Core Points - Service Credit Union was established in 1957 to support military personnel and their families, expanding its services to hundreds of thousands of members globally [1] - The credit union offers a variety of financial products including high-yield deposit accounts, loans, and business banking services [1] Product Overview - Everyday Checking account is a free account that earns rewards on debit purchases and includes online banking, remote check deposit, and loan discounts [2] - Dividend Checking account provides the same perks as Everyday Checking with an additional 0.15% APY on balances, requiring a minimum balance of $1,500 to avoid fees [3] - Primary Savings account is essential for membership, offering 5% APY on the first $500 and 0.25% APY on balances over $500, with a $5 minimum opening deposit [4] - Youth accounts for children aged 13 and up offer checking and high-yield savings with similar APY rates as the Primary Savings account [5] - Military savings accounts are tailored for armed forces members and their families, including a Holiday Club account with 3% APY on balances up to $3,000 [6] - Share certificates are available with terms from three to 60 months, offering rates up to 4.15% APY with a minimum deposit of $500 [7] - Money market accounts provide rates up to 1.7% APY, requiring a minimum balance of $2,500 to earn dividends [7] - Trust services include living trusts and payable-on-death accounts [8] - Business and commercial banking products include checking and savings accounts, digital invoicing, and merchant services [9] - A variety of loan options are available, including vehicle loans, personal loans, and mortgages [10] - Credit card offerings include no annual fee cards, rewards cards, and secured credit cards [11] - Investment services are provided through the Service Financial Group, assisting with retirement planning and college savings [12] - Insurance options include discounted coverage for home, life, and auto insurance [13] Membership and Fees - Membership is open to active duty military, veterans, and their families, as well as members of select employer groups and associations [15][22] - A minimum deposit of $5 is required to open a Primary Savings account for membership [19] - Certain fees may apply depending on account types and usage [14] Customer Service and Technology - Service Credit Union offers 24/7 phone support and various contact options including live chat and email [16] - The mobile app has high ratings and allows members to manage accounts, transfer funds, and deposit checks [17] Social Impact - The Service CU Impact Foundation promotes initiatives in education, housing, and support for veterans and first responders, offering scholarships and grants [18]

Core Insights - The article ranks the top five banks and credit unions specifically catering to military personnel and their families in 2026, focusing on their products, services, and customer experience. Group 1: Rankings and Offerings - Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) serves nearly 3 million members globally, offering a variety of financial products including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and loans [2][3] - Chase Bank, the largest bank in the U.S., operates over 5,000 branches and provides a wide range of financial products, including credit cards and loans [5][6] - Navy Federal Credit Union serves 15 million members and offers personal and business products, including checking accounts and loans [7][8] - Capital One caps interest rates at no more than 4% for active-duty service members and has no fees on accounts, except bona-fide insurance [9][10] - Armed Forces Bank offers free checking options and early pay for military customers, serving active-duty military and their families [11] Group 2: Unique Features and Benefits - PenFed offers VA loans with a 0% down payment option and has provided over $50 million in financial support through the PenFed Foundation since 2001 [3][4] - Chase waives the $25 monthly service fee for current service members and veterans with a qualifying military ID [6] - Navy Fed provides military customers with up to $20 in ATM fee rebates and early access to military pay with qualifying direct deposits [8] - Capital One offers educational resources and credit tools alongside its banking products [9] - Military-friendly institutions often provide favorable interest rates, lower fees, and customer support tailored for service members [11][12] Group 3: Evaluation Methodology - The ranking methodology involved over 200 data points related to FDIC- and NCUA-insured institutions, focusing on fees, customer experience, product selection, and security [13][15] - Key factors for evaluation included nationwide accessibility, favorable product rates, and deployment benefits for active-duty service members [14][15] - Institutions were scored on various categories, including fees and insurance, customer service experience, product selection, security, and environmental responsibility [15][19][20]