Overview
Located in San Antonio, Texas, Security Service Federal Credit Union opened its doors in 1956 to serve the fiscal needs of the members of the U.S. Air Force Security Service Command and their families. Today, SSFCU has expanded its membership to include not only military members but a large and diverse number of members from companies, organizations and those living in Colorado and Utah.
Security Service is among the top credit unions in the nations but is the largest in Texas, serving more than 800,000 members worldwide through 70 locations. SSFCU offers a full range of insurance and financial products, as well as day-to-day banking accounts including interest-bearing checking accounts, savings and more.
Mission: “Enrich the lives of our members”
Security Service Federal Credit Union aims to meet its members’ financial needs and help them improve their financial situations by empowering them with the knowledge to make strong financial decisions.
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Banking with SSFCU
Whether you need to access your money on a daily basis or are looking for a longer-term investment, Security Service deposit accounts are easy to open and convenient to manage. However, you must become a member prior to beginning your financial journey with this credit union. Like most credit unions you are also required to open up an account and make a small deposit as a part of the membership requirement.
Membership
Joining Security Service requires that you meet one of the following criteria below. You may also call and speak with anyone of the representative if you are unsure.
- You live, work, worship, attend school, volunteer, or your business is located in Texas, Colorado, or Utah
- You’re a member of select military branches/units or a Department of Defense employee at specific military bases within our service areas
- You’re a family or household member of an existing member
Checking Accounts
Security Service offers a variety of checking account options:
Power Protected Checking: this account offers cash Back, extra identity theft protection, mobile phone coverage & interest
- Earn $0.10 cash back on every swiped transaction
- $25 opening deposit is required
- Up to $1,000 in cellphone coverage (including physical damages)
- $6 monthly fee; can be waived by maintaining $50,000 balance
- Free Credit Report tracking
- Up to $25,000 in identity theft coverage
| Balance Tier | Dividend Rate |
| $0.00 – $9,999.99 | 0.05% |
| $10,000.00 – $24,999.99 | 0.40% |
| $25,000.00 – $49,999.99 | 0.50% |
| $50,000.00 – $99,999.99 | 0.60% |
| $100,000.00 – $249,999.99 | 0.75% |
| $250,000.00+ | 0.95% |
Power Checking: provides the convenience and flexibility
- No monthly fees
- $25 opening deposit is required
- $3 fee applies for paper statements
- personalized bank card
Power Youth Checking: this provides teens between the age of 13 and 17 the ability to learn money management
- No monthly fees
- $25 minimum opening deposit
- $3 fee applies for paper statements
- personalized bank card
Savings Accounts
When you become a member at Security Service Federal credit union, you must open a Basic Savings account as a part of your membership. They also offer other types of savings accounts:
Basic Savings: basic savings account that is required when becoming a member
- $5 opening deposit
- No monthly fees but must keep at least $100 across all SSFCU accounts or have a Power Checking account or pay the $3 monthly fee
- Earn 0.10% APY
- Balance can be used as Overdraft Protection
Youth Savings: designed for kids under the age of 18 years old
- Earn 0.10% APY
- Minimum balance of $5
- No Monthly fees
- Youth between 13 and 17 can link to a checking account
- Limit of 4 in-person withdrawals at the cost of $2 each afterwards
- $10 excessive withdrawal fee
Club Savings: allows you to save for short-term specific goals
- Earns 0.10% APY
- Minimum deposit of $5
- No monthly fees
- Unlimited deposits, No withdrawals
- Funds transfer to into your Basic Savings Account on Oct. 31, and become available for use on Nov. 1; prior withdrawals result in a loss of accumulated interest
Certificates
Security Service Federal certificates lock in higher interest rates than their savings account and money market and you avoid the risk of market-based investments. SSFCU offers three different types of Certificates to choose from. To view certificates rates you must visit the website or speak with a customer representative in order to verify the rate for your zip code.
Traditional Certificate
Open a Traditional Certificate for as little as $500 ($25,000 for jumbo rates). With flexible terms from 3 months to 7 years:
- Fixed interest rate for a fixed term (varies by zip code)
- No account fees
- 100% of the certificate balance can be used for a secured loan
- No additional deposits are allowed
- Early withdrawal penalties apply and may vary by certificate term
- Interest is accrued daily, paid monthly
- Accumulate your monthly interest to grow or transfer it to your Security Service checking or savings account
Future Builder Certificate:
Benefit from higher rates and penalty-free access to your money with a Future Builder Certificate from Security Service Federal Credit Union:
- 12-month fixed-rate certificate
- Open for as little as $250, $25,000 for Jumbo rates
- Penalty-free withdrawals (up to 50% of the certificate’s balance per day)
- Additional deposits allowed
- No account fees
- 100% of certificate balance can be used as loan collateral
- Interest accrued daily, paid monthly (varies by zip code)
- Accumulate your certificate’s monthly interest to grow or transfer it to your Security Service checking or savings account
- To make withdrawals, a minimum $250 account balance must be maintained
Fixed-Rate IRA Certificate:
Save for retirement with the risk free Fixed-Rate IRA and its tax advantages:
- Fixed-rate (varies by zip code)
- Get the tax advantages of a Roth or Traditional IRA
- Open for as little as $500 ($25,000 for Jumbo rates)
- Certificate terms ranges from 3 months to 7 years
- No account fees
- Interest accrued daily, paid monthly
- Accumulate interest back to a certificate’s balance or transfer it to a Security Service savings or checking account
- Early withdrawal penalties apply and may vary by certificate term
- IRA funds cannot be co-mingled with regular savings or non-IRA funds
Money Market Account
Money market accounts at SSFCU offers a higher interest rate than the regular savings account while still giving you the flexibility and liquidity to manage your funds as needed.
- Open for as low as $1,000
- $1,000 minimum daily balance required, or a $10 monthly fee applies
- Write up-to 6 free checks or transfers per month, fees apply after that
- Earn Tiered Balance
- Interest compounded daily, paid monthly
| APY | Minimum Balance to Earn APY |
| 0.30% | $0 |
| 0.30% | $10,000 |
| 0.40% | $25,000 |
| 0.45% | $50,000 |
| 0.60% | $100,000 |
| 0.85% | $250,000 |
IRAs
Traditional, ROTH and ESA are also available at Security Service Federal Credit Union. Rates vary by your location so you must visit the website in order to verify your zip code associated rate. Security Service IRAs and ESAs offer tax advantages that can enhance your individual retirement plan or help you achieve your goals for college savings.
Personal Loans
Security Service offers a wide range of personal loans to suit almost everyone and every need. They offer loan products including, but not limited to lines of credit, auto loans, home loans (mortgage and home equity), personal loans, student loans, debt consolidation and other vehicle loans.
Borrowing from SSFCU offers some perks:
- Lower interest rates compared to traditional banks
- Easy approval process
- Variable rate structures
- No collateral
- Easy payments: online, in-branch, western union and over the phone
Credit Cards
There are only four credit card options at SSFCU, although they are partnered with Mastercard, they are nothing to brag about:
Power Cash Back:
- Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Earn $100 cash back when you spend $500 within 90 days of account opening
- $0 Annual Fee
Power Travel Rewards:
- Earn 3X points for every $1 spent on gas, travel, and dining
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- 0% APR for the first 6 months on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances3
- $0 Annual Fee
Power Rewards:
- Earn 1 points for every $1 spent on all purchases
- Low balance transfer rate
- $0 Annual Fee
Power:
- Rates as low as 9.24% APR
- Low balance transfer rate
- $0 Annual Fee
Banking Features
- Branch Services: allows you access to free notaries services, Mastercard cash advance, safety deposit box, coin counters, and more.
- Financial Education: SSFCU offers a financial education center which you can access via their website and mobile app. It offers insights on budgeting tools, money management, investments, identity protection and many more modules on banking related themes.
- Tax Education: As a member of SSFCU you’ll receive exclusive benefits and services as well as tax discounts on turbo tax and tax advisors.
- Member Events: Every so often, Security Service throws events open to all members. Some free, some paying. By visiting their website, you can locate the Members Event Calendar and register for any local event.
About Security Service Federal
Over 50 years ago in 1956, Security Service Federal Credit Union was born with only eight members and $25 in deposits. The credit union was originally founded to serve the banking needs of the members of the U.S. Air Force Security Service Command and their families. Since then, SSFCU has expanded to include not only military members but a large and diverse number of members from companies, organizations and geographic areas. SSFCU serves more than 800,000 members worldwide with over 2,600 ways to become a member.
Security Service is among the top credit unions in the United States and is headquartered in San Antonio where it is the largest credit union in the state. SSFCU has 70 locations throughout Texas, Colorado, and Utah and a wide network of more than 100 Security Service ATMs. This credit union offers a full lineup of banking products and services offering cash back and additional perks designed to help the customer achieve their financial goals.
The Bottom Line
Security First Federal Credit Union has built a strong reputation for providing its customers stability, and convenience by offering financial soundness, unmatched hours of customer service and competitive financial products and services as well as competitive rates.
The only minor downfall here, is that currently they are only located in three states if youre looking for in-person.