The short answer is yes, on average - and the gap is biggest exactly where it matters most: long-term savings and big loans. Here is what the National Credit Union Administration’s quarterly comparison actually shows.
The headline numbers
The NCUA publishes a Credit Union and Bank Rates report comparing the national average rate at federally insured credit unions and banks. These figures are rates as of December 26, 2025 (the 2025 Q4 report).
| Product | Credit union avg | Bank avg | Better deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year CD ($10,000) | 2.95% | 2.29% | Credit union |
| Money market ($2,500) | 0.74% | 0.52% | Credit union |
| New car loan, 60 months | 5.44% | 7.41% | Credit union |
| Used car loan, 48 months | 5.53% | 7.73% | Credit union |
| Classic credit card | 12.58% | 15.27% | Credit union |
| 30-year fixed mortgage | 6.26% | 6.50% | Credit union |
| Regular savings ($2,500) | 0.19% | 0.32% | Bank |
| Interest checking ($2,500) | 0.15% | 0.20% | Bank |
Why the pattern is so consistent
Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives owned by their members. With no outside shareholders to pay, surplus is returned as better pricing. That structural difference is why credit unions win on deposits and loans at the same time - see what is a credit union.
Where it adds up
The deposit gaps look small in percentage terms but compound on large balances and long terms, and the loan gaps are large. A 2-point cheaper auto loan saves well over $1,000 in interest on a typical car loan. Run your own numbers in the calculator, and see the full product-by-product comparison.
These are national averages and general information, not financial advice. Verify the live rate with the institution before deciding.