Kinecta Federal Credit Union Review 2024

July 2024 · 19 minute read
2024-07-24T14:53:45Z JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
  • Overall Rating
  • Pros and Cons
  • Kinecta Federal Credit Union Bank Account Reviews
  • About Kinecta Federal Credit Union
  • How Kinecta Federal Credit Union Compares
  • Why You Should Trust Us
  • FAQs
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    The bottom line: You might like Kinecta Federal Credit Union if you favor credit unions over banks. Kinecta Federal Credit Union makes it easy for anyone to become a member — the easiest way is to join the Innovision Society. You can only open new accounts at locations in California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York. Other institutions may also offer higher interest rates on savings accounts. The best high-yield savings accounts pay up to 6.17% APY — see how Kinecta compares.

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Review: Overall Rating

    FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)
    Savings3.75
    Checking4
    Share certificate4.25
    Money market account4
    Trustworthiness4.5
    Total4
    How Kinecta Federal Credit Union products compareChevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Editor's Rating 4/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. None Minimum Deposit Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. $0 Editor's Rating 3.75/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. 0.05% Minimum Deposit Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. $5 Editor's Rating 4/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. 0.15% to 0.50% Minimum Deposit Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. $0 Editor's Rating 4.25/5 A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. 2.00% to 4.00% Minimum Deposit Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. $100 Start banking On Kinecta Federal Credit Union's website Start saving On Kinecta Federal Credit Union's website Learn more On Kinecta Federal Credit Union's website Start saving On Kinecta Federal Credit Union's website

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Pros and Cons

    ProsCons
    • Certified as a community development financial institution, so it primarily serves low-income and disadvantaged communities

    • Easy for anyone to become a member

    • Part of CO-OP and Allpoint nationwide networks

    • CDs with a $100 initial deposit

    • Possible to waive monthly service fees on checking and savings accounts

    • Money market account with no monthly service fees and a $0 minimum deposit

    • Credit union branches are located only in California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York (can't open new accounts in shared branches)
    • Online banks may offer higher interest rates on savings and money market accounts
    • Monthly service fees on savings and checking accounts
    • No paper checks included in money market account

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Bank Account Reviews

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Traditional Savings Account

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Traditional Savings Account Read Review Kinecta Federal Credit Union Kinecta Federal Credit Union Traditional Savings Account Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 3.75/5 Fees

    $5 monthly service fee

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.05%

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $5

    ProsConsKinecta Federal Credit Union Traditional Savings Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product DetailsShow Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    To join Kinecta Federal Credit Union, you'll need to open the Kinecta Federal Credit Union Kinecta Federal Credit Union Traditional Savings Account with at least $5.

    You'll want to be mindful of monthly service fees with this account. The monthly service fee is waived during the first three months of opening an account, but after that, you'll need to meet certain requirements. If you're under the age of 26 or a part of active military, the fee is automatically waived for you.

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Classic Checking Account

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Classic Checking Account Start banking On Kinecta Federal Credit Union's website Kinecta Federal Credit Union Kinecta Federal Credit Union Classic Checking Account Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4/5 Fees

    $4.95 monthly service fee

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    None

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $0

    ProsConsKinecta Federal Credit Union Classic Checking Account review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product DetailsShow Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    The Kinecta Federal Credit Union Kinecta Federal Credit Union Classic Checking Account might be a good choice if you can avoid the $4.95 monthly service fee. The fee is waived during the first three months, but afterward, you must meet specific requirements to waive the fee. If you're under the age of 26, over the age of 62, or active military, the fee is automatically waived.

    Compare today's checking accounts

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Regular Share Certificate

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union Regular Share Certificate Read Review Kinecta Federal Credit Union Kinecta Federal Credit Union Regular Share Certificate Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4.25/5 Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    2.00% to 4.00%

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $100

    ProsConsKinecta Federal Credit Union Regular Share Certificate review External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Product DetailsShow Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    Most banks and credit unions generally require at least $1,000 to open a CD, but Kinecta Federal Credit Union CDs have a low minimum opening deposit of $100.

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union High Yield Money Market Account

    High Yield Money Market Account Kinecta Federal Credit Union High Yield Money Market Account Insider’s Rating A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star A five pointed star 4/5 Fees

    $0

    Annual Percentage Yield (APY)

    0.15% to 0.50%

    Minimum Opening Deposit

    $0

    ProsConsProduct DetailsShow Pros, Cons, and More chevron down icon An icon in the shape of an angle pointing down.

    The Kinecta Federal Credit Union High Yield Money Market Account stands out because it has a $0 minimum opening deposit. At most banks or credit unions, you generally need at least $1,000 to get a money market account. 

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union has a tiered interest rate, so the amount you'll earn will depend on your account balance. There are online banks and credit unions that pay higher interest rates on money market accounts regardless of your account balance, though.

    About Kinecta Federal Credit Union 

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union is a designated community development financial institution (CDFI) with 29 branches in California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York. It's also part of the CO-OP Shared Branch and ATM network, so members also have access to over 5,500 shared branches and 30,000 free ATMs.

    To contact customer support, call the Member Contact Center from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT on weekdays or 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT on Saturdays.

    The credit union's mobile app is rated 4.1 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store and 4.7 out of 5 stars in the Apple store. 

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union bank accounts are federally insured by the NCUA. Up to $250,000 is secure in individual bank accounts, and $500,000 is safe in joint bank accounts.

    How to join Kinecta Federal Credit Union

    To become a member at Kinecta Federal Credit Union, you must meet one of the following requirements:

    Once you fulfill at least one of the requirements, you may join Kinecta Federal Credit Union by opening a savings account with at least $5.

    The Role of Community Development Financial Institutions

    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.

    The Kinecta Community Foundation has donated over $2 million to local non-profit organizations in the last few years. The credit union also awards eight annual college scholarships to high school seniors, and it partners with local elementary schools to help provide funding for projects and classes.

    Is Kinecta Federal Credit Union Trustworthy?

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union hasn't been involved in any recent public controversies. 

    We also include ratings from the Better Business Bureau so you can see how an institution resolves customer issues. 

    The Kinecta Federal Credit Union has a B+ rating because the BBB has received 42 customer complaints about the bank.

    Bear in mind a good BBB rating doesn't necessarily guarantee a perfect relationship with a financial institution. You'll want to read online customer reviews and talk to current customers to see if Kinecta Federal Credit Union might be suitable for you. 

    How Kinecta Federal Credit Union Compares

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union vs. Alliant Credit Union

    Both credit unions make it easy to become a member. At Kinecta Federal Credit Union, the easiest way is to join the Innovision Society (Kinecta will cover your membership fee). Alliant Credit Union lets you become a member by joining Foster Care to Success (Alliant will cover your $5 joining fee). 

    Choosing between these two credit unions might depend on what you're looking for in a bank account.

    You'll probably prefer Alliant Credit Union if you want to earn a high interest rate on a savings account. The Alliant High-Rate Savings Account pays 3.10% Annual Percentage Yield (APY).

    If you're searching for a credit union with local branches, you may lean more toward Kinecta Federal Credit Union. Alliant Credit Union is an online-only bank, while Kinecta Federal Credit Union is part of a shared branch network with over 5,500 locations.

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union vs. Bethpage Federal Credit Union

    Bethpage Federal Credit Union has 33 branches around New York State. It's also part of the CO-OP Shared Branch and ATM networks. To become a member of Bethpage Federal Credit Union, you just need to open a Bethpage FCU Savings account with $5.

    Your choice between these two credit unions could come down to which accounts you want to open.

    If your goal is to avoid monthly service fees, Bethpage Federal Credit Union might be more appealing. Bethpage Federal Credit Union doesn't charge monthly service fees on savings or checking accounts. At Kinecta Federal Credit Union, you'll need to meet certain requirements each month to waive fees. 

    You might favor Kinecta Federal Credit Union if you're focused on getting a checking account with early direct deposit or free overdraft protection. At Bethpage Federal Credit Union, you'll have to pay a $5 overdraft transfer fee if you utilize overdraft protection. The credit union also doesn't offer early direct deposit.

    Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Kinecta Federal Credit Union

    For our Kinecta Federal Credit Union review, we rated bank products and services using our editorial standards

    We rate products on a scale from zero to five stars, and use a bank account methodology

    For example, using our CD methodology we'll review interest rates, minimum opening deposit requirements, early withdrawal penalties, CD variety, customer support availability, mobile app ratings, and ethics of the overall company. Meanwhile, for checking accounts, we'll factor in the ATM network size and fees, overdraft protection options, customer support hours, mobile app ratings, ethics, minimum opening deposit requirements, and fees.

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union FAQs

    Can anyone join Kinecta Federal Credit Union? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Anyone can join Kinecta Federal Credit Union as long as they meet one of the following requirements: have a family member or household member who is a Kinecta member; work for a Select Employee Group on this list; live, work, or go to school in select counties in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, or Texas; or join the Innovision Society, an organization that provides financial education and college scholarship opportunities (Kinecta Federal Credit Union will cover the $10 membership fee).

    What kind of financial institution is Kinecta? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Kinecta Federal Credit Union is a local credit union with branches in California, Florida, New Jersey, and New York. It is certified as a CDFI, which means it serves low-income and disadvantaged communities. It's also part of the CO-OP and Allpoint networks. Members have access to an additional 5,500 shared branches and over 85,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

    Is Kinecta federally insured? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

    Yes. Kinecta Federal Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA. Up to $250,000 is secure in an individual bank account, and $500,000 is safe in joint bank accounts.

    spanSophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics./spanspanExperience/spanspanSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S./spanspanBefore joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist./spanspanSophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-able-savings-account"ABLE accounts/a, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a a href="https://cnpa.com/cja/2018campus/"2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest/a for her photography./spanspanShe loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money./spanspanExpertise/spanspanSophia's expertise includes:/spanullispanBank accounts/span/lilispanSavings and CD rate trends/span/lilispanBudgeting/span/lilispanSaving/span/lilispanHow banks operate/span/li/ulspanEducation/spanspanSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science./spanspanShe is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon./span Banking Editor Sophia Acevedo is a banking editor at Business Insider. She has spent three years as a personal finance journalist and is an expert across numerous banking topics.ExperienceSophia leads Personal Finance Insider's banking coverage, including reviews, guides, reference articles, and news. She edits and updates articles about banks, checking and savings accounts, CD rates, and budgeting and saving. She is highly knowledgeable about long-term trends in rates and offers at banks across the U.S.Before joining Business Insider, Sophia worked as a journalist at her college newspaper and was a freelance writer. She has spent seven years writing and editing as a journalist.Sophia was nominated for an Axel Springer Award for Change in 2023 for her coverage of ABLE accounts, tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. She was also a winner of a 2018 California Journalism Awards Campus Contest for her photography.She loves helping people find the best solutions for their unique needs and hopes that more people will find the tools to solve their financial problems. She’s inspired by stories of everyday people adapting to their financial circumstances and overcoming their fears around money.ExpertiseSophia's expertise includes:EducationSophia graduated from California State University Fullerton with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.She is an avid reader across a variety of genres, and she started running in 2021. She ran in the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon. 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