The Best Credit Unions, Lower Rates & Better Service

Top credit unions shine by putting their members first. Since they operate as not-for-profit institutions, any earnings often flow back to you in the form of better rates and lower fees. Many provide attractive annual percentage yields on savings, helping your money grow more effectively.

These member-focused organizations frequently eliminate common hassles like monthly maintenance fees or strict minimum balance rules. Your deposits enjoy solid protection with NCUA insurance, matching the security you'd expect from a traditional bank.

Best Credit Unions

Choosing a leading credit union often means gaining access to modern digital tools alongside personalized service. They are evaluated on a wide range of criteria, from their product variety to the user experience of their mobile platforms. This community-oriented approach creates a financial experience tailored to your needs.

Alliant Credit Union

Alliant Credit Union earns its strong reputation with member perks that stand out. They deliver rates on savings and certificates that easily beat what many other institutions offer. Their High-Rate Checking is equally impressive, providing a nice return and even covering ATM fees you might encounter elsewhere.

This organization makes joining straightforward. While based in Chicago, membership is accessible. Becoming a digital inclusion advocate with their foundation opens the door, and Alliant covers the small contribution for you. Once you're a member, monthly service fees are not something you'll worry about.

Managing your money is designed for convenience. Their well-reviewed mobile app and the ability to create multiple savings accounts for various goals make organization simple. Should you need help, support is available around the clock with the added courtesy of a displayed wait time on their website.

It's good to note a couple of details. Their savings account requires a $100 balance to start earning interest. While they offer standard and jumbo certificates, you won't find more specialized CD options like no-penalty versions there.

America First Credit Union

America First Credit Union brings a strong physical presence to its service areas, operating around 120 branches across select western states. Membership is available to residents or workers in those regions, and signing up can be done completely online for your convenience.

A major attraction is their lineup of certificates of deposit, which consistently earn some of the best rates available. The credit union also supports your digital experience with a mobile app that gets excellent reviews on both major platforms. This app includes a useful feature that lets you link external accounts to view your complete financial picture in one place.

You can enjoy most of their deposit accounts without worrying about monthly maintenance fees. For their interest-bearing checking accounts, just keep in mind that earning that interest requires maintaining a minimum balance, typically starting at $500.

Their standard savings account presents a trade-off. While it provides a safe place to hold funds, its annual percentage yield tends to be quite modest and generally falls below the current national average.

American Airlines Federal Credit Union

Membership at American Airlines Federal Credit Union is specifically tailored for those connected to aviation. If you or a relative works in the airline industry, either currently or retired, you qualify to join. This focus creates a dedicated financial community.

Their product lineup is quite complete, covering everything from savings and checking accounts to credit cards and various loan types. This makes them a solid one-stop option for members' core banking needs. For easy access, they maintain branches in numerous major airports and provide access to a vast network of shared branches nationwide.

Getting started is straightforward. Opening a savings account requires just a $5 deposit, and most CDs ask for a typical $1,000 minimum. You can keep your Primary Savings and certain checking accounts free from monthly fees simply by ensuring they remain active.

Keep a couple of points in mind for the best experience. While their savings and CD rates are respectable and beat the national average, you might find higher yields at some other institutions. Also, after your first four transactions each month, using the extensive Co-op shared branch network comes with a small fee per transaction.

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union stands out as one of the nation's largest member-owned financial cooperatives. Membership extends beyond Boeing employees to include residents and workers in Washington, specific areas of Idaho and Oregon, and South Carolina, often requiring just a small foundation donation.

A major benefit for members is the freedom from common account hurdles. You won't find monthly maintenance fees or strict minimum balance demands on most of their accounts. Accessing cash is also convenient, with complimentary use of a network exceeding 30,000 ATMs.

For your savings goals, BECU provides solid flexibility in certificates of deposit. They offer a variety of standard terms and even include bump-up CD options for potential rate increases. Their primary savings account features a very attractive rate, but this excellent yield only applies to the first portion of your balance.

To reach the top money market rate, certain conditions must be met, including linking specific accounts and maintaining a significant balance. Even when you qualify, the offered yield may not match the very best rates available in the broader market.

Connexus Credit Union

Connexus Credit Union provides its services across the country from its home base in Wisconsin. A key feature is its exceptional access, granting members free use of over 70,000 ATMs and the ability to visit more than 5,000 shared branches for in-person service.

Joining is a straightforward process, often requiring just a small one-time donation to their affiliated association. Once you're a member, you'll appreciate their comprehensive selection of accounts, from free checking to interest-bearing options, designed to meet different financial situations.

A significant plus is their approach to fees; their deposit products generally avoid monthly service charges. Their certificates of deposit are particularly noteworthy for offering yields that stand well above what you see from the average bank.

It's useful to note a couple of specifics about their accounts. The regular savings account offers a return that is quite modest. For checking accounts, a small monthly fee applies if the account is inactive for 90 days and holds a balance below a certain threshold.

Suncoast Credit Union

Suncoast Credit Union serves a specific community across various Florida counties, welcoming residents, workers, and worshippers. They support this local focus with a substantial network of about 80 branches and full online account opening for modern convenience.

Their mobile tools add to the experience, letting you handle everyday tasks like mobile check deposits, peer-to-peer payments, and finding nearby ATMs or branches. This blend of neighborhood presence and digital features creates a well-rounded banking relationship.

Members enjoy practical benefits, including a checking account without monthly fees that still earns a bit of interest. You also get to use tens of thousands of ATMs without extra charges. For savings goals, their share certificates come in multiple terms, each providing a competitive return.

A couple of points are worth your attention. The annual percentage yield on their standard savings account is on the lower side. Also, be mindful that the fee for an overdraft incident is set at a level that is steeper than what many other financial cooperatives typically charge.

What’s the Difference between Credit Unions and Banks?

Credit unions and banks both provide standard accounts like checking and savings. The fundamental distinction lies in their core purpose. Banks operate as for-profit businesses, while credit unions function as not-for-profit cooperatives owned by their members. This structure often allows credit unions to return benefits to members through more attractive rates on deposits.

Membership rules also set them apart. Banks generally welcome anyone to open an account. Credit unions, in contrast, define a specific community for membership, which might be based on where you live, your employer, or another qualifying affiliation.

To join a credit union, you typically start by opening a basic savings account. This initial account represents your share of ownership and officially makes you a member. Once that's set up, you're eligible to open any other accounts they offer, like a checking or money market account.