Joining Navy FCU is a great decision, especially for those who work in the military or have a connection to the Navy. Membership is open to active duty, retired, and civilian personnel, as well as their families.
You can join Navy FCU by visiting their website, calling their customer service, or stopping by a branch in person. Membership is also available to those who are employed by select businesses or organizations.
Navy FCU offers a wide range of financial services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, and credit cards. Their rates and fees are competitive, making them a great option for those looking for affordable financial solutions.
By joining Navy FCU, you'll have access to a network of over 30,000 ATMs and 5,000 shared branches, making it easy to manage your finances on the go.
Eligibility and Membership
Navy Federal Credit Union is committed to serving those who serve, making it a great option for military personnel and their families. Membership eligibility has expanded significantly in recent years.
Existing members of the military, including active-duty, retired, and veterans, are immediately eligible to join Navy Federal. This includes Department of Defense personnel, Coast Guard members, and those in officer candidate programs.
Immediate family members of existing members are also eligible, including parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, children, and grandchildren. Household members, such as roommates, are also included in this category.
Department of Defense civilians, including employees, retirees, and contractors, are also eligible for membership. This includes employees of certain Select Employee Groups, such as NAASCO and BAE in San Diego, California.
Minors can also join Navy Federal by having an existing member sponsor their membership. This is a great way for families to take advantage of the credit union's benefits.
To join Navy Federal, you'll need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number. You may also need to provide documentation, such as a driver's license or military orders, if you're an immediate family member of a current or former servicemember.
Here are the eligibility categories for Navy Federal Credit Union:
- Active-Duty, Retired, & Veterans: This includes all Department of Defense (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force) and Coast Guard active-duty personnel, Veterans and retirees, reservists, and those in officer candidate programs (e.g., ROTC, service academies) and Delayed Entry Programs.
- Immediate Family Members: This category includes parents, grandparents, spouses, siblings, children (adopted, biological, and stepchildren), grandchildren, and household members (including roommates).
- Department of Defense Civilians: DoD civilian employees, retirees, and U.S. government employees assigned to DoD installations and DoD contractors assigned to U.S. government installations are all eligible for membership.
- Minors: Existing members can ‘pass on’ the gift of membership to children and grandchildren.
Navy Federal has a "once a member, always a member" principle, so members are never at risk of losing eligibility.
Benefits and Features
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a wide range of benefits and features that make it an attractive option for military members and their families.
As a member, you'll have access to dedicated VA mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and early release of direct deposit funds for active-duty personnel.
The credit union has a network of over 30,000 no-fee ATMs, many of which can be found at participating 7-Elevens, making it easy to access your money on the go.
You can also take advantage of the highly-rated Navy Federal mobile app, which allows for digital deposits, fund transfers, bill pay, and balance inquiries.
Industry-leading certificate rates are another perk of Navy Federal membership, making it a great option for those looking to save and earn interest.
As a member, you'll also have the opportunity to become part owner of the credit union and have a say in its future.
Here are some of the benefits and features of Navy Federal Credit Union:
- Free checking accounts
- Refund of up to $20 per statement period on ATM fees for free active duty checking accounts
- Early release of direct deposit funds for active-duty personnel
- Dedicated VA mortgage loans
- Home equity lines of credit
- Industry-leading certificate rates
- Access to over 30,000 no-fee ATMs
- Highly-rated mobile app for digital banking
With so many benefits and features to choose from, it's no wonder Navy Federal Credit Union is one of the most popular financial institutions for military members and their families.
Financial Products
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a wide range of financial products to its members, making it a one-stop-shop for all their banking needs.
To start saving, you'll need to open a Membership Share Savings Account, which requires an initial deposit of just $5 and earns a 0.25% APY.
Navy Federal also offers money market accounts, including the Money Market Savings Account and Jumbo Money Market Savings Account, which offer competitive rates and require minimum deposits ranging from $2,500 to $100,000.
Here are the APYs for Navy Federal's money market accounts:
In addition to savings and money market accounts, Navy Federal also offers certificates of deposit (CDs), which are comparable to traditional CDs and offer competitive rates, including up to 4.15% APY for balances over $100,000.
Other Financial Products
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a wide range of financial products to suit different needs. They have a variety of savings accounts, including retirement savings accounts and education savings accounts.
You can also take out a mortgage loan or a home equity loan, but be aware that home equity loans and lines of credit are currently suspended. On the other hand, student loans and personal loans are available.
If you're looking to finance a vehicle, Navy Federal offers auto loans, as well as loans for motorcycles, boats, and RVs.
CDs
CDs are a type of savings account that earns interest over a fixed term, typically ranging from a few months to several years. The interest rates vary depending on the term length and balance amount.
You can choose from five CD options at Navy Federal, each with its own unique features. The Standard Certificates have terms from three months to seven years and earn up to a 4.15% APY.
To earn the highest interest tier, you'll need a balance of more than $100,000. This is a significant requirement, but if you can meet it, you'll be rewarded with higher interest rates.
Here are the APY rates for Navy Federal's Standard Certificates:
The Special EasyStart Certificates have a 12-month term and earn up to a 4.40% APY, but you'll need to have a checking account and direct deposit set up to open it.
Cards
Navy Federal Credit Union offers a variety of credit cards to suit different needs. They have a cashRewards Card that rewards cardholders with cash back on their purchases.
Their credit card options include several rewards credit cards, such as the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card and the Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card. These cards offer rewards points or cash back on certain purchases.
The Go Rewards Card is another option, and it offers rewards on gas and other purchases. The Platinum Card is a more premium option, but details on its benefits are not provided.
For those with less-than-perfect credit, the nRewards Secured Card is an option. This card requires a security deposit and can help cardholders establish or rebuild their credit.
Here are some of the credit cards offered by Navy Federal Credit Union:
- cashRewards Card
- Navy Federal More Rewards American Express Card
- Visa Signature Flagship Rewards Card
- Go Rewards Card
- Platinum Card
- nRewards Secured Card
Banking and Services
To bank at Navy Federal, you must be a member of the credit union, which is open to active duty, retired, or veteran members of the armed forces, including family members and Department of Defense civilians. Membership is also an option for certain citizens.
Navy Federal offers a range of banking services, including business banking products, checking accounts, and savings accounts. Their business checking and savings accounts are highly rated, and they offer a variety of checking accounts to suit different needs, including Free Active Duty Checking and Flagship Checking.
Here are some key features of Navy Federal's checking accounts:
Checking Accounts
Navy Federal Credit Union offers five checking accounts, each designed to meet specific needs. One of the accounts, Free Active Duty Checking, is specifically for active duty military and retired military members, with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.
The credit union's checking accounts earn interest, with the Free Active Duty Checking, Free Easy Checking, and Free Campus Checking accounts earning 0.05% APY. The Everyday Checking account earns 0.01% APY, while the Flagship Checking account earns up to 0.45% APY for balances over $25,000.
There are no minimum opening deposits required for any of the checking accounts. The Flagship Checking account has a $10 monthly fee, which can be waived by maintaining an average daily balance of over $1,500.
Here's a breakdown of the credit union's checking accounts:
All of the credit union's checking accounts offer free personalized checks and out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements, with the Free Active Duty Checking account offering up to $240 in reimbursements annually and the other accounts offering up to $120 in reimbursements annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to join Navy Federal Credit Union?
To join Navy Federal Credit Union, you'll need to open a Membership Savings Account with a $5 minimum balance. This initial deposit is the only membership requirement.
Sources
- https://themilitarywallet.com/navy-federal-membership-eligibility/
- https://www.investopedia.com/navy-federal-credit-union-review-5069816
- https://collegerecon.com/navy-federal-credit-union-benefits/
- https://www.mymoneyblog.com/navy-federal-new-member-promotions-bonus.html
- https://thecollegeinvestor.com/34083/navy-federal-credit-union-review/
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