Membership
Five dollars makes you an owner
Summit has been member-owned since 1948. Open a share account with a $5 deposit and you are not a customer any more — you hold a stake in the institution.
Anyone can join Summit
There is no employer requirement, no military affiliation, and no geographic restriction. Membership in the Summit Community Foundation opens the door, and we cover the one-time $5 foundation contribution for you.
What membership gets you
One membership unlocks every product Summit offers. There are no tiers, and nothing below is reserved for members who carry a larger balance.
Deposits insured to $250,000
Every share account is federally insured by the NCUA, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.
Rates set for members, not shareholders
High-yield savings pays 4.15% APY and new auto loans start at 4.09% APR because surplus goes back to the people who own us.
Free Checking with early pay
No monthly fee, no minimum balance, and direct deposit posted up to two days ahead of payday.
85,000 surcharge-free ATMs
Our 42 branches are only part of it. The CO-OP and Allpoint networks put a no-fee machine in nearly every zip code.
Home lending that stays local
30-year fixed mortgages from 6.375% APR and a HELOC at 6.625% APR, serviced by the same people who closed the loan.
One vote, regardless of balance
Members elect the volunteer board of directors. A member with $5 on deposit gets the same single vote as a member with $500,000.
Joining takes about ten minutes
Apply online, at any branch, or over the phone. Most applications are approved the same business day.
Confirm eligibility
Answer three questions about where you live or work. If none apply, we enroll you in the Summit Community Foundation at no cost to you.
Verify your identity
Federal law requires us to collect your legal name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number, then confirm them against government records.
Fund your share account
Deposit $5 by debit card, external transfer, or in person. That $5 is your share of ownership and stays in your account.
Open what you need
Add Free Checking, high-yield savings, a card, or a loan application in the same session. Your debit card arrives in five to seven business days.
Before you start
What you need to apply
Have these on hand and the application will not stall halfway through. Joint applicants need the same items.
Ownership
What member-ownership actually means
A credit union has no outside investors. There is no stock to buy, no quarterly earnings call, and no pressure to raise fees so a return can be paid to someone who does not bank here.
Whatever Summit earns above what it costs to run the place comes back to members three ways: higher rates on deposits, lower rates on loans, and fewer fees. In 2025 that returned an estimated $71 million in direct member value.
Common questions
Do I really only need $5?
Yes. The $5 buys one share and stays on deposit as long as you are a member. It is your money and it earns dividends like any other share balance.
Will applying affect my credit score?
Opening a membership or deposit account does not require a hard credit inquiry. Applying for a loan or credit card in the same session does, and we tell you before that happens.
Can I join if I already bank somewhere else?
Of course, and most new members do at first. Our switch kit moves direct deposits and recurring payments once you are ready, and there is no rush to close anything.
Can I open an account for my child?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian opens a youth share account as joint owner. At 18 the account converts to a standard membership in the child's name.
Is my money as safe as it would be at a bank?
Share accounts are insured up to $250,000 per member by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is administered by the NCUA and backed by the United States government.
What happens if I close my accounts?
You withdraw your $5 share and the membership ends. Rejoining later is straightforward, though you start a new application and a new $5 deposit.
Rates current as of July 2026 and subject to change. Membership eligibility required. This is a demonstration website; rates, products, and figures shown are illustrative only.
Become an owner today
Ten minutes and $5 is the whole barrier. Everything Summit offers opens up the moment your share account funds.