Navy Federal Credit Union holds more than $170 billion in deposits and serves over 15.5 million members, making it by far the biggest credit union in the country, according to Bankrate. Its assets top $200 billion.
The ten largest together hold about $392.6 billion in deposits and $456.4 billion in total assets, based on the latest National Credit Union Administration data. That is still well short of the top five banks, but the sector is growing. Assets in federally insured credit unions have climbed more than 48% in six years, from $1.64 trillion in March 2020 to just under $2.5 trillion in the second quarter of 2026. Their community focus, not-for-profit structure and competitive yields may be drawing customers.
Most of the ten restrict who can join. PenFed and Alliant are the notable exceptions, open to anyone.
The ten, by the numbers
Navy Federal. Membership requires a tie to the armed forces, the Department of Defense or the National Guard, either your own or a family or household member’s. It has more than 300 branches in 31 states and Washington, D.C.
State Employees’. Chartered in 1937 and ranked second, it has just over $50 billion in deposits and nearly 3 million members. It is open mainly to North Carolina state employees and their families, with nearly 270 branches in the state.
SchoolsFirst. This California institution has nearly 1.6 million members and more than $30 billion in deposits. It serves current and retired school employees, along with eligible family members, certain employees of firms serving schools and some college students, through more than 70 branches.
BECU. Boeing Employees’ Credit Union is fifth-largest and the biggest in Washington state, with nearly 1.6 million members and more than $25 billion in deposits. People who live, work or study in Washington can join, as can residents of select counties in Oregon, Idaho and South Carolina. It has about 70 branches.
PenFed. Pentagon Federal has more than 2.7 million members and over $25 billion in deposits, with 38 branches in 10 states, Washington, D.C. and three territories. Anyone may join.
First Tech. Based in California, it holds over $24 billion in deposits and has 30-plus branches in California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Massachusetts, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Eligibility can depend on where you work, live or worship.
America First. Founded in 1939 in Utah, it has 1.6 million members and nearly $23 billion in deposits. More than 110 branches span Utah, Idaho, Oregon, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada.
Mountain America. It has more than 1.4 million members and over $20 billion in deposits, with 100-plus branches in Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and Montana. Eligibility is mostly limited to select parts of Utah, extended to family and household members and some organizations’ staff.
Golden 1. Chartered in 1933, it serves nearly 1.2 million members and holds more than $22 billion in deposits through 63 California branches. Anyone who lives or works in California can join.
Suncoast. The Florida credit union has more than $17 billion in deposits. Membership is open to people who live, work, study or worship in the counties it serves, and to Florida College alumni.
Bankrate notes there are thousands of smaller local credit unions too. Check that membership rules and products suit you before opening an account.
