6 Best Credit Unions for Business Accounts in 2024

A credit union can be a good choice for a business bank account if there are locations near you and you can qualify to join. These nonprofit, membership-based financial institutions often get high marks for customer satisfaction compared with banks.

To find the best credit union for your business, look for institutions you’re eligible for based on where you live, your industry, your military status or other potential affiliations. Once you’ve identified an option, compare its business accounts with those at the best banks for small businesses. The right account will offer features that meet your business’s unique needs — like high interest rates, easy ATM access or free business checking with no fees.

The best credit unions for business accounts on our list are relatively easy to join — you may be eligible after making a donation to a nonprofit, for instance. But there are more than 4,600 credit unions in the U.S. ^[0]

Summary of the best credit unions for business accounts

1. Digital Federal Credit Union: Best for simplicity

Digital Federal Credit Union, or DCU, is headquartered in Massachusetts. DCU offers just one business checking account — but it’s free and interest-bearing. If you don’t want to have to decide between those features, DCU may be a good choice for your business. And while its 0.10% APY is low compared to some online business bank accounts, it’s better than what most banks offer, which is no APY at all.

Membership. DCU membership is available to employees of participating employers; residents of certain Massachusetts or New Hampshire cities or condo associations; and family members of current credit union members. But you can also join by donating to a number of participating organizations, such as the Free Software Foundation. Find complete eligibility details on DCU’s website.

Accessibility. DCU has branches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. You can apply for a business account in person or by mail, fax or email. DCU has partnered with the Allpoint, SUM and CO-OP networks to offer free access to more than 80,000 ATMs, with rebates available for out-of-network surcharges depending on your credit union membership level.

Business account details. DCU offers a free business checking account. It includes no maintenance fees or minimum balance and offers an annual percentage yield of up to 0.10% as of this writing. You can make up to 20 free deposits each day, with additional transactions costing 10 cents apiece. There’s no limit on the number of checks you can write.

Additional business services. DCU has a business savings account, money market account and certificate of deposit options. It also offers a business Visa credit card and business loans, including term loans and lines of credit, in certain New England states.

2. Navy Federal Credit Union: Best for veterans and military families

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. But its membership criteria is strict, making Navy Federal best if you’re affiliated with the armed forces.

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.You must be a Navy Federal Business Solutions member to open a business account. You can start that application online, but you’ll need to complete the process over the phone.

Accessibility. Navy Federal has branches in 30 states, Washington, D.C., and multiple countries abroad. It is also part of the CO-OP ATM network.

Business account details. Navy Federal offers three business checking accounts. Each has unlimited electronic deposits, but limits your nonelectronic transactions monthly. Its highest tier — Business Premium Checking — offers 100 fee-free transactions and charges a $20 monthly service fee, which can be waived with an average balance of $5,000. That account also offers interest rates from 0.35% to 0.45% APY as of this writing. All accounts charge 25 cents for each nonelectronic transfer over the maximum.

Additional business services. Navy Federal offers two money market business savings accounts and business certificates of deposit. You can also select either a Visa or Mastercard business credit card. Multiple types of business loans, including business lines of credit and term loans, are available, as well.

3. First Tech Federal Credit Union: Best for unlimited transactions

First Tech Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Oregon. It offers two business checking accounts that require a $100 opening deposit, but neither has a transaction cap. That may make First Tech a good option if you run a high-volume business. Plus, through the CO-OP Shared Branch network, you’ll have access to 5,600 branches around the country.

Membership. First Tech primarily serves workers in the tech industry, but you can become eligible by joining the Computer History Museum or Financial Fitness Association. Visit the First Tech website for complete details.

Accessibility. First Tech Federal Credit Union has locations in eight states, with most in California, Oregon and Washington. You’ll need to make an appointment — in person or over the phone — to open a business account. First Tech participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch and ATM networks.

Business account details. First Tech’s Simple Business Checking charges a $6 monthly fee if your balance falls below $1,000. Its Business Dividend Checking increases that fee to $15 if your balance falls below $5,000, but this account offers interest rates of up to 0.10% APY, as of this writing, depending on your balance.

4. Blue Federal Credit Union: Best for easy-to-access membership

Blue Federal Credit Union is located in Colorado and Wyoming, but the credit union participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch network. That means you can do your business banking in person at more than 5,600 locations nationwide even if you don’t live near a Blue branch.

Membership. Anyone can join Blue Federal Credit Union with $10 — $5 to set up your membership and $5 to donate to the Blue Foundation, which describes itself as an “independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded to champion, fund and celebrate local nonprofit causes.” Additional ways to qualify can be found on Blue’s website.

Accessibility. Blue has 20 branches in Colorado and Wyoming. You’ll need to make an appointment (in-person, over the phone or virtual) to open a business account. Blue participates in the CO-OP ATM network, which offers fee-free access to almost 30,000 ATMs nationwide.

Business account details. Blue’s Basic Business Checking is a free account that includes 50 deposits monthly. Its Business Plus Checking doubles that fee-free deposit total to 100 and requires $100 to open. Business Plus Checking charges $5 monthly, but you can waive that fee — and earn 0.25% APY interest, as of this writing — by maintaining a balance of at least $1,500.

Additional business services. Blue offers a business savings account and term shares, which are similar to certificates of deposit. It is also part of Centennial Lending, through which Blue members in nine states can access business and personal loan products.

5. Consumers Credit Union: Best for businesses and nonprofits operating in Illinois or Wisconsin

Consumers Credit Union is an Illinois-based credit union that anyone can easily join, making it one of the best credit unions for personal banking. However, its business accounts have stricter qualifications: You must do business in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible and apply in person.

Membership. Anyone can join Consumers Credit Union by making a $5 donation to the Consumers Cooperative Association, a decades-old organization that “provides an associational common bond for Consumers Credit Union,” according to its website. But business banking services are only available to companies and nonprofits that do business in Illinois or Wisconsin.

Accessibility. Consumers has more than a dozen branches in Illinois, and you must apply in person to open a business account. Consumers also participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch and ATM networks.

Business account details. Consumers Credit Union offers four business checking accounts, including free and interest-bearing options. Its free Community Checking account is a strong option for eligible nonprofits, offering 300 fee-free transactions — 200 more than Consumers’ basic free account — and interest on balances over $500. Extra transactions cost 25 cents apiece for all Consumers accounts.

Additional business services. Consumers offers a business savings account that doesn’t require a minimum balance if you have a business checking account. The credit union also has a money market savings account; multiple Visa business credit cards; and commercial mortgages, business lines of credit and equipment financing.

6. America First Credit Union: Best for the Mountain West

America First Credit Union was originally founded in Utah and now has branches in that state plus Arizona, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico. The credit union offers four business checking accounts, but its Basic Business Checking stands out with no monthly fee and a large fee-free monthly transaction limit of 250. Each transaction after that costs 15 cents.

Accessibility. America First has 120 full-service branches across four states and is part of the CO-OP ATM network. You can apply online for an America First business account.

Membership. You can join America First Credit Union by living within certain areas in Arizona, 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.

Business account details. America First Basic Business Checking and Nonprofit Business Checking don’t have monthly fees, while Premier Business Checking charges $8 and High-Yield Business Checking costs $50. All accounts except Basic Business Checking bear interest.

Additional business services. America First offers multiple types of business savings accounts, including a money market account and business certificates of deposit. You can also get secured and unsecured business loans from the credit union, including lines of credit and business auto loans.

How to choose a credit union for your business accounts

If you’re considering a credit union business account, the following questions can help you decide which is the best fit for you.

• Can you join? Credit unions are membership-based organizations, so you’ll have to be eligible to bank with one. Some credit unions have fairly relaxed requirements — such as making a small donation to a specific organization. But many others limit their eligibility pool to those who live in a certain area, work for a specific employer or are related to someone who meets those criteria.

• How will you bank? If you’re not joining your neighborhood credit union, you’ll still want easy access to your money. Check that the credit union participates in ATM- or branch-sharing networks with locations near you and offers an app with services like e-deposit and bill pay. Some credit unions have smaller footprints — including online — and may require an in-person visit to set up your business account or prevent you from opening an account if your business is outside their geographic domain.

• Do its features stack up? Credit unions may offer higher rates on deposits and emphasize customer service more than traditional banks. But make sure a credit union’s specific business account has benefits that stand out for you, especially if you opt for a provider that isn’t convenient. If you won’t bank much in person, look at online business checking accounts as well because they may offer even lower fees or better rates.

• What other products are available? Some business owners prefer to bank with a single financial institution. If that’s your goal, make sure the credit union you choose offers business solutions for your immediate and future needs. For example, you’ll likely need small-business financing at some point. By building a relationship with a credit union now, your chances of getting a loan down the line may improve.