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About Navy Federal Credit Union Reviews
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Navy Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial institution that serves members of the military, veterans and their families. It was founded in 1933. As a credit union, Navy Federal is owned by its members, and its profits are returned to them in the form of lower fees and better rates on loans and deposit accounts.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Several low- or no-fee accounts
- Checking accounts earn dividends
- Large ATM network
- Charges fewer fees than most traditional banks
Cons
- Strict membership requirements
- Limited branch access
Bottom Line
Navy Federal Credit Union is best for active or retired members of the military, their families and Department of Defense employees. It's known for having low fees and competitive interest rates.
Featured Reviews
I have never appreciated Navy Federal more in my life. They just saved me $500 because they spotted a scam and placed my account on hold. Forcing me to call in, the representative...
Read full reviewNavy Federal helped me obtain a joint checking account. I am a U.S Veteran who lives in the UK. Wells Fargo made me lose my checking account since I couldn't provide a U.S address...
Read full reviewHow does Navy Federal Credit Union work?
To become a member of Navy Federal, you must be affiliated with the military in some way. This includes active duty or retired service members, Department of Defense civilians and their family members.
You’re required to open a Membership Savings account to establish membership, which requires a minimum $5 deposit. Once you become a member, you can access a wide range of financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, mortgages and more.
Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This means its members' deposits are safe and insured by the U.S. government, up to $250,000 per account.
Navy Federal Credit Union products and services
With Navy Federal, you can open these accounts:
- Checking accounts
- All of Navy Federal Credit Union’s checking accounts earn dividends, and most have no monthly fees. You’ll find specialized accounts for active-duty military members and students.
Its Flagship Checking account has extra perks like ATM fee rebates and tiered interest rates. You can waive the $10 monthly fee by maintaining a $1,500 daily balance.
- Savings accounts
- Navy Federal Credit Union’s Share Savings account is required to establish membership. It has a $5 opening deposit and earns a 0.25% annual percentage yield (APY) at publishing. Its Money Market Savings account requires a $2,500 minimum daily balance to earn dividends.
Both accounts can be opened as individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or education savings accounts (ESAs).
- Certificates of deposit
- Navy Federal has an impressive lineup of certificates of deposits (CDs), also known as certificates.
- Standard Certificates have a $1,000 minimum deposit and APYs as high as 4.55%. Terms start at three months and go up to seven years.
- You can open an EasyStart Certificate with as little as $50. APYs top out at 4.45% and terms range from six months to two years.
- The 12-month Special EasyStart Certificate is available to members who have direct deposit set up with a Navy Federal checking account. It has a $50 minimum deposit and earns up to 4.85% APY.
- Navy Federal’s SaveFirst account is like a mix between a savings account and CD. It has a $5 minimum opening deposit and lets you make additional deposits at any time, but it only has a maximum 0.40% APY. Save First CDs come in three-month to five-year terms
- Credit cards
- Navy Federal offers a variety of credit cards, including a cash back card and several rewards-earning cards for travel, gas, groceries and restaurants, as well as a secured card for credit-building. Most cards have no annual fee and some offer low intro annual percentage rates (APRs) on balance transfers.
- Loans
- In addition to Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, Navy Federal offers Military Choice loans for those who have maxed out their VA loan benefits, as well as conventional loans and Homebuyers Choice loans that require no down payment. If you’re wondering which loan is right for you, you can take Navy Federal’s Mortgage Match questionnaire.
Outside of mortgages, Navy Federal offers personal loans, student loans and auto loans, among others.
Navy Federal Credit Union fees
Navy Federal Credit Union charges fewer fees than most traditional banks. Most checking and savings accounts are free. Most accounts also come with ATM rebates for non-network withdrawals.
Depending on your account, you might run into these fees:
- $1 for non-network ATMs (domestic and international)
- $15 for overdrafts over $5, up to one time per day
- $20 for optional overdraft protection service (covers overdrafts up to $500)
- $29 for non-sufficient funds (NSFs)
Navy Federal Credit Union FAQ
How can I become a member of Navy Federal Credit Union?
Membership is open to active duty and retired members of the military, civilian employees of the Department of Defense and their immediate family members. You can apply for membership online or at one of Navy Federal's branches.
Does Navy Federal offer a mobile banking app?
Yes, Navy Federal offers a mobile banking app for both iOS and Android devices, which allows members to access their accounts, deposit checks, pay bills, transfer funds and more.
What is Navy Federal Credit Union's routing number?
Navy Federal's routing number is 256074974, which is used for electronic transactions such as direct deposit, wire transfers and online bill payments.
Does Navy Federal use Zelle?
Yes, Navy Federal Credit Union is part of the Zelle network, which allows its members to send and receive money easily and securely using their mobile banking app or online banking platform.
Navy Federal Credit Union Reviews
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Reviewed Sept. 26, 2023
I have been banking with Navy federal for 3 months and have been getting two deposits a month. I called in to change my address and also to apply for the oops right after I did that my account was restricted. I got deposit from the same employer to my account. They hold my funds for two days causing me to go behind on bills. They just keeping till me they investigating because I changed my address. The crazy part is I never had a bank account before and this happen. Please help.
Reviewed Sept. 25, 2023
Do not bank with them. My debit card then credit card information was stolen in late June and late July/early August. I noticed transactions on my account that I did not make only for me to report it, get my money back and Navy Federal to snatch back the money 2 months later. So yes that means not only did the thieves steal from me but also my bank. They put me in a hole financially for 2 months straight. Not being able to pay some bills because I am on a fixed income and they basically said the thieves deserved my money. $600+? How do you guys sleep at night willfully knowing that you are putting veterans in a bind and allowing thieves to take money from my family? This is not ok and it's going to take me 6 months to dig myself out of this hole they put me in. Shame on you navy federal.
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Reviewed Sept. 22, 2023
Please stay away from this company. They are kind to you until you have a hardship and then they could care less. I've called multiple times to work out something with them and they didn't care and stole from my husband and I $500.00. Young veterans stay away!
Reviewed Sept. 12, 2023
I was having issues with an auto loan. They put the wrong ARP and I have been back and forth with them for 2 weeks and it’s still not fixed. All the keep saying, "That’s the back of the house, they need to fix it, not us." They keep asking for same information over and over again and still haven’t fixed it yet.
Reviewed Sept. 7, 2023
If I could give 0 stars, I surely would. I had a stroke recently. As a result of this, I am living on approximately $1,400 less per month. Because of this, I am now on disability. Unable to pay many bills, I entered into a debt consolidation program, and my credit has taken a temporary nosedive. I have been using NFCU's "overdraft" protection line for a few months. They charge you $20 for each item paid, and I always bring my account up to a positive balance per NFCU policy to continue using this feature, as I am in desperate circumstances. Well, for the first time ever, NFCU cashed the $500 payment made to them, but only made $225 available to me, insisting that FIVE (5) business days are required for them to release the rest of the money! This defeats the purpose of this over-draft line entirely! At a time when I am most vulnerable to another stroke, this kind of stress is both dangerous and tragic for my current situation.
I was on a chat line with NFCU customer service. The individual was rather cold, and just kept repeating how this policy that I had never experienced until now is out of her hands, or any supervisor. Nothing was ever said to me about being penalized for using the overdraft protection feature too much or too often. I am so disappointed in NFCU. I really thought that they had the best interests of veterans at heart. Evidently, this is all just a charade. They are strictly a FOR PROFIT organization in my opinion, and honestly don't care about anyone's special circumstances, no matter how unfortunate. Thank you for your service?! I think not... Just a bunch of empty words coming from another greedy banking institution.
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2023
Very unsatisfied with the customer service and Credit Union. Asked a supervisor to put in a call back from her supervisor and she hung up. This is how veterans get treated? Piss poor customer service. Told me I was lying when I had the proof. Been a member for over 10 years. At risk of losing my membership. Would appreciate a message and phone call from higher ups!
Reviewed Aug. 26, 2023
Rated 0 out of 5 stars. Have been a NFCU member for years. It is my favorite bank. I was diagnosed with cancer 8-8-2022 and recently told to get my affairs in order. I have savings, checking, loan and visa. NONE are behind. I have not missed a payment. I reached out to them to consolidate. I did not qualify. I applied to a debt relief program to get the payments off of me. This bank is fair weathered bank. As long as you are humping along making your payments and not struggling. If you are old, sick and in an embarrassing situation they will not work with you.
They drafted my account - put it back - then drafted it again one day later. It took 5 people and 1 visit to the bank for one brave soul to finally tell me. 1. "We will not work with you." 2. "We will not put the money back." I have left NFCU. I will pay off my car loan before the next payment is due. I don't care if they ever get their money. They made a mistake and then tried to lie their way out of it. At least I was trying to get them as much money as I could. I tried to at least do that much. They do not care.
Reviewed Aug. 25, 2023
We have never had a bad experience with Navy Federal - EVER. We have credit cards, checking accounts and have had personal and auto loans with them. We have gone overseas and not had any issues. I was surprised to see all the bad reviews here. Are there two different Navy Federals? We certainly have nothing but good things to say about them, and have sponsored a lot of family members to join and they like them, too.
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2023
As a NFCU member, I did the pre-approval process for a used auto loan. I got a good rate so went for it. Visited a NFCU to sign paperwork and get check for dealer. Loan specialist verifies APR and monthly payments. I'm happy. 3 days later NFCU sends docs saying my rate went up 2%. I called and "nothing they can do". Apparently rate went up because my vehicle was considered new (2022 but it's now 2023) and has 35k miles. When I called about the issue, NFCU told me rate went up because of miles and year on vehicle and the estimate they gave me couldn't be verified on pre-approval documents. Even though you MUST enter vehicle make, model, year, mileage, and VIN! How could they not know this info before quoting me an APR!
The NFCU rep said they don't know year and miles which may effect APR! I was like WHAT? I entered that info in the pre-approval application!! Why can't they "see" it before telling me I'm approved for a specific rate? I could have gotten a better rate with dealership!! But went with NFCU based on what they told me!! They are not transparent. Just want your money. Will never use NFCU again.
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2023
"Thank you for contacting Navy Federal regarding the Debit card fraud claim submitted on 2023-05-31 on your Debit card ending in ** for the amount of $65,777.06. Based on a thorough investigation of your account activity, we have determined that no error has occurred."
The error occurred by the NFCU by sending out a Debit Card that was never requested by us and was sent to another address not known by us. At the time of those transactions we were not in the United States, we were on a cruise ship visiting foreign countries from Jan. 3rd to May 12th, 2023. And did not send or receive emails.
Why do you believe your claim should be honored?
1. We believe that an error did occur whereby NFCU sent out a debit card that was never requested by us (the account owners). We were told by NFCU’s employees that your policy is that a debit card would never be sent out unless the owner of the account requested it. This is where the error occurred by NFCU. And, also, NFCU neglected to alert us to the fact that $1,000. and sometimes as much as $3,000 was withdrawn on a daily basis from our account. Wouldn’t a “red flag” be noticed, and not neglected, by NFCU as stated in your advertisements?
2. Was the card in your possession when the fraud occurred, or was it lost or stolen?
The card was never in our possession, nor was it lost or stolen by/from us. This was sent out by the NFCU: “The Navy Federal Debit Card ordered on 1/26/23 was mailed out to a different address than that which we have on file at NFCU.” We did not order this, and in fact, we never had a debit card in our possession for the 41 years that we were members of NFCU.
3. If the card has remained in your possession, how do you believe your card information was obtained?
The card was never in our possession, nor was it lost or stolen by/from us.
4. If lost or stolen, what date did the card fall out of your possession?
The card was sent out by NFCU to a different address than that which we have on file at NFCU. As stated above: It was never in our possession.
5. If you have ever allowed anyone to use your card, how do you know this person(s)?
We have no knowledge of who used our debit card for the 4 months we were out of the United States. And proof of our whereabouts as we were vacationing in foreign countries on a cruise ship which has been sent to NFCU as had been requested by the fraud department at NFCU.
6. If you received any merchandise from the merchant, is this merchandise still in your possession?
We have never used a NFCU debit card to receive any merchandise; however, the person who received the debit card used it to purchase merchandise, and also stole our savings.
7. Did you authorize or participate in the charge(s), but there was an error?
We never authorized nor participated in the charges. The error occurred by NFCU by sending out the debit card that was never requested by us to an address other than that which we have given in the past to NFCU files.
Navy Federal Credit Union Company Information
- Company Name:
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Address:
- 820 Follin Lane SE
- City:
- Vienna
- State/Province:
- VA
- Postal Code:
- 22180
- Country:
- United States
- Website:
- www.navyfederal.org
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