America’s Credit Union

What America’s Credit Union does

America's Credit Union (ACU) is a federally chartered, member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative founded in 1954 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (then McChord Air Force Base) and headquartered in DuPont, Washington. The institution serves approximately 30,000 members with roughly $700 million in assets across 12 branch locations spanning the South Sound region of Washington State, including DuPont, Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Lacey, Yelm, Graham, Spanaway, and Tumwater. Members access an additional 30,000+ ATMs and 5,300 shared branching locations through the CO-OP network.

ACU's core products include checking and savings accounts (Affinity Free 3.00% APY, Money Market 1.76% APY, 18-Month Certificates 3.75% APY), auto loans (starting at 5.21% APR for 36 months), personal loans, mortgages including VA loans, and three credit card tiers (Platinum 8.79%-18.00% APR, Platinum Rewards with 1% cash back, Green Rewards 15.99% fixed APR with 1.5% cash back for fair credit). The credit union's technology stack is anchored by a digital banking platform with mobile apps (iOS and Android), Zelle peer-to-peer payments, Apple Pay/Google Pay/Samsung Pay/Visa Checkout digital wallets, text banking, and an EMV chip card program. In February 2026, ACU launched an in-house Buy Now, Pay Later solution offering 15.00%-17.00% APR installment plans for purchases between $100 and $5,000, integrated directly into its mobile and online banking. Investment products are delivered through the EasyVest and EasyCoin sub-brands via partnerships with Access Softek, Cetera, and DriveWealth.

Revenue is generated primarily through net interest income on the credit union's loan portfolio versus interest paid on deposits, supplemented by interchange fees on Visa transactions, non-interest income from account fees and overdraft charges, and affiliate referral compensation from partners including Sallie Mae (student loans), Trustage (insurance), and Access Softek/Cetera (investments). ACU's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, combining community outreach, military engagement at JBLM, local event sponsorships, and word-of-mouth referrals. The institution maintains a hybrid marketing approach spanning content marketing, social media (including TikTok), community sponsorships, earned media, and member referrals, while distributing products through branches, self-serve digital channels, and indirect referral partners.

Name

America’s Credit Union

Legal name

America's Credit Union

Website

https://youracu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

America's Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned not-for-profit cooperative founded in 1954 that serves approximately 30,000 members across the South Sound region of Washington State with ~$700 million in assets, offering deposit accounts, consumer and business lending, mortgages, credit cards, BNPL, and investment services through 12 branches and digital banking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retail Banking

NAICS

Credit Unions (52213), Credit Card Issuing (522210)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141)

akta.pro primary industry

Military & Veterans Credit Unions (FSABAEAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Credit Unions (Retail/Consumer Focus) (FSABAEAA)

Keywords

• Retail banking services
• Consumer lending
• Credit union services
• Mortgage lending
• Digital banking

Headquarters

HQ city

Dupont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Interest Income (Net Interest Income): The primary revenue driver for the credit union is the spread between interest earned on loans (auto, mortgage, credit cards, personal, business) and interest paid on deposits (checking, savings, money market, certificates). This is a traditional net interest margin model typical of credit unions.
2. Interchange / Card Transaction Fees: Revenue earned from credit and debit card transactions processed through Visa networks. Includes interchange fees on purchases made with ACU-issued cards.
3. Non-Interest Income (Fees & Charges): Revenue from account maintenance fees, overdraft fees, ATM fees, wire transfer fees, safe deposit box rental, late payment fees, and other service charges disclosed in fee schedules.
4. Investment & Insurance Referrals: ACU refers members to third-party partners for investment products (EasyVest through Access Softek/Cetera, DriveWealth; ACU Financial Services) and insurance products (Trustage for home, auto, life, AD&D). ACU receives referral compensation from these partners.
5. Student Loan Referrals: ACU partners with Sallie Mae to refer members for private student loans. ACU is compensated by Sallie Mae for each referred customer.
6. BNPL Loans: In-house Buy Now, Pay Later product generating interest income on installment loans originated to members. APR of 15.00% (Split Your Payment) and 17.00% (Plan Your Purchase).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

America's Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit federal credit union providing personal and small business banking products and services. Core offerings include checking, savings, money market, and certificate deposit accounts; credit cards; auto, personal, mortgage (including VA), and business loans; and digital banking through mobile and online platforms. The institution operates 12 physical branches across Washington's South Sound region and serves approximately 30,000 members with roughly $700 million in assets.

Product overview

America's Credit Union (ACU) operates as a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative offering a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services. The core product portfolio centers on deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, certificates) and lending products (credit cards, auto loans, personal loans, mortgages, business banking). ACU differentiates through digital-first banking with integrated Online & Mobile Banking, Buy Now/Pay Later, Digital Wallet support (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Visa Checkout), and Zelle peer-to-peer payments. Investment services are delivered through EasyVest (stock investing) and EasyCoin (cryptocurrency) via Access Softek/DriveWealth partnership, with full financial planning through ACU Financial Services (Cetera). Specialty offerings include military-focused products (VA loans, military discounts), a Government Shutdown Loan Program for federal employees, and community support through the ACU Foundation. The institution serves the Pacific Northwest with 12 branch locations and access to 30,000+ ATMs nationwide through CO-OP network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACU Foundation: Non-profit 501c3 organization chartered to enhance the lives of military members, South Sound residents, and their families.
• ACU Financial Services
• EasyCoin
• EasyVest

Products and services

• Affinity Checking Accounts (Plus, Premier, Free) Tiered interest-bearing checking account options for personal members with varying balance tiers and APY rates.
• Savings Accounts Suite of savings vehicles including money market, share certificates, holiday club, IRA, HSA, and youth savings accounts for personal members.
• ACU Platinum Rewards Visa Rewards credit card earning 1% cash back on purchases for personal members with Prime-Rate-based variable APR.
• ACU Platinum Visa Low-rate Visa credit card for personal members with variable APR on purchases and fixed 6.99% APR on balance transfers.
• ACU Green Rewards Card Credit card for fair-credit borrowers offering 1.50% cash back on all purchases with a fixed 15.99% APR and no annual fee.
• ACU Business Credit Card Business credit card with low fixed rate, cash back rewards, and security features designed for small business cash flow management.
• Auto Loans Vehicle financing for new and used cars, trucks, and motorcycles with competitive rates and military member discounts up to 1.25% APR.
• Personal Loans Unsecured personal loans for members covering purposes such as home improvement, with flexible terms and competitive rates.
• Mortgage Services Home purchase, refinance, VA, home equity lines of credit, and bridge loan products for individual and military members.
• Business Banking Full-service business banking for small businesses, including business accounts, business credit cards, SBA loans, term loans, construction loans, and cash management services.
• Online & Mobile Banking 24/7 digital banking platform providing account access, bill pay, mobile deposits, transaction alerts, and integrated features such as Zelle, BNPL, and EasyVest.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Short-term installment financing integrated within ACU Mobile and Online Banking, allowing members to split eligible debit-card purchases into 3-24 month payments.
• Digital Wallet Contactless mobile payment service supporting Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Visa Checkout using ACU-issued cards.
• EasyVest Investing Self-directed stock investing platform including EasyVest Your Choice, available within ACU Mobile or Online Banking through Access Softek/DriveWealth partnership.
• EasyCoin Cryptocurrency Investing Cryptocurrency investment platform for members offered within ACU's investment portfolio via the EasyVest interface.
• Student Loans Private student loans for undergraduates, graduates, and parents, offered through partnership with Sallie Mae with competitive rates and no origination fees.
• ACU Financial Services Full-service investment and financial planning service offered through partnership with Access Softek Advisory Services and Cetera, providing retirement planning, trust services, and wealth management.

Quantifiable outcome

• 147 government-shutdown-affected members received emergency loans totaling $375,750 (avg ~$2,556 per member)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sallie MaecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACU partners with Sallie Mae to offer private student loans (undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans) to members. Sallie Mae designs and services the loans. ACU is compensated by Sallie Mae for each referred customer. The partnership provides competitive rates, multiple repayment options, and no origination fees for eligible borrowers.
• Access Softek / Cetera / DriveWealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationACU offers EasyVest and EasyCoin investment products through a partnership with Access Softek Advisory Services (registered investment advisor), with DriveWealth LLC as the broker-dealer holding investment accounts (SEC registered, FINRA/SIPC member). The tools are integrated directly into ACU's Mobile and Online Banking platform.
• TrustageminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACU refers members to Trustage for insurance products including home, renters, condo, auto, term life, whole life, guaranteed acceptance whole life, and AD&D insurance. Trustage provides the insurance policies; ACU earns referral compensation.
• TurboTax (Intuit) and H&R BlockminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACU offers member discounts on tax preparation: 20% off TurboTax federal products and up to $25 off H&R Block in-office tax prep. Members can also enter a sweepstakes for $10,000 through Love My Credit Union Rewards.
• CO-OP Financial ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationACU participates in the CO-OP ATM and Shared Branching network, providing members access to 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs and 5,300 shared branch locations nationwide, effectively extending ACU's physical service footprint far beyond its own branch locations.
• Association of the United States Army (AUSA) — Suits for Service MembersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACU partners with the Suits for Service Members program coordinated by AUSA at JBLM, which provides free professional attire to transitioning service members. ACU donates space for the program at its North Fort branch and a steam cleaner for sanitizing donations.
• The Honor FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACU hosts transitioning service members from The Honor Foundation's program at JBLM, providing career exposure through department head meetings in Accounting, IT, InfoSec, and Marketing, plus HR guidance on hiring and interviewing.
• McChord Air Force Association — Pilot for a Day ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACU sponsors the Pilot for a Day Program organized by the McChord Air Force Association, giving children facing health challenges the opportunity to experience life as a pilot for a day at JBLM.
• Folds of HonorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerACU partners with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit that provides scholarships to military families. ACU participates in and sponsors events supporting Folds of Honor's mission, notably during Memorial Day commemorations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Navy Federal Credit Union: Largest military-affiliated credit union in the U.S., serving active duty, veterans, and DoD civilians. Direct peer given ACU's military focus, member-owned cooperative model, and similar product breadth including consumer lending, mortgages, and credit cards.
• Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed): Federally chartered credit union serving military, DoD civilians, and broader membership. Comparable to ACU as a military-heritage institution offering full-service banking, auto loans, mortgages, and credit cards across a national footprint.
• Security Service Federal Credit Union: Large federally chartered credit union with military origins (Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio). Comparable to ACU as a military-rooted cooperative offering consumer and business banking, though it has expanded well beyond its original military charter.
• SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: Largest credit union in California serving school employees and their families with a defined-membership charter. Comparable to ACU's employer/affiliation-based membership model and member-owned structure, though in a different occupational segment.

Regional players

• BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union): Largest credit union in Washington State serving Boeing employees and the broader Pacific Northwest community. Comparable to ACU as a Washington-based cooperative competitor offering consumer and business banking in overlapping geographies.
• Sound Credit Union: Washington State community-chartered credit union serving the Puget Sound and South Sound regions. Comparable to ACU as a Pacific Northwest retail credit union with similar product mix and overlapping branch geography in Pierce and Thurston counties.
• Gesa Credit Union: Washington State community credit union serving the Tri-Cities and South Sound via the former Washington State Employees Credit Union. Comparable to ACU as a Pacific Northwest retail cooperative with consumer lending, deposits, and business banking.
• Verity Credit Union: Washington State community-chartered credit union serving King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. Comparable to ACU as a Puget Sound/South Sound retail credit union with similar consumer and small-business product set.
• Kitsap Credit Union: Washington State community credit union serving the Kitsap Peninsula and broader West Sound region. Comparable to ACU as a community cooperative with similar deposit and consumer lending offerings in the broader Pacific Northwest.

Broad incumbents

• First Tech Federal Credit Union: Large national credit union serving technology company employees. Comparable to ACU as a federally chartered, employer-affiliated cooperative with a full digital banking platform, credit cards, and investment products, though with a much larger asset base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@acu6993
• Xx.com/youracu
• Facebookfacebook.com/youracu

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about America’s Credit Union