NASA Federal Credit Review 2023: Many account options with modest rates

NASA Federal Credit Union operates multiple branches across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, serving its members with a broad range of financial products and services. Members can also access thousands of surcharge-free ATMs across the country via the Allpoint network.

All rates and fees are current as of June 20, 2023 and are subject to change. 

NASA Federal Credit Union offerings 

If you’re looking for a new deposit account to manage and grow your money, NASA Federal Credit Union has many options, ranging from checking, savings, money market, CDs, and more.

Checking and savings accounts 

NASA Federal Credit Union offers multiple checking accounts, as well as a share savings account. All checking accounts earn rewards on debit card purchases (up to $250 per year) and allow account holders to access direct deposits up to two days earlier with EarlyAccess Payroll. One insufficient funds fee can be waived per year.

• Premier Checking Account
  • Minimum balance: None
  • Fees:
    • Monthly maintenance fee: $7 (waived with Silver, Gold or Platinum Membership Rewards)
    • ATM fee:
      • Platinum Rewards: No Charge
      • Gold/Silver Rewards: 6 No Charge/month, $1.00 each thereafter
      • Bronze Rewards: 3 No Charge/month, $1.00 each thereafter
    • Overdraft fee: $32
• Premier eChecking Account
  • Minimum balance: None
  • Fees:
    • Monthly maintenance fee: $8 (waived with with recurring direct deposit or active bill pay and enrollment in eStatements)
    • ATM fee:
      • Platinum Rewards: No Charge
      • Gold/Silver Rewards: 6 No Charge/month, $1.00 each thereafter
      • Bronze Rewards: 3 No Charge/month, $1.00 each thereafter
    • Overdraft fee: $32
• Premier Preferred Checking Account
  • APY: 1.00%
  • Minimum balance: None
  • Fees:
    • Monthly maintenance fee: $9 (waived with Platinum Membership Rewards. For Gold, Silver and Bronze Rewards: $0 with average daily balance of $2,500 or more)
    • ATM fee:
      • Platinum Rewards: No Charge
      • Gold/Silver Rewards: 6 No Charge/month, $1.00 each thereafter
      • Bronze Rewards: 3 No Charge/month, $1.00 each thereafter
    • Overdraft fee: $32
• Prime Savings Account
  • APY: 0.10%
  • Minimum balance: $5

Money market accounts 

NASA Federal Credit Union has a few different money market accounts to meet the diverse needs of its members. Dividends are compounded and credited monthly.

• Premier Money Market
  • APY: 1.50%
  • Minimum opening balance: $10,000
  • Fees:
    • Monthly maintenance fee: $10 if daily balance for the month is less than $10,000
• Premier Advantage Money Market
  • APY:
    • Balance of $0 to $49,999.99: 1.40%
    • Balance of $50,000 to $99,999.99: 1.60%
    • Balance of $100,000 and up: 1.70%
  • Minimum opening balance: $25,000
  • Fees:
    • Monthly maintenance fee: $10 if daily balance for the month is less than $10,000
• Premier Plus Money Market (PMMA)
  • APY: 1.55%
  • Minimum opening balance: $40,000
  • Fees:
    • Monthly maintenance fee: $10 if daily balance for the month is less than $10,000

Certificates of deposit

The credit union also offers share certificates (also known as CDs) with terms ranging from 6 to 60 months. The interest rates are comparable to some of the best CD rates available today. 

• CDs
  • 6-month: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.80% APY
  • 9-month: $10,000 minimum deposit, 5.65% APY
  • 12-month: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.75% APY
  • 12-month Early Savers: $50 minimum deposit, 4.75% APY
  • 12-month Add-On: $250 minimum deposit, 4.65% APY
  • 15-month: $10,000 minimum deposit, 5.45% APY
  • 24-month: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.60% APY
  • 24-month Bump Rate: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.50% APY
  • 36-month: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.45% APY
  • 36-month Bump Rate: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.35% APY
  • 48-month: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.2% APY
  • 49-month: $10,000 minimum deposit, 4.85% APY
  • 60-month: $1,000 minimum deposit, 4.25% APY

Other services NASA Federal Credit Union offers 

In addition to deposit accounts for consumers, NASA Federal Credit Union also offers a number of commercial banking products and services:

• Mortgage loans, including home equity loans
• Vehicle loans, including RV loans
• Personal loans up to $30,000 with rates as low as 10.09% APR
• Credit cards that offer cash-back rewards
• Student loans with competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms, and no origination fees
• Financial planning services
• Business services

The NASA Federal Credit Union platform and customer support 

For members who want to manage their accounts online, the credit union offers eBranch Online Banking, where you can view statements, send messages, view your credit score, and more.  NASA FCU also has a mobile app. However, it only has a 1.5 star rating on the Apple store, and 2.2 star rating on Google Play.

To get in touch with a customer service representative, call their toll-free number 1-888-NASA-FCU (1-888-627-2328). Agents are available 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 2:00 pm ET on Saturday. You can also email the credit union at support@nasafcu.com with general inquiries; for specific account questions, submit an online support request form or send a message through the online banking platform or mobile app.

Pros and cons of NASA Federal Credit Union

When joining a credit union, it’s important to consider the features and benefits that are most important to you. These are the major pros and cons of holding an account with NASA FCU:

Frequently asked questions

Can anyone join NASA Federal Credit Union?

No, membership with NASA FCU is not open to everyone. However, you can qualify for membership if one of the following applies to you:

• You’re an employee or retiree of NASA Headquarters, any NASA center or facility, or National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
• You are an employee or member of the 900 NASA Federal Credit Union partner companies or associations
• You are a relative or household member of a current NASA Federal Credit Union member

If none of these situations apply to you, NASA FCU will provide a complimentary one-year affiliated membership to the National Space Society (NSS), which entitles you to full NASA Federal membership benefits.

Is NASA credit union insured?

Yes, NASA Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union and is regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), meaning deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) up to $250,000 per individual depositor. 

How much can you withdraw from a NASA Federal Credit Union ATM?

NASA FCU limits cash withdrawals at ATMs to $500 each 24-hour period. Keep in mind that the credit union or the ATM owner may set additional limits on the amount of cash you can withdraw in one transaction or within a specific time period.