Best Credit Unions

With more than $14 billion in assets, Alliant Credit Union is one of the biggest credit unions in the U.S. The institution’s size allows for a solid lineup of products and competitive rates on your deposits. You’ll need to be comfortable banking online to work with Alliant CU, as the credit union is not part of any nationwide shared branching network. In fact, there are no brick-and-mortar locations for in-person service. However, you have access to more than 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs, and you can handle most service needs online.

Here are some perks you'll get as a member:

• Savings account pays 3.10% APY
• Interest-bearing checking accounts with no monthly fees
• ATM fee rebates up to $20 per month
• Live phone representatives available 24/7
• Mobile app for managing accounts, customer service, and check deposits
• Broad range of accounts, loans, and services available

If you’re not already eligible for Alliant CU membership, you can meet the requirement by joining Foster Care to Success. Alliant CU pays a $5 membership fee for you, and you’ll also need to keep $5 in a shared savings account.

Blue Federal Credit Union pays a competitive rate on its Sky High Savings Account and offers checking accounts with no monthly fees. You also can open a checking account that pays a high dividend on your balance and offers ATM rebates if you meet certain criteria. With competitive rates, low fees, and access to nationwide shared branching, it’s hard to go wrong with Blue Federal CU. Here are some perks you can expect as a member:

• Accelerated Savings Account pays 5.00% APY on balances up to $1,000
• Checking accounts with no monthly fees
• Checking account pays up to 2.00% APY
• Live phone support available 24/7
• Mobile app for managing accounts and depositing checks

If you don’t meet Blue FCU’s family, employer, or military membership requirements, you can join by donating $5 to the Blue Foundation, an advocate for local nonprofits. If you choose this route, you’ll deposit $10 to open your account, and Blue FCU will automatically use $5 for your donation.

If your goal is to earn as much as possible on your checking and savings balances, you might try the Smart Saver savings account, which pays up to 1.50% APY, or Consumers Credit Union’s Rewards Checking Account. Its rewards checking account pays up to 4.09% APY on a maximum of $10,000 if you meet certain criteria. To qualify for that rate, you need to:

• Enroll in electronic documents
• Make at least 12 debit card purchases monthly
• Make direct deposits, mobile check deposits, or incoming ACH transfers of at least $500 each month
• Spend at least $1,000 per month on a CCU credit card
• Open your account with at least $5

CCU is part of the CO-OP shared branching network with free access to nearly 30,000 ATMs. You can become eligible for CCU membership by joining the Consumers Cooperative Association with a $5 membership fee. Savings accounts also have a required minimum balance of $5.

Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union makes it easy to manage your money without worrying about fees. The checking account does everything you need with no monthly fees, and you can get rebates on fees you pay to other banks for using their ATMs. If you overdraw your account, there’s no charge to transfer funds from a linked savings account. Membership perks include:

• No monthly maintenance charge for checking or savings accounts
• Free basic checks
• ATM rebates up to $20 per month
• Free Overdraft Protection Transfer Service for certain transactions
• Mobile app with remote check deposit and other features
• Potential cash-back rewards for debit card spending
• Savings account pays 0.05% APY

To meet the eligibility requirement at PSECU, you can join the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society with a $20 donation—and PSECU will cover $10 of that for you. You’ll also need to keep $5 in your savings account.

Minnesota-based Wings Financial Credit Union makes it easy for customers to bank with them at more than 31 branches total in five states—Minnesota, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Washington. Those without access to a physical branch can still visit one of 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide since Wings is part of the CO-OP and Allpoint networks. Some perks you'll get as a member include:

• 24/7 text support
• Phone support Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time
• No-fee checking account
• Ability to earn cash back on debit card purchases

Residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Seattle-Tacoma, Detroit, Orlando, and Atlanta, or those who have worked in aviation, are eligible to join. You also can join the Wings Financial Foundation for $5 to become eligible to join this highly rated credit union.

Like most credit unions, Wings Financial offers a range of banking products such as loans and credit cards. Unlike some, it also offers investment and insurance products that allow you to keep your entire financial life with one institution, which is another benefit for those who want to keep things simple.

Navy Federal Credit Union focuses on servicemembers and their families in all branches of the armed forces. The credit union’s banking and credit card customer service earns high marks in the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study, signaling that your experience with Navy Federal should be a satisfying one. Navy Federal offers several benefits for members:

• Savings account pays 0.25% APY
• Checking accounts with no monthly fees
• Potential ATM fee rebates (maximum $240 per year while on active duty)
• Free basic checks
• Mobile app allows you to deposit checks and manage your accounts
• Live phone support available 24/7

However, Navy Federal Credit Union limits membership to active duty or retired service members; members of the Delayed Entry Program; Department of Defense civilians, contractors, and retirees; and qualifying family or household members. In addition to meeting membership criteria, you’ll need to keep $5 in a savings account.