topic Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without? in Personal Finance

How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 15:38:27 GMT

Is there anyway a person can get into NFCU without being a member of miltary or goverment? They seem to want peoples's business. Looks like there be another way. Thank you.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

FireMedic1 — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 16:17:01 GMT

Membership is open to:

Active Duty members, reservists, veterans, retirees and annuitants of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard
Army and Air National Guard personnel
Delayed Entry Program personnel
Department of Defense (DoD) civilians
U.S. government employees assigned to DoD installations
contractors assigned to DoD installations
family members of one of the above
If you have an immediate family member who has joined or one who’s eligible to join, you can become a Navy Federal member. Immediate family members include grandparents, parents, spouses, siblings, grandchildren, children (including adopted and stepchildren) and household members. Household members are defined as those who share your address and pay a major utility bill.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 16:18:33 GMT

There are no workarounds anymore. We can probably thank all the credit forums on the webz for that.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

creditfan — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 16:35:55 GMT

it ended back in May 2017

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Wavester64 — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 19:11:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Is there anyway a person can get into NFCU without being a member of miltary or goverment? They seem to want peoples's business. Looks like there be another way. Thank you.

I just became a member to NFCU this week - I mentioned my grandfather was in the Army when he was alive for WWII, but I dont think they ever took his name down or what branch he was in or his rank, nothing. And I was just mentioning this is passing too.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

ridgebackpilot — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 21:02:43 GMT

Have any of your relatives served in the military? My father was a WWII veteran and mention of that was sufficient for me to win NFCU membership.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 21:06:43 GMT

Keep in mind that you should have proof handy if you plan to use a relative to get in. They can audit your account at any time and they will freeze everything until proof is provided. Lately, it's only happened when trying to use a roommate to get in, but it's better to be safe, than sorry. Especially, if you plan to use them significantly.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Jnbmom — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 21:10:58 GMT

@ridgebackpilot wrote:
Have any of your relatives served in the military? My father was a WWII veteran and mention of that was sufficient for me to win NFCU membership.

@ridgebackpilot

Although they don't ask often I would suggest you have your fathers DD 214 just in case they ask .

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

KJinNC — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 22:03:19 GMT

Those who "mention" things, are you referring to in-branch applications vs online or telephone applications? My father was in the North Carolina Army National Guard in the 1960s. It hadn't occurred to me that this might qualify.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Brian_Earl_Spilner — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 22:08:50 GMT

@KJinNC wrote:
Those who "mention" things, are you referring to in-branch applications vs online or telephone applications? My father was in the North Carolina Army National Guard in the 1960s. It hadn't occurred to me that this might qualify.

You can do it over the phone. They don't ask for specific details, only basic. Who is your connection, how they qualify, and your relationship to them. When I initially inquired, they said they would send a secure message with a link to upload supporting documents. Later, when I called in to actually open an account, they didn't mention it and I didn't receive any messages. That was 2 years ago. But, I have mine, and my father's paperwork if needed.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

M_Smart007 — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 00:13:16 GMT

@Jnbmom wrote:
@ridgebackpilot wrote:
Have any of your relatives served in the military? My father was a WWII veteran and mention of that was sufficient for me to win NFCU membership.

@ridgebackpilot

Although they don't ask often I would suggest you have your fathers DD 214 just in case they ask .

+50

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

MrZero — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 03:14:49 GMT

I don't have my (still alive) mother's DD 214 but I asked if her VA health card was good enough as proof and the CSR said it was. They should only contact you about it if they can't find your connection through public information databases.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 17:23:24 GMT

Any particular reason why Navy? Because there are plenty of other CU's out there that are equally consumer friendly with sufficeint products to utilize.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

KJinNC — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 19:03:11 GMT

To the question of "why Navy?", check their rates on home and auto loans ... they beat Coastal on best published rate on both, and that's saying something. They also have several interesting credit cards - opinions and needs vary, but more interesting to me than what Coastal or PenFed have in that area.

Minor update if anyone wants the DPs, I called today to open savings and checking. The CSR asked how I qualified. I told her my father was in the NC Army National Guard in the 1960s and that I had his DD 214 on hand. She wasn't sure that Army National Guard qualified, so she had me wait about 90 seconds while she checked her computer to see if it did. I waited politely (I had seen online that it did qualify, so I wasn't concerned). She confirmed that it qualified and told me she doesn't need the DD 214, but I should have it available in case they ever ask for it. The computer did ask to confirm my identity, I guess - I got an email with a link to upload two files to establish identity (I uploaded a picture of my NC driver license, and a PDF of my auto insurance ID card). It said they will confirm and get back to me in 5 business days. I have lots of other stuff I could have uploaded (passport, W2 etc) and maybe I should have given them a variety of documents in case they didn't like one, but I only did the two. I will report back here if any issues, but I think it's in good shape.

I'm grateful to this board for many things including the reference to National Guard qualifying. I wish I'd known sooner. It would have streamlined some choices I made last year during the Mad Max portio of my build. But still great to join now!

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

SouthJamaica — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 21:20:51 GMT

@KJinNC wrote:
To the question of "why Navy?", check their rates on home and auto loans ... they beat Coastal on best published rate on both, and that's saying something. They also have several interesting credit cards - opinions and needs vary, but more interesting to me than what Coastal or PenFed have in that area.

Minor update if anyone wants the DPs, I called today to open savings and checking. The CSR asked how I qualified. I told her my father was in the NC Army National Guard in the 1960s and that I had his DD 214 on hand. She wasn't sure that Army National Guard qualified, so she had me wait about 90 seconds while she checked her computer to see if it did. I waited politely (I had seen online that it did qualify, so I wasn't concerned). She confirmed that it qualified and told me she doesn't need the DD 214, but I should have it available in case they ever ask for it. The computer did ask to confirm my identity, I guess - I got an email with a link to upload two files to establish identity (I uploaded a picture of my NC driver license, and a PDF of my auto insurance ID card). It said they will confirm and get back to me in 5 business days. I have lots of other stuff I could have uploaded (passport, W2 etc) and maybe I should have given them a variety of documents in case they didn't like one, but I only did the two. I will report back here if any issues, but I think it's in good shape.

I'm grateful to this board for many things including the reference to National Guard qualifying. I wish I'd known sooner. It would have streamlined some choices I made last year during the Mad Max portio of my build. But still great to join now!

NFCU is definitely worth getting into. In my experience, it has the best customer service of any credit union or bank.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Jnbmom — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 22:32:18 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Any particular reason why Navy? Because there are plenty of other CU's out there that are equally consumer friendly with sufficeint products to utilize.

I have yet to find one better than navy. I have quite a few CU accounts and none compare .

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Guyatthebeach — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 03:21:47 GMT

IndianaJones,

There is no longer a workaround the militrary/DOD/retiree requirement. The two workarounds using the Navy League or BAE removed about 3 years ago. I'm not going to lie but I joined through the Navy League in 2016.

With that being said, there are other great natoinal and local credit unions there with ways to get in, regadless of geo-fencing. What were your goals that you wanted to achieve with NFCU?

Guyatthebeach

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Apr 2020 16:48:13 GMT

Yes, the reasons are very obvious why navy. BUT, if you can't qualify then you find the next best one. No sense worring over what cannot be changed.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

KJinNC — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 00:56:13 GMT

I think a lot more people can get into NFCU than realize it. Was a grandfather in the military or the National Guard? Or your mom or dad, or your brother or sister? Or, any of the above for your spouse? Once your spouse is in, you can get in. I really did not think I qualified, and was excited to learn that I do (Dad - National Guard).

Anyway, as a minor update, today I received an email that said as a new NFCU member, I can sign up for online banking. I didn't know I was a new NFCU member. I hadn't received any prior notice. Maybe the timing of when I got what was thrown off by the virus. I did not have the info I needed to log in, and when I clicked the Help link just below the password field and entered my info, it said something to the effect of "no member found." I called their 888 number and the CSR had me retry what I had just tried. It didn't work this time, either, so she did it for me and that worked. I thanked her, got off the phone, and started setting up my account. Then I walked to the mailbox and saw I had a letter from NFCU. I opened the letter, which was dated April 23, and it said "we could not verify your identity using the files you uploaded. Please upload one file from each column" and listed the types of files to upload to verify identity. I am kind of confused what happened, but, the account is there. I can look at it and see the account number. So, I guess I will ignore the letter unless I hear more from them. I chalk it up to coronavirus chaos. Though I enjoy imagining somebody doing intensive research of my driver license, thought it was fake on April 23, but finally realized it was real. All's well that ends well. My next step is setting up my other accounts to be able to transfer money to NFCU.

Re: How can one get into Navy Federal Credit Union without?

AllZero — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 01:23:34 GMT

@KJinNC wrote:
I think a lot more people can get into NFCU than realize it. Was a grandfather in the military or the National Guard? Or your mom or dad, or your brother or sister? Or, any of the above for your spouse? Once your spouse is in, you can get in. I really did not think I qualified, and was excited to learn that I do (Dad - National Guard).

Anyway, as a minor update, today I received an email that said as a new NFCU member, I can sign up for online banking. I didn't know I was a new NFCU member. I hadn't received any prior notice. Maybe the timing of when I got what was thrown off by the virus. I did not have the info I needed to log in, and when I clicked the Help link just below the password field and entered my info, it said something to the effect of "no member found." I called their 888 number and the CSR had me retry what I had just tried. It didn't work this time, either, so she did it for me and that worked. I thanked her, got off the phone, and started setting up my account. Then I walked to the mailbox and saw I had a letter from NFCU. I opened the letter, which was dated April 23, and it said "we could not verify your identity using the files you uploaded. Please upload one file from each column" and listed the types of files to upload to verify identity. I am kind of confused what happened, but, the account is there. I can look at it and see the account number. So, I guess I will ignore the letter unless I hear more from them. I chalk it up to coronavirus chaos. Though I enjoy imagining somebody doing intensive research of my driver license, thought it was fake on April 23, but finally realized it was real. All's well that ends well. My next step is setting up my other accounts to be able to transfer money to NFCU.

Congratulations on your membership!