Credit unions in the United States:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, Navy Federal Credit Union was the most searched credit union in the United States, accounting for 64.6% of all searches among the 11 unions we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union and Alliant Credit Union showed up in every answer. Alliant Credit Union was recommended most often, coming first in every response.
Navy Federal Credit UnionShare of searches 64.6%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
State Employees' Credit UnionShare of searches 7.8%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
BECUShare of searches 6.4%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
Suncoast Credit UnionShare of searches 6.4%Mentioned in 0 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit UnionShare of searches 5.2%Mentioned in 1 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top credit unions in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Navy Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union and Alliant Credit Union appeared every time. Alliant Credit Union was recommended most often, coming first in every answer. Navy Federal Credit Union was second, and PenFed Credit Union was third. State Employees' Credit Union, which ranked second in searches, was not mentioned at all.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Navy Federal Credit Union4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
PenFed Credit Union4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Alliant Credit Union4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Consumers Credit Union2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
First Tech Federal Credit Union2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Quorum Federal Credit Union2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- State Employees' Credit Union0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- BECU0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Suncoast Credit Union0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Golden 1 Credit Union0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about credit unions
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which credit union should I join in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best credit unions in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which US credit union has the best savings and loan rates?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“credit union”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best credit unions”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Which credit unions do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each credit union by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 credit unions we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Navy Federal Credit Union, State Employees' Credit Union, BECU, Suncoast Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, PenFed Credit Union. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Navy Federal Credit Union | State Employees' Credit Union | BECU | Suncoast Credit Union | SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union | PenFed Credit Union | Consumers Credit Union | Alliant Credit Union | Golden 1 Credit Union | First Tech Federal Credit Union | Quorum Federal Credit Union |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.7% | 6.7% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.5% | 0.15% |
| Nov 2025 | 65% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 0.14% |
| Dec 2025 | 62% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 62.3% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 5% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.7% | 0.17% |
| Feb 2026 | 63.6% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 3.4% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 0.14% |
| Mar 2026 | 61.6% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.4% | 5% | 4.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.16% |
| Apr 2026 | 62.5% | 7.5% | 7.5% | 6.2% | 5% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 0.17% |
| May 2026 | 65% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.17% |
| Jun 2026 | 62% | 11.2% | 6.1% | 6.1% | 5% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.16% |
| Jul 2026 | 63.9% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.17% |
| Aug 2026 | 63% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.1% | 4.1% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 64.6% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.21% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 64.6% | 3.7M | 0% | +1.6 points | |
| 2, moved from 3rd to 2nd | 7.8% | 450K | 0% | +0.2 pointsmoved from 3rd to 2nd | |
| 3, moved from 2nd to 3rd | 6.4% | 368K | -18.2% | -1.2 pointsmoved from 2nd to 3rd | |
| 4, held 4th | 6.4% | 368K | 0% | +0.2 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 5.2% | 301K | 0% | +0.1 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.5% | 201K | -18.3% | -0.7 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 1.9% | 110K | -18.5% | -0.4 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 1.6% | 90.5K | 0% | 0 points | |
| 9, held 9th | 1.3% | 74K | 0% | 0 points | |
| 10, held 10th | 1.3% | 73.6K | +8.9% | +0.1 points | |
| 11, held 11th | 0.21% | 12.1K | 0% | 0 points |
64.6%
Held 1st. 3.7M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.6 points.
Moved from 3rd to 2nd. 450K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
3.
BECU6.4%
Moved from 2nd to 3rd. 368K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -1.2 points.
6.4%
Held 4th. 368K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.
Held 5th. 301K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
3.5%
Held 6th. 201K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.
1.9%
Held 7th. 110K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
1.6%
Held 8th. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
1.3%
Held 9th. 74K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Held 10th. 73.6K estimated branded searches, +8.9% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
11.
Quorum Federal Credit Union0.21%
Held 11th. 12.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among credit unions in the United States?
11 brands
In September 2026, Navy Federal Credit Union was the most searched among credit unions in the United States, with an estimated 3.7M branded searches, 64.6% of all searches for the 11 we track. State Employees' Credit Union is in 2nd place, 56.8 percentage points behind at 7.8%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 67.7% → 64.6% | 67.7%Oct 2025 | 61.6%Mar 2026 | 1st |
| State Employees' Credit Union | 6.7% → 7.8% | 11.2%Jun 2026 | 6.7%Oct 2025 | 3rd → 2nd |
| BECU | 6.7% → 6.4% | 7.6%Aug 2026 | 6.1%Jun 2026 | 2nd → 3rd |
| Suncoast Credit Union | 5.4% → 6.4% | 7.5%Dec 2025 | 5.4%Oct 2025 | 4th |
| SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union | 3.6% → 5.2% | 5.2%Sep 2026 | 3.6%Oct 2025 | 6th → 5th |
| PenFed Credit Union | 3.6% → 3.5% | 4.2%Jul 2026 | 3.3%Dec 2025 | 5th → 6th |
| Consumers Credit Union | 2% → 1.9% | 2.3%May 2026 | 1.8%Dec 2025 | 7th |
| Alliant Credit Union | 1.3% → 1.6% | 1.9%Feb 2026 | 1.3%Oct 2025 | 9th → 8th |
| Golden 1 Credit Union | 1.3% | 1.9%Feb 2026 | 1.2%Jun 2026 | 10th → 9th |
| First Tech Federal Credit Union | 1.5% → 1.3% | 1.7%Jan 2026 | 1.1%Jun 2026 | 8th → 10th |
| Quorum Federal Credit Union | 0.15% → 0.21% | 0.21%Sep 2026 | 0.13%Dec 2025 | 11th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Navy Federal Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States decreased from 67.7% to 64.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, State Employees' Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States increased from 6.7% to 7.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Suncoast Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States increased from 5.4% to 6.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States increased from 3.6% to 5.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Navy Federal Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States peaked at 67.7% in October 2025 and was lowest at 61.6% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, State Employees' Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States peaked at 11.2% in June 2026 and was lowest at 6.7% in October 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BECU’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States peaked at 7.6% in August 2026 and was lowest at 6.1% in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Suncoast Credit Union’s share of searches among credit unions in the United States peaked at 7.5% in December 2025 and was lowest at 5.4% in October 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, State Employees' Credit Union rose from 3rd to 2nd among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BECU fell from 2nd to 3rd among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union rose from 6th to 5th among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PenFed Credit Union fell from 5th to 6th among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Alliant Credit Union rose from 9th to 8th among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Golden 1 Credit Union rose from 10th to 9th among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, First Tech Federal Credit Union fell from 8th to 10th among credit unions in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Consumers Credit Union and Quorum Federal Credit Union held steady: their share of searches among credit unions in the United States each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for United States credit unions in September 2026?
8 changes
In September 2026, Navy Federal Credit Union gained share of searches among credit unions in the United States, from 63% to 64.6%.
In September 2026, BECU lost share of searches among credit unions in the United States, from 7.6% to 6.4%.
In September 2026, PenFed Credit Union lost share of searches among credit unions in the United States, from 4.1% to 3.5%.
In September 2026, State Employees' Credit Union rose from 3rd to 2nd among credit unions in the United States.
Estimated monthly branded searches for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union in the United States rose 22.4% over 12 measured months, from 246K to 301K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Quorum Federal Credit Union in the United States rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 9.9K to 12.1K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for First Tech Federal Credit Union in the United States fell 25.7% over 12 measured months, from 99K to 73.6K in September 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Consumers Credit Union in the United States fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 135K to 110K in September 2026.
Compare popularity between leading brands
- Navy Federal Credit Union vs State Employees' Credit Union: compare popularity
- Navy Federal Credit Union vs BECU: compare popularity
- Navy Federal Credit Union vs Suncoast Credit Union: compare popularity
- Navy Federal Credit Union vs SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: compare popularity
- State Employees' Credit Union vs BECU: compare popularity
- State Employees' Credit Union vs Suncoast Credit Union: compare popularity
- State Employees' Credit Union vs SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: compare popularity
- BECU vs Suncoast Credit Union: compare popularity
- BECU vs SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: compare popularity
- Suncoast Credit Union vs SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union: compare popularity
- Compare any of these brands
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