Banking with a credit union can save your business real money. But you need to find one you can join, with a location or network that works for you. Credit unions are nonprofit, member-owned institutions.
The credit unions below are broadly accessible. Several are open to almost anyone through partner nonprofits or shared branch networks. Each is part of the Co-op ATM and shared branch network as well. If you want options specifically in your area, visit MyCreditUnion.gov.
Not sure a credit union is the right call? See how they compare to banks.
Looking for a business checking account?
See our overall favorites, or choose your business type to find the best options for you.
Summary of the best credit unions for business accounts
Navy Federal Credit Union: Best for veterans and military members
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 | First Tech Credit Union: Best for unlimited transactions
Note: First Tech merged with Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) on Jan. 1, 2026. |
 | Blue Federal Credit Union: Best for easy-to-access membership
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America First Credit Union: Best for the Mountain West
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 | Service Credit Union: Best for open membership
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🤓Nerdy Tip
The Co-op Shared Branch network lets you bank in person at thousands of credit unions nationwide. You can deposit, withdraw and handle most everyday transactions. Some credit unions only participate in the shared ATM network. Others offer shared branches and ATMs. You can’t open an account at a shared branch, though. You must do so directly with the credit union you want to join. Best credit unions for business accounts
Navy Federal Credit Union
How to join: Have a military affiliation
Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest federally insured credit union by total members and assets, according to the most recent data from the National Credit Union Administration. Its business accounts are great options, and the credit union offers 24/7 customer support. You'll need to be a veteran or have another military or Department of Defense affiliation to join.
Who qualifies for membership
Navy Federal Credit Union serves veterans and current and retired members of the armed forces, Department of Defense and National Guard, plus their families.
Every beneficial owner — those with at least a 25% stake in the company — must be an individual Navy Federal member to apply for a business membership and business checking account. A $255 deposit is required for business membership ($250 for sole proprietors).
You can apply online but need to finalize your application by phone with a Navy Federal business support representative. This process can take up to an hour.
Branches and ATMs
Navy Federal has more than 360 branches worldwide — covering 30 states, Washington, D.C., and 11 countries. Members have access to more than 30,000 ATMs, including Navy Federal and Co-op ATMs.
Business account details
Navy Federal Business Checking
- Monthly fee: $0.
- Transactions: Unlimited electronic. In-person/paper: 30 per month; 25 cents per additional transaction.
- No fees for cash deposits at Navy Federal branches or ATMs.
- Free incoming wires.
Navy Federal offers two other business checking accounts. Both have monthly service fees, but include more in-person/paper transactions and unlimited signers. (The free account allows a single signer.)
- Business Plus Checking: $8/month.
- Business Premium Checking: $20/month.
The Business Premium Checking account earns up to 0.45% APY, depending on your balance. Navy Federal's other business checking accounts earn 0.01% APY.
Additional business services
Navy Federal offers multiple types of business accounts, including:
- Business money market accounts.
- Business certificates.
- Business loans: business lines of credit, term loans, business auto loans and commercial real estate loans.
- Business credit cards.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Two other large military-affiliated credit unions, USAA and PenFed, don’t offer business bank accounts. Navy Fed is a great alternative for entrepreneur members of those credit unions, but here are our other suggestions: USAA business account alternatives | PenFed business account alternatives.First Tech Federal Credit Union
How to join: Donate to a participating organization
First Tech Federal Credit Union merged with Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) on Jan. 1, 2026, in one of the largest credit union mergers on record. Combined, they have nearly 2 million members and $28.7 billion in assets. First Tech and DCU still operate as separate divisions with separate account offerings. They plan to fully integrate under the First Tech name in 2027.
First Tech currently offers one business checking account. It has no monthly fee, unlimited transactions and free incoming wire transfers (domestic and international). A $100 opening deposit is required. You can open an account in person or by phone.
DCU also has a free business checking account. It includes 20 deposits per day, unlimited check writing and free incoming wires. The account has no minimum opening deposit and can be opened online.
Note: DCU was included separately on this list prior to the merger.
🏦 MORE: Best business banks for startups
Who qualifies for membership
First Tech and DCU currently operate as separate divisions of First Technology Federal Credit Union. Membership requirements vary slightly for each division, but are tied to your employer or where you live. You can also qualify for membership by joining a partner organization, such as the Computer History Museum or Financial Fitness Association. Visit the First Tech or DCU website for complete details.
Branches and ATMs
First Technology Federal Credit Union has more than 50 branches across eight states. That includes First Tech branches located primarily in California, Oregon and Washington. DCU also has branches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
First Technology Federal Credit Union also participates in the Co-op Shared Branch and ATM networks.
Business account details
First Tech Business Checking
- Monthly fee: $0.
- Transactions: Unlimited.
- Minimum opening deposit: $100.
- Free incoming wire transfers.
- Open account in person or by phone.
DCU Free Business Checking
- Monthly fee: $0.
- Transactions: up to 20 deposits/day + unlimited check writing.
- Minimum opening deposit: $0.
- Free incoming wire transfers.
- Open an account online or in person.
Additional business services
First Tech offers multiple types of business accounts across its two divisions (First Tech and DCU). Available accounts include:
- Business Savings (0.01% APY).
- Business loans: equipment financing, commercial mortgages and business auto loans.
- Business credit card.
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Blue Federal Credit Union
How to join: Donate to the Blue Foundation
Blue Federal Credit Union is based in Colorado and Wyoming, but its CO-OP Shared Branch network gives members in-person access to more than 5,000 locations nationwide. Anyone can join for $10: $5 for membership, $5 as a donation to the Blue Foundation.
Who qualifies for membership
Anyone can join Blue Federal Credit Union. Your $10 opening deposit buys you membership ($5) and donates $5 to the Blue Foundation, an “independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded to champion, fund and celebrate local nonprofit causes.”
You can also earn membership through a family member, select employees in Colorado and Wyoming, or through affiliation with F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Branches and ATMs
Blue FCU has 25 branches in Colorado and Wyoming. It also participates in the Co-op branch and ATM network, which gives you access to more than 5,000 shared branches and 36,000 fee-free ATMs around the world.
Business account details
Basic Business Checking
- Monthly fee: $0.
- Transactions: 50 deposits per month.
- No minimum deposit to open.
Blue’s Basic Business Checking does not earn dividends. Its Business Plus Checking earns 0.25% APY with a minimum daily balance of $1,500. Business Plus Checking includes up to 100 deposited items per month. It has a $5 monthly fee and a $100 minimum opening deposit.
Additional business services
Blue FCU offers multiple types of business accounts, including:
- Business Savings (0.05% APY).
- Business Term Shares (2.90% to 3.75% APY).
- Business Money Market (3.00% APY).
- Business loans: term loans, commercial lines of credit, equipment financing, commercial mortgages, construction loans and business auto loans.
- Business credit card.
⚖️ COMPARE MORE: NerdWallet's best free business checking accounts
Service Credit Union
How to join: Military affiliation or join a partner nonprofit for free
Service Credit Union was founded in 1957 to serve military members at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire. But membership is now open to almost anyone — not just those with a military or regional tie.
The credit union's Free Business Checking account has no monthly fee, no minimum balance and no transaction limits. Its BusinessPlus Checking has a $15 monthly fee (waived with a $10,000 average daily balance).
Who qualifies for membership
You can join Service Credit Union one of three ways:
- Through a military or Department of Defense affiliation.
- As an employee of a partner organization.
- By joining the American Consumer Council or the Financial Fitness Association. No donation required.
Branches and ATMs
Service Credit Union operates more than 30 branches in the U.S., the bulk of them in New Hampshire. It also has 15 branches in Germany serving U.S. military members stationed overseas. Service CU participates in the Co-op Shared Branch network, giving members access to thousands of additional branch locations nationwide.
Business account details
Free Business Checking
- Monthly fee: $0.
- Transactions: Unlimited.
- Overdraft: $19 per item.
- Free incoming wire transfers.
Service Credit Union also offers the following business checking accounts:
- BusinessPlus Checking: $15/month.
The Free Business Checking account does not earn dividends. BusinessPlus Checking earns 0.35% APY, as of this writing.
Additional business services
Service Credit Union offers multiple types of business accounts, including:
- Business Savings (0.25% APY).
- Business Money Market (up to 2.50% APY).
- Business Certificates (up to 4.00% APY).
- Business loans: SBA loans, commercial line of credit, equipment financing, commercial mortgages and business auto loans.
- Business credit card.
America First Credit Union
How to join: Live in an eligible area
America First Credit Union was founded in Utah in 1939. Since then, it's expanded to areas of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico.
The credit union's Basic Business Checking account includes 50 monthly transactions (written checks cleared, deposited checks and deposit tickets). Additional items are 15 cents each.
America First’s lineup also includes one of NerdWallet’s picks for best business CDs.
Who qualifies for membership
You can join America First Credit Union by living within certain areas in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. Other membership criteria include being related to a current member or working for an affiliated organization. Visit their website for complete details.
Branches and ATMs
America First currently has 122 full-service branches across six states and is part of the Co-op ATM network.
America First agreed to acquire Greater Nevada Credit Union in August 2026. When complete, Greater Nevada will operate as a division of America First Credit Union. Greater Nevada CU has 13 branch locations in the state, primarily in the Reno and Carson City area.
Business account details
Basic Business Checking
- Monthly fee: $0.
- Transactions: Unlimited electronic and debit card transactions. Up to 50 deposit tickets and paper checks (written and deposited) per month.
- Overdraft fee: $25 per item.
- Includes online bill pay.
America First CU also offers the following business checking accounts:
- Nonprofit Business Checking: $0/month.
- Premier Business Checking: $10/month.
- High-Yield Business Checking: $15/month.
The nonprofit and high-yield accounts earn interest, but rates are low. You can earn up to 0.30% APY for balances over $1 million as of this writing.
Additional business services
America First offers multiple types of business accounts, including:
- Business money market account (1.00% to 3.90% APY).
- Business certificates of deposit (up to 4.30% APY).
- Business loans: line of credit, vehicle, real estate, equipment and SBA loans. Unsecured business loans are also available.
- Business credit cards.
America First also offers a dedicated business savings account that requires automatic monthly contributions. These accounts have term lengths, similar to CDs, but allow you to withdraw funds before the term is up. They earn between 3.90% and 4.30% APY, depending on the term.
How we chose the best credit unions for business accounts
Selecting the best credit unions for business accounts was a multi-step process.
I started with size. I used the 50 largest credit unions by assets in the U.S. as my jumping-off point. I eliminated credit unions that don't offer business accounts.
I looked at accessibility. I prioritized credit unions with branches in multiple states. Access to the Co-op shared branch network and the ability to apply for an account remotely (online or by phone) also factored into the equation.
I scrutinized membership requirements. All of the credit unions on this list offer membership to a broad group of people and businesses. Some are stricter than others. Navy Federal requires military affiliation, for example. But that covers millions of people — especially when you factor in those eligible through a family member.
Plenty of great credit unions didn’t make this list, though. Does that mean you shouldn’t consider them? Absolutely not. If you’re considering a credit union for your business account, start with the credit unions in your community.
How to choose a credit union for your business or nonprofit
Ask yourself these questions to find the right credit union for your business or nonprofit.
- Can you join? Credit unions are membership-based, so you must qualify to join. Some set the bar low — a small donation to a partner nonprofit, for example. Others restrict membership to people who live in a certain area, work for a specific employer or have a family tie to a current member. Credit unions often have small footprints. They may require an in-person visit to open your account, or bar you entirely if your business sits outside their service area.
- What banking services do you need? Businesses with cash deposits need easy branch access and generous deposit limits. That’s less important for e-commerce businesses or companies that exclusively take digital payments. If you send frequent wires — especially international ones — compare fees and functionality before you commit. This process can be clunky with credit unions, and fees vary widely.
- Do its features stack up? Some credit unions lack digital tools that make running your business easier, like invoicing, Zelle for Business and reliable accounting integrations. Confirm the specific business account offers benefits that matter to you, especially if you're sacrificing convenience to get them. If you won't bank much in person, compare online business checking accounts too. They often beat credit unions on fees or rates.
- What other products does it offer? Some business owners want one financial institution for everything. If that's you, confirm the credit union covers your future needs too — small-business financing, for one. Building a relationship with a credit union now can improve your odds of getting approved for a loan later.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Banks and credit unions may offer nonprofits special accounts, or fee-free or low-fee access to certain higher-tier business accounts. Explore NerdWallet’s best banks for nonprofits alongside your credit union.Credit unions vs. banks for business banking
Where credit unions beat banks
Higher borrower satisfaction. The Federal Reserve's 2025 Small Business Credit Survey found 76% of credit union borrowers were satisfied with their lending experience, compared with 65% at small banks, 64% at large banks and just 35% at online lenders.
Better savings rates. Credit unions typically trump banks on certificates of deposit. That’s especially true for large banks like Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo. I tracked rates on standard 12-month CDs at these and other banks over multiple years. The biggest banks rarely break 0.50% APY (Wells Fargo is an exception at 1.50% APY). Most of the credit unions on this list earn 3.55% or higher on the same term business CD.
Relationship-based underwriting. Smaller credit unions tend to weigh the full picture of a business relationship rather than leaning purely on automated credit scoring. This is useful for newer or non-traditional businesses that don't fit a standard risk model.
Lower rates and fees overall. As not-for-profit, member-owned cooperatives, credit unions don't answer to shareholders. The margin a bank would keep as profit instead flows back to members.
Where credit unions fall short
Lower combined loan approval odds than most alternatives. Credit unions fully or partially approve 70% of business loans, according to the Fed’s Small Business Credit Survey. That’s a solid number, to be sure. But it lags behind small banks (80%) and online lenders (77%), and is roughly even with large banks (69%).
One reason: A credit union's total business loan balance cannot legally exceed 12.25% of its assets. Credit unions closing in on that cap may tighten their purse strings regardless of a borrower's qualifications.
Fewer high-yield business checking accounts. Many credit unions offer great rates on business CDs and money market accounts. But very few have high-yield business checking accounts. You’ll find better rates with an online business checking account. Bluevine Business Checking, for example, earns up to 1.30% APY. And Grasshopper Bank’s Innovator Business Checking earns up to 1.35% APY, depending on your balance.
Outdated digital banking. Banks are miles ahead of most credit unions on technology and software integrations. And it’s not just online banks and fintechs. Big banks like Chase and U.S. Bank offer tools like free invoicing and mobile payment processing.
Clunky mobile apps and unreliable integrations can impact day-to-day operations, especially as your business grows.
Methodology
NerdWallet’s writers and editors evaluate more than 60 business bank accounts from national, regional and online banks. Collectively, these accounts represent the largest banks by assets and the largest credit unions by membership, along with notable and emerging fintech companies and online banks.
We consider more than 20 data points for each account, including services, fees, features and rewards. We gather this information from rates and fees documents, deposit account agreements, financial institution websites and company representatives.
Our editorial team regularly reviews and updates our data to ensure consistency and accuracy. We also update our scoring on an ongoing basis to reflect changing industry norms and business owner needs. For instance, in 2026, we adjusted our expectations for APYs due to falling interest rates.
Final ratings range from one to five stars. A five-star score represents the best available product for the largest number of business owners. Learn more about how we rate business checking accounts.
