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Blue Federal Credit Union Review: Overall Rating

FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)
Savings4
Checking4
CD3.75
Money market account3.75
Trustworthiness5
Total4

Blue Federal Credit Union Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Easy to become a member

  • Bank online, visit branches in CO and WY, or visit shared branches around the US

  • Pays high interest rates on some accounts

  • No monthly service fees

  • Earn more rewards with tiered membership rewards program

  • Interest compounds monthly, not daily
  • Must meet criteria to earn the highest interest rates
  • Poor mobile app ratings
  • Tiered membership reward programs can be confusing

Blue Federal Credit Union Membership Share Savings Account Review

You must open a Blue Federal Credit Union Membership Share Savings Account when you join the credit union. It's a strong account overall, but it pays a low interest rate. You may want to open Blue Federal Credit Union Membership Share Savings Account that pays a better rate once you've become a member.

Blue Extreme Checking Account Review

Blue Federal Credit Union has several checking accounts. Blue Extreme Checking Account is a good choice for earning a high interest rate if you meet the qualifications. To earn interest on the account, you must 1) enroll in online bank statements, 2) make one direct deposit, ACH transfer, or bill payment per month.

You can also open a cash-back or basic account at Blue Federal Credit Union.

Blue Federal Credit Union Term Share Account Review

Blue Federal Credit Union pays solid interest rates on Blue Federal Credit Union Term Share Account, especially on 1-year terms. Most institutions don't let you deposit more money after opening a CD, but you can add more to Blue FCU's 30-month CD.

Blue Federal Credit Union Money Market Account - Product Name Only Review

You'll earn a slightly higher rate with Blue FCU's money market account than with its savings account as long as you keep at least $1,000 in the account. The higher your balance, the better the interest rate will be. But its rates are still low overall compared to the best money market accounts.

About Blue Federal Credit Union

Blue Federal Credit Union accounts are available online from around the US. You may also visit one of 20 branches in Colorado or Wyoming, or one of 5,000 CO-OP shared branch locations. You can't open an account in a shared branch, but you can receive assistance.

There are over 30,000 free ATMs in the CO-OP network.

Blue FCU has three membership rewards tiers: Silver, Gold, and Sapphire. Each tier comes with more benefits, such as a higher interest rate on the Blue Extreme Checking Account, waived domestic wire transfer fees, and credit card rewards.

The tiered membership system is a bit complex, and you can read the full details here. You'll earn points for opening accounts, applying for loans, or opening Blue FCU credit cards. The more points you have, the higher your tier.

Call live customer service 24/7, or chat live online Monday through Friday. 

The Blue FCU mobile app doesn't have many online reviews yet. So far, the app has 2.2 out of 5 stars in the Apple store and 3.4 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store.

Your deposits are federally insured by the NCUA for up to $250,000, or $500,000 for joint accounts. This means your money is safe even if the credit union shuts down.

How to Join Blue Federal Credit Union

The easiest way to join Blue Federal Credit Union is probably by donating to the Blue Foundation. When you open a Blue Federal Credit Union Membership Share Savings Account account (which is mandatory for becoming a member) with $10, the credit union will keep $5 in the account and donate $5 to the foundation.

Or you may already qualify for membership if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • Work for a Select Employee Group in Colorado or Wyoming
  • Are a civilian, military personnel, contractor, or employee of a contractor assigned to the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base
  • Are an employee for the Francis E. Warren Air Force Exchange or other activities at the base
  • Are a member of the Wyoming Army National Guard, Wyoming Air National Guard, or United States Naval Reserve stationed in Wyoming
  • Are an active or retired member of the US Armed Forces, or are the dependent/dependent survivor of a member and are legally eligible for benefits

Is Blue Federal Credit Union Trustworthy?

Blue Federal Credit Union does not have any public controversies.

The Better Business Bureau focuses on consumer trust and rates companies based on responses to customer complaints, honest advertising, and transparency about business practices. The BBB gives Blue FCU an A+ rating.

A good BBB score doesn't guarantee that you'll have a smooth relationship with a company, though. You may want to ask friends and family about their experiences with Blue FCU, or read online customer reviews.

Blue Federal Credit Union FAQs

Is Blue Federal Credit Union safe? 

Your money is safe in a Blue Federal Credit Union bank account. Blue Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA. Up to $250,000 per depositor is secure.

Where can I find a Blue Federal Credit Union location? 

Blue Federal Credit Union has 12 locations in Colorado (Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Erie, Fort Collins, Granby, Lafayette, Superior, and Wellington) and eight locations in Wyoming (Cheyenne and Laramie).

Does Blue Federal Credit Union use Zelle?

Yes, Blue Federal Credit Union customers may use Zelle to send or receive money. To enroll, you'll log into the Blue Federal Credit Union mobile app and select the tab for sending money with Zelle.

Methodology: How We Reviewed Blue Federal Credit Union 

For our Blue Federal Credit Union review, we rated bank products and services using our bank account methodology.

At Personal Finance Insider, we rate bank accounts on a scale from zero to five stars. We review different features for distinct types of bank accounts. For example, we'll look at early withdrawal penalties and CD variety specifically for CDs. Meanwhile, for checking accounts, we'll factor in the ATM network size and fees, as well as its overdraft protection options. We'll also usually examine minimum opening deposits, monthly service fees, customer support, and ethics.

How Blue Federal Credit Union Compares

We've compared Blue Federal Credit Union to two of the other institutions in our best credit unions guide: Alliant Credit Union and Pentagon Federal Credit Union.

Blue Federal Credit Union vs. Alliant Credit Union

If you want to earn a high rate on savings, you'll probably prefer Alliant. While Blue FCU has several savings accounts, the Alliant High-Rate Savings Account - Product Name Only offers a more competitive interest rate.

If you're looking for a high-yield checking account, the Blue Extreme Checking Account - Product Name Only offers a higher interest rate than the Alliant High-Interest Checking Account - Product Name Only. However, you'll need to meet certain requirements to qualify to earn a high interest rate. Meanwhile, at Alliant's account lets you earn Alliant High-Interest Checking Account - APY APY without any requirements.

Blue Federal Credit Union vs. Pentagon Federal Credit Union 

To earn a high rate on savings, PenFed will likely be a more compelling choice. Blue FCU has a few savings accounts to choose from, but none pay rates as high as PenFed.

For earning a good checking interest rate, it will depend on your situation. If you qualify for one of Blue FCU's Silver, Gold, or Sapphire membership tiers, you'll earn a better rate than at PenFed. To reach a Blue FCU membership tier, you can open new bank accounts, apply for loans, or get a credit card.  But if you don't qualify for a membership tier, you're better off with PenFed. The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Premium Online Savings Account - Product Name Only pays Pentagon Federal Credit Union Premium Online Savings Account - APY APY regardless of your account balance.

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