Shared branching refers to a network of credit unions that make certain services at their locations available to members of other credit unions. If you belong to a credit union that doesn’t have branches near you, this network lets you make transactions at another credit union’s branch as if it were your own.
Nationwide network: Credit unions that participate in shared branching tend to be part of the Co-op Shared Branch network, which is the only national shared branch network according to its parent company Velera. (The company rebranded in 2024 when Co-op Solutions and Payment Systems for Credit Unions (PSCU) merged.) Members have access to more than 5,550 shared branches nationwide.
Use the Co-op locator tool to see credit unions in the network and shared branches in your area. (Other networks exist but aren’t as widespread.) Note that some credit unions belong to both the Co-op shared branch network and its ATM network of 40,000 fee-free ATMs, while others participate in just one of the two. Some credit unions use other ATM networks, such as Allpoint or MoneyPass.
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A small percentage of participants have dropped the network in recent years. The number of credit unions in the Co-op network has decreased from about 1,850 in 2022 to about 1,690 in 2024, based on Co-op website data viewed by NerdWallet. The current number of participants is no longer publicly disclosed. For context, there are approximately 4,300 federally insured credit unions as of early 2026.
In a 2026 blog post, Land of Lincoln Credit Union announced its departure from the Co-op network, stating that its reasons were common among credit unions ending their shared branching: Focusing more on their own members, streamlining services (and likely costs) and expanding digital banking services. For future cash or check deposits, its members could use mobile check deposit or its partnership with MoneyPass.
Generally, at a shared branch at a credit union that isn’t your own, members can do the following transactions:
- Make account inquiries and deposits of cash and checks.
- Withdraw funds.
- Transfer money between accounts.
- Make loan payments.
- Purchase cashier’s checks.
- Get a statement printout.
To complete a transaction at a shared branch, you’ll need to provide a few key items:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID.
- Your credit union’s name.
- Your account number.
There are a few things you won’t be able to do at a shared branch, such as:
- Open new checking or savings accounts.
- Open new share certificates (CDs) or individual retirement accounts (IRAs).
» Learn the basics: What is a credit union?
Shared branching can be useful for people who want the benefits of credit unions (strong rates and low fees) and the advantages of a traditional big bank (convenient branch and ATM access). But be sure to check your ZIP code on the Co-op locator tool and specify shared branches on the map to locate the closest one to you.
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