Best Nationwide Credit Unions [JUNE 2024] That Anyone Can Join

There are 4,853 federally insured credit unions in the United States, but not all of them are available nationwide. 

Lots of credit unions serve only a small region or community. 

And while that community feel can be great, you might want access to a larger organization. You know, one with branches and ATMs across the country.

I get that. So I’ve compiled a list of the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023]. 

Each of these credit unions has its own perks and features that I’ve outlined for you below!

7 Best Nationwide Credit Unions [JUNE 2023]

These are the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023]. Now, it’s time to decide which is best for you!

1 – PenFed Credit Union

Best for: Access to ATMs

With a wide variety of services and a massive ATM network, it’s no wonder PenFed Credit Union boasts 2.9 million members and over $35 billion in assets.

PenFed’s services are available to anyone in the country, and they include:

• Checking and savings accounts
• Credit cards
• Auto loans
• Auto protection
• Mortgages
• Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs)
• Personal loans
• Student loans

With a PenFed checking account, you can freely draw money from over 85,000 ATMs across the country, including the Co-op and Allpoint ATMs you find in lots of stores.

For me, the equation is simple: A wide variety of services + massive ATM network = one of the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023]

Pros:	Cons:
85,000 fee-free ATMs (including partner ATMs)	You can only become a member if you open a savings account ($5 initial deposit requirement)
Free checking account with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements	Some checking accounts charge monthly fees (waived with a $500 minimum monthly balance)
Members can get discounts on auto insurance, dental insurance, and certain retail products

2 – Alliant Credit Union

Best for: Online banking

Alliant is a digital credit union, meaning all its business happens online. 

Worried? Don’t be. There’s nothing alarming about a lack of physical branches. Alliant Credit Union has been super reputable, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau since 2004.  

And besides, going digital is a great way to cut down on expenses, which allows financial institutions like Alliant Credit Union to offer excellent interest rates.

As of early June 2023, Alliant was offering a 3.10% annual percentage yield (APY) on its savings accounts. That’s way above the national bank average rate of 0.16% APY. 

And then there’s the Alliant High-Rate Checking Account, which pays 0.25% APY. Sure, that’s a fair bit lower. But remember, this is a checking account. They often don’t pay any interest at all! 

Pros:	Cons:
Earn high-interest rates	No physical branches
Checking accounts have no monthly fee or minimum balance requirements	Savings accounts must maintain a $100 daily average minimum balance to earn interest
Over 80,000 fee-free ATMs (including partner ATMs)

3 – Connexus Credit Union

Best for: Checking accounts

With $5.2 billion in assets, more than 670 employees, and over 445,000 members across all 50 states, it’s safe to say Connexus is a big-time credit union.

But Connexus is more than just a behemoth. It’s also a seriously attractive option, especially if you’re planning to open a checking account.

Connexus has three checking account options:

• Innovative. This is the basic account with no restrictions and no earnings through interest.
• Xtraordinary. This is the higher-level account, where you can earn up to 1.75% APY (on balances up to $25,000) if you use your debit card for 15 purchases (or make $400 in purchases) in a month.
• Teen. Just for kids ages 10-17. This account pays up to 2.00% APY (on balances up to $1,000) with no requirements!

Connexus offers most of the other services you’d expect from a major credit union, including individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). 

But it’s the checking account options – and those impressive interest rates! – that place Connexus among the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023].

Pros:	Cons:
Earn up to 1.75% APY on the Xtraordinary checking account (on balances up to $25,000)	The savings account doesn’t pay much in interest (only 0.25% APY at the time of this publication)
Over 67,000 fee-free ATMs (including partner ATMs)	$5 monthly inactivity fee for members 18 and over who leave a smaller balance (less than $100) untouched for 90 days
No fees for checking accounts

4 – Navy Federal Credit Union

Best for: Military families

Navy Federal Credit Union is definitely one of the best nationwide credit unions, but it’s only for people with military ties.

You’ll be eligible if you’re:

• Active duty military
• Department of Defense civilian personnel
• Retired military or veteran
• The immediate family member of someone in the above categories

If you’re eligible, Navy Federal Credit Union offers practically every banking service imaginable, from checking accounts to home equity loans. Plus, with branches and 30,000 fee-free ATMs around the country, you’ll likely have easy access to your cash.

The Navy Federal Credit Union also offers generous interest rates on all sorts of loans. Mortgages are available with as low as a 5.96% annual percentage rate (APR), while some credit cards have just a 10.74% APR (at the time of this publication).

Those are some excellent rates – the type of rates you deserve after serving your country! 

Pros:	Cons:
Pay low-interest rates on loans (5.96% APR on some mortgages at the time of this publication)	Unavailable to people without military ties
30,000 ATMs across the country (including partner CO-OP Network ATMs)	Low interest rates on savings accounts (0.25% APY at the time of this publication)
Dedicated to military members and families

5 – Consumers Credit Union

Best for: Earning interest with a checking account

Consumers Credit Union is one of the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023], and it’s available to anyone for just a $5 fee.

Oh – and that $5 fee is usually reimbursed, so it ends up being free! 

Consumers Credit Union offers a full slate of banking services:

• Personal banking (checking accounts and savings accounts)
• Borrowing (mortgages, personal loans, and credit cards)
• Business banking

And while lots of those services are top-notch, there’s one account that’s especially attractive: the Rewards Checking account.

It can pay up to 5.00% APY (on balances up to $10,000), which is practically unheard of for a checking account!

To get the highest interest rate, you’ll have to spend at least $1,000 each month with an associated Consumers Credit Union credit card. But you can still get a solid rate of 3.00% APR (on balances up to $10,000) for meeting less-intense requirements. 

And while that money is collecting interest, it’ll also remain super accessible. That’s because Consumers Credit Union offers fee-free access to over 5,000 shared branches and more than 30,000 ATMs.

Pros:	Cons:
Earn up to 5.00% APY with a checking account (on balances up to $10,000; offer available at the time of this publication)	Must meet strict requirements to earn higher interest rates with checking accounts
No maintenance fees on checking accounts	Must pay a $5 one-time membership fee (waived if criteria are met)
Access to over 30,000 fee-free ATMs (including partner ATMs)

6 – SkyOne Federal Credit Union

Best for: Air transportation industry workers

SkyOne Federal Credit Union was founded in 1949 to serve employees of the Civil Aeronautics Administration. Over the last 70 years, the organization has grown into one of the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023].

But membership is still available to only two groups of people:

• Workers in the air transportation industry
• People with a connection to Hawthorne, CA (where SkyOne Federal Credit Union has its main office)

So if you happen to be a “plane person” or a resident of Southern California, SkyOne Federal Credit Union is an excellent option. 

SkyOne offers all the standard banking services, plus one feature that really stands out: Share Certificate accounts. They’re sort of like CDs, and they can pay up to 4.00% APY if you take advantage of promotional offers (minimum $1,000 deposit requirement; offer expires 6/30/23). 

You’ll be flying high with a deal like that!

Pros:	Cons:
Earn up to 4.00% APY on share certificate accounts (minimum $1,000 deposit requirement; offer expires 6/30/23)	Limited access for people outside the air transportation industry
Free banking tutorials available on the website	Monthly fees for checking and savings accounts (waived if criteria are met)
Specialized service for members of the air transportation industry

7 – American First Credit Union

Best for: Money market deposit accounts

American First Credit Union started as a small organization for grocery store workers, but it’s grown into one of the best nationwide credit unions [June 2023]. 

On American First Credit Union’s official website, membership is offered to anyone who:

1. Lives in Southern California, 
2. works for a partnering business, or 
3. has a family member or roommate who’s a member.

If you meet one of these requirements, you can access a wide range of services, from checking accounts to auto loans.

And if you don’t meet those requirements, you can still access certain accounts through the SaveBetter online platform. 

American First Credit Union partners with SaveBetter to offer two types of accounts to people anywhere in the country: 

• Money market deposit accounts
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

It’s a bummer to have such limited options, but at least those options offer fantastic terms!

At the time of this publication, money market deposit accounts pay 5.03% APY. Now that’s a rate worth getting excited about!

Pros:	Cons:
High 5.03% APY on money market deposit accounts (at the time of this publication)	Most people can only access a few services (CDs and money market deposit accounts)
High 4.65% APY on some CDs (at the time of this publication)	Strict eligibility requirements for opening an account through the official website
Nationwide access through the SaveBetter digital platform

Commonly Asked Questions About The Best Nationwide Credit Unions [JUNE 2023]

What is the Best Credit Union to Bank With? 

Lots of nationwide credit unions offer excellent terms, but PenFed is my #1 choice. PenFed Credit Union offers a wide variety of services and makes it easy to access your money with over 85,000 ATMs across the country. 

And if you’d like to learn which budgeting app could best help you manage your finances, check out these comparisons:

• Rocket Money vs YNAB
• Rocket Money vs Simplifi
• Rocket Money vs Copilot

Then use a net worth tracker to see how your new financial strategies are paying off. 

Nationwide Credit Unions Anyone Can Join? 

There are several nationwide credit unions anyone can join, including:

• PenFed Credit Union
• Alliant Credit Union
• Connexus Credit Union
• Consumers Credit Union

Best Credit Unions For Bad Credit?

The Navy Federal Credit Union has a special dashboard for helping members improve their credit, but membership is only available to people with military ties. Connexus Credit Union also offers a credit-building service to monitor and raise credit scores, and it’s available to everyone.

What Should Credit Unions Focus on in 2023?

Credit unions should focus on three key areas:

1. Attracting younger members
2. Accelerating membership growth (i.e., getting more members)
3. Improving the digital banking experience

What Bank Gives 7% Interest on Savings Accounts?

The only 7% interest savings account currently available is offered by Landmark Credit Union. But be aware: There are lots of requirements in place, so it’s not always easy to get that eye-catching 7.50% APY rate. Learn more about this 7% interest savings account.

If you’re looking to boost your bank account fast, check out these banks with immediate sign-up bonus.

What is The Best Credit Union That is in Multiple States? 

Connexus Credit Union is likely the best nationwide credit union because it offers fantastic interest rates (up to 1.75% APY on balances up to $25,000) on its checking accounts while also providing fee-free access to more than 67,000 ATMs. 

Is Navy Federal Better Than Other Credit Unions?

Navy Federal isn’t necessarily better than other nationwide credit unions, but it has some amazing features. You could land a credit card with just a 10.74% APR, which is way below the national average of 20.09% (at the time of this publication). That means it’ll cost less to carry a balance on your credit card. 

Best Credit Union for Car Loan? 

PenFed Credit Union is a great choice for car loans because it offers a wide variety of options. You can use PenFed for new cars, used cars, and even refinancing. Also, these services are available to everyone across the country.