The biggest credit union in America is Navy Federal Credit Union with over $185 billion in assets and 14 million members as of 2026. The 10 largest US credit unions collectively hold over $600 billion in assets — roughly 26% of the entire industry’s $2.3 trillion. Despite their scale, every one remains a member-owned cooperative governed by a volunteer board. For a full credit union overview, see the credit unions guide.
Top 10 Largest Credit Unions in America (2026)
| Rank | Credit Union | HQ State | Assets | Members | Open to All? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navy Federal CU | Virginia | $185B+ | 14M+ | No — military |
| 2 | State Employees’ CU (SECU) | North Carolina | $55B+ | 2.7M+ | No — NC state employees |
| 3 | Pentagon Federal CU (PenFed) | Virginia | $35B+ | 3M+ | Yes |
| 4 | Boeing Employees CU (BECU) | Washington | $30B+ | 1.4M+ | No — WA/OR |
| 5 | SchoolsFirst FCU | California | $28B+ | 1.3M+ | No — CA educators |
| 6 | Golden 1 CU | California | $22B+ | 1.1M+ | No — CA residents |
| 7 | America First CU | Utah | $20B+ | 1.4M+ | No — UT/NV/AZ/ID |
| 8 | First Tech FCU | Oregon/CA | $16B+ | 700K+ | No — tech companies |
| 9 | Alliant CU | Illinois | $15B+ | 800K+ | Yes |
| 10 | Suncoast CU | Florida | $15B+ | 1M+ | No — FL residents |
Asset figures from NCUA Call Report data, Q4 2025. Figures are approximate and change quarterly.
1. Navy Federal Credit Union
Navy Federal is the undisputed largest US credit union and one of the top 25 financial institutions in the country by assets. It serves all military branches — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard — plus National Guard, DoD civilians, and their immediate family members.
Key facts:
- Assets: $185+ billion
- Members: 14+ million
- Branches: 350+ worldwide, including on US military bases
- ATMs: 30,000+ in CO-OP network, $20/month out-of-network reimbursement
- Notable products: No-fee Active Duty Checking, competitive auto loans (as low as 4.54% APR in 2026), Cash Rewards credit card (1.5% cashback)
2. State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU)
SECU is the second-largest US credit union and the largest in North Carolina, serving state government employees and their families. Despite its regional focus, it holds over $55 billion in assets — making it a larger financial institution than many national banks.
Key facts:
- Membership: NC state employees, public school employees, state agency contractors, and immediate family members
- Branches: 275 branches across North Carolina — more than most national banks in the state
- Fee philosophy: Extremely low fees — SECU charges $1/month for checking, no ATM fees at SECU ATMs
- Rate philosophy: Consistently competitive savings rates and below-market loan rates
3. PenFed Credit Union
PenFed (Pentagon Federal Credit Union) was originally military-focused but opened membership to everyone in 2023. It now ranks third by assets and is one of the best options for people who want credit union benefits without any eligibility hurdle.
Key facts:
- Eligibility: Anyone — no military connection required
- Best known for: Among the highest savings and CD rates in the credit union sector; Power Cash Rewards card (2% cashback on everything)
- Auto loans: Consistently among the lowest rates nationally
4. BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union)
BECU started as Boeing’s employee credit union but now serves anyone who lives or works in Washington or Oregon. It is the largest credit union in the Pacific Northwest.
Key facts:
- Eligibility: Live or work in WA or OR (or be a Boeing employee or family member)
- Checking: Member Advantage Checking — earns interest, no monthly fee
- Strong digital: Highly rated mobile app, extensive ATM network in WA/OR
5. SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
SchoolsFirst serves California public school employees and is the largest credit union in California. Its membership base is largely stable — teachers and school staff — giving it consistent growth.
Key facts:
- Eligibility: California public school and community college employees and their families
- Strong savings rates: Consistently above national averages
- No ATM fees: Partners with CO-OP network for free ATM access statewide
Credit Unions vs Banks: A Scale Comparison
| Institution | Assets (2026 est.) |
|---|---|
| JPMorgan Chase | $3.9 trillion |
| Bank of America | $3.3 trillion |
| Wells Fargo | $1.9 trillion |
| US Bancorp | $680 billion |
| Entire credit union industry | $2.3 trillion |
| Navy Federal CU (largest CU) | $185+ billion |
| PenFed CU | $35+ billion |
| Alliant CU | $15+ billion |
The entire credit union sector combined is roughly equivalent in size to Wells Fargo alone. This scale gap explains why credit unions often lag major banks in digital products and branch reach — but it also explains why they can maintain lower fees and better rates for members.
Open-Membership Credit Unions in the Top 10
If you’re not eligible for military or employer-based credit unions, PenFed and Alliant are the two top-10 credit unions open to anyone:
| Feature | PenFed | Alliant |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | Open to all | Open to all (join Foster Care to Success, paid by Alliant) |
| Savings rate | Competitive | Among the highest in sector |
| Checking | Interest-bearing | High-Rate Checking (2.5% APY on balances up to $50K with qualifying activity) |
| ATM network | 85,000+ | 80,000+ |
| Auto loans | Industry-leading low rates | Competitive |
How the Largest Credit Unions Have Grown
The credit union industry has grown significantly since 2010, driven by:
- Consolidation — smaller credit unions merging into larger ones
- Open membership expansion — more credit unions broadening eligibility
- Digital-first growth — institutions like Alliant growing nationally without branches
- Military family expansion — Navy Federal growing as it extends membership to broader family categories
As of 2026, NCUA data shows the number of credit unions has declined from ~7,000 a decade ago to ~4,600 as mergers consolidate the industry — but total assets and membership continue to grow.
Ready to join one of the top credit unions? See how to join a credit union and best credit unions in 2026 for a full comparison of rates and eligibility.
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