Best Credit Unions for 2026
Earn up to 4.30% APY*
- Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 4.30% for up to 6 months with eligible direct deposit*
- $0 min. balance to earn APY
- Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
- Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
- FDIC Insured up to $250k plus up to $3M in supplemental insurance4
- No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6
*Terms Apply
1. Up to $300 Bonus Tiered Disclosure
New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.60% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time.
These rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
2. APY disclosures
Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet
3. Fee Policy
We do not charge any account, service or overdraft fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.
4. Additional FDIC Insurance
SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.
5. ATM Access
We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.
6. Early Access to Direct Deposit Funds
Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing of the funding which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.
7. Overdraft Coverage
Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with Eligible Direct Deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period means the 30 consecutive calendar days between the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. SoFi reserves the right to withdraw this benefit at any time, including instances of non-repayment of negative balances or misuse of the benefit. Please see full eligibility for Overdraft Coverage.
8. 0.70% Savings APY Boost
Earn up to 4.30% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.60% APY as of 11/12/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account and enroll in SoFi Plus by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change at any time. https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2. SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
Earn 3.90% APY* with Barclays' Tiered Savings Account
- $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY on Barclays' Tiered Savings
- No Monthly Maintenance Fees
- Easy Direct Deposits & Online Transfers
- Deposits are FDIC Insured
*Rate as of 6/18/2025
* Barclays Tiered Savings Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 01/13/2025 and may change at any time without prior notice, before or after the account is opened. The APYs are determined by the Balance Tiers (Tiers) and the amount deposited. The same rate may apply to multiple Tiers and Tiers may change without notice. APY is calculated based on the Tier into which the end of day account balance falls. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. No minimum balance to open, but for interest to post to your account you must maintain a minimum balance that would earn you at least $0.01. Please see the Compare Account Page for current Tier and APY information. The APY for the Barclays Tiered Savings account for balance tiers greater than $250,000 are currently 10X the national average of 0.46% APY, based on the national average of savings account rates published in the FDIC's National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of 09/16/2024.
Earn 3.85% APY* with Platinum Savings
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With a Balance of $5,000 or More*
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Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*
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$100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account
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No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees
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CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured
*Rate as of 9/23/25
*For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures
*Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance.
*APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of September 23, 2025: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.85% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.
*Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 15, 2025.
Earn 3.40% APY* with a Discover™ Savings Account
- Earn Over 5X the National Savings Average¹
- $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY
- $0 Monthly Fees & No Min. Opening Deposit
- No Overdraft Fees
- Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000²
*Rates as of 9/30/2025
*The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Online Savings Account as of 04/25/2025 is more than five times the national average APY for interest bearing savings accounts with a balance of $500 as reported by Curinos as of 04/25/2025. National average is based on information regarding the top 50 banks (by deposit size) and may not include information from variations in regional pricing at such banks or information from products that may not be widely available to their customers. Rates were obtained from Curinos, who relies on the data from the banks it tracks and such information cannot be guaranteed. APYs are subject to change at any time.
Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APY* with no more hidden fees.
- Enjoy free monthly maintenance
- Watch your savings grow with daily compounded interest.
- Deposit anytime, anywhere with unlimited mobile check deposits.
- Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
*Rate as of 10/10/2025
Credit unions are the financial backbone of many communities. Their localized nature means they understand the needs of customers, and because members are partial owners of credit unions, the institutions can offer benefits that large national banks cannot.
They often boast higher annual percentage yields (APYs) and lower fees than traditional banks, making them a good option if you're shopping for a new account. In the U.S., there are over 4,400 federally-insured credit unions. Although some serve customers nationwide, many credit unions are more limited, working only with consumers in certain geographic areas or who work for particular employers.
To help you find the best credit union for your needs, we researched the top credit unions in the U.S. based on their consolidated assets, account options, fees, rates and customer service to identify the top seven credit unions for 2026:
- Alliant – Best Overall
- Navy Federal Credit Union – Best for Members of the Military
- Golden1 Credit Union – Best for Seniors
- GreenState Credit Union – Best for Rewards
- America First – Best for Membership Perks
- Mountain America Credit Union – Best for Innovation
- Lake Michigan – Best for Share Certificates
*Rates and APYs are subject to change. All information provided was accurate as of Oct. 14, 2025.
Best Overall: Alliant
For those who need an added incentive to save, Alliant Credit Union's Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account is a great option. If you deposit $100 into your account every month for 12 consecutive months (while maintaining an average daily minimum balance of $100 and a balance of $1,200 at year's end), Alliant will give you a $100 bonus reward. It is one of the few credit unions that serves customers nationwide; anyone can join, regardless of their location or employment.
The credit union offers savings accounts and share certificates with higher-than-usual APYs (currently up to 4.15% on share certificates), and it even has an interest-bearing checking account. Customers can use any Alliant's 80,000 in-network ATMs, but the credit union also provides $20 per month in ATM fee reimbursement for out-of-network locations. Alliant doesn't charge monthly fees, overdraft fees or require minimum balances. However, it doesn't operate any physical locations, which can be inconvenient if you prefer to visit a branch in person to complete your banking tasks. If you want paper statements, you'll have to pay an added fee, and the credit union has a $1,000 minimum requirement for its share certificates.
- Available nationwide
- $100 savings award
- Offers interest-bearing checking accounts
- Lower customer satisfaction ratings
- No physical branches
- Paper statement fees
Best for Members of the Military: Navy Federal Credit Union
For the second year in a row, Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCC) is Money's pick for the best credit union for military members, veterans or qualified family members. NFCC offers accounts with low fees and higher-than-average APYs on money market accounts and share certificates. Those who qualify for NFCC membership can take advantage of the credit union's interest-bearing checking accounts, and the NFCC is also notable for its exceptional customer satisfaction ratings; on TrustPilot, it has a 4.5 out of 5 rating based on nearly 44,000 reviews — a stellar rating.
Unfortunately, not everyone will be eligible for membership with the NFCC. If you aren't a service member, veteran or the family member of a qualifying member, you'll have to work with another credit union.
- Interest-bearing checking accounts
- Higher-than-average APY on share certificates and money market accounts
- Exceptional customer satisfaction ratings
- Limited membership eligibility
- Low APY on savings accounts
Best for Seniors: Golden1 Credit Union
Another repeat winner, Golden 1 offers customers a variety of banking products, including free checking accounts, interest-bearing checking accounts, high-yield savings accounts and share certificates — the credit union equivalent of a certificate of deposit (CD). It boasts low fees and higher-than-usual APYs, and members can qualify for other perks like special discounts on tickets for sports events.
The credit union's Golden Prestige Checking, available to customers 62 and older, has no monthly maintenance fee, no per-check charges and offers two free boxes of custom checks each year. Additionally, that account includes up to 10 free cashier's checks per month, free domestic money wire transfer service and free notary services. However, Golden 1's membership isn't open to the general public. It primarily serves people who live or work in California. You may be able to join if you work for an eligible employer or have a family member who is a current member; otherwise, you're ineligible for membership.
- Free services for those 62 or older
- Free checking options
- High-yield share certificates
- Limited membership requirements
- Monthly fees apply to interest-bearing checking accounts
Best for Rewards: GreenState Credit Union
For those who need an added incentive to save, GreenState Credit Union Money's top pick. The financial institutions serves more than 400,000 members across 33 branches while maintaining a network of 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs. It doesn't have monthly maintenance fees and it doesn't require minimum balances. But what's particularly attractive about the credit union is its rewards programs.
GreenState's GrowGreen Checking account currently offers a 4.00% APY on balances up to $19,999. Its Platinum Rewards Mastercard allows members to earn 3x points on gas and 2x points on groceries, while its World Mastercard allows members to earn 5x points on hotels and airlines and 2x points on gas. However, the credit union only has a presence in five states and in order to become a member, you must live or work in Iowa or select counties in Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska or South Dakota, have a family member who is a member or have an affiliation with a specific employer, community or organization.
- Up to $1,000 per year in checking account bonus dividends
- No monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements
- Offers mortgages and auto loans
- Membership only valid to those living or working in five states
- Some members report online payment system difficulty
Best for Membership Perks: America First
With $21.7 billion in consolidated assets, America First Credit Union (AFCU) is the largest winner on Money's list. The credit union offers members attractive perks. Those include exclusive discounts on travel, entertainment and services through TurboTax and Sam's Club. Additionally, members can receive cash back, mobile phone protection and identity protection services with a Premium Checking account.
However, membership with AFCU is limited to those living or working in Utah, having a family or household connection to an existing members or being affiliated with a select employer group or association. The credit union receives a relatively low TrustPilot score, but that rating is based on fewer than 40 reviews. AFCU also has a $1,000 minimum requirement for its share certificates.
- Discounts on travel, entertainment and services
- Cash back, mobile phone protection and identity protection
- Competitive APYs for share certificates
- Membership limited to those living or working in Utah
- Outdated digital services
- $1,000 minimum for share certificates
Best for Innovation: Mountain America Credit Union
Mountain America Credit Union (MACU) offers a range of checking and savings accounts, including options for kids and teens. Its savings, money market and share certificate accounts boast high APYs, and its share certificates have lower-than-usual deposit minimums. Some of its accounts, such as the MyStyle Checking account, have monthly fees, and membership isn't available to the general public. To become a member, you must live in a qualifying county in Utah, work for a qualifying employer or have a relative who is a current member.
Where the credit union differentiates itself is through innovation. MACU is embracing the digital transformation, leveraging technologies to improve member experiences. It employs the Alloy platform to help simplify and accelerate member onboarding and account opening processes. It also offers secure and cutting-edge mobile banking technology — a feature many credit unions fail to deliver to an increasingly digital customer base.
- Added protections and services with a checking account
- Youth and teen savings accounts
- Low deposit requirement for share certificates
- May have a monthly fee
- Limited membership
Best for Share Certificates: Lake Michigan
When it comes to finding the best APYs for share certificates, it's had to beat Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU). Despite operating in just two states, the institution boasts $14.5 billion in consolidated assets and a network of 55,000 ATMs. LMCU offers student- and senior-focused accounts. Its share certificates currently offer APYs up to 4.30%, and the credit union's money market accounts currently offer an APY of 4.05%.
However, LMCU share certificates require a minimum purchase deposit of $1,000. Additionally, membership is restricted to those living, working or worshiping in Michigan's lower peninsula or Florida, those who are immediate family members of existing members, or for some applications, those who make a $5 donation to the ALS Association.
- Superior APYs for share certificates
- Offers student and senior accounts
- Rated #1 in the nation for member value by Callahan & Associates
- Minimum deposit of $1,000 for share certificates
- Membership restricted to those living, working or worshiping in just two states
It's never too late to start saving — compare rates & start earning interest!
Up to 2-day-early paycheck
Earn up to 4.30% APY*
- Limited Time Offer - New accounts earn a 0.70% APY boost to 4.30% for up to 6 months with eligible direct deposit*
- $0 min. balance to earn APY
- Open Checking & Savings Accounts with 1 Sign Up
- Up to 2-Day-Early Paycheck3
- FDIC Insured up to $250k plus up to $3M in supplemental insurance4
- No Account Fees5 & No-fee Overdraft Coverage6
*Terms Apply
No monthly maintenance fees
- $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY on Barclays' Tiered Savings
- No Monthly Maintenance Fees
- Easy Direct Deposits & Online Transfers
- Deposits are FDIC Insured
*Rate as of 6/18/2025
No minimum opening deposit
- Earn Over 5X the National Savings Average¹
- $0 Min. Balance to Earn APY
- $0 Monthly Fees & No Min. Opening Deposit
- No Overdraft Fees
- Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000²
*Rates as of 9/30/2025
Open an account in 5 minutes
- With a Balance of $5,000 or More*
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Earn 0.25% APY with a Balance of Less than $5k*
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$100 Minimum Deposit to Open Account
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No Account Opening or Monthly Service Fees
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CIT Bank Account is FDIC Insured
No hidden fees
Enjoy hassle-free banking and earn 4.20% APY* with no more hidden fees.
- Enjoy free monthly maintenance
- Watch your savings grow with daily compounded interest.
- Deposit anytime, anywhere with unlimited mobile check deposits.
- Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
*Rate as of 10/10/2025
How we chose the Best Banks of 2026
To determine our list of Best Banks for 2026, Money evaluated hundreds of the largest retail banks, credit unions, regional and state banks, ranked by assets, and dozens of the most popular online banks. To identify the best credit unions of 2025-2026, we researched more than 20 top credit unions based on their consolidated assets. We evaluated each credit union based on their deposit account options, APYs, deposit requirements, fees and added benefits. We also considered customer satisfaction ratings and membership requirements to select the top credit unions. You can read our full methodology here.