Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU): Avoiding A Hard Pull When Joining

We’ve long said that when you join Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) they will do a hard pull on your credit report. Reader John points out that this isn’t always the case but there is some variance. The take aways are:

  • When opening a savings account directly there is almost no chance a hard pull will be doing
  • When opening a checking account a hard pull will sometimes be done. Some seem to think this is because people are forgetting to opt out of overdraft protection but some datapoints suggest this isn’t the case.
  • If you open your membership over the phone a hard pull will almost certainly be done, especially if you discuss any other products such as a credit card (even if you don’t open those products)
    William Charles
  • On July 14, 2021, 11:00
Tags: Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU)

View Comments (20)

  • Opened an account (checking and savings) with them three weeks ago using their website. Did not apply for a CC (there are better deals out there). I don’t remember if I was asked whether to turn on overdraft protection but if I were then I would have said no (I couldn’t find anywhere in the app to tell whether this is turned on or not).

    Anyway, all three of my credit reports were frozen at the time and I had no issues opening the account so I would guess no hard pull.

    At this point I am trying to figure out if an ACH transfer from an account I have at a different bank would constitute “direct deposit” to be eligible for ATM fee refunds. The fine print implies that it doesn’t but I am trying to find out for sure.

    • I just tried to open a checking and savings account and to said my application is under review, I have my credit reports frozen so we'll see if they approve mob accounts to be opened.

  • I joined b/c I saw a post mentioning Freedom Visa. They auto open both checking and savings when anybpdy joins. Turned out they could not find an offer that was not targeted. No HP because, I declined to apply.
    That was a few months back.
    I recently did apply for theFreedom Visa. They tried to pull TU but I had it locked, so they pulled EXP. That was successful wit a generous CL.

  • They didn't do HP when I opened over Phone. I asked them are they gonna do HP and the rep said no before I opened the account.
    But I don't see any attraction over NFCU as they no longer offer competitive rates that they used to be.

  • Last year I opened over the phone so I could do the certificate of deposit and didn't receive a hard pull.

  • Lots of credit unions do a hard pull and a thorough ID check; something you should expect.

  • Navy has lightened up on the HPs of late. At least the limit crease requests are all SP now

    • They joined big banks wagon and profits are the sole motive now. I'm moving to USAA

      • Lol lol USAA has really turned to shit so good luck. 2.5% cashback cc is gone and too many deposits and you’re closed

      • I’m afraid the grass isn’t greener on the other side. USAA did what you described years ago. Had to ditch their insurance because competitors offered a better rate and they weren’t willing to budge.

  • I opened over the phone several years ago and there was NO Hard Pull. I opened a share member account, no checking. If they offered overdraft I am positive I would have said no! I did NOT open a credit card at the time.

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