All credit union vs bank rates
Every product in the NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates, 2025 Q4 · rates as of December 26, 2025
This is the full 23-product comparison from the NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates report. Credit unions pay higher average rates on deposits (money market and all CD terms) and charge lower average rates on loans (auto, credit card, mortgage, home equity, personal). Banks pay marginally more only on basic savings and interest checking. Open any product below for what it is, a worked example and source. National averages, general information - not financial advice.
Source: NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates. Data as of December 26, 2025.
Deposit products
Credit unions pay a higher national average rate on money market accounts and every CD term.
| Product | Credit union avg | Bank avg | Spread (CU - bank) | Better deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular savings account | 0.19% | 0.32% | -0.13 pts | Bank |
| Money market account | 0.74% | 0.52% | +0.22 pts | Credit union |
| Interest checking account | 0.15% | 0.20% | -0.05 pts | Bank |
| 3-month CD / share certificate | 1.96% | 1.57% | +0.39 pts | Credit union |
| 6-month CD / share certificate | 2.76% | 2.18% | +0.58 pts | Credit union |
| 1-year CD / share certificate | 2.95% | 2.29% | +0.66 pts | Credit union |
| 2-year CD / share certificate | 2.81% | 2.10% | +0.71 pts | Credit union |
| 3-year CD / share certificate | 2.75% | 2.05% | +0.7 pts | Credit union |
| 4-year CD / share certificate | 2.77% | 2.02% | +0.75 pts | Credit union |
| 5-year CD / share certificate | 2.83% | 2.11% | +0.72 pts | Credit union |
Source: NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates. Data as of December 26, 2025.
- Regular savings account - CU 0.19% vs bank 0.32%
- Money market account - CU 0.74% vs bank 0.52%
- Interest checking account - CU 0.15% vs bank 0.20%
- 3-month CD / share certificate - CU 1.96% vs bank 1.57%
- 6-month CD / share certificate - CU 2.76% vs bank 2.18%
- 1-year CD / share certificate - CU 2.95% vs bank 2.29%
- 2-year CD / share certificate - CU 2.81% vs bank 2.10%
- 3-year CD / share certificate - CU 2.75% vs bank 2.05%
- 4-year CD / share certificate - CU 2.77% vs bank 2.02%
- 5-year CD / share certificate - CU 2.83% vs bank 2.11%
Loan products
Credit unions charge a lower national average rate on auto loans, credit cards, mortgages, home equity and personal loans.
| Product | Credit union avg | Bank avg | Spread (CU - bank) | Better deal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New car loan, 48 months | 5.32% | 7.33% | -2.01 pts | Credit union |
| New car loan, 60 months | 5.44% | 7.41% | -1.97 pts | Credit union |
| Used car loan, 36 months | 5.41% | 7.69% | -2.28 pts | Credit union |
| Used car loan, 48 months | 5.53% | 7.73% | -2.2 pts | Credit union |
| Unsecured personal loan, 36 months | 10.64% | 12.00% | -1.36 pts | Credit union |
| Classic credit card | 12.58% | 15.27% | -2.69 pts | Credit union |
| Home equity loan, 5-year (80% LTV) | 6.63% | 7.31% | -0.68 pts | Credit union |
| Home equity line of credit (80% LTV) | 7.13% | 7.74% | -0.61 pts | Credit union |
| 30-year fixed-rate mortgage | 6.26% | 6.50% | -0.24 pts | Credit union |
| 15-year fixed-rate mortgage | 5.76% | 6.07% | -0.31 pts | Credit union |
| 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage | 5.73% | 6.55% | -0.82 pts | Credit union |
| 3/1 adjustable-rate mortgage | 6.09% | 6.56% | -0.47 pts | Credit union |
| 1-year adjustable-rate mortgage | 5.41% | 6.49% | -1.08 pts | Credit union |
Source: NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates. Data as of December 26, 2025.
- New car loan, 48 months - CU 5.32% vs bank 7.33%
- New car loan, 60 months - CU 5.44% vs bank 7.41%
- Used car loan, 36 months - CU 5.41% vs bank 7.69%
- Used car loan, 48 months - CU 5.53% vs bank 7.73%
- Unsecured personal loan, 36 months - CU 10.64% vs bank 12.00%
- Classic credit card - CU 12.58% vs bank 15.27%
- Home equity loan, 5-year (80% LTV) - CU 6.63% vs bank 7.31%
- Home equity line of credit (80% LTV) - CU 7.13% vs bank 7.74%
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage - CU 6.26% vs bank 6.50%
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage - CU 5.76% vs bank 6.07%
- 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage - CU 5.73% vs bank 6.55%
- 3/1 adjustable-rate mortgage - CU 6.09% vs bank 6.56%
- 1-year adjustable-rate mortgage - CU 5.41% vs bank 6.49%
Frequently asked questions
What rates does the NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates report cover?
The report covers 23 common products: regular savings, money market and interest checking; seven CD / share-certificate terms (3 and 6 month, and 1 through 5 year); new and used auto loans; a 36-month unsecured personal loan; a classic credit card; a 5-year home equity loan and a HELOC; and 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgages plus 1/1, 3/1 and 5/1 ARMs. Each shows the national average rate at federally insured credit unions and at banks.
Are IRA savings rates in the report?
Not in the headline chart. The NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates report we use does not break out a separate IRA savings or IRA CD rate, so we do not list one rather than guess. IRA share certificates usually price close to the equivalent regular CD term shown here; confirm the exact IRA rate with the institution.
Sources & accuracy
NCUA Credit Union and Bank Rates, 2025 Q4 (rates as of December 26, 2025; underlying survey by S&P Global Market Intelligence). National averages, general information, not financial advice. Your rate depends on the institution. See methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-22