{"blocks":[{"type":"header","data":{"text":"Key takeaways","level":2}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["With over $200 billion in assets, Navy Federal is by far the largest credit union in the U.S.","Most of the 10 largest credit unions restrict membership, but PenFed and Alliant are notable exceptions — anyone can join.","Federal data shows that credit unions are growing steadily."]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"While the top ten largest credit unions still hold significantly less in assets than even the top five largest banks, they have been growing considerably in recent years."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In six years, total assets in federally insured credit unions have risen by over 48%, increasing from $1.64 trillion in March 2020 to just under $2.5 trillion in the second quarter of 2026, according to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Credit Unions may be drawing customers with their community focus, not-for-profit setup and tendency to offer competitive annual percentage yields (APYs)."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"The 10 largest credit unions collectively hold approximately $392.6 billion worth of deposits and $456.4 billion in total assets, according to the most recent NCUA data."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Here’s a breakdown of the biggest credit unions in the U.S. by total assets as of September 2026."}},{"id":"3p7ekgmk-0dq6d4gr","type":"table","data":{"withHeadings":true,"stretched":false,"content":[["Rank","Credit Union Name","Total Assets"],["1","Navy Federal","$204.36 billion"],["2","State Employees’","$59.97 billion"],["3","SchoolsFirst","$37.23 billion"],["4","Boeing Employees","$29.62 billion"],["5","Pentagon Federal","$29.20 billion"],["6","First Technology","$27.88 billion"],["7","America First","$25.99 billion"],["8","Mountain America","$22.85 billion"],["9","The Golden 1","$22.15 billion"],["10","Suncoast","$20.78 billion"]]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Some of these credit unions restrict membership based on factors such as residence or profession. Others — such as Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) and Alliant — make it easy for anyone to join."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Assets vs. deposits"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"You’ll see references to two different (large) numbers on this page — a credit union’s total assets and its total deposits."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Deposits refers to the amount of money that members have put into deposit accounts, such as checking and savings accounts.","Assets include deposits but also other financial instruments, like loans and investments."]}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"1. Navy Federal Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"navy-federal"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Navy Federal is the largest credit union in the country. It has more than 15 and a half million members and holds over $170 billion in deposits. The credit union offers a full suite of financial products and services, including deposit products like checking and savings accounts along with credit products like credit cards and auto loans."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"In order to be a member, you or a family/household member must have a tie to the armed forces, the U.S. Department of Defense or the National Guard."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $204.46 billion","Headquarters: Vienna, Virginia","Footprint: More than 300 branches in 31 states and Washington, D.C.","Members: 15.52 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of Navy Federal"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"2. State Employees’ Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"state-employees"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Chartered in 1937, State Employees’ is the second-largest credit union in the U.S. With just over $50 billion in deposits, State Employees’ has nearly 3 million members. Membership is open primarily to North Carolina state employees and their families."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $59.97 billion","Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina","Footprint: Nearly 270 branches in North Carolina, plus CO-OP shared branches","Members: 3 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of State Employees’ Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"3. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"schoolsfirst"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"SchoolsFirst is a California-based institution servicing nearly 1.6 million members. The credit union holds more than $30 billion in total deposits. The credit union serves educational communities in California."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"As such, membership is open to current or retired school employees living in California or those with a family member who belongs to the credit union. Membership is also open to employees living in California whose company primarily offers direct services to a school or district in California, or college students enrolled in eligible education programs with a student teaching requirement."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $37.23 billion","Headquarters: Santa Ana, California","Footprint: More than 70 branches in California","Members: 1.58 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"4. Boeing Employees Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"boeing-employees"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Boeing Employees’ Credit Union (BECU) is the fifth-largest credit union in the U.S. and the largest credit union in Washington state. BECU has nearly 1.6 million members, and holds more than $25 billion in deposits. Membership is currently open to those who live, work or go to school in Washington state, but residents of select counties in Oregon, Idaho and South Carolina, and those who are affiliated with partner companies and organizations are also eligible."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $29.62 billion","Headquarters: Tukwila, Washington","Footprint: About 70 branches in Washington and South Carolina plus CO-OP shared branches","Members: 1.6 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of Boeing Employees’ Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"5. Pentagon Federal Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"pentagon-federal"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pentagon Federal Credit Union has more than 2.7 million members and deposits totaling over $25 billion. The credit union has branches scattered across the U.S., but provides a full spectrum of financial products, including certificates of deposit, money market, checking accounts and savings accounts. Unlike many other credit unions, PenFed membership is open to anyone."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $29.2 billion","Headquarters: McLean, Virginia","Footprint: 38 branches in 10 states, Washington, D.C. and three territories","Members: 2.75 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of PenFed Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"6. First Technology Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"first-tech"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"First Tech is a California-based credit union that has branches in a variety of Western states (and Georgia). It offers a variety of account options and does over $24 billion in deposits. While there are membership requirements, you may be able to qualify depending on where you work, live or worship."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $27.88 billion","Headquarters: San Jose, California","Footprint: 30+ branches in California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas and Washington","Members: 1.87 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of First Tech Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"7. America First Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"america-first"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Founded in 1939, America First Credit Union is a Utah-based institution, which is where most of its branches can be found."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"America First has 1.6 million members with nearly $23 billion worth of deposits. Membership is open primarily to those who live, work or attend school or church in Salt Lake, Utah and Juab Counties, but it’s also open to those who reside in portions of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Idaho and Oregon."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $25.99 billion","Headquarters: Riverdale, Utah","Footprint: More than 110 branches in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada","Members: 1.58 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of America First Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"8. Mountain America Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"mountain-america"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Mountain America serves more than 1.4 million members in Western states and holds more than $20 billion in deposits."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Membership eligibility is mostly limited to those living in select parts of Utah, but it can also be extended to family and household members. Additionally, employees and volunteers of select organizations are eligible to join."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $22.85 billion","Headquarters: Sandy, Utah","Footprint: More than 100 branches in Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Montana","Members: 1.46 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of Mountain America Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"9. Golden 1 Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"golden-1"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Golden 1 Credit Union was chartered in 1933. It serves nearly 1.2 million members and has more than $22 billion in total deposits. The credit union offers a full range of financial products, including deposit and loan products."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in California. Non-Californians may also become members if a family member or domestic partner is a current member or if they are a member of a Select Employee Group."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $22.15 billion","Headquarters: Sacramento, California","Footprint: 63 branches in California plus CO-OP shared branches","Members: 1.2 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of Golden 1 Credit Union"}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"10. Suncoast Credit Union","level":2,"anchor":"suncoast"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Florida-based Suncoast Credit Union has more than $17 billion in total deposits. You can become a member if you live, work, attend school or participate in religious activities in the counties served by Suncoast Credit Union. Alumni of Florida College are also eligible."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["Assets: $20.78 billion","Headquarters: Tampa, Florida","Footprint: 80 locations in Florida","Members: 1.4 million"]}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Learn more: Read Bankrate’s review of Suncoast Credit Union."}},{"type":"header","data":{"text":"Next steps","level":2}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that often return profits back to members in the form of higher rates. Competitive rates can make a credit union a good choice, but most require you to qualify for membership."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"These 10 credit unions may be the largest in the U.S., but there are thousands of local options you could qualify for. Explore your options and be sure it fits all of your banking needs before opening an account."}},{"type":"list","data":{"style":"unordered","items":["

Choosing the best credit union

6 factors to consider

","

Banks vs. credit unions

Learn the differences between banks and credit unions

"]}}]}

Marcos Cabello

The 10 largest credit unions in the US