Personal Finance Banking
Written by Laura Grace Tarpley, CEPF; edited by Sarah Silbert; reviewed by Evelyn He
- Overall credit union rating
- Pros and cons
- Savings
- Checking
- Share certificate
- Money market account
- How Security Service Federal Credit Union works
- How to join Security Service Federal Credit Union
- Security Service Federal Credit Union trustworthiness and BBB ratings
- How Security Service Federal Credit Union compares
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The bottom line: Security Service Federal Credit Union is on our list of the best banks for the military. You may like it if you're looking for a large ATM and shared branch network, or for high interest rates on certificates.
Overall credit union rating
| Feature | Insider rating (out of 5) |
| Savings | 3.75 |
| Checking | 4.25 |
| Certificate | 4 |
| Money market account | 3.25 |
| Trustworthiness | 5 |
| Total | 4 |
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
How Security Service Federal Credit Union products compare
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Security Service Federal Credit Union Basic Savings Account
-
Security Service Power Checking Account
-
Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate
-
Security Service Federal Credit Union Money Market Account
Editor's Rating
3.75/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.05%
Minimum Deposit
$5
Editor's Rating
4.25/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Minimum Deposit
$0
Editor's Rating
4/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.80% to 5.00%
Minimum Deposit
$500
Editor's Rating
3.25/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.05% to 0.50%
Minimum Deposit
$1,000
Security Service Federal Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Start banking
SSFCU, Member NCUA
Start saving
Security Service Federal Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Start banking
Security Service Federal Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Security Service Federal Credit Union Basic Savings Account
Security Service Federal Credit Union Basic Savings Account
Read Review
Insider’s Rating
3.75/5
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.05%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$5
Pros
- $5 minimum opening deposit
- No monthly service fees
Cons
- Low interest rate
Security Service Federal Credit Union Basic Savings Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Join Security Service FCU if you are a member of select military branches at certain military bases; are an employee of the Department of Defense; live, work, worship, study, volunteer, or have a business in CO, TX, or UT; are related to someone who is already a Security Service FCU member
- 67 branches in CO, TX, and UT; 5,000 shared branches in the CO-OP network
- Over 30,000 free ATMs in the Security Service FCU, CO-OP, and Stripes networks
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
The Security Service Federal Credit Union Basic Savings Account is an affordable option with a $5 minimum deposit and no monthly service fee. But you may want to open a high-yield savings account elsewhere to earn a better rate.
Security Service Power Checking Account
Security Service Power Checking Account
Start banking
SSFCU, Member NCUA
Insider’s Rating
4.25/5
Fees
no monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
None
Minimum Opening Deposit
$0
Pros
- No monthly service fees
- No minimum opening deposit
- Overdraft protection available as a transfer from savings or as a line of credit
Cons
- $1.50 out-of-network ATM fee
- Doesn't reimburse fees charged by out-of-network ATM providers
- $2 overdraft transfer fee when you exceed 3 transfers per month
Security Service Power Checking Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Join Security Service FCU if you are a member of select military branches at certain military bases; are an employee of the Department of Defense; live, work, worship, study, volunteer, or have a business in CO, TX, or UT; are related to someone who is already a Security Service FCU member
- 67 branches in CO, TX, and UT; 5,000 shared branches in the CO-OP network
- Over 30,000 free ATMs in the Security Service FCU, CO-OP, and Stripes networks
- Federally insured by the NCUA
Security Service Federal Credit Union has several checking accounts. Security Service Power Checking Account has no monthly service fee, but keep an eye out for ATM and overdraft charges.
Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate
Start saving
Security Service Federal Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Insider’s Rating
4/5
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.80% to 5.00%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$500
Pros
- High interest rates
- $500 minimum deposit ($250 for 1-year Future Builder Certificate)
- Terms as long as 7 years
Cons
- Standard to high early withdrawal penalties
Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Join Security Service FCU if you are a member of select military branches at certain military bases; are an employee of the Department of Defense; live, work, worship, study, volunteer, or have a business in CO, TX, or UT; are related to someone who is already a Security Service FCU member
- 67 branches in CO, TX, and UT; 5,000 shared branches in the CO-OP network
- Over 30,000 free ATMs in the Security Service FCU, CO-OP, and Stripes networks
- Terms range from 3 months to 7 years
- Early withdrawal penalties are the amount earned in dividends, up to 90 days dividends for terms of 1 year or less; up to 180 days dividends for terms of more than 1 year but less than 5 years; up to 360 days dividends for terms of 5 years or more
- Tiered interest rate system: Minimum $500 deposit, but earn more with a $25k or $50k deposit
- Minimum $250 deposit for a 1-year Future Builder Certificate, which lets you deposit more money during the term and withdraw money early without penalty
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
The Security Service Federal Credit Union Certificate is probably the credit union's strongest product. It pays high interest rates and has terms as long as seven years, while most institutions' maximum term length is five years.
Security Service Federal Credit Union Money Market Account
Security Service Federal Credit Union Money Market Account
Start banking
Security Service Federal Credit Union, NCUA insured.
Insider’s Rating
3.25/5
Fees
$10 monthly service fee
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
0.05% to 0.50%
Minimum Opening Deposit
$1,000
Pros
- Includes paper checks
Cons
- Low interest rates, especially on lower balances
- $1,000 minimum opening deposit
- $10 monthly service fee
- No ATM or debit card
Security Service Federal Credit Union Money Market Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user."
Product Details
- Join Security Service FCU if you are a member of select military branches at certain military bases; are an employee of the Department of Defense; live, work, worship, study, volunteer, or have a business in CO, TX, or UT; are related to someone who is already a Security Service FCU member
- 67 branches in CO, TX, and UT; 5,000 shared branches in the CO-OP network
- Over 30,000 free ATMs in the Security Service FCU, CO-OP, and Stripes networks
- Waive $10 monthly service fee by maintaining a minimum $1,000 daily balance
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
- Federally insured by the NCUA
You might like the Security Service Federal Credit Union Money Market Account if you can keep $1,000 in the account to waive the $10 monthly service fee. If you aren't confident you can maintain a $1,000 balance, you may prefer the regular savings account.
How Security Service Federal Credit Union works
Security Service Federal Credit Union has 67 branches in Colorado, Texas, and Utah. It's also part of the CO-OP shared branch network, so there are 5,000 shared branches around the US. You can't open an account at a shared branch, but you can visit to receive assistance.
Exact branch hours vary by location, but most Security Service FCU branches are open Monday through Friday and part of the day on Saturday. The member contact center is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. You can call toll-free from the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
You have free access to over 30,000 ATMs in the Security Service FCU, CO-OP, and Stripes networks.
The Security Service FCU mobile app has 2.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple store and 3.9 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store.
Your deposits are federally insured by the NCUA for up to $250,000, or up to $500,000 for joint accounts. This means your money is safe even if the credit union closes.
How to join Security Service Federal Credit Union
You're eligible to become a member of Security Service Federal Credit Union if you meet one of the following criteria:
- Live, work, study, worship, volunteer, or have a business in Colorado, Texas, or Utah
- Are a military member at a branch/unit or a Department of Defense employee at certain bases in Colorado, Texas, or Utah
- Have a family or household member who is already a member
You'll also need to open a Security Service Federal Credit Union Basic Savings Account when you join.
Security Service Federal Credit Union trustworthiness and BBB rating
Security Service Federal Credit Union does not have any public controversies.
The Better Business Bureau evaluates consumer trust, and the BBB gives Security Service FCU an A rating. The highest possible rating is an A+ but Security Service FCU has an A because it has left several customer complaints on the BBB website unresolved.
How Security Service Federal Credit Union compares
Your choice between the three institutions could come down to which types of accounts you want. Navy Federalpays the highest rates on savings accounts, but Security Service has the most competitive certificate rates. USAA pays low interest rates, but it has a cash-back checking account.
Navy Federal has 24/7 customer support, while the other two institutions' hours are limited.
The best fit could also come down to whether you want to access to in-person branches. If you want to bank face-to-face, choose the one with a branch close to your home.
Personal Finance Reviews Editor
Laura Grace Tarpley (she/her) is an expert in mortgage rates, refinance rates, lenders, bank accounts, and borrowing and savings tips for Personal Finance Insider. She worked on Business Insider's "The Road to Home" series, which won a Silver award from the National Associate of Real Estate Editors.She has written about personal finance for over seven years. Before joining the Business Insider team, she was a freelance finance writer for companies like SoFi and The Penny Hoarder, as well as an editor at FluentU.
Compliance and Operations Associate
Evelyn He is a Compliance and Operations Associate on the Personal Finance team to ensure content accuracy and editorial independence so readers get up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with fact-checked and current stories so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by ensuring language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.
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