What are the largest credit unions in the US by assets?

The top US credit unions by assets include Navy Federal Credit Union, State Employees’ Credit Union, and PenFed Credit Union, among others, with assets typically exceeding $10 billion.

How do credit unions differ from banks?

Credit unions are not-for-profit member-owned cooperatives, often offering lower fees and better interest rates than banks, but they require membership eligibility based on location, employer, or affiliation.

Can anyone join a top US credit union?

No, each credit union has specific membership requirements; for example, Navy Federal is open to military members and families, while others may be limited to state employees or residents of certain regions.

What is the asset size of the largest credit union?

Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest, with assets over $170 billion as of the latest reports, making it significantly larger than most other credit unions.

Are credit unions safer than banks?

Both are insured: credit unions by NCUA and banks by FDIC, each up to $250,000 per depositor, so they offer similar safety for deposits.

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Top 10 US Credit Unions by Assets (2025): Biggest Members-Owned Banks

The US credit union sector manages over $2.2 trillion in assets across 4,700+ federally insured institutions serving 135 million members. Unlike commercial banks, credit unions operate as member-owned nonprofits—a structural advantage that translates directly into your wallet through lower loan rates, higher deposit yields, and profits reinvested in membership rather than shareholders. The 10 largest credit unions command the bulk of these assets and lead the charge in digital banking innovation: advanced mobile platforms, fintech partnerships, and member-centric technology that deliver institutional banking power without corporate layers. Whether you're a military family exploring credit union benefits, a tech professional seeking flexible banking, or a saver hunting higher yields, the market leaders profiled here demonstrate what member ownership delivers in practice. This ranking identifies which credit unions dominate by assets and offer the resources, innovation, and customer-first approach that defines the modern financial alternative.

Location: US2026228 viewsJul 18, 2026 Updated Sep 7, 2026

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Current Rankings

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#1
Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal is the largest credit union in the world, with roughly $180 billion in assets and around 14 million members. Membership is restricted: you need a connection to the armed forces or the Department of Defense, or a family member who already belongs.
Navy Federal Credit Union Review - NerdWallet NCUA Call Report Data - Navy Federal Navy Federal Credit Union Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#2
State Employees Credit Union
State Employees Credit Union holds $53 billion in assets, serving 2.7 million members - roughly one in four North Carolina adults. Its 270+ branch network provides statewide community coverage, ranking it the second-largest US credit union behind Navy Federal.
SECU Review - Bankrate NCUA Call Report Data - SECU NC SECU North Carolina Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#3
Pentagon Federal Credit Union
PenFed began in 1935 as the War Department Federal Credit Union and remains one of the largest credit unions in the United States, with roughly $35 billion in assets and about 2.8 million members. Since 2019 anyone can join regardless of military connection, which is unusual among defence-affiliated credit unions; its Platinum Rewards card is best known for a high points rate on fuel.
PenFed Credit Union Review - NerdWallet NCUA Call Report Data - PenFed PenFed Credit Union Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#4
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
SchoolsFirst FCU is the largest credit union in California, with roughly $27 billion in assets, and its membership is restricted to school employees, their families, and others in the education community — about 1.4 million members in total.
SchoolsFirst FCU Review - Bankrate NCUA Call Report Data - SchoolsFirst FCU SchoolsFirst FCU Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#5
Boeing Employees Credit Union (BECU)
As the dominant credit union in the Pacific Northwest, BECU holds $28 billion in assets and has grown beyond its Boeing origins to serve 1.4 million members. Its Early Saver account for children earns 6.17% APY on the first $500, and free checking has no minimum balance.
BECU Review - NerdWallet NCUA Call Report Data - BECU BECU Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#6
Golden 1 Credit Union
Golden 1 Credit Union holds about $19 billion in assets and serves over 1.1 million Californians as the state's second-largest credit union. More than 70 branches complement its digital platform, and it holds the naming rights to the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, home of the Kings.
Golden 1 Credit Union Review - Bankrate NCUA Call Report Data - Golden 1 CU Golden 1 Credit Union Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#7
America First Credit Union
America First Credit Union is Utah's largest credit union, holding around $18 billion in assets and serving roughly 1.4 million members across several states. Members get surcharge-free access to the CO-OP shared ATM network, which is how a regional credit union offers national cash access.
America First CU Review - NerdWallet NCUA Call Report Data - America First CU America First Credit Union Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#8
Alliant Credit Union
Alliant Credit Union manages $17 billion in assets with a digital-first, branchless model, open to anyone who joins its partner nonprofit, and serves 800,000+ members. The High-Rate Savings account reached 3.10% APY in 2025, and its cash-back Visa earns 2.5% on all purchases with no annual fee.
Alliant Credit Union Review - Bankrate NCUA Call Report Data - Alliant CU Alliant Credit Union Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#9
First Technology Federal Credit Union
First Tech Federal Credit Union serves employees of technology companies — it was founded in 1952 by Tektronix staff in Oregon, and its field of membership now covers workers at firms including HP, Microsoft, Amazon and Google. It holds roughly $16 billion in assets for about 650,000 members and is headquartered in San Jose.
First Tech FCU Review - NerdWallet NCUA Call Report Data - First Tech FCU First Tech Federal Credit Union Official Site
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source: wikipedia
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#10
BECU Pacific Northwest
BECU Pacific Northwest commands $28 billion in assets and over 1.4 million members across WA, OR, and ID, outpacing First Tech FCU in scale by $13 billion. The 2026 digital wallet integration targets 500,000 active mobile users, a 20% increase from current adoption. This cooperative model emphasizes member value, delivering tangible savings while expanding its tech footprint at a lower cost than many rivals.
BECU Review - Bankrate NCUA Call Report Data - BECU BECU Official Site
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source: wikipedia