Free Checking + $200 Bonus
No monthly fee, no minimum balance, early direct deposit up to 2 days, 55k free ATMs. Open online in 5 minutes.
#1 Credit Union in the Midlands • Since 1955
Banking that loves you back. Not a bank. A family.
SAFE Federal Credit Union gives you free checking, 4.10% APY savings, auto loans from 5.49% APR and humans who actually pick up the phone. Join 135,000+ South Carolinians who ditched big-bank fees.
$1.6B+assets kept local in SC
4.9 ★12,400+ member reviews
$0monthly fees, ever
💳
Free Checking + $200new member bonus • limited time
📈
4.10% APYHigh-yield savings • no minimum
★ FREE CHECKING ★ 4.10% APY SAVINGS ★ AUTO LOANS FROM 5.49% APR ★ MORTGAGE FROM 6.12% APR ★ $0 OVERDRAFT OPTIONS ★ 55,000 FREE ATMs ★ FREE CHECKING ★ 4.10% APY SAVINGS ★ AUTO LOANS FROM 5.49% APR ★ MORTGAGE FROM 6.12% APR ★ $0 OVERDRAFT OPTIONS ★ 55,000 FREE ATMs
Why 135,000+ choose SAFE
Profits go to you, not Wall Street.
Banks answer to shareholders. We answer to you. Every dollar we earn goes back into lower loan rates, higher savings dividends, and free financial coaching for our members across Columbia, Sumter, Orangeburg and beyond.
High-Yield Savings 4.10% APY
Grow your emergency fund 10x faster than big banks. No fees, no tiers, dividends paid monthly. Kids & teen savers earn prizes.
Auto Loans from 5.49% APR
New, used & refinance. 90 days no payment, 1% rate discount for autopay, decision in under an hour. We beat dealer rates.
Home Loans & Mortgages
First-time buyer $0 down options, local underwriting in Columbia, close in 21 days. Free pre-approval that doesn't hurt credit.
Cashback Visa 2% Back
No annual fee, 0% intro APR 12 months, 2% on groceries & gas. Balance transfer help from real advisors, not bots.
Business & Financial Coaching
Free credit counseling, budgeting workshops, small business micro-loans, and SAFE Savers youth program in 40+ schools.
About SAFE FCU — Our story
Rooted in Shaw Air Force Base, grown for all of SC.
70 Years of Trust
Founded 1955 • Not-for-profit cooperative
NCUA InsuredFounded 1955 • Not-for-profit cooperative
We started with $50 and 7 airmen. Now we power 135,000 dreams.
SAFE Federal Credit Union began at Shaw Air Force Base to help military families get fair loans. Today anyone who lives, works, worships or studies in 13 South Carolina counties can join — and once a member, always a member, anywhere in the world.
✓
Member-owned, not stock-owned.
You get a vote, lower fees, and profit-sharing dividends — not shareholders taking cuts.
You get a vote, lower fees, and profit-sharing dividends — not shareholders taking cuts.
✓
$12M given back last year.
Lower loan interest, higher savings payouts, fee refunds, scholarships and community grants.
Lower loan interest, higher savings payouts, fee refunds, scholarships and community grants.
✓
Local decisions, local hearts.
All lending decided in Columbia, SC. 200+ local employees, 18 branches, 300+ volunteer hours monthly.
All lending decided in Columbia, SC. 200+ local employees, 18 branches, 300+ volunteer hours monthly.
✓
Military & community first.
Proud partner of Fort Jackson, Shaw AFB, Prisma Health, Lexington School Districts and Midlands nonprofits.
Proud partner of Fort Jackson, Shaw AFB, Prisma Health, Lexington School Districts and Midlands nonprofits.
0
Members strong
Members strong
0
Branches in SC
Branches in SC
0
Years serving
Years serving
Transparent live rates • Updated daily
Rates that make big banks blush.
No asterisks, no gotchas. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. APY = Annual Percentage Yield. All loans subject to credit approval.
High-Yield Savings4.10% APY
No minimum • No fees
No minimum • No fees
12-mo Certificate5.00% APY
$500 to open
$500 to open
Auto Loan New/Used5.49% APR
Up to 84 mo • 90 days no pay
Up to 84 mo • 90 days no pay
Visa Cashback11.90% APR
0% intro 12 mo
0% intro 12 mo
💰 Loan calculator — see your payment in seconds
Estimated monthly payment
$477
$477
Total interest: $3,620 • Save ~$2,100 vs big-bank avg 8.9% APR
Apply for this rateMembership • Who can join?
If you live in the Midlands, you're already eligible.
Anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or studies in Richland, Lexington, Sumter, Orangeburg, Clarendon, Calhoun, Kershaw, Fairfield, Newberry, Saluda, Aiken, Darlington or Florence counties — plus military families nationwide — can join with a $5 share deposit.
1
Check eligibility in 30 sec
Enter ZIP 29201, 29223, 29150, 29033 or any Midlands ZIP — 95% qualify instantly, including family of members.
2
Open online with ID
Driver's license + $5 deposit. E-sign, fund with debit, get account numbers instantly. No hard pull to join.
3
Get $200 + free perks
Set up direct deposit, download the 4.9★ app, grab free checks, free coaching and 55k free ATMs.
Join today, get $200 + 4.10% APY for 6 months.
Limited fall offer for new checking + savings combos. NCUA insured. No monthly fees, no minimums, cancel anytime — but you won't want to.
Award-winning mobile app
Your branch in your pocket.
Deposit checks with a photo, freeze your card, send money with Zelle®, get low-balance alerts, FICO® score free monthly, and chat with a real South Carolinian 7 days a week.
✓
Early payday up to 2 daysDirect deposit hits before big banks — every time.
✓
Card controls + travel modeLock, unlock, set limits, get instant fraud texts.
4.9★ App Store4.8★ Google Play2025 Best CU App SC
★★★★★
“Refinanced my truck from 9.2% to 5.6% and saved $118/mo. The Sumter branch treated me like family, not a number.”
Marcus T.
Member since 2019 • Sumter
Member since 2019 • Sumter
★★★★★
“First home at 24! SAFE did $0 down, covered closing help, and closed in 19 days. My realtor was shocked.”
Jasmine R.
Member since 2022 • Columbia
Member since 2022 • Columbia
★★★★★
“Free coaching fixed my credit from 580 to 710 in 11 months. No judgment, just a plan. Now I save 4.1% automatically.”
David L.
Member since 2016 • Lexington
Member since 2016 • Lexington
FAQ • Good questions
Everything you're wondering.
Is SAFE FCU the same as a bank? +
No — and that's good for you. We're a not-for-profit cooperative owned by members. No shareholders, so profits return to you as lower loan rates, higher savings rates and fewer fees. Deposits are federally insured by NCUA up to $250,000, just like FDIC at banks.
Who can join SAFE Federal Credit Union? +
Almost anyone in the Midlands! If you live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school in 13 SC counties (including Richland, Lexington, Sumter, Orangeburg), plus military members and their families nationwide, plus relatives of current members — you qualify with a $5 share.
How do I open an account online? +
Click Join, verify ID, deposit $5+, fund with debit or transfer. You'll get account numbers instantly and a debit card in 5-7 days (virtual card immediately in app). Checking bonus $200 posts after qualifying direct deposits.
Where are branches and ATMs? +
18 branches across Columbia, Lexington, Cayce, Sumter, Orangeburg, Manning and more, plus 55,000 surcharge-free ATMs via Allpoint and 5,600 shared branches nationwide. Find hours in Contact section below.
Does checking really have no fees? +
Yes. No monthly maintenance, no minimum balance, free online banking, free e-statements, free debit card, free overdraft transfer from savings. Optional overdraft privilege available with clear disclosures — never hidden fees.
Newsroom • Financial tips & community
Fresh money wisdom.
Guides, rate updates, scam alerts and Midlands good news — written by our certified financial counselors.
5 Ways to Save $500 by Christmas in SC
Round-ups, high-yield buckets, and utility audits that actually work on Midlands salaries.
First-Time Buyer? $0 Down Still Exists
SC Housing + SAFE grants up to $10k for qualifying buyers. Here's the checklist.
Spot the Text Scam in 10 Seconds
Fake toll, fake package, fake CU alerts — our fraud team shows red flags.
Contact • We're humans
Come say hey in Columbia.
HQ: 2440 Lucius Rd, Columbia, SC 29201 • Call/Text: 800-763-8600 • Mon-Fri 9-5:30, Sat 9-12 (Village at Sandhill). Lost card 24/7: 800-763-8600.
◉
18 branches: Columbia • Lexington • Cayce • Sumter • Orangeburg • Manning • Camden
✉
Secure message in app — answer in under 2 hours on business days.
Need help now?
Call 800-763-8600 • Real humans, no phone tree hell
JoinCall 800-763-8600 • Real humans, no phone tree hell