They also work closely with large companies, such as Nike, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Amazon, and more.

They offer customized products that serve their members and also have many business services, which isn’t common for most credit unions.

First Tech’s specialty is the high rates they pay on their Share Certificates, paying members as much as 3.25% APY on short and long-term SCs.

Pros

Has one of the widest selections of products for members to meet their needs
Offers some of the most competitive APYs
Takes only five minutes to join

Cons

Has locations in eight states, Colorado, California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Idaho, Texas, Oregon, and Washington
You must work for one of the companies they partner with

Who is First Tech Federal Credit Union Best For?

First Tech is best for employees of tech companies that partner with First Tech Federal Credit Union and who want more competitive rates and fees than banks charge.

9. Bethpage Credit Union

Bethpage is a large nationwide credit union despite its only branch being located in New York. If you don’t live in New York, you are more than welcome to use their services with a $5 member payment, but your banking services will be online only.

One of their most popular accounts is the Free Checking account which has $0 fees, access to 30,000 fee-free ATMs, and no minimum deposit requirements.

Bethpage has existed for the last 80 years and has continually changed with the times to provide top-notch products and services. Bethpage associates believe in educating their consumers and providing them with more than a bank service but the ability to reach their financial goals.

Bethpage partners with hundreds of other credit unions to provide access to 30,000+ fee-free ATMs and access to over 5,000 branches.

Pros

Offers some of the highest rates
Doesn’t charge monthly fees
Has one of the most extensive online banking programs

Cons

Customer service can be hard to get through to
Has low limits for Zelle, making it hard to transfer funds

Who is Bethpage Credit Union Best For?

Bethpage offers what you need if you’re looking for a credit union that operates online and pays interest even on a free checking account.

10. Latino Community Credit Union

The Latino Community Credit Union was built to help strengthen the Latino community; however, anyone can join the credit union and movement. Members can join with just $10 and take advantage of the high rates and low fees.

Their accounts don’t have fees, but the interest rates aren’t as high as you might find elsewhere. It can be a welcome reprieve to minimum balance requirements, though. To join, you don’t have to be Latino but must join the Latino Community Development Center, which means providing a donation of $10.

The Latino Community Credit Union has been around since 2000 as a part of a movement to protect the Latino community. They originated in North Carolina and, by 2015, had a virtual branch that allowed them to offer their services to anyone nationwide.

Pros

Member accounts earn interest but also help the Latino community
You can live anywhere and have an online account
Has low or no minimum deposit requirements

Cons

No branches available outside of North Carolina
Interest rates are on the lower end

Who is Latino Community Credit Union Best For?

Anyone in the Latino community or who cares about the Latino community can join the grassroots movement to support them by joining the Latino Community Credit Union.

11. BECU

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union is open to Boeing employees and anyone who lives or works in Washington state. The credit union offers competitive interest rates and low fees, making it easy to manage your money. Its sole mission is to support its members through education, low fees, and high-interest rates.

BECU has a shared network giving eligible members access to 30,000+ ATMs and over 5,000 branches to conduct business. BECU also offers a great mobile app to make it easy for anyone to use their services that qualify.

BECU offers many products and services, including teen accounts, youth savings, cash-back Visas, and various loan products.

Pros

No monthly fees
No minimum balance requirements
Branches and ATMs are available nationwide

Cons

Limited membership availability
APYs drop after the first $500 deposit

Who is BECU Best For?

The BECU credit union is best for Boeing employees or anyone living in Washington state and doesn’t qualify for another credit union.

12. Blue Federal Credit Union

Blue Federal Credit Union has been in business for over 70 years. It started as Warren Federal Credit Union to serve those on the Air Force base. Since then, it has grown and merged with Community Financial Credit Union to provide an even more powerful platform.

Blue Federal offers the largest selection of products and services with minimal fees and high APYs. In addition, the ability to conduct in-person banking transactions at thousands of branches nationwide makes it easy to see why Blue Federal Credit Union is so popular.

Blue Federal Credit Union has a large suite of programs, including checking, savings, credit cards, personal loans, home loans, investment portfolios, and investment banking. There’s something for everyone at Blue Federal Union and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional bank.

Pros

Offers one of the largest selections of products
Offers rates as high as 2x to 5x higher than the national average
Access to thousands of partner credit unions nationwide

Cons

The ATM network isn’t as large as some credit unions
You may find higher rates elsewhere

Who is Blue Federal Credit Union Best For?

Blue Federal Credit Union is great for anyone to join. Blue Credit Union can be one of the easiest to join if you don’t have a credit union through your employer.

Which Credit Unions are Nationwide?

Nationwide credit unions are available in multiple states and are usually tied to a company with offices in multiple states, sometimes all 50 states. They typically work with partner credit unions in other states to give more people a chance to become credit union members and enjoy the benefits.

On the other hand, local credit unions have a smaller audience because they are open only to local residents that meet the criteria to belong.

Credit Union vs. Bank

Choosing a credit union over a traditional bank can be scary, but there are many benefits.

Banks and credit unions have many similar features, but also many features are different. The most prevalent difference is banks are for-profit, and credit unions are not-for-profit and owned by their members. This means banks must make a profit, aka charge higher fees, whereas credit unions keep their rates and fees lower, passing the savings to their members.

In addition, there are other major differences between credit unions and banks.

Products

Banks typically have more product offerings than credit unions, especially in the commercial lending industry. Credit unions focus on checking, savings, and credit cards. Some may have a few investment opportunities and loans, but most credit unions minimize their offerings to keep costs low.

Rates and Fees

Banks (especially brick-and-mortar banks) usually have higher rates and fees than credit unions. It’s always best to look at all your options, including banks and credit unions, to see who has the best option. Online banks sometimes compete more with credit unions than brick-and-mortar banks, but every situation is different.

Technology

Credit unions often lag behind banks when it comes to technology. National credit unions, however, are getting better with digital banking options because of the need to reach customers throughout the country. Banks, however, typically have more advanced options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Credit Unions Insured?

Like banks have FDIC insurance, credit unions have the National Credit Share Insurance Fund, which insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor. So if a credit union were to go bankrupt, you’d still get your money back.

Do Credit Unions Pay More Interest Than Banks?

It’s important not to assume a credit union pays more interest than a bank. Traditionally, they do, but each credit union has different thresholds and interest they’ll pay. Always ask detailed questions about what’s required of you to get the highest interest rates so that you can compare your options.

Do Credit Unions Have ATMs?

Credit unions may have ATMs at their physical location, but most partner with other credit unions. This is called the shared branching network, which allows credit union members to access ATMs nationwide. This is similar to banks belonging to a specific ATM network, allowing bank customers to have fee-free ATM transactions at other banks.

What Types of Accounts Do Credit Unions Offer?

Each credit union offers different services, but most offer at least a checking, savings, and money market account. In addition, some credit unions offer investment banking, business banking, and a variety of loans, including home loans, student loans, and car loans.

If you need something specific, look through the credit union’s offerings before joining to ensure you’ll get the products you want. Also, read the requirements to ensure you can meet them to take full advantage of the credit union’s benefits.

Are the Best Credit Unions Also the Biggest?

Size has nothing to do with whether a credit union is the best. The right credit union for you is the one that offers the highest rates and lowest fees, given the type of accounts you need and how much you can deposit.

Look for each account’s required deposit tiers and how the interest changes. For example, for some, the more you deposit, the more interest you earn. But some credit unions max out the high-interest rates after a deposit of $500, paying a lower interest rate on any remaining deposits.

Do Credit Unions Build Credit?

If you borrow a loan or take out a credit card with a credit union, they can help you build credit. The key is to use the credit correctly. Don’t over-extend your credit lines or pay your bills late. Instead, use your credit wisely, and you’ll build a stronger credit score by proving that you can handle your financial obligations.

Can I Be a Member of More Than One Credit Union?

Yes, you can belong to more than one credit union, but you must satisfy the requirements of each one before you can belong. For example, some people join a nationwide credit union and a local credit union.