10 Most Respected Credit Unions in Pennsylvania for 2024

We love credit unions. As not-for-profit, member-owned financial institutions, they have nurtured American opportunity for more than a century. They continue to find a place in communities where the potential is great but the reach of traditional banks is limited.

Plenty of communities like that exist in Pennsylvania, a state that always seems to be in transition.

Credit unions started in Pennsylvania’s mining and manufacturing towns in the 1920s. Many grew in size and influence after World War II.

The state is now home to some of the largest credit unions in the nation. Pennsylvanians also support many smaller credit unions with vital community missions.

Credit unions have broadened American access to financial services. Pennsylvanians benefit from more competitive products and community-minded services that promote the credit union mission of people helping people.

Every credit union seeks to uphold its vital mission. We carefully selected this list of Pennsylvania’s most respected credit unions to highlight their shared values. Please consult each credit union website to verify your membership eligibility.

#1 Credit Union for Checking Accounts

In our opinion, a checking account is still the core consumer financial service, even in the digital age.

Based in Enola, Members 1st Federal Credit Union uses credit union efficiencies to offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance, free online bill pay, and a contactless debit card.

A Members 1st checking account comes with account monitoring for security and easy access to cash via a statewide ATM network.

Why We Love Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Members 1st checking is also a ticket into the Members 1st mobile app, with its convenient account balance and transfer tools.

Membership in the credit union via a checking account also provides access to the whole gamut of personalized services available at Members 1st.

We love that Members 1st concentrates on the basics to offer members a beneficial introduction to its services.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1950
• Current members: 581,464
• Full-time employees: 1,170
• Assets: $7.8 billion

#1 Credit Union for Savings Accounts

Philadelphia-based Police and Fire Federal Credit Union has roots that stretch back to the Great Depression.

Now, it extends its code of service, value, convenience, and trust to savings accounts that provide membership in the credit union for as little as $5.

Although interest rates are always subject to change, when we compiled this list in the summer of 2024, the credit union’s Premium Yield Account offered a 4.00% APY on balances over $2,500.

Why We Love Police and Fire Federal Credit Union

A federally insured savings account from Police and Fire Federal Credit Union provides competitive dividend payments with no service charges or minimum balance fees, easy access to funds online, and quick transfer options.

Just a few dollars allows new members from all walks of life to take advantage of all the credit union’s products and services for a better financial future.

We love that Police and Fire Federal Credit Union extends the benefits of membership through savings products with tried-and-true consumer value.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1938
• Current members: 449,665
• Full-time employees: 449,665
• Assets: $9.0 billion

#1 Credit Union for Youth Accounts

Based in Lehigh Valley, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union understands that it’s never too early to instill positive financial values in the next generation of consumers.

We agree. With Teen Checking, First Commonwealth establishes a “bright beginning for future finances” for members aged 13 to 17

Teen Checking includes a free debit card with no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service fees.

Why We Love First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union

Teen Checking also includes access to First Commonwealth’s digital banking platform and collection of financial wellness tools, with certified financial counselors always ready to help.

In a world where teens are often treated as full-fledged consumers before they learn financial responsibility, First Commonwealth offers a practical start to managing finances.

We love that First Commonwealth understands that the best way to promote community financial well-being is to ensure that every community member enters adulthood with a solid financial foundation.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1959
• Current members: 81,410
• Full-time employees: 225
• Assets: $1.2 billion

#1 Credit Union for CDs

Since 1937, Exton has been the headquarters of Citadel Credit Union, which prides itself on helping members build financial strength through strategic guidance and educational resources.

With a six-month CD earning 5.05% APY as of the summer of 2024, choosing one of Citadel’s category-leading certificates is a surefire way to boost finances.

It’s a foolproof way for members to make a little extra on deposits they were already saving for a rainy day.

Why We Love Citadel Federal Credit Union

For a credit union with such a long history, Citadel provides a second-to-none digital experience while investing profits in better rates and low or no fees.

The benefits of membership extend well beyond savings on a six-month CD, as good as an APY above 5% is for putting money aside.

We love that Citadel applies the financial advantages of credit unions to perform the essential community service of paying higher interest rates on deposits.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1937
• Current members: 262,396
• Full-time employees: 554
• Assets: $6.0 billion

#1 Credit Union for Credit Cards

TruMark Financial Credit Union, based in Fort Washington, understands there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for credit cards.

Some consumers prefer a straightforward approach, while others seek to convert purchases into rewards and perks.

TruMark hits the mark (in those categories and several in between) with a lineup of credit cards that emphasizes member diversity.

Why We Love TruMark Financial Credit Union

For example, the Rewards Visa Credit Card redeems points for cash, gift cards, and merchandise, while the TruMark Financial Cash Back Visa earns 1.5% cash back on purchases.

Other cards in the lineup do away with rewards in favor of savings on rates, highlighted by the Classic Visa Credit Card, which offered rates as low as 11.24% as of the summer of 2024.

We love that TruMark gives members who are credit card consumers more reasons to stay through the credit union model of people helping people.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1939
• Current members: 143,113
• Full-time employees: 399
• Assets: $3.3 billion

#1 Credit Union for Auto Loans

Many Americans struggle to maintain job and school responsibilities without access to secure private transportation.

Getting to where you need to go to maintain steady employment, attend school, and tend to household needs is harder when you don’t have reliable transportation.

Philadelphia-based Ardent Credit Union helps members find good car deals through its Auto Buying Concierge, a personalized approach to matching members with the cars they need.

Why We Love Ardent Credit Union

By “personalized,” we mean in-person consultation to help members research cars and options, evaluate buying versus leasing, and get the most from their trades.

Ardent’s Auto Buying Concierge also helps members learn car-buying skills, including negotiating dos and don’ts and what information to learn from a test drive.

We love that Ardent helps communities become more stable and prosperous by providing more members and families with secure transportation.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1977
• Current members: 35,124
• Full-time employees: 111
• Assets: $886 million

#1 Credit Union for Mortgages

Across all the ups and downs in the economy, homeownership remains a cornerstone of the American Dream.

For most households, buying a home is the most important investment they’ll ever make.

A mortgage from Philadelphia-based American Heritage Credit Union puts Pennsylvania members in the best position to transform homeownership into lasting wealth.

Why We Love American Heritage Federal Credit Union

Buying or refinancing a home through American Heritage gives members access to lower rates with no closing costs.

My CU Home Connection puts local real estate experts in the buyer’s corner with expert advice, mortgage options, and market analytic tools to help them make the right choices.

Buying a home means putting down roots in a community, and we love that American Heritage Credit Union makes homeownership a reality for more members.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1948
• Current members: 311,526
• Full-time employees: 630
• Assets: $4.9 billion

#1 Credit Union for Financial Education

Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, based in Chadds Ford, understands that knowledge is power in financial services.

Rich financial education resources through Franklin Mint help members and consumers from all ages and walks of life gain confidence to use financial services to their advantage.

Members gain the ability to build a secure and lasting nest egg while helping the community thrive.

Why We Love Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union

Franklin Mint sponsors community organizations, offers scholarships, and reaches out to communities through volunteerism and philanthropic giving.

Extensive learning resources, including a Life Planning Center, serve members and families from school age to retirement.

We love that Franklin Mint prioritizes financial education as part of its mission to put people over profits.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1970
• Current members: 149,095
• Full-time employees: 318
• Assets: $1.9 billion

#1 Credit Union for Digital Banking

PSECU, the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union, was one of the first state-chartered institutions in Pennsylvania.

But it has never rested on its laurels, instead charting a 21-century course for sustained technological progress through digital banking.

PSECU calls the results “digital banking with a human touch,” meaning digital-first banking when convenient but expert advice when vital.

Why We Love PSECU

First and foremost, digital-first banking at PSECU means top-of-the-market online and mobile banking to give members intuitive options to perform routine tasks without human interaction.

It also means continually investing in digital-first banking to ensure PSECU continues to meet and exceed customer expectations regarding technology.

We love that PSECU puts technology in the driver’s seat through its digital-first initiative while maintaining its traditional emphasis on service and support.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 1933
• Current members: 588,362
• Full-time employees: 859
• Assets: $8.5 billion

#1 Credit Union for Community Development

Community First Fund Federal Credit Union, based in Lancaster, is the credit union of the Community First Fund, a federal Community Development Financial Institution focused on narrowing the wealth gap and ensuring people of color have access to American opportunity.

Members expect their deposits to combat social and economic injustice and promote income mobility and wealth-building solutions for low‐income families and individuals, particularly African Americans, Latinos, immigrants, and women.

Why We Love Community First Fund Federal Credit Union

That requires a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach, which Community First Fund Federal Credit Union fulfills through financial education workshops.

It also seeks to serve underbanked residents through ethical financial products and services that promote financial equity by broadening wealth-building opportunities.

We love that Community First Fund Federal Credit Union builds bridges through intentional work to achieve social equity.

Key Stats

• Year opened: 2021
• Current members: 700
• Full-time employees: 8
• Assets: $9.5 million

Complex laws seek to ensure that profit-making banks act in the financial interest of their owners, not for the common good. These laws are beneficial because they protect individuals who choose to invest in corporations and potentially grow the economy.

But the profit motive in financial services doesn’t meet all community financial needs. The law organizes credit unions as not-for-profit, member-owned financial institutions to increase the beneficial reach of financial services. Credit unions step in where banks fall short.

Our list of Pennsylvania’s most respected credit unions shows how the model can positively impact every aspect of financial services. We hope it conveys the model’s value and inspires you to choose a credit union if you haven’t already.