Since 1933, Navy Federal has grown from seven members to over eight million members. And, since that time, its mission has remained the same: to serve and enrich the lives of those in the military community. Once a member, always a member. You can leave the military, change employers, move, retire, get married -... show more
Eligibility
Find out if you are eligible to join Navy Federal Credit Union.
Navy Federal Credit Union Reviews
The WalletHub rating is comprised of reviews from both WalletHub users and ratings on other reputable websites. The rating was last updated on 02/17/2026.
Navy Federal personal loans offer some of the best rates on the market, with APRs ranging from 8.99% - 18%. On top of that, Navy Federal offers both small and large loans, with $250 - $50,000 in funding available. The origination fee is 0%, too.
The main drawback to Navy Federal personal loans is that you can only apply for them if you are an NFCU member. You’re eligible if you’ve served in the military or if a family member has served (or is an NFCU member). Department of Defense personnel and their families are also eligible.
Navy Federal Credit Union Personal Loan Review Highlights:
APRs: 8.99% - 18%
Loan sizes: $250 - $50,000
Payoff periods: Up to 60 months (up to 180 for home improvement)
Credit score requirement: Not disclosed
Origination fee: 0%
Other fees: $29 late fee
Reputation: NFCU is currently not rated by the Better Business Bureau. It has an average user rating of 4.0/5 on WalletHub.
Overall, Navy Federal personal loans are a great option if you’re eligible for membership in the credit union. Below, you can see how WalletHub rates Navy Federal in our three major categories: Terms, Requirements & Application, and Reviews & Transparency.
Navy Federal Ratings by Category:
Category
Editor’s Rating
Terms
5/5
Requirements & Application
3.8/5
Reviews & Transparency
2/5
Overall Score
10.8/15
These scores reflect how close a loan offer is to WalletHub’s definition of a 5-star loan. For more information, please read WalletHub’s full methodology.
Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Personal Loans
Comment
2
5
Navy Federal Credit Union
Carl Thomas @cct39501
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5 Star Rating
In my opinion, Navy Federal has the best checking accounts, plus savings and loan rates, for a brick-and-mortar financial institution.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Bank Account
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0
0
Navy Federal Credit Union
Remy Martin @pinkhousebklyn
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2 Star Rating
I'm a member, an Army Vet. NFCU should stop telling members and others that they are helping to build their credit. A hard credit check for a SECURED credit card is not helpful. You could lose 3-7 points for that check, and in some situations, those 3-7 points are not recovered in 90 days. That's not helpful. A hard credit check on your MONEY? That's ridiculous!
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
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0
0
Navy Federal Credit Union
aggiebanda1990 @aggiebanda1990
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1 Star Rating
I tried to apply for a car loan, got denied right away, and a few days later I received mail from Navy Federal with these words in all caps: "YOU CAUSED NAVY FEDERAL A LOSS". I have been with Navy Federal for years now and this was the first time I applied for a loan. So disappointed in them.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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0
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Navy Federal Credit Union
eth_0827 @eth_0827
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2 Star Rating
Read some other reviews of their mortgage team and process, and you'll see that they simply couldn't care less about the customer. The process for me was a complete disaster, and Navy Federal continued to exacerbate the situation instead of helping me resolve it. They suspended my account, accused me of being fraudulent, and eventually realized I might indeed be the person I claimed to be all along. Sean Gates (mortgage specialist) was five stars; however, the loan processor and underwriters both receive negative three stars. They were the cause of so much stress. The loan processor actually had the audacity to tell me how hard she was working for me. I'm assuming her chair didn't have wheels, so she physically had to get up from her chair, take three steps, and then retrieve the paper from the printer. I joined Navy Federal 25 years ago when they had zero commercials. I shouldn't have to explain what I mean by that last sentence. Seriously, consider going elsewhere for your mortgage.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgages
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1
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Navy Federal Credit Union
ivyloom872 @ivyloom872
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1 Star Rating
Do not bank with them; they hold your money, they lie, they give misinformation, and they use your money, talking about "we have to make sure the people don't come back for it." That's not up to you; that's for the customer to decide. Leave the people alone. By 2026, they are no good. Target is writing a complaint about them because they're tired of people calling them, and the banks lying. I will be removing all my funds, and you should do the same. Find a box to put your money in; things are changing. Do not keep your money in those accounts. My aunt works for Navy Federal; be very careful with them. I'm going to say it in advance: I told you so. They are very unprofessional, uninformed people that work at Navy Federal, and the only thing they're doing is basically trying to take the heat off of themselves. Do not allow them to keep your money in your account. People, you need to open up your eyes, be wise. I will no longer be placing my funds into a Navy Federal account. I will be putting my money in a shoebox, and I feel like you should do the same.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
Comment
0
0
Navy Federal Credit Union
tyler @mickymous922
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
I've had a very good experience with this bank.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
Comment
0
0
Navy Federal Credit Union
Daniell Ruth @daniellruth
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1 Star Rating
11/2024 my credit card was stolen and used at various stores. During that time, I recently had a C-section and experienced rehospitalization due to postpartum pre-eclampsia. Upon finding out that my card had been stolen, I immediately froze my card and then reported it stolen. I initially reported it via chat on the Navy Federal app. I submitted my hospital records showing that I wasn't able to be out and about due to recent hospitalizations. Fraud claim denied. I asked for a reopening of the case and submitted a police report. Denied. I asked for another reopening of the case and I was told 11/2025 that if I had new evidence, it could be reopened. I submitted my main checking account transactions during those days to include my direct deposit and bills such as electric, water, gas being withdrawn (to prove it was my main account). The account also displayed transactions during the time period in which the Navy Federal credit card was used. It showed that I was at least 1 hour and 45 minutes in distance from where the card was being used. Denied! So today I spoke with a fraud claim agent who told me they have denied the claim and exhausted all resources to reverse the charges. She said that she was told I initially said I had the card in my possession, which was untrue. She said I initially reached out to them in February, which is also untrue. She said because of this there was nothing they could do. I cannot believe after all these years of banking with them and even paying off a car loan within a year's time frame, that they would treat me with such contempt. I can never trust Navy Federal again after this incident. Knowing that they are throwing the blame back on the customer is horrific. I am the victim of fraud and of Navy Federal.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
Comment
0
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Navy Federal Credit Union
blackdiamond1 @blackdiamond1
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1 Star Rating
Navy Federal Credit Union's auto loan payment system is deeply flawed and financially harmful to customers who try to pay their loans off early.
From the start of my loan, I consistently paid hundreds of dollars more than the required payment specifically to reduce principal and save on interest. Instead, Navy Federal automatically forces the loan into a paid-ahead status, pushing the due date months into the future and applying extra money as future payments rather than true principal reduction.
This is not a minor technical issue—it has real, measurable financial consequences:
- Extra payments do not meaningfully reduce principal. - The loan does not amortize faster, despite overpaying every month. - Interest continues accruing at a higher level than necessary. - The payoff date barely improves compared to making minimum payments.
I contacted Navy Federal multiple times to correct this and was explicitly told their system cannot stop doing this, even when a customer clearly requests a principal-only application and no due date advancement. In other words, borrowers are forced into a payment structure that benefits the lender at the customer's expense, with no opt-out.
This practice is especially damaging to disciplined borrowers who assume—reasonably—that paying extra will reduce interest and shorten the loan. Despite doing exactly that, I've already paid hundreds of dollars more in interest, and over the life of the loan, this will cost thousands in unnecessary interest compared to lenders that support true principal-only payments.
What makes this worse is that this behavior is not clearly disclosed upfront. Most customers will not realize what's happening unless they closely analyze their amortization and interest charges—by then, the damage is already done.
If you plan to pay extra, pay early, or pay aggressively to save interest, do not assume Navy Federal will handle your payments correctly. Based on my experience, their system is not designed to help responsible borrowers—it's designed to protect their interest revenue.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Car Loans
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0
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Navy Federal Credit Union
tykesterson13 @tykesterson13
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1 Star Rating
We are thoroughly dissatisfied with our experience with the Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgage team. From the moment we initiated the mortgage process, the lack of communication was glaring. It felt like we were navigating a maze without a map—our questions often went unanswered for days, leaving us in a state of uncertainty.
They provided us with initial estimates that were shockingly low—less than half of what we ultimately ended up paying. This discrepancy made us feel misled and left us questioning the integrity of their assessments. When we tried to clarify these costs, it was as if we were speaking to a brick wall. We found ourselves needing to escalate our concerns to supervisors just to receive any semblance of clarity, which was not only frustrating but also exhausting.
The customer service we encountered was far from what we expected, particularly from an institution that touts itself as a leader in member service. Each interaction felt like a struggle, creating an overwhelming sense of chaos throughout what is already a stressful process.
While we might suggest seeking Navy Federal for pre-approval due to their initially competitive rates, we strongly advise using that pre-approval as a stepping stone to negotiate better rates elsewhere. Our journey with Navy Federal has been one of the most challenging experiences we've ever faced when buying a home, and we genuinely hope others can avoid the same pitfalls we encountered.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Mortgages
Comment
0
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Navy Federal Credit Union
Alan wagner @alan0753
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3 Star Rating
Navy used to be the best; now I'd rate them as mediocre to poor. Their credit card department is horrible since a lot of it is now outsourced. Over the last month, my debit card malfunctioned. Navy blamed it on Visa. There's no excuse. I'm thinking very hard about whether I should switch. Their app is horrible; they upload, or should I say download, once a day. Everything is pending, making it very hard to keep track of your balances.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Checking
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Navy Federal Credit Union
glocke @glocke
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1 Star Rating
Horrible, unaccountable service. The fraud department is a fraud in itself with its inadequate investigations and willingness to allow a member to be charged for obvious fraudulent charges.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
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0
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Navy Federal Credit Union
mathew long @strobelea
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2 Star Rating
I am stunned by the number of complaints about members being defrauded and Navy Federal's refusal to assist them. This is an even better reason not to consider them a safe place for your extra money. The complaints regarding them holding on to your money for four days after an ACH transfer have also happened to me. They would be useless in an emergency. Even their LIVE chat is a joke; there's no place to ask a question. I have a significant issue with not being able to log out of the mobile app. There are better military banks out there.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Checking
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0
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Navy Federal Credit Union
su lu @s_luan17
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2 Star Rating
They apparently had a "Visa debit card issue," yet no one else I knew had an issue with Visa. Not the grocery store. Then they hung up on me. I had waited over 4 hours up until that point. It's scary that they lie about the reason why I can't access my money, and then when I call back, I hear a completely different reason. I don't recommend any bank that can't tell me why I can't access my money and has limited locations for when I can. The last representative was nice, though.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Checking
Comment
0
0
Navy Federal Credit Union
Angela @angelanwilson
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5 Star Rating
Verified Customer
I love this card. I use it daily for everything. NFCU has made this card a perfect complement to daily use, and the app makes it easy to track spending and pay simply with the click of a few buttons.
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Product: Navy Federal Credit Union Credit Cards
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Review Navy Federal Credit Union
WalletHub Awards
Navy Federal Credit Union has won the following WalletHub Awards:
Get answers to your questions about Navy Federal Credit Union below. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. In addition, WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page. Ad Disclosure
Navy Federal Credit Union has over 350 branches, including locations overseas and on military bases. In addition to their own network of ATMs, members also have access to over 30,000 CO-OP ATMs located at credit unions and retail locations throughout the U.S. without incurring fees.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on branch locations, hours of operation, and available services, it's best to check the Navy Federal Credit Union website or contact customer service by phone at (888) 842-6328.
Navy Federal does not have a rewards calendar because no Navy Federal cards have rotating bonus categories incorporated into their rewards program. Rewards calendars only exist for credit card issuers that need to show cardholders how their rewards program will change throughout the year.
That said, there are some Navy Federal cards that still offer solid rewards despite not using a rotating bonus calendar. The Navy Federal Credit Union GO REWARDS® Credit Card, for example, offers great rewards on restaurants and...
Yes, Navy Federal does have an American Express credit card, the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card. This card offers 1 - 3 points per $1 spent on purchases. Plus, you earn 20,000 points after spending $2,000 within 90 days of account opening (offer valid between 1/2/26 - 6/30/26). On top of that, this card has a $0 annual fee.
It's also worth noting that you'll also need at least fair credit to have high odds of approval for the Navy Federal More Rewards Card. You can check your credit score for free on WalletHub to see where you stand.
What the Navy Federal More Rewards Card Offers:
You can earn 20k bonus points (a $200 value) when you spend $2,000 within 90 days of account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for between 1/2/26 - 6/30/26.
Earn 3x points at restaurants and on food delivery.
You can get a credit limit increase from Navy Federal Credit Union by requesting one through your online account or by calling customer service at (888) 842-6328. You need to wait for at least 3 months after opening your account before asking for a Navy Federal credit limit increase. You should also wait a minimum of 3 months in between future credit limit increase requests. If you manage your account responsibly, you may even receive an automatic credit limit increase without asking...
You can request a Navy Federal balance transfer when you apply for any NFCU credit card. If you already have a Navy Federal card, you can make a transfer request through either your online account or the mobile app. The Navy Federal balance transfer fee is $0. The NFCU balance transfer APR could be as low as 0% (intro) or as high as 14.74% - 18.00% Variable, depending on the card.
Keep in mind that you have to become a Navy Federal Credit Union member before you can apply for the Navy Federal cashRewards Secured Card. To be eligible for a Navy Federal membership, you have to be an active duty or retired service member of the armed forces, or have other ties to...
Yes, Navy Federal Credit Union does offer debt consolidation loans. You can take out a personal loan from Navy Federal Credit Union and use it to pay off existing debts, thus consolidating those debts into a single new balance with one monthly payment that you must make to Navy Federal Credit Union.
Quick Facts About Navy Federal Credit Union Debt Consolidation Loans
The Navy Federal credit card approval requirements include a credit score of at least 640 (fair credit), in most cases. You might be able to get other Navy Federal Credit Union credit cards with bad credit. You also have to be an NFCU member to apply for one of their credit cards.
In addition, the issuer will also verify your credit history and ability to pay. Your credit score, income, debt level, and other factors will help...
To get a Navy Federal cash advance, use a Navy Federal credit card and a corresponding PIN at a participating ATM and withdraw the cash, up to the card's available cash advance limit. If you do not have a PIN, contact Navy Federal customer service at 1-888-842-6328 to request one.
How to Get a Navy Federal Cash Advance at an ATM
Call Navy Federal customer service at 1-888-842-6328 and request a PIN, if you...
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by WalletHub: Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Secured Credit Card.