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Tinker Federal Credit Union has 32 branches in Oklahoma.
Tinker Federal Credit Union; Alyssa Powell/Insider
The bottom line: You may like Tinker Federal Credit Union if you live in Oklahoma and want to bank with a credit union instead of a bank. Tinker Federal Credit Union’s strongest products are its high-yield checking account and share certificates.
Overall credit union rating
FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)Savings4Checking4Share certificate4Money market account3.75Trustworthiness 5Total4.25
Pros and cons
Pros Cons
Certified as a community development financial institution, so it primarily serves low-income and disadvantaged communities
Part of CO-OP Shared Branch network
High-yield checking account option
Solid interest rates on CDs
No monthly service fees
Free overdraft protection
Credit union branches are located only in Oklahoma (can’t open new accounts in shared branches)Some online banks may offer higher interest rates on savings accounts or share certificates
Share Account
To become a member of Tinker Federal Credit Union, you must open a Share Account with at least Share Account.
This account offers a slightly higher interest rate than the average savings account, and it doesn’t charge any monthly service fees. You must maintain $5 in your account to keep an active membership.
Click Checking
If you’re searching for a high-yield checking account, Click Checking might be appealing. This checking account pays 1.25% APY on account balances up to $30,000 if you meet certain requirements.
To qualify for a reward interest rate, fulfill all of the following criteria each month:
Enroll in online and mobile bankingPay at least one bill using TFCU BillPay OnlineMake at least 10 transactions using your MoneyPlus Visa check card per monthSign up for online statementsMake at least one direct deposit
Term Share Certificates
Tinker Federal Credit Union has a variety of CD terms, ranging from three months to five years. You’ll earn a higher interest rate on a CD if you deposit more money upfront. The credit union also has special limited-time offers for 13-month, 19-month, and 2-year CDs, which pay competitive interest rates.
Command Fund (Money Market Account)
You may like the Command Fund (Money Market Account) if you regularly maintain at least $2,000 in your account. That way, you’ll earn a higher interest rate than with the Share Account.
Some money market accounts have different ways to access money in your account, like a debit card or paper checks. The Command Fund (Money Market Account) only offers paper checks, though.
How Tinker Federal Credit Union works
Tinker Federal Credit Union is a local financial institution in Oklahoma with 32 branches. It’s also part of the CO-OP Shared Branch Network, which has over 5,500 shared branches throughout the US.
Customers have access to over 40 TFCU ATMs throughout Oklahoma. The credit union also permits surcharge-free ATM access at Transfund NC ATMs, OnCue and QuikTrip ATMs in Oklahoma, or Oklahoma City metro area 7-Elevens.
To contact customer support, call or use live chat from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT on Saturdays.
The credit union’s mobile app is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars in the Apple store and Google Play store.
Tinker Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA. You may safely keep up to $250,000 in an individual bank account or $500,000 in joint bank accounts.
How to join Tinker Federal Credit Union
To become a member of Tinker Federal Credit Union, you must meet one of the following requirements:
You have an immediate family member or permanent member of your household who is a current member of Tinker Federal Credit UnionYou are a current or former employee/member of a business or association on this listYou are military or civilian personnel who works at Tinker Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base, an Army National Guard facility, or the Armed Forces Reserve Center in OklahomaYou are an active or retired member of the US Armed ForcesYou are part of a veterans organization in OklahomaYou are an elected official or employee part of select Oklahoma countiesYou are a member, employee, or student of an organization listed in the Tinker Federal Credit Union charter (You must contact the Member Service Center)You live, work, or go to school in Payne, Pontotoc, or Seminole countyYou live, work, or go to school in the Oklahoma City Empowerment Zone
If you don’t meet one of the requirements listed, you may call the Member Service Center to see if there are any additional ways to qualify for membership.
Once you fulfill at least one of the requirements, you’ll be able to join Tinker Federal Credit Union. All members must open a Share Account with a minimum of Share Account.
The role of community development financial institutions
Community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, serve low-income and disadvantaged communities. Banks and credit unions have to undergo certification by the US Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund and meet specific requirements to address banking barriers.
In 2018, the credit union founded Tinker Federal Credit Union Foundation to help Oklahoma veterans, police, firefighters, and active military with home projects like wheelchair ramps and safety rail installations. Tinker Federal Credit Union also hosts financial education workshops for adults and youth.
Tinker Federal Credit Union trustworthiness and BBB rating
The Better Business Bureau assesses businesses to see how they address customer issues.
Tinker Federal Credit Union received an A+ rating from the BBB. A good rating from the BBB doesn’t necessarily guarantee a smooth relationship with a bank, though. Read online customer reviews to talk to current customers to see if Tinker Federal Credit Union may be suitable for you.
Tinker Federal Credit Union hasn’t been involved in any recent public scandals.
Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. International Bank of Commerce
To join Tinker Federal Credit Union, you must meet certain membership requirements. For example, if you live, work, or go to school in the Oklahoma City Empowerment Zone, you’ll qualify for membership.
Meanwhile, the International Bank of Commerce doesn’t have any membership requirements.
You’ll want to consider which types of bank accounts you’d like to open.
Tinker Federal Credit Union doesn’t charge monthly service fees on checking or savings accounts. International Bank of Commerce has a free checking account, but you’ll need to maintain at least $500 in the International Bank of Commerce Personal Savings Account to avoid monthly service fees.
Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Oklahoma’s Credit Union
Choosing between these two local financial institutions will likely depend on whether you qualify for membership at either credit union.
You may join Oklahoma’s Credit Union if you live, work, or go to school in Oklahoma, Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain, or Pottawatomie counties. You may also be eligible for membership if you work at a state agency that doesn’t have a credit union.
Tinker Federal Credit Union has over 700 ways to become a member. If you do not meet any of the requirements listed on the Tinker Federal Credit Union website, you may call the Member Service Center to see if there are any additional ways to become a member.
You may also want to consider what you prioritize in a bank account.
For example, Oklahoma’s Credit Union offers a higher interest rate on its share account if you keep a high account balance over $100,000. If you maintain less money in your account, you may prefer the Share Account because it pays Share Account APY regardless of your account balance.
Frequently asked questions
Can anyone open an account at Tinker Federal Credit Union?
You’ll need to meet specific membership requirements to become a Tinker Federal Credit Union member. The credit union has over 700 ways to join. If you do not meet any of the requirements listed on the Tinker Federal Credit Union website, call the Member Service Center to see if there are any additional ways to qualify for membership.
Is Tinker Federal Credit Union a good credit union?
Tinker Federal Credit Union may be a good option if you live in Oklahoma and want to open bank accounts with zero monthly service fees. Tinker Federal Credit Union also has solid CD rates compared to other brick-and-mortar banks.