Securityplus Federal Credit Union Review: Checking, Savings and Share Certificates

  1. Chanelle Bessette Author Avatar
  2. Sara Clarke Author Avatar
  3. +1
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Edited by
Last updated on June 25, 2024
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Sara Clarke Author Avatar
Edited by
Fact Checked
NerdWallet rating
4.1
Best for:Those who want to earn interest on their checking account and who want to support minority communities.
Securityplus Federal Credit Union
4.1
NerdWallet rating

Overview

Securityplus Federal Credit Union is a Black-owned financial institution that focuses on providing inclusive banking services to its customers. It offers consumer savings accounts, checking accounts and share certificates — which are the credit union equivalent of certificates of deposit — as well as business accounts and services. Anyone can apply to become a member of this credit union after joining the American Consumer Council.

The credit union’s expensive overdraft program is among the lowest-rated that NerdWallet covers, so if you’re looking for better overdraft options, check out NerdWallet’s best banks for overdrafts.

Pros
  • No monthly fees.

  • Anyone can become a member.

  • Large, free, nationwide ATM network.

  • No minimum opening deposits on some checking accounts.

  • Participates in shared branching with other credit unions.

Cons
  • Expensive overdraft fee.

  • Low rates on savings accounts.

  • No live customer support by phone.

Product reviews

Savings

Securityplus Federal Credit Union Share Savings
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
3.4
APY
0.10%
With $5 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Securityplus Federal Credit Union Share Savings
APY
0.10%
With $5 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A

Securityplus’ Share Savings account offers an interest rate of 0.10% annual percentage yield, which is lower than the national average of 0.38% APY. The account has no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement except for the $5 it takes to open the account.

How does this savings account compare?AD
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
4.3
Learn moreon partner's site
at Capital One, Member FDIC
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A

Securityplus Federal Credit Union Share Savings

3.4
NerdWallet Rating
APY
0.10%
With $5 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Learn moreon partner's site
at Capital One, Member FDIC
» Looking for banks with the highest rates? See our list of best high-yield online savings accounts

Checking

Securityplus Federal Credit Union Xceptional Checking
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
4.5
Monthly fee
$0
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Securityplus Federal Credit Union Xceptional Checking
Monthly fee
$0
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A

Securityplus’ Xceptional Checking account has a high 3.00% APY on balances up to $10,000 as long as you can meet two requirements: You must sign up for e-statements, and you need to make at least 15 purchases with your debit card of at least $5 each per month. For customers who don’t meet the requirements, the interest rate is 0.05% APY, and customers who have more than $10,000 earn 0.70% APY.

There’s no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirements, and customers can access more than 55,000 fee-free ATMs.

How does this checking account compare?AD
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
5.0
Learn moreon partner's site
at SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
Monthly fee
$0
APY
0.50%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
$50 or $400
Earn $50 or $400 with eligible direct deposit. Terms apply.
Monthly fee
$0
APY
0.50%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
$50 or $400
Earn $50 or $400 with eligible direct deposit. Terms apply.

Securityplus Federal Credit Union Xceptional Checking

4.5
NerdWallet Rating
Monthly fee
$0
APY
3.00%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
N/A
Monthly fee
$0
APY
0.50%
With $0 min. balance for APY
Bonus
$50 or $400
Earn $50 or $400 with eligible direct deposit. Terms apply.
Learn moreon partner's site
at SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
» Looking for more checking account options? Check out NerdWallet's best online checking accounts

Certificates of deposit

Securityplus Federal Credit Union Share Certificate
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
4.8
Minimum deposit
$1,000
APY
1-year APY 3.75%
3-year APY 3.40%
5-year APY 3.50%
Securityplus Federal Credit Union Share Certificate
Minimum deposit
$1,000
APY
1-year APY 3.75%
3-year APY 3.40%
5-year APY 3.50%

The share certificates at Securityplus Federal Credit Union have solid rates, ranging from term lengths of three months to five years. There’s a minimum opening deposit of $1,000.

Full List of Certificate Rates
TermAPYMin Deposit
1 year3.75%$1,000
3 years3.40%$1,000
5 years3.50%$1,000
How does this certificates of deposit account compare?AD
product logo
NerdWallet Rating
5.0
Learn moreon partner's site
at Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Member FDIC
Minimum deposit
$500
APY
1-year APY 3.90%
3-year APY 3.70%
5-year APY 3.80%
Minimum deposit
$500
APY
1-year APY 3.90%
3-year APY 3.70%
5-year APY 3.80%

Securityplus Federal Credit Union Share Certificate

4.8
NerdWallet Rating
Minimum deposit
$1,000
APY
1-year APY 3.75%
3-year APY 3.40%
5-year APY 3.50%
Minimum deposit
$500
APY
1-year APY 3.90%
3-year APY 3.70%
5-year APY 3.80%
Learn moreon partner's site
at Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Member FDIC
» COMPARE: See our list of best CD rates

Customer experience & overdraft fees

Customer experience

Securityplus uses a shared branching system that gives customers access to more than 6,400 branches in the U.S. as well as Puerto Rico, Japan, South Korea, Italy and Germany. The credit union’s app is highly rated. There is limited phone and chat support, however, as both are automated.

Overdraft fees

Securityplus Federal Credit Union’s overdraft program is one of NerdWallet’s lowest-rated because of how expensive it is and because there are no free ways to avoid an overdraft. If you overdraft your account, you’ll pay a $30 overdraft fee, and there’s no limit to the number of overdraft fees you may be charged. If you opt in to overdraft protection, you can link your Securityplus Share Savings account — an account that’s required for all new Securityplus members — to cover a transaction that would result in an overdraft, but you’ll be charged $1 per transfer.

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.