Security Service Federal Credit Union Review: Checking, Savings and Certificates

  1. Spencer Tierney Author Avatar
  2. Yuliya Goldshteyn Author Avatar
  3. +1
Written by
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Edited by
Last updated on April 17, 2024
Fact Checked
Fact Checked
NerdWallet rating
3.8
Deposit products reviewed:
Best for:People who qualify for the credit union’s limited membership requirements, want access to shared branches and want a decent array of banking account options.
Security Service Federal Credit Union
3.8
NerdWallet rating

Overview

Security Service Federal Credit Union was founded in 1956 to benefit members of the U.S. Air Force Security Service Command and operates branches in Colorado, Texas and Utah. Membership to the credit union is limited to people who live, work, worship, attend school, volunteer or have a business located in Texas, Colorado or Utah; are members of select military branches and units or Department of Defense employees at specific military bases within its service areas; or are family to or in the same household of an existing member. The credit union participates in shared branching, so you can bank for free at thousands of other locations. Security Service offers a full range of accounts, loans, insurance and other financial products. Its basic checking account is solid with a monthly fee only for paper statements, while its interest checking account includes identity theft protection and other perks — but also a tough-to-avoid monthly fee. Keep in mind, though, that if you’re looking for a basic savings account, Security Service’s rate is even lower than the national average, which isn’t competitive.

Pros
  • No monthly fee on some checking and savings accounts.

  • Large, free, nationwide ATM network.

  • Participates in shared branching with other credit unions.

Cons
  • Low rates on some savings accounts.

  • Limited branch access.

  • Limited membership.

  • Low-rated mobile apps.

Product reviews

Certificates of deposit

Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
3.6
Minimum deposit
$500
APY
1-year APY 2.15%
3-year APY 2.90%
5-year APY 3.65%
Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate
Minimum deposit
$500
APY
1-year APY 2.15%
3-year APY 2.90%
5-year APY 3.65%

The credit union’s standard certificates require a minimum opening deposit of $500. That’s less than what some banks require, but some online banks don’t have any minimum opening deposit requirement at all. Its rates are higher than at traditional banks, but lower than online banks’ offerings. The range of terms stretches from three months to seven years.

» COMPARE: Best CD rates

Full List of Certificate Rates
TermAPYMin Deposit
3 months2.90%$500
6 months1.50%$100,000
6 months1.40%$500
1 year2.25%$100,000
1 year2.15%$500
15 months3.65%$500
2 years2.40%$500
3 years3.00%$100,000
3 years2.90%$500
5 years3.75%$100,000
5 years3.65%$500
How does this certificates of deposit account compare?AD
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
5.0
Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®, Member FDIC
Minimum deposit
$1,500
APY
1-year APY 4.00%
3-year APY 4.00%
5-year APY 4.00%
Minimum deposit
$1,500
APY
1-year APY 4.00%
3-year APY 4.00%
5-year APY 4.00%

Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate

3.6
NerdWallet Rating
Minimum deposit
$500
APY
1-year APY 2.15%
3-year APY 2.90%
5-year APY 3.65%
Minimum deposit
$1,500
APY
1-year APY 4.00%
3-year APY 4.00%
5-year APY 4.00%
Learn moreon partner's site
at Bread Savings®, Member FDIC
» COMPARE: See our list of best CD rates

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

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

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

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.