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Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union: Overall Rating

FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)
Savings4.25
Checking4.25
Share certificate4.25
Money market account4.5
Trustworthiness5
Total4.5

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union: Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Free savings, checking, certificate, and money market account options

  • Low or no minimum opening deposits

  • Pays high interest rates on certificates and money market account

  • Rewards program

  • Low interest rate on savings
  • Compounds interest monthly, not daily

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Membership Savings Account Review

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union has a few savings accounts, but you must open a Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Membership Savings Account when you join the credit union. There's Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Membership Savings Account - Fees Display, and you can earn rewards to put toward cash back, travel, and other perks. It pays a low interest rate, though. 

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Better Than Free Checking Account Review

The Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Better Than Free Checking Account is a well-rounded checking account. It doesn't charge monthly service or ATM fees, and it waives one overdraft fee per year. The account also offers early direct deposit. 

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Basic Certificate Review

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a good choice for opening a share certificate. It pays solid interest rates for most terms, and you only need Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Basic Certificate to open an account.

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Superior Money Market Account Review

The Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Superior Money Market Account pays 4.00% APY on balances up to $25,000 and 3.50% APY on balances over $25,000. To earn the competitive rate each month, you'll need to be enrolled in e-statements and receive at least $500 in direct deposits. Otherwise, you'll only earn 0.10% APY if you don't meet the requirements during a particular month.

About Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union 

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union has 29 open branches in Minnesota. The Minneapolis (Nicollet Mall) branch is closed until further notice. If you don't live in Minnesota, you can still open accounts online.

You may contact customer support Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings over live online chat, video chat, or the phone.

The credit union's MyPlus Rewards program gives you points for spending money on your APFCU debit and credit cards, maintaining a certain amount of money in your accounts, and taking out loans. Redeem points in categories such as travel, cash back, donating to charities, and reducing your loan interest rates.

The Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union mobile app has 4.5 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store and 4.8 out of 5 stars Apple store.

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

How to Join Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union

If you don't live in Minnesota, the easiest way to become a member of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is to make a one-time $25 payment to the Affinity Plus Foundation. You can also join if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • Work for the State of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, an organization that gets funding from the State of Minnesota, or a Preferred Partner company
  • Are a current student or alum of any Minnesota State community or technical colleges, Minnesota State University (Mankato), Minnesota State University (Moorhead), Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State University, Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, or Winona State University
  • Are a current student University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) or a University of Minnesota alum paying dues to the alumni association
  • Live, work, or worship in Arden Hills, downtown Minneapolis, Mounds View, New Brighton, Roseville, Shoreview, St. Anthony, or downtown St. Paul
  • Have a relative or roommate who is already a member or eligible for membership

To become a member, you'll need to open an Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Membership Savings Account.

Is Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Trustworthy?

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union does not have any public controversies.

The credit union is a Better Business Bureau-accredited company. The BBB focuses on consumer trust, and it gives Affinity Plus FCU an A+ rating. A strong BBB score signifies that a company responds effectively to customer complaints, advertises honestly, and is transparent about business practices.

A good BBB grade 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 Affinity Plus FCU, or read online customer reviews.

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union FAQs

Where are Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union locations?

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union has locations in the following cities in Minnesota: Alexandria, Bemidji, St. Cloud, Coon Rapids, Cambridge, New Hope, Brainerd Lakes, Roseville, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan, Lakeville, Hastings, Mankato, Faribault, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Rochester, Duluth, Mahnomen, Moorhead, and Winona. It also has one branch in Minneapolis but it is closed until further notice.

How much do you need to open a membership savings account at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union?

You'll need a minimum of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Membership Savings Account - Minimum Deposit to open the Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Membership Savings Account - Product Name Only. This account establishes your membership with the credit union. 

What are the current rates for Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Certificates?

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Certificates pay Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Basic Certificate - APY APY. 

Methodology: How We Reviewed Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union 

For our Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union review, we utilized our bank account methodology to rate bank products.

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 availability, and mobile app ratings for all types of bank accounts.

How Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union Compares

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union vs. Premier Members Credit Union 

Premier Members Credit Union has 17 branches in Colorado. You can also open accounts online if you don't live in Colorado.

Both banks have solid checking and money market accounts, so it could be a toss-up between the two institutions. Your best option will probably depend on minor preferences regarding specific bank account features. 

For example, Premier Members Credit Union has a free interest-earning account. To get the most out of the account, each month you'll need to make at least 25 debit card transactions, receive $500 in direct deposits, and be enrolled in e-statements.

Affinity Plus Credit Union also offers an interest-earning checking account, but you'll need to be mindful of a monthly service fee.  

In regards to money market accounts, both institutions have unique tiered interest rates. Affinity Plus Credit Union has two tiers, and you'll earn a higher interest rate on lower account balances. To earn 3.00% to 3.50% APY, you'll need to be enrolled in e-statements and receive at least $500 in direct deposits. Otherwise, you'll only earn 0.10% APY.

Premiers Credit Union has seven tiers in its Premier Members Credit Union Money Market Account - Product Name Only and you'll earn Premier Members Credit Union Money Market Account - APY APY. The rate will vary depending on your account balance. Generally, higher account balances offer lower interest rates.

Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union vs. Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae is an online bank that has savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs. Your choice between the two institutions could also come down to which other accounts you want to open. 

Both institutions pay high interest rates on money market accounts. Sallie Mae pays the same rate on your entire balance, while Affinity Plus FCU has a tiered system that pays a higher rate on lower balances.

If you're looking to open a checking account, Affinity Plus FCU will have to be your default option, because Sallie Mae doesn't have these accounts. 

Sallie Mae will likely be a better option if you'd like to get a high-interest rate on a savings account. For example, the Sallie Mae SmartyPig Account - Product Name Only pays Sallie Mae SmartyPig Account - APY APY, which is more than any of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union's savings accounts.

Read the original article on Business Insider