Credit unions have been growing considerably in recent years. While total assets in federally insured credit unions totaled $1.42 trillion in 2018, that figure had risen to $2.21 trillion by March 2023 — marking an increase of more than 50 percent in just five years.
Currently, the ten largest credit unions hold approximately $342 billion worth of deposits and $400 billion in total assets.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest credit unions in the U.S. by total assets, according to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
| Rank | Credit Union Name | Total Assets |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navy Federal | $166 billion |
| 2 | State Employees’ | $50.8 billion |
| 3 | Pentagon Federal | $35.3 billion |
| 4 | Boeing Employees | $28.9 billion |
| 5 | SchoolsFirst | $28.6 billion |
| 6 | Golden 1 | $19.6 billion |
| 7 | Alliant | $19 billion |
| 8 | America First | $18.3 billion |
| 9 | First Technology | $17 billion |
| 10 | Mountain America | $17 billion |
1. Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal is the largest credit union in the country. It has more than 300 branches (which rivals one or two of the biggest banks in the U.S.), mainly in the Northeast, and more than 12 million members, totaling $144 billion in deposits. The credit union offers a full host of financial products and services, including deposit products like checking and savings accounts and credit products like credit cards and auto loans.
In order to be a member, you or a family/household member must have a tie to the armed forces, the U.S. Department of Defense or the National Guard.
Read Bankrate’s review of Navy Federal.
Assets: $166 billion
Headquarters: Vienna, Virginia
2. State Employees’ Credit Union
Chartered in 1937, State Employees’ is the second largest credit union in the U.S. It has more than 250 branches, all in North Carolina. With more than $46 billion in deposits, State Employees’ has over 2.7 million members. Membership is open primarily to employees (and their families) located in North Carolina.
Read Bankrate’s review of State Employees’ Credit Union.
Assets: $50.8 billion
Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina
3. Pentagon Federal Credit Union
Although it’s the third largest credit union by total assets, Pentagon Federal (also known as PenFed) ranks second in number of customers, totaling over 2.9 million members. Its deposits total nearly $29 billion. The credit union has just 56 branches scattered across the U.S., but provides a full spectrum of financial products, including certificates of deposit (CDs) as well as money market, checking and savings accounts. PenFed membership is open to anyone.
Read Bankrate’s review of PenFed Credit Union.
Assets: $35.3 billion
Headquarters: McLean, Virginia
4. Boeing Employees Credit Union
Located mostly in the Northwest, Boeing Employees’ Credit Union is the largest credit union in Washington state. Boeing Employees’ has 1.4 million members, and they hold nearly $26 billion in deposits at the credit union. Membership is currently open to those who worship, work or live in Washington state, and residents of select counties in Oregon and Idaho.
Read Bankrate’s review of Boeing Employees’ Credit Union.
Assets: $28.9 billion
Headquarters: Tukwila, Washington
5. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
SchoolsFirst is an California-based institution servicing over 1.3 million members. With more than $24 million in total deposits, it maintains 70 branches mainly in the Los Angeles and Sacramento areas. The credit union serves educational communities in California.
As such, membership is open to current or retired school employees living in California or those with a family member who belongs to the credit union. Membership is also open to employees living in California whose company primarily offers direct services to a school or district in California, or college students enrolled in eligible education programs with a student teaching requirement.
Read Bankrate’s review of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
Assets: $28.6 billion
Headquarters: Tustin, California
6. Golden 1 Credit Union
Golden 1 Credit Union was chartered in 1933. Today, it serves more than 1 million members and has nearly $17 million in total deposits. The credit union offers a full range of financial products, including deposit and loan products, and maintains 65 branches scattered throughout California.
Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in California. Non-Californians may also become members if a family member or domestic partner is a current member.
Read Bankrate’s review of Golden 1 Credit Union.
Assets: $19.6 billion
Headquarters: Sacramento, California
7. Alliant Credit Union
Alliant Credit Union has more than 800,000 members, and it has nearly $14 billion in deposits. The online-only credit union doesn’t maintain any branches.
Membership in Alliant is open to current or retired employees (and their families) of businesses and organizations that partner with Alliant in the U.S. Membership is also open to members of Foster Care to Success, an organization that serves foster teens in the U.S.
Read Bankrate’s review of Alliant Credit Union.
Assets: $19 billion
Headquarters: Chicago, IL
8. America First Credit Union
Founded in 1939, America First Credit Union is a Utah-based institution, where most of its branches can be found. The credit union has 1.3 million members with $16 billion worth of deposits. Membership is open primarily to those who live or work in Salt Lake and Juab Counties, but it’s also open to those who reside in portions of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Idaho and Oregon.
Read Bankrate’s review of America First Credit Union.
Assets: $18.3 billion
Headquarters: Riverdale, UT
9. First Technology Federal Credit Union
Despite having less than 700,000 members and only 32 branches, First Tech has over $11 billion in total deposits. The credit union’s branches are located mostly in California and the Northwest region, including Washington and Oregon. To join, you or a family member must work for a company on First Tech’s partner list, or work or live in Lane County, Oregon. Those who are members of the Computer History Museum or the FInancial Fitness Association can also join.
Read Bankrate’s review of First Technology Federal Credit Union.
Assets: $17 billion
Headquarters: San Jose, California
10. Mountain America Credit Union
Located solely in western states, Mountain America is the 10th largest credit union in the U.S. It has more than 1 million members, totaling $14.9 billion in deposits. The credit union has more than 100 branches in Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Montana.
Membership eligibility is mostly limited to those living in portions of Utah, but membership can also be extended to family and household members. Additionally, employees and volunteers of select organizations are eligible to join.
Read Bankrate’s review of Mountain America Credit Union.
Assets: $17 billion
Headquarters: Sandy, Utah
