Access Credit Union Review
Access Credit Union at a glance
🏦 Access Credit Union was founded in 1940 and, following its merger with two other Manitoba credit unions, has more than $12 billion in assets.
Access Credit Union account options
Savings
Chequing
Mastercard credit cards
Investing
Other Access Credit Union services
Mortgages
Loans
Lines of credit
Insurance
Business accounts and financing
Access Credit Union pros and cons
There’s plenty to like about Access Credit Union, but no bank or credit union is without its drawbacks. Here’s what to consider before you open an account.
Pros
- Comprehensive selection of personal and business accounts, credit cards and more.
- In-person, telephone, online and mobile banking support.
- Wealth management and financial planning services.
- Multiple investment platform partnerships to help you manage your investment portfolio.
Cons
- Poorly-reviewed mobile app.
- In-person branch services limited to Manitoba.
- In-person branch services limited to Manitoba. Sometimes charges for debit card transactions and electronic transfers.
Access Credit Union overview
Access Credit Union is a Manitoba-based credit union with a broad lineup of financial offerings. Headquartered in Winnipeg, it offers a standard lineup of personal and business banking products, including chequing and savings accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, lending products and wealth management services. Access Credit Union has partnerships with third-party investment brands — Aviso Wealth and Qtrade — and services its customers both in-person and online via its branch network, banking portal and mobile app.
In July 2022, Access merged with Noventis Credit Union and Sunova Credit Union, significantly increasing its assets, employees and branch locations.
Online banking capabilities at Access Credit Union
Access Credit Union’s website (www.accesscu.ca), online banking portal and mobile app are capable of facilitating all sorts of digital banking services. From a computer, tablet or mobile device, you can pay bills, schedule payments, deposit cheques, review your transaction history and more.
Access Credit Union has more than 60 branches for those who prefer to do their banking face-to-face.
Is my money safe at Access Credit Union?
Access Credit Union deposits are 100% guaranteed by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba (DGCM).
For online banking customers, Access Credit Union uses 256-bit TLS encryption to protect sensitive banking information. You can take further steps to protect your data when online banking by using strong passwords and implementing up-to-date antivirus and firewall software protection.
Access Credit Union account types
Access Credit Union savings accounts
Grow: a kids savings account with unlimited transactions for those 19 and under.
Daily Savings: a simple savings account with five free withdrawals monthly.
Platinum: tiered interest rates with one free withdrawal monthly.
Premium: a high-interest savings account with two free withdrawals monthly.
Ability Savings: a no-fee savings account for those who qualify for the disability tax credit.
U.S. Dollar: a savings account for USD.
Access Credit Union chequing accounts
Pay As You Go: no monthly fees but per-transaction fees apply.
Basic+: $8 monthly fee, which can be waived with a minimum balance of $2,500, includes 30 free withdrawals and 10 free Interac e-transfers monthly. Monthly fee can be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $2,500.
Green: marketed as a paperless account with a $9 monthly fee. No fee for digital transactions but up to $2.00 fees for in-branch transactions.
Unlimited: unlimited transactions for $17 monthly.
Ability Chequing: no-fee chequing account for those who qualify for the disability tax credit.
Grow Chequing: no monthly fees for youth (19 and under).
Student Chequing: student account with no monthly fees for full-time students enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution — with no age limit.
Gold: chequing account for those at least 59 years of age. No monthly fees for 30 free transactions and 10 free Interac e-transfers.
USD Chequing: chequing account for those transacting in USD.
New to Canada: chequing account for newcomers to Canada that includes no monthly fee and a free safety deposit box for 12 months.
Access Credit Union credit card accounts
Cash Back Mastercard.
Centra Gold Mastercard.
Classic Mastercard.
US Dollar Mastercard.
World Mastercard.
Cash Back World Elite Mastercard.
Access Credit Union investing accounts
Other Access Credit Union banking services
Mortgages.
Personal, auto and RRSP loans.
Wealth management.
Travel, mortgage life, pet, vehicle, life, loan and line of credit insurance.
Business bank accounts and financing.
Access Credit Union fees
Banking fees can vary based on the accounts you have and how you use them. Here are some of the common fees you may encounter using Access Credit Union’s financial products and services:
Interac e-transfers: $1.00
Debit card purchases for some chequing and savings accounts: $0.75 to $1.50
Non-sufficient funds: $45
Overdraft: $5
RRSP/RRIF/TFSA/RESP transfer to another institution: $75
Who is Access Credit Union best for?
Manitobans seeking personal or business banking services.
Its broad spectrum of services coupled with its Manitoba-based branch network makes Access Credit Union a practical fit for those seeking a financial institution in the region. It offers a selection of term deposit plans and mutual funds and partners with multiple third-party investment companies to offer a variety of investment options for its customers.
Whether you prefer to bank in-person, online or by telephone, Access Credit Union has the resources to provide for a variety of banking clientele.
How Access Credit Union compares to other financial institutions
PRIMARY REGION OF SERVICE | MOBILE AND ONLINE BANKING | ARE DEPOSITS INSURED? | |
|---|---|---|---|
Quebec. | Yes. | Yes, by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation. | |
Manitoba. | Yes. | Yes, by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba. | |
Northern Ontario. | Yes. | Yes, by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s Deposit Insurance Reserve Fund. | |
Nova Scotia. | Yes. | Yes, by the Nova Scotia Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation. | |
Alberta. | Yes. | Yes, by the Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. |
» MORE: Explore more Banking Reviews, and see what other Canadian Big Banks, credit unions and online-only banks have to offer.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Access Credit Union merge with?
Who did Access Credit Union merge with?
Access Credit Union merged with Sunova Credit Union and Noventis Credit Union on July 1, 2022.
How many members does Access Credit Union have?
How many members does Access Credit Union have?
Access Credit Union has over 203,000 members.
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