Wright-Patt Credit Union Review: Competitive Rates and Low Fees
GOBankingRates Score
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Rates
4.5
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Fees
5.0
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Customer Service
4.5
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Opening Deposit Requirements
4.5
Pros
- Earn cash back through Purchase Rewards with Totally Fair Checking account
- EasySaver debit card round-up program
- Access to more than 40,000 ATMs
Cons
- $1,000 minimum daily balance requirement for Checking with Dividends
- Service fees vary depending on membership tier
- $5 debit/ATM card replacement fee
About Wright-Patt Credit Union
Since the early 1930s, Wright-Patt Credit Union has strived to give back to the community by providing superior service and quality financial products and services to qualified members. WPCU serves residents of parts of southwestern and central Ohio; military personnel and civilian employees of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; and Wright State University students, faculty members, staff members and alumni. GOBankingRates has ranked Wright-Patt Credit Union as one of the Best Credit Unions of 2021.
In addition to the Ohio branch locations — “member centers,” as WPCU calls them — credit union members can access shared banking locations nationwide, plus over 40,000 ATMs with no or low fees.
Effective Nov. 17, 2020, the credit union suspended new membership applications due to the coronavirus pandemic. The WPCU website will offer updates on its COVID-19 page. In the meantime, learn what WPCU has to offer so that you’ll be ready to join once membership opportunities resume.
Wright-Patt Credit Union Products
Much like a traditional bank, WPCU offers a variety of products and services that you would expect from a financial institution. However, there are also several unique, customer-oriented programs for members. Here are some of the personal products and services that Wright-Patt Credit Union offers:
| Product | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Checking accounts |
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| Savings accounts |
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| Money market accounts |
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| CDs |
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| IRAs |
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| Credit cards |
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| Loans |
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| Retirement solutions |
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Wright-Patt Credit Union Checking Accounts
WPCU offers three personal checking accounts designed to assist members with their different needs. Each account offers unique benefits and rewards.
Features
- No monthly service charge or minimum balance requirement with Totally Fair Checking
- Debit card eligible for Purchase Rewards with Totally Fair Checking account
- Tiered interest rate on Checking with Dividends balances
Pros
- Competitive rates starting at 0.04% APY on Checking with Dividends balances, plus dividends on eligible balances
- CentsibleSpend account can’t be overdrawn
Cons
- Checking with Dividends requires $1,000 minimum opening deposit and minimum balance to avoid service charges
- No option for waiving $4 monthly service fee on CentsibleSpend account
Wright-Patt Credit Union Savings Accounts
WPCU savings account options include high-yield, club, youth and custodial, and health savings accounts. Members between ages 17 and 24 can sign up for Student Essentials, a basic savings account with higher rates when combined with a checking account.
Features
- $5 minimum deposit for TrueSaver and youth and custodial accounts
- High-yield interest rate on first $500 with TrueSaver account
- Club account balance transfer to account of your choice after maturity at three to 12 months
Pros
- Excellent 6.00% annual percentage yield on first $500 saved in qualifying TrueSaver account
- Youth and custodial account eligible for TrueSaver rates
- No or low minimum balance requirements
- No monthly service fees
Cons
- Low 0.15% APY on club accounts
- TrueSaver APY drops to 0.15% on balances above $500
Wright-Patt Credit Union Money Market Account
When it comes to money market accounts, WPCU offers some of the best account benefits for its members. Access your funds at a branch, with a check or electronically through mobile or online banking. You can also utilize WPCU ATMs.
Features
- Tiered rates increase as balance grows
- Free checks with $10,000 balance
- Dividends paid monthly
Pros
- Low $100 minimum opening deposit and balance
- No monthly service fee
- 0.45% APY with $2,500 balance
Cons
- Low 0.15% APY on balances below $2,500
Wright-Patt Credit Union CD Accounts
WPCU’s share certificates — the credit-union equivalent of certificates of deposit — have a low opening deposit and a variety of terms to choose from.
Features
- $500 minimum deposit to open standard accounts, $100,000 for jumbo certificates
- Tiered rates based on term
- Terms of six to 72 months
Pros
- Low opening deposit
- Competitive rates ranging from 0.55%-1.10% APY for regular certificates and 0.65%-1.20% for jumbos
Cons
- Relatively small number of terms to choose from
- No early withdrawal options
Banking Experience
WPCU lets you bank the way you want to. Stop in at a member center or shared banking center, or take advantage of online and mobile banking. Members also have access to more than 40,000 low- and no-cost ATMs.
Eligibility
Although the credit union is currently closed to new members due to issues related to COVID-19, once membership opens again, you’ll need to be part of one of the following groups to qualify:
- Live, work, worship or attend school in one of the southwestern/central Ohio counties WPCU serves
- Military and civilian employees of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
- Military personnel who don’t have access to another credit union and live in a 14-county area adjacent to the Fairborn area
- Wright State University students, alumni and employees
- Select others associated through various affinity groups
- Eligible family members of current WPCU members
Accessibility and Branch Availability
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WPCU is operating primarily via drive-thru windows. An appointment is required for nonroutine transactions that can’t be handled at the window. Current members who wish to open additional accounts must do so by phone or by mail. Loan applications are accepted online or via telephone.
Mobile and Digital Experience
WPCU has a full suite of digital services that let you manage your finances at home or on the go. Sign up for electronic statements and account notifications, track accounts you have with WPCU and other financial institutions, or take advantage of budgeting tools to track spending and pay off your debt.
To bank from your phone or other mobile device, download WPCU’s mobile app for Android or Apple. You can use the app to pay bills, deposit checks, pay WPCU loans and transfer money between accounts. The app’s Popmoney feature, which is similar to Zelle, lets you send money to family and friends. And you can activate Purchase Rewards for cash back on purchases you make using your debit card.
The app has a 4.8 out of 5 rating in the App Store and the same rating on Google Play.
Customer Service
Members have a number of ways to get in touch with a WPCU representative, including the following options:
- Fill out a question/feedback form on the website.
- Access the automated Call-24 at 800-336-7277, which is available 24 hours a day.
- Call the Member Help Center at 800-762-0047 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Eastern time.
- Write to WPCU at 3560 Pentagon Blvd., Beavercreek, Ohio, 45431-1706.
How To Open a WPCU Account
Only members of the credit union may open an account. At the present time, WPCU is not accepting new membership applications due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Current members who wish to open a new account must do so by phone or mail.
Key Information
Customer service number: 800-336-7277
Routing number: 242279408
Wright-Patt Credit Union Fees
Credit unions are member-owned, so their fees tend to be lower than those of traditional banks. That’s certainly the case with WCPU. The CentsibleSpend monthly maintenance fee is just $4, and the $19 overdraft fee is also low — and completely avoidable. Here are some other common fees charged by WPCU:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| One-time membership share purchase |
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| ATM |
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| Teller transaction |
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| Non-sufficient funds/overdraft |
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| Returned item |
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| Overdraft transfer from linked savings account or line of credit |
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| Inactivity fee |
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| Below minimum balance fee |
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| Wire transfers |
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Final Take
WPCU offers a variety of products and services to fit almost any stage of life. For people who meet WPCU’s membership qualifications and prefer to bank online or through their mobile devices, the credit union could be a great match. You can’t join right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but if you’re looking to switch to a credit union, WPCU likely will be worth the wait.
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Editor’s Favorite
Low fees and competitive rates make WPCU an excellent value. For example, the money market account has no monthly fee, requires an opening deposit of just $100 and earns rates of up to 0.55%, depending on the balance.
Wright-Patt Credit Union FAQ
Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about Wright-Patt Credit Union.- How many members does Wright-Patt Credit Union have?
- Wright-Patt Credit Union has nearly 418,000 members.
- Is Wright-Patt Credit Union FDIC insured?
- Wright-Patt Credit Union deposit accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Administration. NCUA account coverage is comparable to the coverage the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. provides for bank deposit accounts — $250,000 per ownership interest, plus an additional $250,000 per ownership interest on banking IRA accounts.
- How long does a mobile deposit take at Wright-Patt?
- For the first 30 days after you become a member, WPCU holds check deposits for seven days unless the funds are guaranteed. After that, the first $200 of deposits is available the next business day, the next $4,800 is available on the second business day, and any remaining funds are available on the fifth business day.
- Where can I find my WPCU account number?
- From the mobile app, go to an account history page and select "Show Details." From online banking, select an account and then click on "Account Details."
- How much can you withdraw from a Wright-Patt ATM?
- The maximum daily withdrawal is $500, but members may apply for a higher limit.
- Does Wright-Patt Credit Union offer free money for signing up for an account?
- The credit union has no promotional offers at present.
Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting for this article.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 2, 2020.
This content is not provided by Wright-Patt Credit Union. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Wright-Patt Credit Union.
