Why Stanford FCU

The FDIC provides oversight and insurance for banks and thrifts, while credit unions are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Both institutions insure accounts up to $250,000.

You can learn more about the difference between banks and credit unions by watching our short video.

Not a member yet? Join today!

If you want a banking experience that delivers lower home and vehicle loan rates, higher savings and investment rates, and leading-edge Digital Banking access, Stanford Federal Credit Union is the banking choice for you. We’re a member-owned financial cooperative providing personal service along with convenient nationwide access through Co-op shared branches.

Joining is easy! You can open an account online with as little as $5.00. Open your account today!

A credit union and a bank are both financial institutions that provide checking and savings accounts, credit cards and other financial services, but they have some key differences in how they are run and organized.

Credit unions

• Not-for-profit
• Members have a voice!
• Board of Directors are volunteers
• Income goes back to members (that's you!)
• Low to no fees for members
• Compelling savings rates
• Federally insured by NCUA

Banks

• For profit
• Stockholders have a voice
• Board of Directors are paid by the bank
• Income goes to the stockholders (boo!)
• Higher fees
• Average savings rates
• Federally insured by FDIC

Credit unions are member-owned. That means members have an active voice in how the credit union is run and the decisions the credit union makes. In contrast, banks are owned by their shareholders. Bank customers aren’t invited to shareholder meetings (unless they are also a shareholder), but all credit union members are regularly invited to the credit union’s annual meeting.

Another key difference is what the financial institutions do with their profits. Banks are for profit and need to pay their Board of Directors and shareholders. Since the goal is to make money, they may charge higher fees and offer lower savings rates. Credit unions, on the other hand, are not-for-profit. Any extra income they make goes back to the members in the form of better savings rates, lower loan rates, and reduced or waived fees.

Both credit unions and banks carry federal insurance for their members’ and customers’ money. Banks are insured through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and credit unions are insured through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The insurance limits through both agencies are the same.

Both credit unions and banks are safe places for your money, but we believe that credit unions are something truly special. A credit union like Stanford FCU cares about you as a person (and not just an account number) and will bend over backwards to find ways to say YES to your financial success. We put our members first, and we invite you to experience the credit union difference for yourself.

Join now.

A Select Employer Group (SEG) is a company that partners with Stanford FCU to offer financial services and education as a benefit to its employees.

We proudly serve the banking needs of employees of over 100 employers throughout the Bay Area. As a not-for-profit credit union, employees will benefit from higher rates on accounts, lower rates on loans, and they won’t have to worry about hidden fees and surprises. Check out the full list of companies we serve.

If your company is interested in becoming one of our SEGs, you can learn more on our Company Benefits page.

We proudly serve the banking needs of individuals and families who comprise the Stanford community, including Stanford University and Hospital staff, faculty, students and alumni. We also serve employees of over 100 companies throughout the Bay Area. Family members of existing Stanford FCU members are also eligible to join.

Not a member yet? Join today!

If you want a banking experience that delivers lower home and vehicle loan rates, higher savings and investment rates, and leading-edge Digital Banking access, Stanford Federal Credit Union is the banking choice for you. We’re a member-owned financial cooperative providing personal service along with convenient nationwide access through Co-op shared branches.

Joining is easy! You can open a digital account with as little as $5.00. Open your account today!

Yes! You will be asked to submit an additional tax form along with the membership application and a government-issued picture ID.

Join today!

If you want a banking experience that delivers lower home and vehicle loan rates, higher savings and investment rates, and leading-edge Digital Banking access, Stanford Federal Credit Union is the banking choice for you. We’re a member-owned financial cooperative providing personal service along with convenient nationwide access through Co-op shared branches.

Joining is easy! You can open a digital account with as little as $5.00. Open your account today!

You can open your new membership online or at a local Stanford FCU branch. You’ll need a current government-issued photo ID, a U.S. address, and $5.00 as your membership share (normally paid by Stanford FCU).

We’re a not-for-profit credit union that’s owned by 92,000 members! We give back to our members every day with low rates on loans, high rates on savings, low fees and personal service. Our focus is always on our member/owners, and we’re constantly searching for new ways to offer greater value.

Joining is easy! Open your account today!