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Do credit unions offer credit cards?

Short answer

Credit unions do offer credit cards, usually only to their members. You can often join through your employer, your family, where you live or work, or a group you belong to. Federal credit unions can't charge more than 18% interest on loans through September 10, 2027. Some, such as WSECU and Consumers Credit Union, accept an ITIN.

Checked against 8 official sources
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By · Founder of ITIN Club

Updated

Join first, then apply

A credit union is a not-for-profit lender owned by its members, and its cards are for members. Each one has a field of membership. You may qualify through:

  • Your employer, if it sponsors a credit union
  • A family member who is already a member
  • Where you live, work, worship or go to school
  • A group such as a school, place of worship or labor union

Rules differ by credit union, so check its membership page before you apply for a card.

The federal rate cap

The Federal Credit Union Act generally limits federal credit unions to 15% interest on loans. The NCUA Board can raise that for up to 18 months at a time, and it has kept the ceiling at 18% through September 10, 2027. The cap covers federal credit unions, so check which kind yours is.

Credit unions that take an ITIN

Credit unionWhat its card page says
WSECUSSN or ITIN to apply; credit limits from $250 to $15,000; no annual fee
Consumers Credit UnionAccepts ITIN applications; an Elevate starter card for people new to credit; no annual fee
Rize Credit UnionSecured Visa Platinum available with an ITIN; the deposit sets your limit
Peninsula Credit UnionITIN Visa cards for people who live, work, worship or study in five Washington counties

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Related questions

Sources

  1. What is a credit union? — MyCreditUnion.gov (NCUA)mycreditunion.gov
  2. Permissible loan interest rate ceiling extended — NCUAncua.gov
  3. NCUA Board extends loan interest rate ceiling — NCUAncua.gov
  4. WSECU: Low Rate Visa credit cardwsecu.org
  5. Consumers Credit Union: credit cardsconsumerscu.org
  6. Rize Credit Union: Secured Visa Platinumrizecu.com
  7. Peninsula Credit Union: ITIN loanspcfcu.org
  8. Ways to start or rebuild a good credit history — CFPBconsumerfinance.gov

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