Star One Credit Union Review
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At a glance
Overview
Star One Credit Union could be a good fit for consumers in eligible California counties looking for a feature-filled interest-bearing checking account and to avoid high fees.
Highlights:
Free Checking No Monthly Fees Reward CheckingHighlights:
CDs
Checking
MMA
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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 = 4.6/5
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.
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 = 4.2/5
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.
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.
Overall
At more than 60 years old, Star One Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in Silicon Valley.
Though Star One’s six branches are limited to the Silicon Valley area, it is part of a network of nearly 6,000 shared branches, which allow members to do their banking at partnered credit union locations. Plus, members get access to around 30,000 fee-free ATMs through the CO-OP network.
Star One’s checking accounts are standouts. They earn interest, there are no monthly fees and two of the checking accounts offer ATM surcharge refunds. On the other hand, Star One’s share certificate selection is limited, and although it offers a competitive money market account rate, better rates can still be found elsewhere.
Pros
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Minimum deposit requirements overall are low for most accounts.
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There are no monthly service fees.
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All checking accounts earn interest.
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Members have access to digital features like voice banking through Amazon or Google voice devices.
Cons
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There’s a limited product selection available for savers.
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Higher rates on certificates and money market accounts are available elsewhere.
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Membership is limited to those in select counties in California or those who work with corporate partners of the credit union.
Star One Credit Union banking products
Star One Credit Union CD overview
Pros
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Certificate accounts can be opened online.
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Earned interest can be mailed or transferred to a Star One checking or savings account.
Cons
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Only three certificate terms are available.
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Star One doesn't offer any specialty certificates.
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Higher rates can be found elsewhere.
Star One Credit Union money market overview
Pros
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A money market savings account can be opened with a low minimum deposit of $50.
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Account holders can create multiple savings accounts for different goals at no additional cost.
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There’s no monthly fee.
Cons
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Account holders do not have check-writing privileges.
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Higher APYs are available elsewhere.
Star One Credit Union checking overview
Pros
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Minimum opening deposits are low.
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There are no monthly service fees on any checking account.
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All three checking accounts earn interest, regardless of balance.
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ATM rebates of $10 and $20 are available to members with the student checking and Rewards Checking accounts, respectively.
Cons
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The free checking account doesn’t refund out-of-network ATM surcharges.
Bank fees
| Fee | Charged? |
|---|---|
| Overdraft fee | $15 |
| Non-sufficient funds fee | $15 |
| Account maintenance fees | None |
| ATM fee | Free for first 20 withdrawals each month; then $1 per withdrawal |
Customer experience
Branch and ATM access. Star One Credit Union has six branches, all of which are located in California’s Silicon Valley region. Most locations have the same hours and a few are open on Saturdays. More than 5,600 shared branches are available plus nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs available through the CO-OP network. Some ATMs accept deposits.
Customer service. Members who want to meet with a bank representative can schedule an appointment in advance online. Representatives are available over the phone from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time, weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekends and most holidays. Customers can also fill out a web form for general questions.
Digital features. Fans of digital wallets can use Star One Visa debit and credit cards with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Other digital features include voice banking (a skill available through Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant or a Google voice device), Zelle, mobile check deposit and the ability to create balance alerts. The credit union’s app is highly rated.
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.
