Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about membership, accounts, and how NARCU works.
What is a credit union?
A credit union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. Instead of paying outside shareholders, earnings are returned to members through better rates and fewer fees.
Who can join NARCU?
Anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia. Family members of current members and employees of partner companies are also eligible. Anyone else can join through the Neighbors Association with a one-time $5 donation.
How much does it cost to join?
You open Share Savings with a $5 deposit. That $5 is your ownership share and stays in your account as long as you're a member.
Are my deposits insured?
Real credit unions are federally insured. NARCU is a fictional credit union used for demonstrations, so it holds no deposits and is not insured.
How long does an application take?
Most account applications take about five minutes. Loan decisions are often available the same business day.
Do you charge monthly fees?
None of our checking accounts have a monthly service fee. See our disclosures for a full list of fees.
Can I use ATMs outside NARCU?
Yes. You get free access to a nationwide network of partner ATMs and shared branches. Premier Rewards Checking also refunds up to $15 a month in out-of-network ATM fees.
Is online banking available?
Online banking is coming soon. NARCU is a demo project, so there are no real accounts to log in to.
What should I do if my card is lost or stolen?
Call (800) 555-0199 any time, day or night. You can also lock your card instantly in online banking.
Is NARCU a real credit union?
No. NARCU stands for Not A Real Credit Union. It's a demo built for presentations, browser-agent testing, and proof-of-concept builds. All rates, branches, and members are invented.