What is a credit union share / savings membership deposit?

A credit union share account (often called primary savings or membership share) is the small deposit that establishes your ownership stake in the cooperative. The published minimum — commonly $1, $5, or $25 on Joinable listings — is a membership requirement, not an annual fee.

Joinable only paraphrases published field-of-membership (FOM) and fee facts from credit-union sites (and NCUA materials when relevant). We never invent eligibility, fees, or ATM counts. Always re-check the CU’s membership page before you apply.

Not a guarantee: Matching a published join path does not mean you will be approved. Credit unions still verify identity (CIP) and apply their own account rules.

Why it exists

Credit unions are cooperatives. Buying at least one share at par value makes you a member-owner with voting rights under the CU’s bylaws. Banks do not use this structure.

Amounts on Joinable

We cite share/join dollars only when the CU publishes them (examples: Amplify $5, Neighborhood $25, River City $5). If not published, we say so — we never invent.

Keep the minimum

Many CUs require the share minimum to remain on deposit for membership to stay open. Closing the share usually ends membership.

Share vs monthly fees vs association dues

Share — ownership deposit.
Monthly maintenance — product fee if published on a checking schedule.
Association / foundation dues — separate published join cost (e.g. PECU $5 membership fee, A+ $10 foundation).

Next: How to join · Membership requirements.

Where to go next

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Guide last reviewed: 2026-10-26 (America/Los_Angeles). Linked listings carry their own last-verified dates. We re-check membership pages about every 90 days.