Like you, our roots are in the US military. Founded on Griffiss Air Force Base in 1950, AmeriCU has over 70 years of experience serving our armed forces, their families, veterans, Department of Defense employees, and retirees.
We understand the unique and exciting challenges that military life presents, and we’re here to partner with you every step of the way. That’s why AmeriCU offers great rates on all of our products, exceptional service, and superior lending solutions from a credit union you can trust.
Enhanced Benefits for Military Members
At AmeriCU, we’ve improved the way we do business for our military members! Your service deserves ours, that’s why we offer the following benefits:
New members may be pre-approved** for a $1,000 AmeriCU Visa® Credit Card and/or $500 Personal Line of Credit at account opening
Mortgage products tailored to qualifying veterans and active-duty service members
Direct Deposit one day early for military and Department of Defense employees
Mobile Banking features like SmartDeposit (deposit checks – just by taking a picture!)***
Online Banking with free apps for your smartphone or tablet
Automatic enrollment in Transaction & Fraud Alerts when you provide your cell phone number at account opening
Our military products and services are designed with your lifestyle in mind and are just a small way we can thank you for your service to our country.
If you or a member of your family is on active-duty, retired from service, in the reserves, or a veteran, you’re eligible to join AmeriCU and take advantage of all the benefits we offer!
Questions? Contact our Member Service Center at 800.388.2000
If you’re stationed at Fort Drum, please visit our Financial Center on post. Our friendly, local staff – including many veterans – will help you and your family with all of your financial needs before, during, and after deployment. Learn more about AmeriCU’s Financial Center at Fort Drum.
A Military Credit Union
AmeriCU proudly serves military members and their families. No matter where you’re stationed, whether you are on active-duty, transitioning to civilian life, serve overseas, retired after years of service, a veteran, or in the reserves, AmeriCU stands ready to meet your financial needs, and we offer a variety of resources to help you no matter where life takes you.
We provide our members the right financial services to live life, dream big, and achieve financial success. We’ve been serving veterans and the military ever since we were founded and many of our employees are veterans, in the reserve, or retired from the military. AmeriCU employees and volunteers even advocate for the financial well-being of military members and our veterans by meeting with local, state, and national government leaders to promote for legislation on behalf of those who have served.
Salute to the Troops Tribute Concert at Mountainfest
Since 2011, AmeriCU has been proud to present the Salute to the Troops Tribute Concert at Mountainfest, a day-long event, free and open to the public, to thank the soldiers of the United States Army, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum for their valiant service to our country.
A cooperative effort with participating credit unions. Make deposits, withdrawals, cash checks, check your balance, transfer money between your accounts – as if you were at an actual AmeriCU Financial Center!
Relocating can be a stressful time for any family; we have gathered some resources for you to help make your move as smooth a transition as possible. Military.com has a wealth of information and resources for you as you’re relocating. View relocation information and resources.
Whether it’s one-on-one, at a workshop, in a classroom, or online, AmeriCU is here to help you with all of your financial needs. Our knowledgeable staff will help guide you through the process of creating budgets, developing payment plans, and repairing your credit while establishing savings goals.
When preparing for deployment, one of the most important things you can do is ensure that your finances are in order and will be taken care of while you are away. Our experienced staff is available to assist you with the preparation of your financial affairs while you prepare to deploy. Learn more about AmeriCU’s Fort Drum Financial Center.
You can download the Military Deployment Guide here. This comprehensive guide to preparing for deployment was created by The Department of Defense’s Military OneSource. OneSource provides trusted information, answers and support on every aspect of military life 24/7/365 — private non-medical counseling and a range of specialty consultations are available at no cost to active duty, National Guard, reserve service members (regardless of activation status), their families and survivors. Learn more at www.MilitaryOneSource.mil or call 800-342-9647.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a program that provides legal and financial protections for you when you are on active duty. Make sure you’ve taken care of your loans and understand your options while deployed. Learn more about the SCRA.
On January 1, 2018, the military modernized its retirement plan by moving to the blended retirement system. Similar to an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) helps you save for retirement while supplementing your military retirement pay. Learn more about saving for retirement.
AmeriCU has knowledgeable staff to help you answer any of your questions about the Thrift Savings Plan.
Please note: ARK Loans are available at AmeriCU’s Fort Drum, Lowville, and Watertown Financial Centers ONLY.
The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation has partnered with AmeriCU to offer an alternative to payday lending: Asset Recovery Kit (ARK) Loans. ARK Loans are a better alternative for solving financial problems than becoming ensnared in the trap of payday loans. Learn more about ARK Loans.
Payday loans are an advance that allows a consumer to get a small amount of cash, for a high fee, on a short-term period against his or her next paycheck. It’s a quick and easy process, where consumers are not turned down due to bad credit. Typically, these lenders do not require much to get the process rolling. Payday lenders do not ask for a credit report; all the member needs is a current pay stub, a form of ID, and a signature on the document. Unfortunately, these types of loans can become a debt trap in which the consumer will continually refinance their debt to the lender at an extremely high interest rate.
APRs can range from 182% to 910%, and the fees range from $10 to $35 per $100 borrowed. People go to payday lenders because they cannot cover their bills; therefore, they fall behind each time they take a loan because of the high fees tacked on top of the principal. They find that have to go back again and the debt keeps growing.
Payday lenders often target the military, with a high concentration of offices near military installations. Payday lenders like the stability of government paychecks, which ensures they’ll get their money back. The upheavals of military life can create financial stresses, making quick fixes seem attractive and sending more people to payday loans. Some personnel do not see the financial trap they are entering. The sad fact is that 60% of security clearances are denied due to financial problems.
We believe that those who truly want to get out of debt deserve a chance at a sound financial future. ARK Loans are available to Active Military Members ONLY and ONLY at AmeriCU’s Fort Drum, Lowville, and Watertown Financial Centers. You cannot apply online or over the phone. You must apply in person, and all subsequent advances must be in person. Find an AmeriCU location.
How do ARK Loans work?
No credit report is pulled.
There is a $6.00 application fee for the initial loan and for each subsequent advance.
Most recent LES stub is required to apply.
Loans will be available with a minimum limit of $100 and a maximum limit of $500; however, the loan amount or advance cannot exceed 80% of your net pay.
Loans can be renewed four times after the initial advance (total of five advances in a calendar year).
The loan will have a due date of the next payday (no longer than 30 days from the advance). If the next payday is less than five (5) days from the date that the loan application is requested, the payday after the next payday will be the due date.
Loans are considered late one (1) day after the due date and a $5.00 late fee will be assessed.
Attending FREE financial counseling at the ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions is required to get each subsequent advance after the initial loan advance.
You must bring a copy of the certificate from Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions as proof of the completed counseling before a subsequent advance can be taken.
You should set up a direct deposit or automatic transfer for payment. If you prefer not to do this, you must sign permission for AmeriCU to draw on an external checking account.For assistance, contact our Member Service Center at 800.388.2000 or visit your local AmeriCU Financial Center.
We offer free financial presentations on a variety of topics at no cost for community groups, not-for-profit organizations, and business partners of AmeriCU.
Our Member Service Center is available at 800.388.2000 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to help you with whatever you need. Or, visit our contact page.