Insider's experts choose the best products and services to help make smart decisions with your money (here’s how). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners, however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.
Overall Credit Union Ratings
| Feature | Insider rating (out of 5) |
| Savings | 3.75 |
| Checking | 4 |
| Money market account | 3.50 |
| CD | 3.5 |
| Trustworthiness | 5 |
| Total | 4 |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Fairwinds Credit Union Freedom Savings Account - Product Name Only
The
Fairwinds Credit Union also offers a high-yield savings account with a higher interest rate, but it's exclusively for members with a Freedom Signature Checking Account. The Freedom Signature Checking Account has a $25 monthly service fee unless you meet one of the following requirements each month: 1) you maintain an average monthly combined balance of $25,000 across Fairwinds bank accounts or you maintain a $25,000 investment account balance through services offered by CUSO Financial Services, L.P.
Fairwinds Credit Union Freedom Spending Account - Product Name Only
The
Fairwinds Credit Union CD - Product Name Only
Fairwinds Credit Union is offering a limited-time 13-month CD that pays competitive interest rate. If you're looking for another CD term, you'll likely find higher CD rates at other online financial institutions.
Fairwinds Credit Union Money Market Account - Product Name Only
The
How Fairwinds Credit Union Works
Fairwinds Credit Union is a financial institution with 33 branches in Florida.
Membership is open to anyone who lives in the US. To join Fairwinds Credit Union, you must open a membership share account with $5. The membership share account is a non-transaction account that doesn't pay interest or charge any monthly service fees.
Customers have access to over 33,000 ATMs nationwide. Fairwinds Credit Union is also part of the CO-OP Shared Branch Network, so customers have access to over 5,500 shared branches throughout the US.
The credit union's mobile app is rated 4.5 out 5 stars in the Google Play store and 4.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple store.
To contact a customer service representative, call or use the website's live chat feature from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET on weekdays or 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Saturdays.
Fairwinds Credit Union accounts are federally insured by the NCUA. Up to $250,000 is secure in individual bank accounts, and $500,000 is safe in joint bank accounts.
The Role of Community Development Financial Institutions
CDFIs serve low-income and disadvantaged communities. Banks and credit unions have to undergo certification by the US Department of Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and meet specific requirements to address banking barriers.
In 2022, Fairwinds Credit Union donated $50,000 to the Hurricane Recovery Fund and Florida Disaster Fund to help residents who were affected by Hurricane Ian. In 2017, Fairwinds Credit Union also launched the Fairwinds Foundation, a non-profit organization that's geared toward helping Central Florida residents achieve financial security.
Is Fairwinds Credit Union trustworthy?
We include ratings from the Better Business Bureau so you can see how an institution addresses customer issues.
Fairwinds Credit Union received an A+ rating from the BBB. Keep in mind great BBB ratings do not necessarily guarantee a smooth relationship with a business. You'll want to read online customer reviews or talk to current customers to see if Fairwinds Credit Union is a good match.
Fairwinds Credit Union hasn't been involved in any recent public controversies.
Fairwinds Credit Union vs. Suncoast Credit Union
Suncoast Credit Union is another Florida-based financial institution that is certified as a CDFI. To become a member at Suncoast Credit Union, you or a family member must live, work, go to school, or worship in one of over 35 eligible Florida counties.
If you're eligible for membership at both credit unions, you'll want to compare different bank accounts and see which options are the most appealing.
Suncoast Credit Union has a solid money market account that offers a higher APY than the
If you're searching for a checking account, it could be a toss-up between the two credit unions. The
Fairwinds Credit Union vs. VyStar Credit Union
Choosing between these two credit unions might depend on whether you meet the requirements for membership at either institution.
Anyone in the US can join Fairwinds Credit Union. At VyStar Credit Union, membership is open to anyone who lives or works in an eligible Florida or Georgia county on this list. Active military or veterans living anywhere in the world are also eligible for membership at VyStar.
If you're searching for a checking account, each financial institution has a worthwhile option.
The
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join Fairwinds Credit Union?
Membership is open to anyone who lives in the US. To join Fairwinds, you must open a membership share account with $5.
Where are Fairwinds Credit Union branches located?
Fairwinds branches are located in the following cities in Florida: Altamonte Springs, Apoka, Clermont, DeLand, Deltona, Edgewater, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Leesburg, Longwood, Mount Dora, New Smyrna Beach, Orange City, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Oviedo, Sanford, Winter Garden, Winter Park, and Winter Springs.