PenFed Credit Union generally offers broader accessibility and higher customer satisfaction, making it a potentially better choice for those who qualify and prioritize ease of use and customer service. However, DCU's high APY on initial savings and accessible ATM network may appeal to specific users.
| Attribute | PenFed Credit Union | Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU) |
|---|---|---|
| Membership eligibility requirements | Open to everyone with a minimum $5 deposit into a Regular Share or Premium Online Savings account. Historically for military or government affiliations. | Family relationship (spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or siblings of current DCU members), Employment (employees or retirees of participating companies), Organization membership (e.g., Free Software Foundation members), Community (living, working, worshiping, or attending school in a qualifying community), $5 minimum deposit to a Primary Savings Account |
| Savings account interest rates (APY) | Premium Online Savings: 2.80%. Regular Savings: Lower APY. Money Market: 0.05% (<$10k), 0.10% ($10k-$99,999), 0.15% (>$100k). CDs: 6-month (2.80%), 12-month (3.20%), 15-month (3.20%), 18-month (3.20%), 2-year (3.10%), 3-year (3.10%), 5-year (3.10%), 7-year (3.00%). | Primary Savings: Up to 6.17% on balances up to $1,000, 0.15% on balances exceeding $1,000; Advantage Savings: 3.25% APY, no minimum balance; Money Market Savings: 1.46% APY on balances between $1,000 and $24,999.99 (minimum balance of $1,000 required to earn interest) |
| Checking account fees and features | Free Checking: No monthly fee, $25 minimum opening deposit. Access America Checking: $10 monthly fee (waived with $500 daily balance or $500 direct deposits), interest-bearing (0.15% APY <$20k, 0.35% APY $20k-$50k), free fraud protection. Both offer access to 85,000+ fee-free ATMs. $30 NSF/overdraft fee, $20 stop payment fee. | Free Checking Account: No monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, interest on balances up to $100,000, free withdrawals from DCU ATMs and access to over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide, ATM fee reimbursement (with direct deposit and 5+ monthly transactions), $30 overdraft fee |
| Loan interest rates (auto, personal, mortgage) | Personal Loans: APRs starting at 8.99%. Auto Loans: Competitive rates for new/used cars and refinancing. Mortgages: Available. | Specific, current interest rates for auto loans, personal loans, and mortgages were not found in the search results. DCU offers a 0.50% rate discount on most consumer loans when paid with electronic payment. |
| Credit card options and rewards programs | PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card: 1.5% cash back (2% for Honors Advantage). PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Visa Signature Card: 3x points on travel (4x for Honors Advantage), 1.5x on other purchases, $95 annual fee (waived for Honors Advantage). PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card: 5x points on gas/EV charging, 3x on supermarkets/restaurants/streaming, 1x on other purchases, 15,000 points after $1,500 spend in first 3 months. PenFed Gold Visa Card: Everyday low APR. | Visa Platinum (starting at 9% APR), Visa Platinum Rewards (starting at 11.75% APR, rewards points redeemable for travel, gift cards, merchandise, or cash back), Visa Platinum Secured (starting at 12% APR); No annual fees or balance transfer fees; Mobile wallet compatibility; Fraud notifications |
| Mobile banking app features and ratings | Features: Remote check deposit, balance check, transaction review, loan application tracking, payments, fund transfers, travel notifications, ATM/branch locator, bill pay, Zelle. Ratings: 4.6 stars on Google Play (30,000+ reviews). | Check deposits, money transfers, balance viewing, FutureLook spending insights, Payment Planner, holistic financial view, seamless payments, external account connection, account nickname editing, enrollment in earn more, statement viewing, travel notification addition, access to certificate and IRA contribution forms; mixed user ratings on intuitiveness and feature placement; designed to support a wide range of assistive technologies |
| Branch and ATM network accessibility | Around 50 branches in 13 U.S. states and military bases in Guam, Japan, and Puerto Rico. Access to 85,000+ fee-free ATMs via Allpoint and CO-OP networks. | 23 branches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire; Over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide; Over 5,900 shared branches nationwide; All DCU ATMs offer headset ports, Braille, and meet ADA requirements; DCU branches are designed to be accessible to all |
| Customer service responsiveness and helpfulness | Phone support: (800) 247-5626. Live chat: M-F, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET. Social media support (Facebook, X). Help center/FAQ available 24/7. Response times on social media typically range from a few hours to one business day. | Mixed reviews; Some long-time customers report improved web interface and customer service responsiveness; Information Center: 800-328-8797; 24/7 support |
| Financial planning services availability | Wealth management services including financial planning, investment management, and trust/fiduciary services. Financial advisors across continental U.S. and Hawaii. Investment products via LPL Financial. | Referrals to financial professionals of LPL Financial LLC for short-term and long-term goal assessment, investment management, and insurance planning; DCU receives payments for referrals, creating a potential conflict of interest |
| Online account management tools | Online banking and mobile app for account monitoring, bill payments, and fund transfers. | Digital Banking platform with check imaging, Quicken compatibility, mobile deposits, and various account management options; committed to providing all members convenient access to products and services |
| Insurance products offered | TruStage accidental death & dismemberment and life insurance. Auto insurance via TruStage and Travelers. Vehicle protection plans and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) for auto loans. | DCU Insurance (independent agency): Auto, home, liability, property, life, disability, and umbrella liability insurance; Agents available in MA, NH, CT, ME, CO, and GA; Policies in other states available directly from insurance companies by special arrangement |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Trustpilot: 3.4 stars (based on over 1,500 reviews). PenFed Mobile App: 4.6 stars on Google Play (based on over 30,000 reviews) | Overall score: 2.7/5; Trustpilot rating: 1.6 (based on 74 reviews) |
| Pros | Wide range of financial products and services, Competitive interest rates on some accounts and loans, Extensive ATM network, Robust digital banking services, Multiple channels for customer support | High APY on the first $1,000 in Primary Savings account, Advantage Savings account offers a higher than national average APY with no minimum balance, Free Checking account with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements, Access to a large ATM network (over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs), Multiple credit card options with no annual fees or balance transfer fees, Mobile banking app with various features like check deposit and FutureLook spending insights, 24/7 customer service support, Accessibility features in ATMs and branches |
| Cons | Some customer reviews mention difficulties reaching customer service, Some customer reviews mention challenges using the website, Monthly service fee on Access America Checking account (can be waived), Varying interest rates on Money Market Savings Account based on balance | Low APY on Primary Savings account balances exceeding $1,000, Minimum balance requirement for Money Market Savings account to earn interest, Overdraft fees for Free Checking account, Mixed reviews on customer service responsiveness, Mobile app features may be difficult to find for some users, Limited branch locations (Massachusetts and New Hampshire), Potential conflict of interest in financial planning services due to referral payments |
| User Feedback - Positive | Easy-to-use interface, Efficient processing of payments and requests, 80% of Trustpilot reviews are 5-star ratings | Professional atmosphere at DCU branches, Ease of applying for loans |
| User Feedback - Negative | Challenges using the website, Difficulties reaching customer service | Long wait times, Unresolved inquiries, Issues with the mobile app |
| User Feedback - Value | ||
| User Feedback - Quotes |