FourLeaf Federal Credit Union Review: Checking, Money Market and Certificates
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Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Overview
Broad membership criteria make it easy to join FourLeaf Federal Credit Union (formerly known as Bethpage Federal Credit Union). With competitive certificate rates and fee-free accounts, FourLeaf could be an appealing option for those looking to join a credit union.
No monthly fees.
Competitive rates on some savings accounts.
Large, free, nationwide ATM network.
Anyone can become a member.
No minimum opening deposits on checking accounts.
Expensive overdraft fee.
Hard to find basic information about some accounts.
Product reviews
Certificates of deposit
FourLeaf offers share certificates (a credit union's version of certificates of deposit) that don't have the best rates. Terms from three months to five years are available, and the minimum deposit to open is $50. That’s a lot less than other institutions require. But again, rates aren't as strong as what you might find at the most competitive online CD providers.
» Want to compare? Check out our list of the highest CD rates
Full List of Certificate Rates
| Term | APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 1.00% | $50 |
| 6 months | 1.50% | $50 |
| 10 months | 1.50% | $5 |
| 11 months | 1.50% | $5 |
| 1 year | 1.50% | $50 |
| 1.5 years | 1.25% | $50 |
| 2 years | 1.25% | $50 |
| 2.5 years | 1.25% | $50 |
| 3 years | 1.25% | $50 |
| 4 years | 1.25% | $50 |
| 5 years | 2.50% | $50 |
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union Certificate
Money market
The FourLeaf money market account, which is a kind of savings account, offers an annual percentage yield that’s much higher than the national average and higher than the credit union's regular savings account — as long as you have a balance of at least $500. But online banks offer much higher APYs. See our list of the best money market accounts, which offer more interest. (Read more about MMAs vs. savings accounts). This account did not factor into our overall rating for FourLeaf.
» Want better APYs? See our picks for the best high-yield online savings accounts
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union Money Market Account
Checking
The FourLeaf Free Checking Account doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement or monthly fee. To earn interest on your balance, you’ll need to meet a few requirements: Opt in to online statements instead of paper ones, receive a direct deposit and make at least 10 point-of-sale transactions with your debit card. If you prefer to use your debit card when making purchases, it could be worth it to use this checking account and earn interest.
As part of the Co-op Solutions network, FourLeaf offers more than 30,000 fee-free ATMs. Even if you use an ATM outside the network, the credit union won’t charge you a fee (though the ATM owner might).
» See how FourLeaf stacks up: Consider our picks for best checking accounts
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union Free Checking
Customer experience & overdraft fees
Customer experience
Unlike other credit unions that require you to live or work in a certain area to be eligible to join, FourLeaf only requires that you be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and open a savings account with at least $5.
FourLeaf offers about a dozen of its own branches, all of which are in New York. Through the Co-op Solutions network, FourLeaf members also have access to a network of more than 5,300 shared branches across the country. (Read more about shared branch credit unions.)
Online banking is possible through the credit union’s website and mobile apps, which earn high ratings from iOS and Android users. Some information can be hard to find on the site, but you can find answers to common questions in the FAQ section or by typing in a search in the support section.
Customer support is available by phone from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Saturdays.
» Shop around: Compare FourLeaf to the best banks and credit unions for mobile banking
Overdraft fees
Unlike other banks and credit unions that have reduced or eliminated overdraft fees, FourLeaf continues to charge a fee of $30 per overdraft. Because there’s no limit to the number of times the credit union can charge you the fee, it’s possible to rack up a high overdraft fee tab.
» Tend to overdraw your account? Check out the best banks for overdrafts
Rating methodology
How we rate banks and credit unions
Banking writers and editors use an objective methodology to rate banks, credit unions, and other providers, and to recommend the best products.
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
We took a close look at around 100 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
30+
Categories assessed
30+
Categories assessed
Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.
Star rating categories
The review team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who cover personal banking deposit accounts, such as checking, savings and certificates of deposit, as well as related banking services, such as overdraft programs and ATM networks. For providers without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, PayPal, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo, Venmo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zolve and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines.