16 Credit Unions That Anyone Can Join, and How to Choose the Right Fit

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• Some credit unions let you join online from anywhere in the U.S.
• To become a member, give a small donation to a foundation or open a savings account.
• You’ll prefer a credit union over a traditional bank if you want to earn a higher interest rate.

Credit unions require membership to open a bank account or utilize services. Usually, you’ll have to work for a select employer or live in a specific city or county.

However, some credit unions have pretty easy membership requirements that you let join from anywhere in the U.S.

If you’re open to banking with a credit union over a bank, we’ve put together a list of available credit unions for every consumer so you can join a credit union with open membership.

Credit Unions With Easy Membership Requirements

1. Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union pays high interest rates on its money market account and CDs. It also has a rewards program that lets you earn points if you keep a certain amount of money in your account or use a bank credit card.

Membership requirements: The easiest way to join Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is to donate $25 to the Affinity Plus Foundation and open a savings account.  Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union has 26 branches in Minnesota and has additional ways to become a member if you live or work in the state.

2. Alliant Credit Union

Why it stands out: Alliant Credit Union has high-interest savings and checking accounts with low minimum opening deposits. 

Membership requirements: You’ll be able to become a member of Alliant Credit Union if you join Foster Care to Success, a non-profit organization focused on foster youth (Alliant covers the $5 joining fee). You’ll also be able to join the credit union if you live in certain parts of Illinois or work at an eligible employer.

3. Bethpage Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Bethpage Federal Credit Union pays high interest rates on checking, certificate, and money market accounts. The certificates are especially appealing if you’re looking for an institution with a low minimum opening deposit — you’ll only need $50 to open one.

Membership requirements: Bethpage Federal Credit Union lets you join online from anywhere in the U.S., as long as you open a savings account with at least $5.

4. Blue Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Blue Federal Credit Union pays solid rates on certificates. The credit union also offers 24/7 live customer service, which is ideal if traditional banking hours don’t work for you.

Membership requirements: The easiest way to join is by donating $5 to the Blue Foundation and opening the Blue Federal Credit Union Membership Share Savings Account with another $5. However, if you live in Colorado or Wyoming, you also may qualify if you meet another membership requirement.

5. Connexus Credit Union

Why it stands out: Connexus Credit Union pays competitive interest rates on all of its accounts. The Connexus Xtraordinary Checking Account is a solid choice if your priority is finding a high-yield checking account.

Membership requirements: Connexus Credit Union lets you join online from anywhere in the U.S. if you make a $5 donation to the Connexus Association. If you or a family member live in Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin, see if you meet one of the credit union’s other membership requirements.

6. Consumers Credit Union

Why it stands out: Consumers Credit Union has a unique high-yield checking account that pays you a high interest if you meet the requirements. Its bank accounts have low minimum opening deposits. Customer support is also available 24/7 through live chat.

Membership requirements: Anyone in the U.S. can become a member of Consumers Credit Union online. Just pay a one-time $5 membership fee and open a savings account.

If you’re an immigrant or not a U.S. citizen, Consumers lets you use a Matricula Consular ID or permanent resident card instead of a U.S. government ID to open an account. This makes it a good choice as a credit union for immigrants and U.S. non-citizens.

7. Credit Human Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Credit Human Federal Credit Union offers some of the best CD rates of any financial institution for several CDs, including for 18-month CD rates and 4-year CD rates.

Membership requirements: You can easily join Credit Human by becoming a member of the American Consumer Council. It’s free to join the association on Credit Human’s account application — Credit Human will cover the fee. You can also join Credit Human if you work for select employers, live, work, worship, or attend school in San Antonio or New Orleans, are a veteran, retiree, active duty member, or dependent of a member of the U.S. Army or National Guard, or you’re related to or live with a Credit Human member. 

8. Dow Credit Union

Why it stands out: Dow Credit Union offers CDs with very high interest rates, such as 3-month CD rates and 3-year CD rates. It also offers a checking account with interest, if you’re looking for a checking account that will let you earn money off of your funds.

Membership requirements: Anyone who’s part of the Midland Area Community Foundation can join. You can become a member of the foundation by donating $10 to the Multipliers for Good fund. Otherwise, members of specific groups, people who work for select employers, and people who are related to or share a household with a current member can join.

9. Hope Credit Union

Why it stands out: Hope Credit Union is a Black-owned financial institution that gives back to local communities in certain parts of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It has solid savings and checking accounts that don’t have monthly service fees.

As a Juntos Avanzamos designated credit union, Hope Credit Union lets you use a permanent resident card, foreign passport, or Matricula Consular if you don’t have a U.S. ID. You’ll also be able to use an ITIN number instead of a social security number. If you plan on using an alternative ID, you’ll have to apply in person instead of online, though.

Membership requirements: Hope Credit Union lets you join online if you pay a $10 membership fee. 

10. Latino Community Credit Union

Why it stands out: Latino Community Credit Union is a Hispanic American-led financial institution that provides financial literacy education and bilingual services to local communities in North Carolina. You can also open an account online from anywhere in the U.S. It has savings and checking accounts with low minimum opening deposits.

Membership requirements: If you don’t live in North Carolina, you can still apply online by submitting an application and paying a $10 membership fee.

11. NASA Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: NASA FCU’s strongest products are its CDs. It pays high interest rates, especially on 9-month and 15-month terms.

Membership requirements: The credit union provides you with a complimentary 1-year membership to the National Space Society, which makes you eligible to join.

12. Pentagon Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Pentagon Federal Credit Union pays competitive interest rates on its savings account and CDs. You also may like it if you’re part of a military family.

Membership requirements: The easiest way to become a part of Pentagon Federal Credit Union is by opening a savings account with at least $5. You’re also eligible for membership if you’ve served in the military or work at a select employer.

13. Premier Members Credit Union

Why it stands out: Premier Members Credit Union has a strong money market account. It earns a competitive interest rate and doesn’t have monthly service fees.

Membership requirements: While Premier Members Credit Union is based in Colorado, you’re still eligible for membership if you join Impact on Education, a charity in the Boulder Valley School District, and open a savings account online. If you live in Colorado, check if you live in an eligible county or work at a select employer.

14. Quorum Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Quorum Federal Credit Union pays high interest rates on term accounts (what it calls CDs), and it has a high-yield savings account.

Membership requirements: The easiest way to join is to either become a member of the American Consumer Council or Select Savers Club when you fill out a Quorum FCU application. You can join the ACC for free. Although the SCC requires $5 to join, Quorum will cover the cost for you.

15. Signature Federal Credit Union

Why it stands out: Signature Federal Credit Union has a high-yield checking account that pays a great rate on balances up to $20,000.

Membership requirements: The easiest way to become a member of Signature Federal Credit Union is by joining the American Consumer Council for $8 per year. Membership is also open to employees for certain companies; Marymount University Alumni Association members or employees; U.S. Postal Service postmasters, postmasters relief, supervisors, or officers in charge; or immediate family and household members of existing Signature FCU members.

16. Wings Credit Union

Why it stands out: Wings Credit Union offers high-yield savings and checking accounts. If you meet the bank account requirements for one of these two accounts, you’ll earn a high rate.

Membership requirements: The easiest way to join Wings Credit Union is to donate $5 to the Wings Financial Foundation. However, if you or a family work in the aviation industry or live in an eligible county or metro area, you also might be eligible.

Pros and Cons of Credit Unions

Are you still mulling whether a credit union is right for you? Here are some of the main pros and cons to consider.

When Should you Bank With a Credit Union Over a Bank?

You should choose a credit union over a bank if you find specific accounts or services that are ideal for your goals. Many of the credit unions featured have high-yield bank accounts, so if you find an account that matches what you’re looking for, you won’t feel like you’re compromising because there are fewer products and services. 

You also might want to choose a credit union if you struggle with traditional banking services or requirements. Some credit unions offer 24/7 live customer service. Other institutions featured allow you to use a foreign ID or ITIN number if you aren’t a U.S. citizen.

Credit Union FAQs

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Credit Unions That Anyone Can Join

At Business Insider, we use our bank account rating methodology to review banks and credit unions. We rate financial institutions from zero to five stars, and we factor in aspects like a financial institution’s ethics, rates, customer service, mobile app ratings, ATM networks, and fees, among others, when rating. When rating credit unions, we rate each account offered by the credit union and average their scores, along with the bank’s trustworthiness rating, to find the credit union’s rating as a whole.

Sophia Acevedo, CEPF

Banking Editor

Kit Pulliam

Personal Finance Insider editorial fellow