Best Credit Union Savings and Money Market Rates in Santa Clara, California, CA June 15, 2025

You are viewing savings rates from credit unions in Santa Clara, California

Credit Unions can offer savings and money market rates that are competitive not only with local banks, but also sometimes with the best rates at online savings banks. The table below lists the best rates at credit unions near you. If you click on the credit union’s name, you’ll be taken to more information about its locations and operations.

Santa Clara, CA - June 15, 2025

Savings Account National Average Rate: 0.45% ^?

Credit Unions	APY	MIN
Baxter Baxter Branch Restrictions	4.00% 0.40% 0.30% 0.15% 0.10% 0.05%	$15,000 $500,000 $250,000 $100,000 $25,000 $1,000	Learn More Add Review
12 Month Introductory Rate
Self-help Self-help Branch Restrictions	3.32%	$500	Learn More
northcape5 \| Sep 27, 2016 why have you not updated your rates Read More Reviews (1)
Star One Star One Branch Restrictions	3.25%	$5	Learn More
Rate History: 2.75% → 3.25%
VD \| Aug 18, 2020 Excellent! Read More Reviews (1)
Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch Restrictions	3.10% 1.10% 0.60% 0.55% 0.50% 0.40% 0.30%	$0 $2,001 $5,001 $10,001 $100,000 $25,000 $2,500	Learn More Add Review
Citizens Equity First Santa Clara Member Center Branch Restrictions	2.25% 2.15% 2.05% 1.95%	$100,000 $50,000 $25,000 $2,500	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 1.70% → 2.15% → 2.25%
Patelco Patelco Branch Restrictions	2.00% 1.50% 1.00% 0.25% 0.20%	$0 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000 $50,000	Learn More
ceblack9490@comcast.net \| Feb 6, 2023 max. amt. per account thats insured under your ncua? limit on how many accts? Read More Reviews (2)
Baxter Baxter Branch Restrictions	2.00% 1.50% 0.01%	$25,000 $25 $0	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 2.50% → 2.00%
Stanford Stanford Branch Restrictions	1.81%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Technology Palo Alto Financial Center Branch Restrictions	1.00% 0.85% 0.50%	$50,000 $25,000 $2,500	Learn More Add Review
The Golden 1 Hayward Branch Restrictions	1.00%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Meriwest Meriwest Branch Restrictions	0.90%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Unify Financial Alliance-fremont Branch Restrictions	0.75% 0.70% 0.65% 0.60%	$100,000 $50,000 $10,000 $2,500	Learn More
dapatton@pacbell.net \| May 12, 2016 19 what, years or months Read More Reviews (1)
Citizens Equity First Santa Clara Member Center Branch Restrictions	0.71% 0.65% 0.60%	$10,000 $1,000 $5	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 0.71% → 0.70% → 0.71%
Meriwest Meriwest Branch Restrictions	0.65%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Farmers Insurance Group Farmers Insurance Gr Branch Restrictions	0.50% 0.45% 0.40% 0.35% 0.30%	$100,000 $50,000 $25,000 $10,000 $0	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 0.60% → 0.50%
Sri Main Office Branch Restrictions	0.50%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Chabot Chabot Branch Restrictions	0.50%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Meriwest Meriwest Branch Restrictions	0.50%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Provident Provident Branch Restrictions	0.41% 0.31% 0.21% 0.08%	$125,000 $75,000 $25,000 $0	Learn More Add Review
Chabot Chabot Branch Restrictions	0.35%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
San Mateo Redwood City Branch 575 Middlefield Road Restrictions	0.30%	$2,500	Learn More
Evelyn Navarro \| Aug 21, 2020 What is San Mateo's SWIFT code? Read More Reviews (1)
Menlo Survey Menlo Survey Fcu Branch Restrictions	0.30%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Self-help Self-help Branch Restrictions	0.30% 0.10%	$100 $25	Learn More
northcape5 \| Sep 27, 2016 why have you not updated your rates Read More Reviews (1)
Premier One National 1st Branch Restrictions	0.30%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Operating Engineers Local Union #3 Dublin Branch Restrictions	0.30%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Provident Provident Branch Restrictions	0.26% 0.16% 0.11%	$100,000 $50,000 $10,000	Learn More Add Review
First Technology Addison Avenue Branch Restrictions	0.25% 0.20% 0.01%	$100,000 $250,000 $25	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 0.35% → 0.25%
Commonwealth Central Corporate Office Branch Restrictions	0.25%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Keypoint Keypoint Branch Restrictions	0.25%	$10,000	Learn More
mjohnellis \| Nov 4, 2018 HSA account only earns .25% on any balance. Read More Reviews (1)
Sri Main Office Branch Restrictions	0.25%	$25,000	Learn More Add Review
Star Usa Restrictions	0.25%	$50,000	Learn More
RaShaun \| Aug 31, 2020 Great rates and fast loans Read More Reviews (1)
Operating Engineers Local Union #3 Dublin Branch Restrictions	0.25%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Xceed Financial Xceed Financial Branch Restrictions	0.25%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Technology Palo Alto Financial Center Branch Restrictions	0.20%	$25	Learn More Add Review
Meriwest Meriwest Branch Restrictions	0.20%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Xceed Financial Xceed Financial Branch Restrictions	0.20%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Edu Restrictions	0.20%	$0	Learn More Add Review
Partners 1st Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Branch Restrictions	0.20%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
The Golden 1 Hayward Branch Restrictions	0.20% 0.10% 0.05%	$100,000 $10,000 $1	Learn More Add Review
1st United Services Hayward Branch Restrictions	0.15%	$25,000	Learn More Add Review
Bay Ben Lomond Branch Restrictions	0.15%	$25,000	Learn More Add Review
Sri Main Office Branch Restrictions	0.15%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Star Usa Restrictions	0.15%	$2,500	Learn More
RaShaun \| Aug 31, 2020 Great rates and fast loans Read More Reviews (1)
1st United Services Hayward Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Excite Sunnyvale Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Menlo Survey Menlo Survey Fcu Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Partners 1st Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Keypoint Keypoint Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$2,500	Learn More
mjohnellis \| Nov 4, 2018 HSA account only earns .25% on any balance. Read More Reviews (1)
Bay Ben Lomond Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Star Usa Restrictions	0.10%	$10	Learn More
RaShaun \| Aug 31, 2020 Great rates and fast loans Read More Reviews (1)
Stanford Stanford Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$0	Learn More Add Review
Premier One National 1st Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Santa Clara County Campbell Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$25,000	Learn More Add Review
Unify Financial Alliance-fremont Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$5	Learn More
dapatton@pacbell.net \| May 12, 2016 19 what, years or months Read More Reviews (1)
First Technology Addison Avenue Branch Restrictions	0.10%	$1	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 0.25% → 0.15% → 0.10%
Uncle Pleasanton Branch Restrictions	0.09%	$25,000	Learn More Add Review
Uncle Pleasanton Branch Restrictions	0.08%	$10,000	Learn More Add Review
Uncle Pleasanton Branch Restrictions	0.07%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Patelco Patelco Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$0	Learn More
ceblack9490@comcast.net \| Feb 6, 2023 max. amt. per account thats insured under your ncua? limit on how many accts? Read More Reviews (2)
San Mateo Redwood City Branch 575 Middlefield Road Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More
Evelyn Navarro \| Aug 21, 2020 What is San Mateo's SWIFT code? Read More Reviews (1)
1st United Services Hayward Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Bay Ben Lomond Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Santa Clara County Campbell Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Monterey Monterey Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Commonwealth Central Corporate Office Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Excite Sunnyvale Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Star Usa Restrictions	0.05%	$5	Learn More
RaShaun \| Aug 31, 2020 Great rates and fast loans Read More Reviews (1)
Xceed Financial Xceed Financial Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Operating Engineers Local Union #3 Dublin Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Premier One National 1st Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$200	Learn More Add Review
Farmers Insurance Group Farmers Insurance Gr Branch Restrictions	0.05%	$0	Learn More Add Review
Rate History: 0.20% → 0.10% → 0.05%
Uncle Pleasanton Branch Restrictions	0.04%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Provident Provident Branch Restrictions	0.03%	$5	Learn More Add Review
Partners 1st Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Branch Restrictions	0.03%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review
Edu Restrictions	0.01%	$1	Learn More Add Review
Santa Clara County Campbell Branch Restrictions	0.01%	$2,500	Learn More Add Review

All rates listed are Annual Percentage Yield (APY). The APY rate in a savings account or money market account is a variable rate that is subject to change at any point. The Min listed is the minimum deposit account balance required to obtain the rate listed.

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Branches Info around Santa Clara, CA - June 15, 2025

Branch	Street	City	State
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
SELF-HELP Self-help Self-help Branch	1836 Bay Road, Suite B	East Palo Alto	CA
STAR ONE Star One Star One Branch	3903 El Camino Real	Palo Alto	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
PATELCO Patelco Patelco Branch	1105 Veterans Blvd	Redwood City	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
STANFORD Stanford Stanford Branch	300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, Room HH013	Stanford	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
PATELCO Patelco Patelco Branch	1105 Veterans Blvd	Redwood City	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
PATELCO Patelco Patelco Branch	1105 Veterans Blvd	Redwood City	CA
TECHNOLOGY Palo Alto Financial Center Palo Alto Financial Center Branch	490 S California Ave	Palo Alto	CA
THE GOLDEN 1 Hayward Hayward Branch	24703 Amador St Ste 1	Hayward	CA
MERIWEST Meriwest Meriwest Branch	1100 Park Place, Suite 60	San Mateo	CA
TECHNOLOGY Palo Alto Financial Center Palo Alto Financial Center Branch	490 S California Ave	Palo Alto	CA
UNIFY FINANCIAL Alliance-fremont Alliance-fremont Branch	39174 Argonaut Way	Fremont	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
UNIFY FINANCIAL Alliance-fremont Alliance-fremont Branch	39174 Argonaut Way	Fremont	CA
MERIWEST Meriwest Meriwest Branch	1100 Park Place, Suite 60	San Mateo	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
UNIFY FINANCIAL Alliance-fremont Alliance-fremont Branch	39174 Argonaut Way	Fremont	CA
CITIZENS EQUITY FIRST Santa Clara Member Center Santa Clara Member Center Branch	3607 El Camino Real	Santa Clara	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
UNIFY FINANCIAL Alliance-fremont Alliance-fremont Branch	39174 Argonaut Way	Fremont	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
FARMERS INSURANCE Farmers Insurance Gr Farmers Insurance Gr Branch	4460 Rosewood Dr. #6	Pleasanton	CA
TECHNOLOGY Palo Alto Financial Center Palo Alto Financial Center Branch	490 S California Ave	Palo Alto	CA
SRI Main Office Main Office Branch	333 RAVENSWOOD AVE	MENLO PARK	CA
CHABOT Chabot Chabot Branch	7080 Donlon Way, Ste 100	Dublin	CA
MERIWEST Meriwest Meriwest Branch	1100 Park Place, Suite 60	San Mateo	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
FARMERS INSURANCE Farmers Insurance Gr Farmers Insurance Gr Branch	4460 Rosewood Dr. #6	Pleasanton	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
FARMERS INSURANCE Farmers Insurance Gr Farmers Insurance Gr Branch	4460 Rosewood Dr. #6	Pleasanton	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
FARMERS INSURANCE Farmers Insurance Gr Farmers Insurance Gr Branch	4460 Rosewood Dr. #6	Pleasanton	CA
CHABOT Chabot Chabot Branch	7080 Donlon Way, Ste 100	Dublin	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
MONTERRA Redwood City Branch 575 Middlefield Road Redwood City Branch 575 Middlefield Road	575 Middlefield Rd	Redwood City	CA
MENLO SURVEY Menlo Survey Fcu Menlo Survey Fcu Branch	345 Middlefield Rd	Menlo Park	CA
SELF-HELP Self-help Self-help Branch	1836 Bay Road, Suite B	East Palo Alto	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
FARMERS INSURANCE Farmers Insurance Gr Farmers Insurance Gr Branch	4460 Rosewood Dr. #6	Pleasanton	CA
PREMIER ONE National 1st National 1st Branch	2999 SAN YSIDRO WY	SANTA CLARA	CA
OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL UNION #3 Dublin Branch Dublin Branch	7300 Amador Plaza Rd Ste A	Dublin	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
PATELCO Patelco Patelco Branch	1105 Veterans Blvd	Redwood City	CA
FIRST TECHNOLOGY Addison Avenue Addison Avenue Branch	1501 Page Mill Rd., Bldg. 5U	Palo Alto	CA
COMMONWEALTH CENTRAL Corporate Office Corporate Office Branch	5890 Silver Creek Valley Rd	San Jose	CA
KEYPOINT Keypoint Keypoint Branch	10495 S. De Anza Blvd.,, Suite C	Cupertino	CA
SRI Main Office Main Office Branch	333 RAVENSWOOD AVE	MENLO PARK	CA
OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL UNION #3 Dublin Branch Dublin Branch	7300 Amador Plaza Rd Ste A	Dublin	CA
XCEED FINANCIAL Xceed Financial Xceed Financial Branch	601 Showers Drive	Mountain View	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
TECHNOLOGY Palo Alto Financial Center Palo Alto Financial Center Branch	490 S California Ave	Palo Alto	CA
MERIWEST Meriwest Meriwest Branch	1100 Park Place, Suite 60	San Mateo	CA
XCEED FINANCIAL Xceed Financial Xceed Financial Branch	601 Showers Drive	Mountain View	CA
PARTNERS 1ST Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Branch	c/o NXP	San Jose	CA
THE GOLDEN 1 Hayward Hayward Branch	24703 Amador St Ste 1	Hayward	CA
FIRST TECHNOLOGY Addison Avenue Addison Avenue Branch	1501 Page Mill Rd., Bldg. 5U	Palo Alto	CA
PATELCO Patelco Patelco Branch	1105 Veterans Blvd	Redwood City	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
1ST UNITED Hayward Branch Hayward Branch	111 Review Way	Hayward	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
BAY Ben Lomond Branch Ben Lomond Branch	9440 Mill St	Ben Lomond	CA
SRI Main Office Main Office Branch	333 RAVENSWOOD AVE	MENLO PARK	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
1ST UNITED Hayward Branch Hayward Branch	111 Review Way	Hayward	CA
EXCITE Sunnyvale Sunnyvale Branch	540 Lawrence Expy Ste 1	Sunnyvale	CA
MENLO SURVEY Menlo Survey Fcu Menlo Survey Fcu Branch	345 Middlefield Rd	Menlo Park	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
PARTNERS 1ST Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Branch	c/o NXP	San Jose	CA
KEYPOINT Keypoint Keypoint Branch	10495 S. De Anza Blvd.,, Suite C	Cupertino	CA
BAY Ben Lomond Branch Ben Lomond Branch	9440 Mill St	Ben Lomond	CA
STANFORD Stanford Stanford Branch	300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, Room HH013	Stanford	CA
PREMIER ONE National 1st National 1st Branch	2999 SAN YSIDRO WY	SANTA CLARA	CA
THE GOLDEN 1 Hayward Hayward Branch	24703 Amador St Ste 1	Hayward	CA
MIRASTAR Campbell Branch Campbell Branch	1638 W Campbell Ave	Campbell	CA
UNIFY FINANCIAL Alliance-fremont Alliance-fremont Branch	39174 Argonaut Way	Fremont	CA
SELF-HELP Self-help Self-help Branch	1836 Bay Road, Suite B	East Palo Alto	CA
FIRST TECHNOLOGY Addison Avenue Addison Avenue Branch	1501 Page Mill Rd., Bldg. 5U	Palo Alto	CA
UNCLE Pleasanton Branch Pleasanton Branch	1987 Santa Rita Rd Ste A	PLEASANTON	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
UNCLE Pleasanton Branch Pleasanton Branch	1987 Santa Rita Rd Ste A	PLEASANTON	CA
UNCLE Pleasanton Branch Pleasanton Branch	1987 Santa Rita Rd Ste A	PLEASANTON	CA
PATELCO Patelco Patelco Branch	1105 Veterans Blvd	Redwood City	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
MONTERRA Redwood City Branch 575 Middlefield Road Redwood City Branch 575 Middlefield Road	575 Middlefield Rd	Redwood City	CA
1ST UNITED Hayward Branch Hayward Branch	111 Review Way	Hayward	CA
BAY Ben Lomond Branch Ben Lomond Branch	9440 Mill St	Ben Lomond	CA
MIRASTAR Campbell Branch Campbell Branch	1638 W Campbell Ave	Campbell	CA
MONTEREY Monterey Monterey Branch	2750 41st Ave Ste F	Soquel	CA
COMMONWEALTH CENTRAL Corporate Office Corporate Office Branch	5890 Silver Creek Valley Rd	San Jose	CA
EXCITE Sunnyvale Sunnyvale Branch	540 Lawrence Expy Ste 1	Sunnyvale	CA
THE GOLDEN 1 Hayward Hayward Branch	24703 Amador St Ste 1	Hayward	CA
XCEED FINANCIAL Xceed Financial Xceed Financial Branch	601 Showers Drive	Mountain View	CA
OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL UNION #3 Dublin Branch Dublin Branch	7300 Amador Plaza Rd Ste A	Dublin	CA
PREMIER ONE National 1st National 1st Branch	2999 SAN YSIDRO WY	SANTA CLARA	CA
SAFEAMERICA Safeamerica Safeamerica Branch	1030 La Playa Dr.	Hayward	CA
FARMERS INSURANCE Farmers Insurance Gr Farmers Insurance Gr Branch	4460 Rosewood Dr. #6	Pleasanton	CA
UNCLE Pleasanton Branch Pleasanton Branch	1987 Santa Rita Rd Ste A	PLEASANTON	CA
PROVIDENT Provident Provident Branch	2727 S. El Camino Real, Ste. B	San Mateo	CA
PARTNERS 1ST Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Partners 1st Fcu, Br. 57 Branch	c/o NXP	San Jose	CA
BAXTER Baxter Baxter Branch	47900 Bayside Parkway	Fremont	CA
MIRASTAR Campbell Branch Campbell Branch	1638 W Campbell Ave	Campbell	CA
FIRST TECHNOLOGY Addison Avenue Addison Avenue Branch	1501 Page Mill Rd., Bldg. 5U	Palo Alto	CA

BestCashCow strives to maintain the most accurate rates. If you believe a rate is not accurate, please let us know.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CREDIT UNIONS

Why are credit union rates sometimes better than those from local and online banks?

The core difference between banks and credit unions is true regardless of size: Credit unions are nonprofits owned by the members, while banks are for-profit organizations. Credit unions can therefore sometimes pass along their profits in the form of lower rates (or better loan terms). Banks have some flexibility when competition forces it, but have to deliver an expected return on capital to their owners.

Is customer service better at credit unions that local banks or online banks?

Credit unions have long surpassed commercial banks for customer satisfaction. But as membership grows, their lead is shrinking, at least when compared with smaller banks. It’s also worth noting that in recent years, several online-only banks have earned high marks for their customer-friendly service options and their transparent discussions of fees and rates. You may enjoy the local interaction with a credit union, but unless you are also getting a competitive rate, you may find that you best bet is to also have an online bank where you keep most of you money.

Is there any difference between a share certificate offered by a credit union and a savings or money market account offered by a bank?

The difference is mainly one of terminology, as increasingly is the difference between savings and money market accounts. Be sure to understand how to access you account. Look for no fees so long as certain balances are maintained, easy liquidity and ability to transfer your money to your accounts at other institutions, including ACH transfers to online banks.

Do Credit Unions lack technology that banks have?

As technology becomes a larger part of our everyday lives, customers rely on the ability to bank online or through a mobile device, such as an iPhone. Although credit unions are making the effort to keep pace with new financial technologies, they are still trailing banks (especially the leading online banks) on this front. Several third party platforms for online banking and mobile banking are increasingly being adopted throughout the banking industry, and credit unions will likely begin to adopt these as well, which should narrow or remove the gap between them and banks.

Is my money any less safe?

As long as your credit union is NCUA insured and you stay within the NCUA limits, As long as your credit union is NCUA insured and you stay within the NCUA limits, your money is no less safe than it would be in an FDIC-insured bank.

Should I consider time deposits?

Time deposits are the credit union’s term for certificates of deposit, but, aside from slightly different terminology, are virtually the same product. Time deposits have less liquidity, but if you are unlikely to require access to your cash for some time, you may be able to significantly augment your rate of return and the growth of your capital. Since unforeseen circumstances do arise, it is important to understand the early withdrawal fees that may even eat into your principal, and early withdrawal is often entirely at the credit union’s discretion. BestCashCow compiles all rates of all credit unions near you. Access this information here. You should also familiarize yourself with our Savings Booster Calculator in order to understand the importance of compounding interest at higher rates on your savings over time.

5 POINT CHECKLIST OF THINGS THAT MAKE CREDIT UNIONS GREAT

Rates are often better than savings and CD rates at local banks. Borrowing rates are sometimes lower too.
Members are Owners of a nonprofit. When you open an account at a credit union, your account is actually a share and provides you voting rights. Since credit unions are run as non-profits, you aren’t going to get appreciation or dividends from your ownership. Instead, these institutions have the ultimate goal of providing their members better rates on loans and financial products. When a credit union makes a profit, it is used to provide better opportunities to the community that it serves.
Clerks work with you. Since credit unions are small and serve their owners, they try hard to keep them happy. Many credit unions have fans for life after a clerk stays late to complete loan documents, and giving pointers about avoiding fees.
Credit unions provide low-income and financially distressed individuals the chance to qualify for financing.
Credit unions often run special programs that enable people to save for the holidays (such as Christmas Clubs) or to help finance the cost of higher education and university.