NASA Federal Credit Union Review

The NASA Federal Credit Union started in 1949 and now serves over 200,000 members. Membership isn’t limited to NASA employees. Plus, your money is federally insured up to $250,000 through the NCUA.

Types of Account NASA Federal Offers

Checking Accounts

NASA Federal Credit Union has three checking accounts. Unfortunately, they all charge a monthly fee, ranging from $7 to $10.

Only the $8 monthly fee on the Everyday Checking account is waivable with a monthly direct deposit of $500 or a $200 average daily balance.

Only one account, the Elite Checking account, pays any interest. However, its is relatively high for a checking account.

Savings Accounts

None of the three savings accounts at NASA Federal Credit Union charge any monthly fees. However, they also pay a low APY. Minimums range from $0 to $5.

Money Market Accounts

Three money market certificates are available at NASA Federal Credit Union. All have very high minimum opening balances of between $10,000 and $40,000.

But the APYs are much higher than you can earn on the credit union’s savings accounts.

Share Certificates

NASA Federal Credit Union offers 13 types of share certificates, ranging in maturity from 6 months to 60 months. These include:

• Bump rates
• Add-ons
• Early Savers

The minimum deposits for standard CDs are $1,000. However, the special CDs have $10,000 deposit minimums. They come in three different maturities:

• 9 months
• 15 months
• 49 months

APYs range from a low of (60 months) to a high of (9 months).

IRAs

Both Traditional and Roth IRAs are available at NASA Federal Credit Union. You can either choose your own investments or select an IRA certificate. Like the standard certificates, IRA certificates have the same:

• Maturities
• Minimums
• APYs

HSAs

NASA Federal Credit Union offers a standard HSA with no monthly or annual service fees. The HSA comes with a debit card and a tiered, fixed-rate certificate.

Other Accounts

In addition to these standard deposit accounts, NASA Federal Credit Union offers a range of other products, including the following:

• Mortgages
• Home equity loans
• Auto & RV loans
• Credit cards
• Personal loans
• Investment services
• Retirement planning
• Tax & estate planning
• Life insurance
• Business services

How To Open an Account

To open an account at NASA Federal Credit Union, you’ll first have to become a member. Once you’ve joined, you’ll have access to the credit union’s full range of accounts. Here’s the documentation you’ll need to proceed:

• A government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport
• Valid current address (both physical and mailing, if applicable)
• Your Social Security number
• Your date of birth

Each type of account has its own minimum opening balance requirement. For example, the simple Share Savings account must be opened with at least $5.

Membership Requirements

You can become a member if you’re a current or retired NASA employee who worked at any:

• Facility
• Center
• Headquarters
• The National Academy of Sciences

You can also apply if you’re:

• An employee or member of NASA Federal Credit Union partner companies or associations
• A relatives or household members of current NASA Federal Credit Union members

But beyond these primary groups, the credit union is open to anyone via membership in the National Space Society, which the NASA Federal Credit Union provides free of charge to any applicants, providing full membership benefits.

Customer Experience

Customers love the NASA Federal Credit Union mobile app, providing it with an average 4.9-star rating from a combined 12,023 ratings on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Available features and benefits include:

• Free credit score
• Card management
• Remote deposit
• eAlerts 
• One-tap access to account snapshot
• Mortgage access
• Biometrics
• eStatements
• Bill Pay+
• Message center
• Funds transfer

Automated phone service is available 24/7 at (301) 249-1800. Live customer service agents are available at (888) NASA-FCU (627-2328) M-F from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.

General questions can be sent to support@nasafcu.com, while the credit union’s website has a secure, online form for account-specific questions.

Members of NASA Federal Credit Union can also enjoy a number of perks, including the following:

• Award-winning cash-back debit card
• Access to payroll direct deposits 2 days early
• Free credit score
• Balance Financial Fitness Program
• Save up to 20% on TurboTax, or $25 on H&R Block
• Zero-down, no-PMI mortgages
• Guaranteed Auto Protection add-on to auto insurance
• Discounted rates from Travelers or TruStage
• Discounted of up to 33% on Aura Identity Guard
• $1,000 in accidental death and dismemberment coverage at no cost
• Cost-effective term life insurance

The Bottom Line

NASA Federal Credit Union, open to anyone, has a fairly broad range of accounts and services, and it may serve some of the needs of basic banking customers, particularly those seeking a large, surcharge-free ATM network (via Allpoint). But those looking for a one-stop shop, the highest APYs or the most extensive line of banking services won’t find those here.

Information on promotions is accurate as of Sept. 10, 2024. Additional requirements may apply. Offers and terms are subject to change.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

Share This Article: