Navy Federal Credit Union Review 2026
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At a glance
Overview
Navy Federal Credit Union is open to families nationwide with ties to the U.S. military, with many branches located on or near military bases. It’s a good fit for anyone looking for a credit union known for providing reliable, 24/7 customer service and an extensive network of more than 300 branches worldwide.
Highlights:
24/7 Customer Service ATM Fee Refunds Free CheckingHighlights:
CDs
Checking
Savings
MMA
Customer Experience
Offers featured here have been sponsored which impacts how, where, and in what order the products appear. Not all offers are displayed on this page.
These are sponsored offers rated highly by us for competitive rates, fees, and minimums.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
Bankrate Savings rating = 4.5/5
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
Bankrate Savings rating = 4.6/5
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
Bankrate Savings rating = 4.4/5
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
Offers featured here have been sponsored which impacts how, where, and in what order the products appear. Not all offers are displayed on this page.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Our scoring formula weighs several factors consumers should consider when choosing financial products and services.
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account.
Navy Federal Credit Union pros and cons
Pros
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Access to more than 300 branches.
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More than 30,000 free in-network ATMs.
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Customer service available 24/7.
Cons
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Higher savings and money market yields can easily be found elsewhere.
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Membership is only available to those with a military affiliation.
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Navy Federal Credit Union banking products
Navy FCU Membership Share Savings account
Pros
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A low $5 minimum deposit is required to open an account.
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No monthly service fees apply.
Cons
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Savings account yields are very low.
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Does not come with an ATM card.
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An inactive member fee is assessed quarterly.
Navy Federal makes it easy to open a savings account — it takes just $5, and there’s no monthly service fees. That ease comes with a pretty significant tradeoff, however. The yield offered is below the national average, and better savings yields can be found elsewhere with similarly light requirements.
Navy Federal members also have the option of opening an Education Savings Account (ESA), in which funds grow tax free for qualified primary, secondary and higher education expenses. Total contributions per beneficiary, however, are capped at $2,000 a year.
Navy FCU certificates of deposit
Pros
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Wide range of certificate terms.
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Most standard certificates offer competitive APYs
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Standard $1,000 deposit to open.
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Specialty CDs available.
Cons
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Standard CDs require $100,000 to earn the highest yields.
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Some specialty CDs only permit a deposit of up to $3,000.
Navy Federal offers several options to members interested in share certificates — another name for certificates of deposit (CDs). Standard certificate terms range from three months to seven years, require a $1,000 minimum deposit and earn APYs that are above the national average. Slightly higher yields are earned for balances of $100,000 or more.
The credit union also offers EasyStart Certificates with terms of one year, 18 months and two years, all of which earn solid yields. A minimum deposit of only $50 is required, and money can be added to the account at any time. It also offers a one-year special version with a $50 minimum and $3,000 maximum deposit. The specialty CD requires a Navy Federal checking account with direct deposit set up.
Navy FCU Money Market Savings account
Pros
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The account doesn’t charge a monthly fee.
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The account comes with check-writing privileges.
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There’s no minimum deposit requirement to open the account.
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There are no transaction limitations.
Cons
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Top APYs aren't robust and require a high deposit.
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High minimum balance to earn interest.
Unlike the basic savings account, Navy Federal’s Money Market Savings Account pays a yield that varies based on the size of your deposit. Savers will need to deposit at least $50,000 to earn the top yields on this account, which can be easily topped elsewhere.
The account doesn’t have a minimum deposit requirement to open, but you’ll need at least $2,500 to earn interest. The account has no monthly fee and offers check-writing ability.
Navy FCU Free Everyday Checking account
Pros
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No monthly fees.
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No minimum balance.
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Members have free access to thousands of ATMs.
Cons
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Inactive member fee assessed quarterly.
Navy Federal members can choose from several checking accounts catering to different types of members. Its Free EveryDay Checking account earns a little bit of interest, requires no minimum balance or a monthly fee and is available to all of the credit union’s members.
Globally, Navy Federal members have access to more than 300 branches and over 30,000 free ATMs through its membership in the CO-OP ATM network.
Customer experience
Customer support
Branch availability. Navy Federal offers more than 300 branches, some of which are located on military bases. It offers overseas branches located in 10 countries.
Customer service. Customer service representatives are available in the U.S. to speak with members over the phone 24/7. Online, members who have questions can access live chat. Those looking for help to manage their finances will find a bevy of useful tools, including calculators, deployment advice, seminars and more on the credit union's website.
ATM access. While Navy Federal grants fee-free access to 30,000 ATMs across the U.S., consumers should note there are areas where you’ll be hard pressed to find an ATM.
“In Virginia Beach, there were multiple branches and ATMs, likely due to the higher military/veteran population,” said a Bankrate staff member who uses Navy Federal personally. “Now that I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, I don’t have access to a single branch and there’s only one ATM in my area. I would not recommend Navy Federal in the Charlotte metro area for customers who prefer in-person banking.”
Digital experience
Mobile app. Navy Federal offers a mobile app on the Apple App and Google Play stores. The app is highly rated by iOS users, but receives low scores from Android users. The app lets customers do things like deposit checks, pay bills and transfer money between accounts. Apple Pay and Google Pay are options for account holders looking for a mobile wallet.
Digital tools. Navy Federal customers can use Zelle for person-to-person transactions and connect external accounts for easy transfers. Moreover, customers can use the My Credit Score dashboard feature via the accounts page, according to a Bankrate staff member with an account.
Bankrate staff insights
“Navy Federal offers competitive CD rates compared to most banks and credit unions, but low APYs on the basic savings account,” said a Bankrate staff member with an account. “For that reason, I keep minimal funds in there to keep my account open for other products like credit cards and loans, since Navy Federal offers much lower APRs compared to big banks I also use.”
Disclosure: To enhance our product reviews, Bankrate employees often open accounts and provide feedback. They may have been compensated for their time and account maintenance, but this does not affect the integrity of their review.
How Navy Federal Credit Union compares to other banks
Compare different account types offered by Navy Federal Credit Union. Annual percentage yields (APYs) shown were updated between March 25, 2026 and March 31, 2026.
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Selected bank
Navy Federal Credit Union savings account
Bankrate score
2.8
Bankrate Savings rating = 2.8/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. |
Most comparable
America First Credit Union savings account
Bankrate score
2.8
Bankrate Savings rating = 2.8/5 Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. |
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Bankrate score
Bankrate Savings rating Bankrate scores are objectively determined by our editorial team. Annual percentage yields (APYs), minimum opening deposit requirements and minimum balances to avoid monthly service fees are some of the things that make up Bankrate’s score. |
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APY
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest. APYs last updated between March 25, 2026 and March 31, 2026.
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| 0.25% | 0.05% | |
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Minimum balance for APY
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| $5.00 | $1.00 | |
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Estimated earnings
Interest earned calculation based on a $50,000 deposit amount for a period of 1 year and is rounded to the nearest dollar. Exact earnings are dependent on calendar year, balance, and compounding frequency. Minimum deposit rules may apply.
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| $125 | $25 | |
| Navy Federal makes it easy to open a savings account — it takes just $5, and there’s no monthly service fees. That ease comes with a pretty significant tradeoff, however. The yield offered is below the national average, and better savings yields can be found elsewhere with similarly light requirements. | America First Credit Union’s Share Savings account can be opened with just $1, which is also the amount needed to earn interest. All balances earn a paltry rate, however. | |
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APY offering:
0.25%
1/5
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest.
Minimum deposit for APY:
$5.00
4/5
The minimum deposit amount a financial institution requires in order to open a savings account.
Monthly service fee:
$0.00
5/5
A monthly charge a financial institution deducts from an account; can sometimes be waived if certain requirements are met.
Minimum balance to avoid fee:
$0.00
5/5
The lowest balance an account must maintain to avoid a monthly fee.
Access to funds:
Great
5/5
Access to funds scores how many and which ways you can withdraw and deposit funds from a savings account.
Additional savings tools:
0/5
Additional savings tools include features such as sub-accounts, roundup savings or other automatic savings features.
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APY offering:
0.05%
1/5
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest.
Minimum deposit for APY:
$1.00
4/5
The minimum deposit amount a financial institution requires in order to open a savings account.
Monthly service fee:
$0.00
5/5
A monthly charge a financial institution deducts from an account; can sometimes be waived if certain requirements are met.
Minimum balance to avoid fee:
$0.00
5/5
The lowest balance an account must maintain to avoid a monthly fee.
Access to funds:
Great
5/5
Access to funds scores how many and which ways you can withdraw and deposit funds from a savings account.
Additional savings tools:
No
0/5
Additional savings tools include features such as sub-accounts, roundup savings or other automatic savings features.
|
APY, or annual percentage yield, is the yearly return on a bank or investment account. APY includes the effects of compounding interest.
The minimum deposit amount a financial institution requires in order to open a savings account.
A monthly charge a financial institution deducts from an account; can sometimes be waived if certain requirements are met.
The lowest balance an account must maintain to avoid a monthly fee.
Access to funds scores how many and which ways you can withdraw and deposit funds from a savings account.
Additional savings tools include features such as sub-accounts, roundup savings or other automatic savings features.
Bankrate does not currently track additional product details for this bank.
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Review methodology
We assign a score to each type of account and its features, weigh them carefully based on importance to account holders and determine an overall score. Read our full review methodology.
