The Big List of Credit Unions Anyone Can Join

Assets	Branches
PenFed Credit Union HQ: McLean, VA	$22.81B How you qualify	51
Golden 1 Credit Union HQ: Sacramento, CA	$11.16B How you qualify	78
First Technology Federal Credit Union HQ: Mountain View, CA	$10.56B How you qualify	41
Alliant Credit Union HQ: Chicago, IL	$9.89B How you qualify	12
DCU HQ: Marlborough, MA	$8.07B How you qualify	23
Bethpage Federal Credit Union HQ: Bethpage, NY	$7.65B How you qualify	35
Mountain America Credit Union HQ: West Jordan, UT	$6.75B How you qualify	90
Lake Michigan Credit Union HQ: Grand Rapids, MI	$5.18B How you qualify	43
DFCU Financial HQ: Dearborn, MI	$4.60B How you qualify	28
Wings Financial Credit Union HQ: Apple Valley, MN	$4.48B How you qualify	22
Kinecta Federal Credit Union HQ: Manhattan Beach, CA	$4.04B How you qualify	35
Bellco Credit Union HQ: Greenwood Village, CO	$3.95B How you qualify	24
Michigan State University Federal Credit Union HQ: East Lansing, MI	$3.65B How you qualify	16
Veridian Credit Union HQ: Waterloo, IA	$3.30B How you qualify	29
Northwest Federal Credit Union HQ: Herndon, VA	$3.26B How you qualify	8
Chevron Federal Credit Union HQ: Oakland, CA	$3.12B How you qualify	20
UNIFY Financial Credit Union HQ: Torrance, CA	$2.75B How you qualify	55
Langley Federal Credit Union HQ: Newport News, VA	$2.41B How you qualify	19
Grow Financial Federal Credit Union HQ: Tampa, FL	$2.38B How you qualify	28
Premier America Credit Union HQ: Chatsworth, CA	$2.38B How you qualify	20
Georgia's Own Credit Union HQ: Atlanta, GA	$2.25B How you qualify	20
University Federal Credit Union HQ: Austin, TX	$2.21B How you qualify	22
NASA Federal Credit Union HQ: Upper Marlboro, MD	$2.20B How you qualify	12
Chartway Federal Credit Union HQ: Virginia Beach, VA	$2.17B How you qualify	48
EECU HQ: Fort Worth, TX	$2.05B How you qualify	14
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union HQ: Saint Paul, MN	$2.01B How you qualify	28
GTE Financial HQ: Tampa, FL	$1.88B How you qualify	23
State Department Federal Credit Union HQ: Alexandria, VA	$1.84B How you qualify	6
Connexus Credit Union HQ: Wausau, WI	$1.73B How you qualify	19
Melrose Credit Union HQ: Briarwood, NY	$1.62B How you qualify	1
NuVision Federal Credit Union HQ: Huntington Beach, CA	$1.57B How you qualify	13
Andrews Federal Credit Union HQ: Suitland, MD	$1.53B How you qualify	15
Associated Credit Union HQ: Norcross, GA	$1.51B How you qualify	22
Fort Knox Federal Credit Union HQ: Radcliff, KY	$1.44B How you qualify	17
Elements Financial HQ: Indianapolis, IN	$1.43B How you qualify	6
Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union HQ: Evansville, IN	$1.41B How you qualify	8
Pen Air Federal Credit Union HQ: Pensacola, FL	$1.40B How you qualify	19
A+ Federal Credit Union HQ: Austin, TX	$1.36B How you qualify	21
USALLIANCE Financial HQ: Rye, NY	$1.28B How you qualify	21
Hanscom Federal Credit Union HQ: Hanscom Afb, MA	$1.25B How you qualify	17
TruStone Financial Credit Union HQ: Plymouth, MN	$1.21B How you qualify	17
Northrop Grumman Federal Credit Union HQ: Gardena, CA	$1.12B How you qualify	18
Consumers Credit Union (IL) HQ: Gurnee, IL	$1.10B How you qualify	10
Hiway Federal Credit Union HQ: Saint Paul, MN	$1.10B How you qualify	7
Hughes Federal Credit Union HQ: Tucson, AZ	$1.09B How you qualify	7
Community Choice CU (MI) HQ: Farmington Hills, MI	$1.06B How you qualify	20
St. Mary's Bank HQ: Manchester, NH	$986.4MM How you qualify	9
Self-Help Federal Credit Union HQ: Durham, NC	$966.2MM How you qualify	23
iQ Credit Union HQ: Vancouver, WA	$954.6MM How you qualify	21
Premier Members Credit Union HQ: Boulder, CO	$953.3MM How you qualify	17
Xceed Financial Federal Credit Union HQ: El Segundo, CA	$948.6MM How you qualify	14
Blue Federal Credit Union HQ: Cheyenne, WY	$947.5MM How you qualify	14
RTN Federal Credit Union HQ: Waltham, MA	$890.0MM How you qualify	15
Andigo HQ: Schaumburg, IL	$880.5MM How you qualify	4
Quorum Federal Credit Union HQ: Purchase, NY	$874.1MM How you qualify	5
Velocity Credit Union HQ: Austin, TX	$854.1MM How you qualify	6
Self-Help Credit Union HQ: Durham, NC	$851.3MM How you qualify	20
Great Lakes Credit Union HQ: Bannockburn, IL	$800.3MM How you qualify	14
Credit Union of America HQ: Wichita, KS	$782.9MM How you qualify	14
Alabama Credit Union HQ: Tuscaloosa, AL	$772.8MM How you qualify	26
Silver State Schools Credit Union HQ: Las Vegas, NV	$731.9MM How you qualify	10
Marine Federal Credit Union HQ: Jacksonville, NC	$728.6MM How you qualify	16
Clark County Credit Union HQ: Las Vegas, NV	$698.6MM How you qualify	6
SCE Federal Credit Union HQ: Irwindale, CA	$679.9MM How you qualify	9
United States Senate Federal Credit Union HQ: Alexandria, VA	$629.3MM How you qualify	3
Campus Federal HQ: Baton Rouge, LA	$614.9MM How you qualify	8
America's Credit Union HQ: DuPont, WA	$609.2MM How you qualify	14
Capital Educators Federal Credit Union HQ: Meridian, ID	$597.1MM How you qualify	10
People's Trust Federal Credit Union HQ: Houston, TX	$513.4MM How you qualify	8
La Capitol Federal Credit Union HQ: Baton Rouge, LA	$505.0MM How you qualify	18
Financial Resources Federal Credit Union HQ: Bridgewater, NJ	$469.2MM How you qualify	13
NRL Federal Credit Union HQ: Alexandria, VA	$466.5MM How you qualify	3
Safeamerica Credit Union HQ: Pleasanton, CA	$433.4MM How you qualify	7
McGraw Hill Federal Credit Union HQ: East Windsor, NJ	$400.9MM How you qualify	2
Communitywide Federal Credit Union HQ: South Bend, IN	$397.9MM How you qualify	11
Air Force Federal Credit Union HQ: San Antonio, TX	$384.8MM How you qualify	8
Superior Choice Credit Union HQ: Superior, WI	$384.1MM How you qualify	7
Southeast Financial Credit Union HQ: Franklin, TN	$381.7MM How you qualify	15
Signal Financial Federal Credit Union HQ: Kensington, MD	$369.8MM How you qualify	7
Garden Savings Federal Credit Union HQ: Parsippany, NJ	$358.9MM How you qualify	5
Partner Colorado Credit Union HQ: Arvada, CO	$347.7MM How you qualify	8
Credit Union Of New Jersey HQ: Ewing, NJ	$346.9MM How you qualify	6
Ohio University Credit Union HQ: Athens, OH	$345.5MM How you qualify	2
Utah First Federal Credit Union HQ: Salt Lake City, UT	$332.2MM How you qualify	9
INOVA Federal Credit Union HQ: Elkhart, IN	$329.9MM How you qualify	8
AgFed Credit Union HQ: Washington, DC	$286.2MM How you qualify	5
Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union HQ: Tampa, FL	$284.6MM How you qualify	5
Latino Credit Union HQ: Durham, NC	$256.2MM How you qualify	11
Hope Federal Credit Union HQ: Jackson, MS	$238.3MM How you qualify	26
RiverLand Federal Credit Union HQ: New Orleans, LA	$232.2MM How you qualify	8
ABCO Federal Credit Union HQ: Willingboro, NJ	$222.9MM How you qualify	9
U S Postal Service Federal Credit Union HQ: Clinton, MD	$217.0MM How you qualify	7
Matadors Community Credit Union HQ: Chatsworth, CA	$210.3MM How you qualify	2
First Flight Federal Credit Union HQ: Cary, NC	$195.8MM How you qualify	8
Industrial Federal Credit Union HQ: Lafayette, IN	$189.0MM How you qualify	10
Xcel Federal Credit Union HQ: Bloomfield, NJ	$183.4MM How you qualify	3
Parda Federal Credit Union HQ: Auburn Hills, MI	$179.8MM How you qualify	9
United Educators Credit Union HQ: Apple Valley, MN	$179.0MM How you qualify	5
Preferred Credit Union (MI) HQ: Grand Rapids, MI	$170.4MM How you qualify	6
Aspire Federal Credit Union HQ: Clark, NJ	$168.9MM How you qualify	1
Princeton Federal Credit Union HQ: Princeton, NJ	$139.9MM How you qualify	2
Pinnacle Federal Credit Union HQ: Edison, NJ	$137.3MM How you qualify	2
Montgomery County Employees Federal Credit Union HQ: Germantown, MD	$137.2MM How you qualify	2
Sunwest Educational Credit Union HQ: Pueblo, CO	$126.1MM How you qualify	3
Aurora Schools Federal Credit Union HQ: Aurora, CO	$108.8MM How you qualify	3
Credit Union Of The Rockies HQ: Golden, CO	$96.4MM How you qualify	4
First Financial CU (IL) HQ: Chicago, IL	$78.4MM How you qualify	4
Taleris Credit Union HQ: Cleveland, OH	$74.9MM How you qualify	2
Vision Financial Federal Credit Union HQ: Durham, NC	$48.6MM How you qualify	4
South Division Credit Union HQ: Evergreen Park, IL	$48.4MM How you qualify	4

Comments

116 Comments.

viking | Nov 17, 2011 | Comment #1

Do most credit unions try to verify that you are indeed eligble...?

RJM | Sep 13, 2015 | Comment #83

I opened an account at a CU where my mother was a member that otherwise, I would not have been eligible and I asked the teller about it.

She said "Our policy is to take our members word for it".

That was in person at APCO credit union in Bham,AL.

RJM | Sep 13, 2015 | Comment #84

You are eligible to become an APCO member if you are in any of the following categories:

An employee or retiree of Alabama Power Company, Southern Company Services, Southern Nuclear or other affiliated companies of the Southern Company.
An employee or retiree of other designated groups or organizations.
Family members, related by blood or marriage, to any APCO Credit Union member.

Once a member, always a member.Your membership is for a lifetime. It is not affected by a job change, retirement or place of residence. The only requirement is that you keep at least $25 in your regular share (savings) account and continue to use our services.Alabama Power Company
Southern Company Services
Southern Nuclear
Aerotec
Aerotek
Alden Systems Inc.
Angel & Lee
Asplundh Tree Expert Company
B L Harbert International
Balch Bingham Law Firm
Bevill State Community College
Birmingham Water Works
Boatright Railroad Products
CB&A Project Management Services LLC
Centralite Systems
Chamber of Commerce of Walker County
Churches
Cities including the City of Hoover
Consolidated Electrical Contractors and Engineers – Dothan
Craft Electric Co.
Craneworks
Daily Access Concepts, Inc.
Drummond Company, Inc.
Eagle Point HOA
Enercon Services
Fontaine
Home Owner Associations
Infinity Insurance
Infinity Insurance – Independent Agents
Intermark Group
Jasper Electric Motors Inc.
Jasper Oil, Inc. (Drummond Company)Jasper Water Works & Sewer Board
Jeffcoat & Associates
Johnson Controls- Clanton (CRH North America, Inc.)
Kid One Transport
Med Management LLC
Merigold Works (Drummond Company)
Mobile Press Register
Mspark
National Coal of Alabama Inc.
Nitto Denko
Palfleet (Fontaine Tarrant)
Parkview Shopping Center Tuscaloosa
PERC Engineers
Perry Supply Inc. (Drummond Company)
Pinnacle Data Systems
Powell Scales
Ray Press
Reed Energy
Serra Automotive
Smith Electric & Associates
South Shelby Chamber of Commerce
SouthernLINC Wireless
Stone & Sons Electrical Contractors Inc.
Stress Crete Inc.
Sungard Business Systems
The Chamber of Commerce West Alabama
The E Group
Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce
Trussville Fire & Rescue
Twin Pines Coal Co. Inc. (Drummond)
Walker County
Walter Energy Inc.

Anonymous | Sep 13, 2015 | Comment #85

Don't need to verify....The CU insurance issuer will "try" to do that if the CU goes south, i.e. no need to verify until a claim is made...just like all/most applications...no "underwriting" at that time.

RJM | Sep 13, 2015 | Comment #86

APCO CU is rated 5 stars (superior) by Bauer Financial, the highest possible rating by this well respected bank and credit union rating service. Rated superior in strength, safety, and performance.

Maecl | Nov 17, 2011 | Comment #2

http://thecatholiccreditunion.org/ASP/home.asp

This credit union is on Long Island, N.Y.

The rates aren't great. There is an onling application. I'm not a member but I hear their commercial on a major NY radio station.

I can't tell if it is open to every state. But memberships are open to Catholics belonging to a parish, members of Knights of Columbus, and anyone attending a Catholic school.

Anonymous | Nov 17, 2011 | Comment #3

ONLY A HANDFULL ON THE LIST ARE WORTH JOINING. MOST PAY VERY LOW INTEREST RATES ON C.D. ACCOUNTS.

ussr | Nov 17, 2011 | Comment #4

Thank you for choosing A Federal Credit Union as your financial partner. For your convenience, opening a savings, checking or certificate is available to you 24/7 from the comfort of your home or office

You must be a Texas resident with Texas address

pdxmale | Nov 17, 2011 | Comment #5

Thanks for all of the hard work Ken.

Anonymous | Nov 18, 2011 | Comment #6

Kinecta FCU in Manhattan Beach, CA is another credit union anyone can join. One would join the Santa Monica Co-op and become eligible ($10.00). Kinecta is also a member of the shared branch network.

http://kinecta.org

RJM | Nov 18, 2011 | Comment #9

I joined Penfed years ago for good CD rates. I also wanted the gas card. Well, I had 2 credit cards maxed out on 0% balance transfers so my credit was only "good" as opposed to very good and i gor REJECTED for the card. I later tried again, pointing out how much I had on deposit and was approved. A low limit but thats fine.

Wish there would have been a way around the $10-15 it cost me to join that military orginization though.

Recently, I found a little tiny credit union NEAR me that had 1.25% money market but their field of memberships is only for people who live or work in that tiny little city. No "worship clause". So I havent bothered.

Plus, about as soon as I showed up with $200k, they'd lower their rates probably !

Anonymous | Nov 18, 2011 | Comment #10

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union based in Minnesota is open to all and requires only a $10 minimum balance in savings (basically the membership fee).

They have excellent online banking and free checking. I live a state away and wouldn't dream of changing banks.

4 real | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #16

adonde? do i recommend cap one i think we are eating to many of fluffys biscuits

Paoli | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #17

#16: I was referring to your post as #14 "ps bank at capital one". What else does that mean?? Sometimes I think I am in the Twilight Zone when I post on this forum. Maybe "you" need a few of Fluffy's dog biscuits.

KenBDG | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #20

I've removed the mystery text in Paoli's #17 comment. Sorry about that. I think you have to be careful when you copy into the comment text box. If the source has special formatting, the copy can cause the format code to be shown as text.

Paoli | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #21

Thank you so much Ken for your quick help! I will try to be more careful when I post my posts or replies in the future. Did not realize you work weekends too! No wonder this is such a great forum!

gracias papi | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #22

did not want to make the mistake of serving the wrong pie on truduckin day btw will ask my brother in law for those cds you are looking for he is a real whiz and has mucho dinero

Paoli | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #23

#22 How do you know about "Turducken Day"? I bet you even know how it's done. I don't think it matters what pie you serve as long as you do the Turducken the right way. Yummy! Thanks so much for thinking about me and my needed CDs when you see your brother-in-law "with mucho dinero". But I will need the info for 2012. You have a great "Turducken Day"!

TURDUCKEN PREP | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #24

YEP as fresh and as yummy as it gits my son in law goes huntin lives in north carolina and does the whole deal

Paoli | Nov 19, 2011 | Comment #25

#24 What did you ever do to deserve a son-in-law who has "mucho dinero", hunts, AND knows how to fix a Turducken!! Do you know how expensive those are if one has to buy it already made? What a feast you are going to have. THAT would even be able to get my mine off of CDs for at least "one" day! I'll be thinking about you and yours feasting while Fluffy and I will have to make do with a creepy fried chicken! If 2012 goes well for me financially, maybe "I" can be eating Turducken next year! Enjoy it while you can!

RJM | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #27

Paoli

I am not at all worried about the information I posted.

I would suggest you might have paranoia issues !

LOL

cd rates | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #29

hay papi going on holiday will check out the rates for you dont eat to much of that crappe chikcen

Paoli | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #30

Hay Papo #26. Have a great holiday! BTW, "my" fried chicken is delicious! It's made the "old fashion way"! Thanks for offering to check out rates for me so maybe one day I can go on "holiday" too!

Anonymous | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #32

AILOI is a french garlic mayo sauce that goes really well with fried chicken

super committee | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #33

is a jokre fluffy and a blind baboon could do a better job of saving the economy

Paoli | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #34

I'm told Ailoi is a delicious sauce like you've indicated but I have never tasted it. I don't like anything on "my" fried chicken.

#33 How I wished I didn't agree with you about Fluffy and the Blind Baboon and the economy. I was just reading today how the Dems and Repubs both have "no" idea what to do. I guess I will be voting "Independent" this go round. What a mess they have gotten us in!

plain fried | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #35

what no grits or as we yanks call it polenta with some collards and red eye gravy and a hunk of pecan pie now that be some gooood eats yall

Paoli | Nov 20, 2011 | Comment #36

We Southerners call it "grits" and we eat it for breakfast except if you are poor and you use it as a main dish with potatoes and ham in it. I've had it both ways. I never said I was only having fried chicken by itself. Even people who can't get 6% CDs have side dishes with the chicken. Mine is fried rice with fried mushrooms and water chestnuts and some yucky vegetable (for health's sake!). Oh! And a pie is definitely a necessity! I haven't decided what kind yet. If Southerners know how to do one thing, it's how to enjoy good food! If all else fails, there is always "Meals on Wheels"! (Just joking!)

Anonymous | Nov 26, 2011 | Comment #37

I was checking some of the "open" credit unions on the above list and on a couple of other sites I found through Google. Unfortunately, most do not have good rates, imo. What I am wondering, does Ken have a page in this forum which weeds out the worse and gives us the ones with the best rates? It would make it easier on us rather than having to check every CU on the list. Is this what is done when we go to the CD page? Are the CUs listed the only ones with the best rates? Thanks for any advice or info.

Anonymous | Feb 24, 2014 | Comment #64

Ken used to report all the very best credit union rates rates, but must have got caught up with legal issues. It does pay to go through the entire list as there are credit unions paying 3% interest. I wish there was a site that narrowed down the best .

lou | Feb 25, 2014 | Comment #65

Which ones are paying 3%?

Ken Tumin | Feb 25, 2014 | Comment #66

I still post weekly on the best rates from both all-access credit unions and internet banks. Here's the link to the weekly summary.

pdxmale | Nov 26, 2011 | Comment #38

Ken's list is as good as you get in one place. There are some that are not on it ---- but very few.

Hard to find "good" rates anywhere.

I assume you are looking at the correct list/s.

Eagle | Dec 1, 2011 | Comment #39

Nice list. I will check it out. Thanks!

DBulgher | May 24, 2012 | Comment #41

You forgot to include my credit union, Signal Financial Federal Credit Union in Kensington, MD. I was able to join after I became a member of WABA (Washington Area Bicycling Association) and they even picked up the tab! Best of all I opened my account online and jointed WABA and Signal Financial at the same time. Couldn't be happier with their great rates and service.

Anonymous | Oct 10, 2012 | Comment #42

I compared the most recent list of credit unions paying over 1.9% to this list and found only 3. Connexus, Riverland and Melrose. How do I ask a general question about credit Unions?

Anonymous | Oct 15, 2012 | Comment #43

Becu?

KenBDG | Oct 18, 2012 | Comment #44

About BECU, it doesn't appear that there's an easy way for people outside of WA state to join. The only possible way I see from their membership page is through the Museum of Flight. However, BECU's membership page only says employees of Museum of Flight and not members of Museum of Flight.

Anonymous | Nov 12, 2012 | Comment #45

20th Century Fox is NOT open to ANYONE. I live in LA and I do not qualify.

http://foxcredit.com/join.php

KenBDG | Dec 13, 2012 | Comment #46

@Anonymous #45, you should be able to qualify for 20th Century Fox FCU by joining the Best Friends Animal Society-Los Angeles Chapter in Woodland Hills. However, it does appear that the credit union has made it more difficult to join compared to my last review in 2010. It's not clear if anyone in the nation can qualify for this Best Friends Animal Society and the other association which I mention in my review. These now appear limited to locals. Also, the credit union removed links to applications for these associations. Because of these changes, I've decided to remove 20th Centuty Fox FCU from the list.

Anonymous | Dec 13, 2012 | Comment #47

If you are looking for a rate on a 12 month certificate, do not bother going through this entire list. Digital, FirstMark and Pentagon are about the only three of the 74that will have something of 'value' in this area. Yes, I went through them all!

Some of the banks on this blog have similar rates and you do not have to jump through the hoops of becoming a member of some innocuous organization.

Anonymous | Feb 7, 2013 | Comment #49

I joined Northwest Federal Credit Union in Herndon. They have several Northern Virginia branches, one close to where I live and another close to where I work. I became a member by joining the Financial Awareness Network, INC. for $10 - a great group that promotes financial education, so joining was a win-win. I called FAN to see how to join and they were very nice and told me I could do a one-step process at time of applying for membership with the crdit union. Northwest Federal Credit Union people are great. Very patient and courteous. CD rates are about what everyone is offering, but they do have promotions, just be sure to read all the fine print.

rwilmeth | Feb 27, 2013 | Comment #51

Do not use Astera Credit Union! Astera Credit Union has kept from me my account number and bc of that: fined me, reported me to collections, and raped me for profits. I have tried for over 6 months to get my account number so that I could give them the insurance documents they already had on file, but Astera refused to give it to me no matter how many times I ask for it (up to 36 and now threatening legal action to get it). Without it, I cannot access any of my financial information at their bank, I don't know how much they fined me for or if I really am getting it all back. Their VP had to fix the collections issues and I still have no way of accessing my account statements or information, which is legally and morally wrong. It's been a nightmare, the only communication I get from Astera has been form letters and ignorance and all I want to view my account statement that wasn't even mailed to me, they lied and said that it's my fault for losing my address change when I changed it back in August.

ShondaJohnson | Mar 12, 2013 | Comment #52

Xceed and Western Federal are employee based credit unions. Not open to everyone.

me1004 | Mar 9, 2017 | Comment #144

Not so, I have joined both. I know I joined Xceed via a cheap membership in an outside organization, which I had to join separately and then show Xceed the enrollment. I think I joined Western (now Unify) the same way, although that was some years ago, can't really remember, but I know it was not an employer-based way.

Anonymous | Mar 29, 2013 | Comment #53

I went to the website for Justice Federal credit union and I don't think it's open to everyone. Did I miss an easy way to join it?

Brandon | Apr 3, 2017 | Comment #147

Join the National SHeriff's Association for $41, that will give you membership

pearlbrown | Mar 30, 2013 | Comment #54

This blog post from Ken, and the comments, will be helpful to you.

Anonymous | Apr 10, 2013 | Comment #55

Lockheed federal credit union stole my house I believe that they double dipped from the Feds. There was no reason not to work with we had pay timely for 10 years and now I was in the middle of a divorce. Debra made me and my broker jump through hoops for 6 months turned around and lied foreclosing on my home that I had been fighting for for 3 years alone as a single mom with family backing...They changed their name due to that fact that they are PURE FRAUDS.,,.....they are a complete disgrace I even went to NACA was approved for everything they told me if it wasn't a credit union I would D be walking away with my loan..MY LOGIX DROWN! Nicole....

Anonymous | May 29, 2013 | Comment #56

Kinecta FCU is a nightmare, beyond horrible. On my previous car loan, they could not get the auto pay transfer right and kept claiming my account was overdrawn, and charged me late fees (after I raised hell, they refunded them). This was NOT a one-time occurrence, it happened repeatedly. When it happened yet again, I called them to discuss and actually kept a detailed record of how long I waited on the phone to speak to someone. That detailed record has since been thrown out but I remember that I called multiple times after waited I think well over an hour (combined times) and NEVER reached anyone. The phones just rang and rang with NO reply. I actually drove to their Westminster office in POURING RAIN, soaked, to try to solve the problem (and took my notes with me), and was furious when I arrived. They said their phones were just fine, no problems at all. Needless to say, I canceled my accounts with them and I believe paid off the remaining loan balance just to get away from them. I later wrote a detailed letter about this hellish experience to MANY upper-level administrative staff in Kinecta, detailing the number of calls I had made and the time I waited on hold on each call, and NEVER heard a word back. As a businessman myself, if I ever did that I would expect my clients to NEVER return. For your own sanity PLEASE avoid these people like the plague.

Anonymous | Jun 5, 2013 | Comment #57

Why was MSU added? You need some sort of university affiliation to join. The requirement is right at the top of the paper application.

Anonymous | Jul 9, 2013 | Comment #58

Delete Pacific Resource CU. They merged with Nuvision FCU (also on the list) effective July 1, 2013.

KenBDG | Jul 18, 2013 | Comment #59

@anonymous #57, About MSU, please refer to the credit union's Who Can Join page.

@anonymous #58, Thanks for alerting us on the merger. Pacific Resource CU has been removed from the list.

Anonymous | Oct 8, 2013 | Comment #60

add:

SECU
Baltimore, MD

Anonymous | Oct 24, 2013 | Comment #61

There really shouldn't be any federal credit unions on this list, according to a September letter to federal credit unions from NCUA. http://ncua.gov/Resources/Pages/LFCU2013-03.aspx State-chartered credit unions may have more expansive laws on field of membership than federal law, but they still have certain requirements (every state varies). Not all states will allow you to join an association or donate to a specifc group just to be able to join the credit union. Field of membership still is one of the things that distinguishes credit unions from banks. Look for "community" credit unions in your geographic area, that generally are open to anyone who resides within a specified geographic area.

Thomas Hinton | Mar 11, 2016 | Comment #95

This is true. Federal credit unions (As well as state and community chartered credit unions) all have specific membership criteria and requirements. So, to suggest "anyone can join" is not accurate.
Thomas Hinton, American Consumer Council
americanconsumercouncil.org

shipwrecked&alone | Dec 29, 2013 | Comment #62

Ken, am I missing something or why would you not include the list that can be joined on the CD search screen so I can see the highest paying credit unions that I can join? Otherwise what use is it? Takes awhile to sort thru and pick the highest payer that I can join. thanks,

Ken Tumin | Mar 31, 2014 | Comment #68

You can filter the tables to show these all-access credit unions. Please refer to this blog post for details.

Anonymous | Feb 3, 2014 | Comment #63

Llogix Credit Union is not open to anybody. They have a note that says: To become a member of Logix, you must reside in California, Arizona, Washington D.C., Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Texas, or Virginia, or must be verified as related to an existing Logix member.

Ken Tumin | Mar 31, 2014 | Comment #67

Thanks. It looks like Logix just recently added these state restrictions. I've updated the post.

DJB | May 1, 2014 | Comment #69

You list McGraw Hill as open to all. The online application asks which company you are associated with. Is there one in that list that is an organization anyone can join, or is this a new requirement and the credit union is no longer open to everyone?

EinsteinGuy | May 6, 2014 | Comment #70

theres over 2,000 credit unions in the US.... you listed 70

Anonymous | Apr 18, 2015 | Comment #82

Of those 2000 how many are open to anyone that wants to join?

Anonymous | May 29, 2014 | Comment #71

Not everyone can join #13 Belvoir FCU. Only military, their families and those working on Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Anonymous | Jul 7, 2014 | Comment #72

CSR informed me that American Heritage Federal Credit Union - Philadelphia, PA (online application) is not an all-access credit union.

Anonymous | Oct 31, 2014 | Comment #75

Its a good list but it would be better if it told which ones were free membership AND what is the easy way to join. Some require $30 to join an association first before joining the CU.

Arc King | Nov 19, 2014 | Comment #76

are there any credit unions in the miami-dade FL area that anyone can join?

Anonymous | Jan 8, 2015 | Comment #77

I leave in detroit mi can you find me one

Anonymous | Jan 11, 2015 | Comment #78

Nikkei Credit Union (https://nikkeicu.org/membership/join-nikkei-cu) is based in LA/OC and is open to anyone who joins the Japanese American Cultural Community Center ($45 for individual membership). Currently have 1.49% rate for a 36 month auto loan which is pretty good.

Anonymous | Jan 11, 2015 | Comment #79

Without looking...I'll bet the savings rate for a 36 month CD is...well...way south!

Anonymous | Mar 15, 2015 | Comment #80

Hi, Ken
This list is a marvelous resource for your readers, and the way you have kept up with so many changes is also impressive. Thanks!

I do notice, though, that the name change from Tobyhanna to Valor is not yet reflected. The link works, though, and comes up as Valor, so maybe it's not a big deal. I like the Tobyhanna name more, too; it just sounds better!

Anonymous | Oct 14, 2015 | Comment #87

I thought these were open to 'anyone" :(

Josh Lampman | Jan 14, 2016 | Comment #90

Also,

It may be helpful to list next to the CU name if they require a clean Chex/EWS & which CR's they pull

Anonymous | Aug 30, 2016 | Comment #106

I echo this!

Anonymous | Feb 6, 2016 | Comment #91

Anyone can join Langley FCU that serves Newport News, VA and the surrounding area by joining one of four different associations for as little as $5. The associations are in a drop down window in the online application. https://langleyfcu.org

Thomas Hinton | Mar 11, 2016 | Comment #94

Thanks for your article. I wanted to offer a few points of clarification. While the American Consumer Council (ACC) is certainly a big fan of credit unions because they are member-focused and non-profit financial organizations, it should be noted that ACC has its own membership criteria that consumers must meet before joining ACChttp://americanconsumercouncil.org/ . Also, each credit union has its own unique membership criteria and field of membership that individuals must meet in order to qualify for membership. So, to suggest that "anyone can join" is inaccurate. At ACC, we always encourage consumers to contact their local credit union to see if you meet that credit union's membership criteria,
Thomas Hinton, President, American Consumer Council

Karl Falken | May 15, 2016 | Comment #96

I recommend that you add the Evangelical Christian Credit Union. eccu.org

RJM | May 15, 2016 | Comment #97

They dont have anything special, do they ?

19 Month Promotional Certificate19 Month Certificate: 1.25% APY with $10,000 opening balance
Thats all I see and its not really noteworthy.

Anonymous | Aug 22, 2016 | Comment #103

U left off the best navy federal

Anonymous | Sep 22, 2016 | Comment #109

I see two possibilities:

1. Ken might not be aware anyone can join NFCU,, or

2. Ken might prefer not to make the path into NFCU public. A few service members are, perhaps understandably, resentful of the wrinkle that allows anyone into NFCU, which is a great CU. There is one instance, here on the net, of someone having purposely disseminated FUD regarding the method of entry. The FUD was eventually exposed and nullified, but not right away, and many people were led astray by it.

Anonymous | Sep 23, 2016 | Comment #110

Sounds like "you" are also engaging in FUD. What are your facts?

Anonymous | Sep 23, 2016 | Comment #111

Well, in another forum here on the net, posters there outlined a way into NFCU. This happened several months ago. At one point a poster there, I believe only one person (not sure), posted what was frankly a bald-faced lie which led many others astray. The lie was regarding an element essential to the way into NFCU, then under discussion, and about which others had earlier posted. The lie was eventually, within a week or two, exposed as such. But it caused disruption and concern for a number of people before being exposed. This is the internet and nobody will ever know why somebody lied so boldly. My own guess is that it was an annoyed service member, or retiree, doing the nasty deed. But I really do not know. It could have been anyone, doing that for reason(s) unknowable.

Anonymous | Sep 23, 2016 | Comment #112

The bottomline is if a membership status/application is arguably wrong, in spite of that CU granting membership status, the NCUA will look at it at the time it/if it takes over a CU before paying anything out....thus, the "truth" is always best!

Anonymous | Sep 24, 2016 | Comment #113

Agreed. Very well stated. At this point it appears the order might have emanated from the NCUA itself. Though whether it was an order or merely a permission remains unclear, at least to me. But the end result is the same in either case.

Anonymous | Sep 24, 2016 | Comment #114

You may be right, but I would prefer to see confirmation of your theory in writing published from the NCUA.

Anonymous | Sep 25, 2016 | Comment #115

Good luck on that happening

Anonymous | Sep 28, 2016 | Comment #117

FWIW I can now confirm it is possible for anyone to join NFCU. The cost to join is $25. I'm not going to post details because this is Ken's website, not mine. I believe Ken might prefer the details of how anyone can join NFCU not be posted. Those details are available elsewhere on the internet if you search. If Ken posts a permission I will go into detail.

It took nearly two weeks to get in. I joined now in hopeful anticipation of possible CD specials upcoming. I've always envied NFCU members and wanted to be an NFCU member, but I do not qualify for membership through any of the traditional, well known, pathways. Frankly, when I learned (by accident) about the route to membership I ended up following, I had my doubts. Joining NFCU is notoriously difficult. But it was worth losing $25, in my view, to try. As the matter turned out everything went well and I was granted entry, so I'm quite happy.

Anonymous | Sep 28, 2016 | Comment #118

New way to charge fees...$25 for x thousand =

RJM | Sep 29, 2016 | Comment #119

If you arent going to post the details in the comment section because its Kens website, why post at all ?

paoli2 | Sep 29, 2016 | Comment #120

I think the other poster is very confused about what kind of group DA is. It is Ken's group but it's the information we "all" share with one another about what we know and/or find out which can be helpful to the group that makes DA as popular as it is. I never knew we had to get permission from Ken to share "details" as long as we read and follow the rules for DA. I read DA daily to get information as much from other posters as I do from what Ken takes the time to post for us. If Ken doesn't want certain info posted, I think it should be listed in his posting rules. Or one can PM Ken, before he/she posts the details and find out beforehand if it is ok to post. Just my thoughts.

Anonymous | Sep 29, 2016 | Comment #121

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission

Anonymous | Sep 29, 2016 | Comment #122

Your question is VERY reasonable. Answer: I wanted others to be aware there exists a way into NFCU for us all. Now as to the other:
Q: Why await Ken's permission?
A: Ken is incredibly knowledgeable about all bank/CU related matters. He knows a WHALE of a lot more than I do, I can promise you that. You can take that to the bank! :-)
Yet Ken has not shared with his readers a way for everyone to join NFCU. One possible reason for this is that Ken knows something I do not know which causes him to prefer not to share this information. Ken reads these comments. If he posts a permission I will reveal the way in. If not, then not.

Meanwhile, the information exists elsewhere right here on the net. I promise you that. It is even possible, if you telephoned NFCU, they would reveal this information to you. I did not do that, so I don't know how they would handle such an inquiry.

BTW and FWIW, even after you spend your $25 to join the required organization, getting in to NFCU is no stroll in the park. They are absolute sticklers on ID. I would say of the many credit unions I have joined, they are the most strict. It all comes out well in the end, but you must allow time for their internal processes. And their membership department is extremely busy even now. Only God knows how much more busy they must become when there is a special CD deal being offered (difficult to imagine).

Finally, those who seek entry as I did, with no military status or tie, can NOT use the on-line application. I entered using snail mail, though I believe it also can be done via e-mail and I now realize that might be the better alternative. Still I used snail mail, in part because I was very uncertain, and unsure of myself, throughout the entire process until the end of course when I finally was granted membership.

Anonymous | Sep 29, 2016 | Comment #123

IT's all over Credit Boards site. Why hide it"?

San Diego Navy League welcome letter,

Now you dig for more info.

RJM | Sep 30, 2016 | Comment #124

If you want to contribute, then do so.

Anonymous | Sep 30, 2016 | Comment #125

#117

You could be right, and it would be interesting to know why. Ken obviously is monitoring these conversations because anyone can see just above your post he has removed several earlier posts. I am a long time reader here and I know Ken is a member of Navy Federal because he has told us that. He had a way to get into NFCU because of some kind of connection to the military he has.

As somebody else already posted, I agree opening of Navy Federal to the general public might not be sitting all that well with military people because previously it was sort of a special perq reserved solely for them and a darn good one too. Just sayin'.

Anonymous | Sep 30, 2016 | Comment #126

With the discussion here regarding NFCU being ongoing, I want to post something I was told by an NFCU representative recently. As you know, membership is currently open to retired military but not to former service members (i.e., veterans) who did not make a career of the military. The representative told me NFCU is currently working to expand its field of membership to military veterans. Nothing was said about when this might come to fruition.

So if you're a veteran the day might be coming, sooner or later I do not know, when you can join NFCU without having to pay the $25. I certainly applaud efforts by NFCU to expand (free) membership eligibility in this manner. It's the right thing to do for our vets.

Anonymous | Oct 1, 2016 | Comment #127

The highest rate you can earn with Navy FCU on a cd and no maximum limit is 2.15%. So I am trying to understand why it is such an outstanding achievement to have figured out a way to join Navy FCU without having any military connections.

Anonymous | Oct 1, 2016 | Comment #128

Sure. NFCU has a history of offering, from time to time, really attractive CD specials. It also has a reputation of being difficult to join, of being off limits for many of us.

For savers, a strategy which has emerged in recent years is to join (whatever) CU in anticipation of, in hope of, good CD deals in future. Basis for this approach is difficulty of joining hastily, following actual announcement of a special CD deal, when everyone is trying to squeeze into the door at once. Good CD deals can be lost while one is awaiting membership to finalize.

There are well over 6,000 credit union in the USA and it is clearly impossible to join even a tiny fraction of so many institutions. We try to identify those most likely, based on their history, to offer good CD deals in future. There is also one other factor: location. Credit unions in certain market locations tend, in general, to offer better CD deals. I think the top location is Washington, D.C., and vicinity. Another good location right now appears to be, believe it or not, Iowa.

NFCU is located in the vicinity of D.C. and it has a history of offering good CD deals. When you can find a way into a CU like that which checks two boxes on the list of desirable attributes, joining makes sense. Speaking personally, I also was able to get in on the (albeit small money) $20K/20 month 2% CD deal which ended yesterday. That alone was not reason enough to join, but I will be happy to take the income from that deal regardless, along with my new membership, and wait for better opportunities down the line.

There is one final aspect to anticipatory joining of credit unions: maintenance. It comes down to the fact that if there is no activity in (whatever) CU account they will kick you out. Maintenance is a PITA, but not nearly as large a PITA as once was the case. I've been actively using ACH for less than fifteen years. If I still were using snail mail and paper checks I'm not certain I could deal with the maintenance issue. But today everyone has an Alliant account and just rifles out a small ACH deposit to each of their CUs whenever required. The time expended on such maintenance as this is minimal. Alternatively, you can open two accounts at the CU (e.g., savings and checking) and simply move money between the two accounts periodically. Candidly, maintenance is still a PITA. But it is doable, not very time consuming, and necessary to the strategy.

Anonymous | Oct 1, 2016 | Comment #129

Wishful thinking on your part about the benefits of joining NFCU for future expectations. Do you recall how great rates once were at Penfed?

Anonymous | Oct 1, 2016 | Comment #130

Was told yesterday by rep there that more NFCU special CD deals are already in the works. You obviously have reached your own contrary conclusion. But I'm not really sure why you would post so negatively about NFCU, a CU many Americans find beneficial. NFCU is America's largest CU for good reason.

PenFed? I'm a member who has no complaints, still benefiting on daily basis from those great rates and appreciative of the income. Were I not already a member of PenFed I would join. Just stay away from their "reward" credit cards, which suck.

Anonymous | Oct 14, 2016 | Comment #132

I belong to SunState Federal Credit Union in North Central Florida. I will probably be moving to Michigan but didn't see it listed. Might it have been overlooked or is it not a participating institution?

Anonymous | Nov 17, 2016 | Comment #134

Anyone can join Wings Financial by making a $5 to the Wings Financial Foundation.

union | Jan 13, 2017 | Comment #136

Golden 1 Credit Union in California now has an open membership who joins through the Financial Fitness Association ($8 membership fee)

Gadget | Mar 5, 2017 | Comment #138

Coastal Federal Credit Union website says "Join the NCSEA (NC residents only)" - not nationwide. Also, Mountain America Credit Union is available to anyone nationwide that is a PTA member (and have a $100 bonus promo). National PTA is on their SEL. You local PTA membership is usually between 5-10 bucks.

Ken Tumin | Mar 8, 2017 | Comment #139

Thanks for the comment. We have removed Coastal FCU from the "big list". And for Mountain America CU, we currently list American Consumer Council as an association that can be joined to qualify for MACU membership.

??? | Mar 8, 2017 | Comment #140

ACC is worth the 15$ Lifetime Membership

Lrdx | Mar 9, 2017 | Comment #141

Self-Help Credit Union is listed twice, with a slightly different name (Self-Help Credit Union vs Self-Help Federal Credit Union)

Ken Tumin | Mar 9, 2017 | Comment #142

Thanks for the comment. These are actually two different credit unions with separate NCUA charter numbers. They're both under the same Self-Help family of organizations, and they are very similar. Most of the Self-Help CU branches are located in North Carolina. Self-Help Federal CU has branches in California, Illinois and Florida.

me1004 | Mar 9, 2017 | Comment #143

I note, you have not listed Financial Partners FCU on the list of easy access CUs. They have a back door, secret way anyone can join, by joining the Downey Rose Float Assn. for, as I recall, $5, which you can join via Financial Partners. You have to ask them about that, they do not publicize it. (Yes, that is referring to the Rose Parade, and Financial Partners is HQ'd in Downey.)

Secondly, it would be very helpful if you provided options for the sort. You have it presented here by CU size. So, I had to troll through everything on the list to see if Financial Partners was on the list. It would be helpful if we had the option to sort alphabetically.

Ken Tumin | Mar 9, 2017 | Comment #145

Thanks for the info on Financial Partners FCU. I see they now publicly list AARP membership as one way to qualify.

About sorting, you can sort alphabetically. Just click on the "credit union" heading at the top of the table. To switch back to sorting based on size, click on either the "Assets" heading or the "Branches" heading.

Albert Frank | Mar 13, 2017 | Comment #146

Ken, I appreciate all the information you provide to better our selfs financially. I took advantage of this special membership. I have alot of close friends who are in the military in the armed forces. I'm process of joining as well into the military. The field of membership is very interesting. I have noticed the level of service with NFCU is very good they go above and beyond to make sure their members are taken care of and sad to report as of April 17, 2017 they will be removing their coin machines.

wealth | May 3, 2017 | Comment #150

United Nations Credit Union is a very large Credit Union not ono here

Ann | May 13, 2017 | Comment #152

Navy Federal Credit Union might be coming off the list... :-( As of a few days ago,
"NFCU is no longer accepting Navy League - San Diego"
https://creditboards.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=593109

Ken Tumin | May 13, 2017 | Comment #153

Thanks for the comment. I confirmed with a Navy Fed CSR that Navy League San Diego can no longer be used to join Navy Fed. We will be making updates to the relevant blog posts and to this big list soon.

Bogey | May 13, 2017 | Comment #154

I can understand NFCU eliminating eligibility through membership in the Navy League, San Diego Council, being they recently expanded their membership eligibility base by opening it up to all military veterans who were honorably discharged and to immediate family of current members or those eligible for membership.

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