Summary: Founded in 1951, Consumers Credit Union (CCU) is an Illinois-based credit union that offers a variety of deposit accounts, loans, business banking products and services, and more. CCU ranks among our 10 best credit unions of 2025.
Pros:
Cons:
Here’s a look at the products and services offered by Consumers Credit Union.
The Rewards Checking Account from Consumers CU comes with tiered rates up to 5% APY on balances up to $10,000 when you meet monthly activity requirements. To earn the full 5% APY, you must:
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Receive eDocuments (enroll and accept the disclosure)
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Make at least 12 debit card payments each month
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Have direct deposits, mobile check deposits, or ACH credits totaling $500 or more monthly
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Spend $1000 or more with any CCU Visa Credit Card purchase each month; no minimum number of transactions
If you do not meet any of these requirements, you’ll still enjoy free checking with free online banking and bill pay, but you won’t earn ATM refunds and your balance will earn just 0.01% APY.
This account also offers perks such as early direct deposit, fraud protection, and a network of 30,000 fee-free ATMs.
CCU’s most basic checking account is a free account with no fees and no minimum balance requirements. This account offers early direct deposit, ATM reimbursement, and unlimited check writing. Accounts can be opened online and in person.
Members between the ages of 13 and 17 can open a Student Choice Checking account and enjoy several banking perks, including early direct deposit, a debit card with a $310 daily limit, ATM reimbursement, no monthly maintenance fees, no overdrafts allowed, digital banking, and more.
Read more: The 10 best banks for college students in 2025
Consumers Credit Union’s Membership Savings Account requires a minimum balance of just $5 to maintain membership with the credit union. It also offers competitive dividend rates, though the credit union website doesn’t disclose what they are.
CCU’s Smart Saver Account pays a base rate of 0.25% APY, with the ability to earn a 3% APY relationship rate with a CCU checking account. Savers must deposit a minimum of $50 (up to $1,000) to savings, deposit at least $500 to checking, and enroll in eDocuments to earn the highest rate.
CCU offers a health savings account (HSA) for savers who want a tax-advantaged way to save for their health expenses. There is no minimum deposit or minimum balance requirement to earn dividends, and there are no account fees. Balances roll over from year to year and savers can access their funds using a Visa debit card or checks.
This high-yield account offers tiered interest rates; dividends are compounded and credited monthly.
CCU offers certificate accounts with terms ranging from 91 days to five years, and rates up to 4% APY. The minimum opening deposit is $250.
Read more: What is a share certificate?
CCU offers various types of loans, including home purchase and refinancing loans, home equity loans, first-time home buyer loans, auto loans, and personal loans.
CCU offers a handful of Visa credit cards, including a cash back card, rewards credit cards, and a student card. Members can also benefit from a limited-time $200 reward, 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months, and a 0% APR introductory rate. After that, card APRs range from 13.95% to 28.24%.
Consumers Credit Union offers a long list of investment services, including rollover services, access to traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, Simple IRAs, and more. Additionally, CCU offers insurance services, including life insurance, long-term care insurance, and disability insurance.
Business banking products and services
Consumers CU also has a business banking arm that offers business accounts, business Visa cards, commercial loans, and Treasury management services.
Here’s a rundown of some of the fees you may encounter as a Consumers Credit Union member:
There are a few perks and drawbacks of banking with Consumers Credit Union that you’ll want to be mindful of before joining:
Pros:
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Membership is available to anyone: Unlike most credit unions, Consumers Credit Union doesn’t have strict eligibility requirements. Anyone is eligible to join Consumers Credit Union by paying a one-time, non-refundable $5 fee to the Consumers Cooperative Association and then depositing and maintaining a minimum $5 in your member savings account.
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Competitive deposit account rates: Consumers CU pays above-market rates on its checking, savings, and CD accounts.
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No monthly account fees: Consumers Credit Union doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees on deposit accounts.
Cons:
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Limited branches: CCU’s branches are primarily located in Illinois, making it difficult for members nationwide to visit a physical branch.
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Multiple requirements to earn highest checking and savings rates: CCU imposes a number of monthly activity requirements to earn their top rates, which may make these competitive rates unachievable for many members.
Customers can reach a credit union representative 24/7 by calling 877-ASK-CCCU or via live chat Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT.
To reach Consumers Credit Union by mail, use the following address:
Consumers Credit Union
300 N Field Dr.
Lake Forest, IL 60045
The Consumers Credit Union mobile app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play, with a rating of 4.7 and 4.5 stars, respectively. The app makes it easy to pay bills, deposit checks remotely, view account statements, activate and lock cards, track spending, and more.
Anyone can join Consumers Credit Union by joining the Consumers Cooperative Association and paying a one-time membership fee of $5.00, which Consumers Credit Union may reimburse.
Read more: 7 credit unions anyone can join
Yes. Consumers is an NCUA-insured institution, which means that your deposits are federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.
Consumer Credit Union’s routing number is 271989950.
Members must maintain a balance of at least $5 in their membership savings account to keep membership active.
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