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The Best Credit Unions in Richmond, VA for 2026

Looking for a credit union in Richmond, VA? You have more choices than you might expect, from large cooperatives with branches across the region to small community credit unions with deep local roots. The right fit depends on who can join, where the branches are, and which products you need. This guide compares six credit unions serving Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield so you can find the best credit union for your goals.

If you’re weighing credit unions against traditional banks, see why more Virginians are choosing credit unions over big banks.

Things to Consider:

  • Geographic availability: Branches in or near Richmond, Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield, or eligibility that covers the Richmond area.
  • Who can join: Whether membership is open to the community, tied to an employer, or open to a specific group.
  • Products and services: Look for checking, savings, auto and home loans, credit cards, youth accounts, and strong online and mobile banking options, and always check current rates and special offers on the products that matter most to you.
  • Access: Branch networks and shared-branch or ATM access.

The Top Credit Unions in Richmond, Virginia for 2026

1. Connects Federal Credit Union

Connects Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit credit union founded in 1950 that serves the Greater Richmond area from three convenient branches: the Henrico branch on Shrader Road, the Hanover branch in Mechanicsville, and the Chesterfield branch on Midlothian Turnpike in North Chesterfield. Anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in the City of Richmond or Chesterfield, Hanover, or Henrico counties can join, along with immediate family members.

Members can open a range of checking accounts (including options with debit cards, rewards, and added protections), savings and money market accounts, and youth accounts designed for kids and teens. Connects also offers competitive auto loans, home loans and mortgages (including fixed-rate options and home equity products), Platinum VISA® credit cards with no annual fee and competitive rates, personal loans, and robust online and mobile banking with bill pay. Members enjoy CO-OP shared branch access and a large network of surcharge-free ATMs. Loan decisions are typically fast, and the credit union emphasizes personalized local service.

Best for: Richmond-area residents who want a community credit union with branches in Henrico, Hanover, and Chesterfield, plus a full suite of everyday banking and lending products.

2. Virginia Credit Union (VACU)

Virginia Credit Union is the largest credit union headquartered in the Richmond area, a member-owned cooperative founded in 1928 as the State Employees’ Credit Union, with 20+ branches mostly in the Richmond region. Membership is open through employer groups, schools, and communities that include the City of Richmond, plus family members. It offers checking, savings, credit cards, auto, home, and business loans, plus free financial education.

Best for: Members who want a large branch network and a full range of products, including business services.

Keep in mind: VACU is a large credit union, so the experience can feel less boutique or personal than at smaller community institutions.

3. Call Federal Credit Union

Call Federal Credit Union is a Richmond-based credit union founded in 1962 by Philip Morris employees and now open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in the Richmond metro area. It has multiple public branches across Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico and offers youth savings accounts along with checking, savings, loans, credit cards, and digital banking.

Best for: Metro-area residents who want a locally rooted credit union with multiple branches.

Keep in mind: Call has strong local roots and a solid branch presence, though some locations have historically been tied to specific employers.

4. The Credit Union of Richmond

The Credit Union of Richmond was founded in 1923 as Richmond Postal Credit Union and is the oldest continuously operating credit union in Virginia. Since 2021, membership has been open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in the Richmond metropolitan area (and surrounding counties). It serves members from its single office, with auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, and a mobile app.

Best for: Members who prefer a small, community-focused credit union.

Keep in mind: With only one physical location, it relies more heavily on digital tools and shared branches for everyday access.

5. Dominion Energy Credit Union

Dominion Energy Credit Union was established in 1940 and is based in Richmond, serving Dominion Energy employees, retirees, and contractors, plus their household and immediate family members. It operates three Richmond-area branches and offers checking, savings, auto loans, mortgages, Visa credit cards, and other standard credit union products.

Best for: Dominion Energy employees and their families.

Keep in mind: Membership is restricted to Dominion Energy affiliates and their families.

6. Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal Credit Union is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, serving members of the armed forces, veterans, Department of Defense employees, and their families. In the Richmond area it has a branch on Glenside Drive in Henrico.

Best for: Military-affiliated members and their families.

Keep in mind: Membership is restricted to military, veterans, DoD employees, and their families; it is not open to the general public.

At a glance

Credit unionWho can joinOpen to the PublicRichmond-area branchesBest for
Connects FCULive, work, worship, volunteer, or study in Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, or Henrico, plus familyYes3Community credit union with open membership and 3 local branches
Virginia Credit UnionEmployer groups, schools, and listed communities incl. City of Richmond, plus familyYes20+Large network, business services
Call FCULive, work, worship, volunteer, or study in the Richmond metroYes6Local multi-branch option
Credit Union of RichmondRichmond metro communityYes1Small, community-focused
Dominion Energy CUDominion Energy employees, retirees, contractors, and familiesNo3Dominion Energy employees
Navy Federal CUMilitary, veterans, DoD, and familiesNo1Military families

Ready to learn more about Connects Federal Credit Union? Check membership eligibility, explore current rates and offers, view locations and hours, or join online today at connectsfcu.org.

FAQs: Choosing the Best Credit Union in Richmond, VA

What should I look for when choosing a credit union in Richmond?

Start with eligibility, since many credit unions limit membership to a community, employer or group. Then check where the branches are, which products you need (checking, savings, auto and home loans, credit cards, online and mobile banking) and whether shared-branch or ATM access covers you when you’re away from home. The table above lines these up side by side.

Who can join a credit union in Richmond?

Membership rules vary. Community-chartered credit unions are open to local residents and workers, while others are tied to an employer, organization, or military service. You can see who’s eligible to join Connects.

Are credit unions in Richmond reliable?

Deposits at federally insured credit unions are protected by the NCUA up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category. Check that any credit union you choose displays NCUA insurance. Credit unions are also member-owned and not-for-profit, which supports their focus on member value.

Is there a credit union in Henrico, Hanover, or Chesterfield?

Yes. Connects has branches in all three: Henrico on Shrader Road, Hanover in Mechanicsville, and Chesterfield on Midlothian Turnpike. See locations and hours.

Credit union vs. bank: which is better in Richmond?

Credit unions are not-for-profit and member-owned, so earnings go back to members through rates and fees. Read why more Virginians are choosing credit unions over big banks.

What does a credit union offer besides checking and savings?

Most offer auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, and youth accounts. See our guides to auto loan rates in Richmond and second mortgages in Richmond.

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