The best credit unions of 2025

Chicago-based Alliant Credit Union is known for its consistently elevated rates, extensive fee-free ATM network and easy membership eligibility requirements that make it so that anyone can join. Alliant’s mobile app comes highly rated, and its savings account includes a helpful perk: customers can open up to 19 supplemental accounts (which all earn the same APY), making it easier to organize your funds and save for multiple goals.

• Alliant’s savings account earns an APY that’s well above the national average, and its share certificates (what credit unions call certificates of deposit) and High-Rate Checking also pay competitive yields.
• The High-Rate Checking account offers up to $20 a month in rebates for ATM surcharges from other banks.
• Alliant’s accounts charge no monthly service fees.
• Alliant offers 24/7 customer service and on its website, it helpfully shows the current wait time to reach a customer service representative.

• No specialty CDs are offered, such as no-penalty or bump-up CDs, though the credit union does offer jumbo and IRA certificates
• The savings account needs a balance of at least $100 to earn interest.

Membership in America First Credit Union is a strong choice for those looking for high CD rates but you have to live in the Western U.S., since this credit union is only open to those who live or work in select areas of Idaho, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. It offers nearly 115 branches, and accounts can also be opened online, combining local presence with convenience. Its mobile app includes a helpful feature: it allows you to see a full picture of your finances by linking accounts from other financial institutions.

• Most of America First’s deposit accounts don’t charge monthly service fees.
• America First’s CDs earn top notch rates.
• The credit union’s mobile app receives high ratings on the Apple app store and Google Play.

• The Share Savings account earns an APY that’s pretty low, and far below the national average.
• The Premium Checking accounts bear interest, although you’ll need a minimum balance of $500 to earn interest.

If you or a family member is an active or retired member of the airline industry, you’re eligible to join American Airlines Federal Credit Union (AAFCU). It offers branches in many major airports, as well as more than 5,000 Co-op shared branches through other credit unions. Its full suite of products includes CDs, checking, savings accounts, credit cards and loans, making it a comprehensive banking option for aviation professionals and their families.

• The Primary Savings Account and some checking accounts don’t charge a monthly service fee.
• The minimum opening deposit requirement for the savings account is only $5, while the CDs require a typical minimum opening deposit of $1,000.

• While APYs on the credit union’s savings account and CDs are above national averages, more competitive rates can be found elsewhere.
• To use branches in the Co-op network, there’s a $5 fee for each transaction you make after the first four transactions each month.

Boeing Employees’ Credit Union (BECU) is one of the largest credit unions in the United States and is known for its low-cost, member-first approach. Among those eligible for membership are Boeing employees and people who live or work in Washington or parts of Idaho and Oregon. Most BECU accounts require no or low minimum deposit requirements, although higher rates can often be found elsewhere.

• Most BECU accounts have no minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees.
• Members have fee-free access to more than 30,000 ATMs, including those in the Co-op network.
• BECU offers a wide range of CD terms between three and 60 months, as well as two bump-up CDs.

• While the Member Advantage Savings account earns a top-notch rate on balances up to $500, any remaining balance portion earns a very low APY.
• To earn the highest money market account APY, you’ll need to have Member Advantage checking and savings accounts and deposit at least $500,000 into the account. And even then, you can find higher rates elsewhere.

Based in Wausau, Wisconsin, Connexus Credit Union earns a top spot for its nationwide availability, broad ATM access and a wide array of deposit account options. Members can make transactions at more than 5,000 shared branches run by other credit unions in addition to 15 of Connexus’ own branches, and they have free access to more than 67,000 ATMs. Connexus offers a full range of accounts, including free and interest-bearing checking accounts, making it a solid fit for diverse financial needs.

• Connexus is easy to join, with eligibility options that include a one-time $5 donation to the Connexus Association.
• The credit union doesn’t charge monthly service fees on its deposit products.
• The CDs earn APYs that are well above national averages.

• Connexus’ savings account earns a very low APY.
• A $5 fee is charged, per month, for checking accounts with no activity in 90 days and a balance under $100.

Founded in the 1930s, Mountain America Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in the U.S. and operates more than 100 branches in the Western U.S. It offers deposit accounts for consumers and businesses, as well as loans and wealth management services, loans and insurance policies.

The credit union has great rates on CDs, you’ll likely find higher yields on a regular savings account elsewhere. To join, though, you’ll need to live in one of four Utah counties, be a family member of an existing member, live with an existing member or be an employee/volunteer of certain employee groups or associations.

• Mountain America offers eight terms of CDs that earn competitive APYs, as well as youth CDs and Christmas Club CDs.
• The MyFree checking account has no minimum balance or monthly service fees, and members have access to more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs.

• The savings account earns an APY that’s below the national average.
• A minimum balance of $1 million is required in order to earn the top money market account APY.

Patelco Credit Union shines for its strong digital tools and fee-free ATM access. Patelco Credit Union has more than 500,000 members, and membership is open to those who live in northern California, as well as employees of more than 1,100 businesses nationwide. It offers a large shared branch network of more than 6,000 locations, more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs and a highly rated mobile app.

• The Regular Savings and Free Checking accounts require no minimum balance and charge no monthly service fees.
• Checking account holders can receive direct deposit of paychecks up to two days early.
• Patelco’s CDs earn decent rates that are higher than national averages, and they require a low minimum opening deposit.

• Patelco’s savings account earns a low yield; lower than the national average.
• The Money Market Select account only earns an above-average APY on balances of up to $10,000.
• The Interest Checking account charges a $5 monthly service fee if your average daily balance falls under $500.

While Quorum is a Purchase, New York-based credit union, it offers accounts nationwide, serving more than 65,000 members. It’s easy for anyone to become a member — you just need to become a member of the American Consumer Council, which is free (and you can do this during the Quorum membership application process). Quorum offers access to more than 90,000 fee-free ATMs throughout the U.S., making it not only easy to open an account, but also to manage your money anywhere. The mobile app comes highly rated, which can make your digital banking life easier, and QPlus checking account holders can receive early access to direct deposit.

• The credit union either doesn’t charge a service fee or makes them easy to avoid.
• The HighQ Savings account and CDs earn rates that are above national averages.

• Quorum doesn’t offer a money market account.
• Customer service representatives aren’t available by phone on weekends.

With over 1 million members, Randolph-Brooks Credit Union (RBFCU) is one of the largest credit unions in Texas. Membership is mainly open to those who live, work, volunteer or attend church or school in parts of Texas with some other ways to qualify as well. You can open an account online or at one of RBFCU’s branches, which are located in Texas. RBFCU could be a good option for those in the Texas area looking for simple, low-barrier entry to full-service banking.

• Share certificates are offered in any monthly term between six and 84 months, with yields well above national averages.
• The free checking account earns interest, and members have access to more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs.

• The savings account earns a paltry APY that’s below the national average.
• There’s a pretty steep $24 overdraft and NSF fee, and up to five such fees can be charged per day.
• Zelle and Venmo are not available through RBFCU, though the credit union does have its own peer-to-peer platform called Move Money.

Its blend of military-friendly eligibility, local presence and approachable entry requirements may make Security Service Federal Credit Union (SSFCU) a good option for those seeking regional coverage and unique perks including telehealth access and identity theft reimbursement. Membership in SSFCU is open to those who live or have certain affiliations in Colorado, Texas or Utah. Those with a connection to select military bases are also eligible to join.

• The Power Protected Checking account offers protection for broken or stolen mobile phones, telehealth access and identity theft expense reimbursement.
• Many terms of share certificates are offered between three months and seven years, most of which earn APYs above national averages.

• You can find a much higher savings account APY at many other banks and credit unions.
• Zelle is not available through Security Service Credit Union.

Suncoast Credit Union combines a community focus with digital accessibility and is open to those who live, work or worship in select Florida counties. The credit union operates around 80 branches, and accounts can also be opened online. Its mobile app allows you to send money to family and friends, deposit checks and locate ATMs and branches. With these digital offerings, Suncoast offers a strong mix of local service and modern banking features.

• Suncoast’s Smart Checking account charges no monthly maintenance fee and earns some interest (albeit a very low yield). Fee-free access is provided to more than 30,000 ATMs.
• Suncoast offers seven terms of share certificates, all of which earn competitive yields.

• Suncoast’s savings account has a low APY.
• A steep $29 fee is assessed for overdrafts, which is higher than what many other institutions charge.