Top Credit Unions of the Year 2025
In the ever-evolving world of personal finance, finding the right bank or credit union that offers competitive rates and perks can make a significant difference in one's financial journey. A recent analysis conducted by Curinos, a financial-data provider, has shed light on some top-performing institutions that cater to various needs.
The list of financial institutions was compiled in alphabetical order and categorized into three broad categories: national banks, internet banks, and credit unions.
National Banks (Large Asset Banks with Strong Performance & Perks)
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is among the best-performing bank stocks, with a yearly return over 44%, making it a top national bank in returns and size. Other notable mentions include Bank of America and Wells Fargo, which rank highly in stock performance, offering broad services, including no-minimum-fee checking and financial planning services. Capital One Bank also stands out, offering a strong online savings rate (3.50% APY), no minimum balance, no fees, and free interest-paying checking with no overdraft fees, stressing convenience for digital users alongside traditional banking options.
Internet Banks (High-Yield Savings and Minimal Fees)
American Express National Bank provides a high-yield savings account paying 3.50% APY, with no minimum balance or monthly fees, making it attractive for savers prioritizing yield and low costs. Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers competitive savings rates around 3.65% APY, zero fees, and no minimum balances, appealing to users wanting strong returns on deposits backed by a major financial institution. Cash App's savings product offers up to 4.00% APY with certain conditions, representing an alternative choice for internet bank customers who want high yields and minimal fees, especially younger users comfortable with fintech platforms.
Credit Unions (Top Performers by Growth and Margins)
Community National Bank (Texas), a $2.4 billion asset credit union alternative, showed strong loan growth (9.25%) and net interest margins (5.16%), ranking highly among similarly sized institutions. Horizon Bank (Texas) also demonstrated strong returns on average assets (1.4%) and net interest margins of 3.53%, indicating solid operational performance despite modest income declines.
Additional Perks to Consider
Some national banks like JPMorgan Chase offer extensive financial planning services and wealth management. Internet banks often attract customers by waiving fees, eliminating minimum balances, and offering convenience in online/mobile banking platforms. Some credit unions and smaller banks may offer free checks and local personalized customer service, but this varies by institution.
To make an informed choice, it's essential to consider your priorities. If you want the highest yields with minimal fees, internet banks like American Express National Bank and Marcus are top options. For broad national services and investing perks, JPMorgan Chase and Capital One are strong. For a community feel and strong operational performance, banks like Community National Bank offer good balance.
Here's a summary table to help you compare:
| Bank Type | Example(s) | Fees | Minimum Balance | Yield / APY | Additional Perks | |----------------------|--------------------------------|------------------|---------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------------| | National Banks | JPMorgan Chase, Capital One | Low to moderate | Often $0 | ~3.5% savings APY | Financial planning, free checking, wide services | | Internet Banks | American Express National Bank, Marcus, Cash App | Typically $0 | $0 | 3.5% - 4.0% APY | No monthly fees, online convenience | | Credit Unions / Small Regional Banks | Community National Bank, Horizon Bank | Low | Varies | Moderate margins | Personalized service, community focus |
For a more detailed look at specific offerings, consider the following examples:
- Bellco Credit Union's Free Checking account has no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirement.
- Alliant Credit Union operates online and can be joined by making a $5 contribution to the Alliant Credit Union Foundation.
- Connexus Credit Union's Simply Free Checking account has no monthly maintenance fee or minimum deposit requirement.
This view synthesizes recent 2024-2025 performance, yields, fees, and perks from market data and expert reviews. For further information, please refer to the sources listed below.
Sources: [1] Community National Bank (Texas) data: https://www.communitynationalbank.com/ [2] American Express National Bank data: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/ [3] JPMorgan Chase & Co. data: https://www.jpmorganchase.com/ [4] Marcus by Goldman Sachs data: https://www.marcusbygoldmansachs.com/ [5] Capital One Bank data: https://www.capitalone.com/ [6] Cash App savings product data: https://cash.app/banking [7] Bellco Credit Union data: https://www.bellco.org/ [8] Alliant Credit Union data: https://www.alliantcreditunion.org/ [9] Connexus Credit Union data: https://www.connexuscu.org/
- The analysis by Curinos reveals that JPMorgan Chase & Co., Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Capital One Bank are notable national banks offering competitive rates, wide services, and perks such as financial planning and no-minimum-fee checking.
- For savers prioritizing high yields and low costs, American Express National Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, and Cash App's savings product are attractive internet bank options, often waiving fees and offering convenience in online/mobile banking platforms.
