Chartway Credit Union in Utah: Accounts, Loans, and Member Benefits

Chartway Credit Union in Utah

Chartway Credit Union is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was founded in 1959 as NorVA N.A.S. Federal Credit Union by 7 civilian employees at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, with the goal of offering low-cost loans and a structured way for members to save. Today, Chartway has a presence in Utah and Texas in addition to Virginia. In this Chartway Credit Union profile, you’ll find key customer service information and an overview of its main banking products available in Utah.

Expansion

Chartway Federal Credit Union’s expansion has been notable over the decades. In 1969, taking advantage of legislation that made it easier to modify credit union charters, the credit union expanded its membership, welcomed retired Navy civilians, and merged with Radron Credit Union to include the Cape Charles Air Force Station.

Over the years, Chartway went through several name changes, from NorVA N.A.S. Federal Credit Union to its current designation as Chartway Federal Credit Union in 1996.

Later, the merger with HeritageWest Credit Union and SouthWest Community Credit Union in 2010—followed by the incorporation of Utah Central Credit Union in 2011—further strengthened Chartway’s reach. This growth helped Chartway serve more than 190,000 members across Texas, Utah, and Virginia, making it one of the larger credit unions in the country.

Chartway Credit Union Products and Services

chartway.com | Products and Services

Chartway Federal Credit Union offers a broad mix of financial products in Utah, combining everyday banking with borrowing options and home financing. If you prefer to keep most of your financial needs in one place—daily spending, savings goals, credit cards, and larger loans—Chartway covers the core categories most people look for in a full-service credit union.

Product details, rates, and fees can change over time, so it’s smart to confirm current terms directly with Chartway before opening an account or applying for credit. Main categories include:

• Checking accounts
• Savings accounts
• Certificates of deposit (CDs)
• Credit cards
• Loans (including auto, boat, and RV loans)
• Mortgages
• Student accounts

Chartway Credit Union Checking Accounts

Chartway Federal Credit Union offers a variety of checking accounts designed to fit different needs and preferences. Available accounts include:

• • High-Yield Checking
• • Cash Back Checking
• • Essential Checking
• • Student Checking

Each option offers different features and benefits to help you manage your money in a convenient way.

chartway.com | Checking Accounts

High-Yield Checking

• $0 monthly fee
• Earn interest with 15+ debit card transactions, or with $500+ in direct deposit
• Get access to funds up to one day early through direct deposit
• ATM access with $0 fees
• Overdraft protection options
• Free access to your credit score

Cash Back Checking

Chartway offers a checking account with a $0 monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement, along with cash back on debit card purchases and ATM fee reimbursements when qualifications are met. It also includes overdraft protection options for added flexibility.

To learn more about this account, read our Chartway Cash Back Checking review.

Essential Checking

• $10 monthly fee,
• or $0 with $500+ in direct deposit and eStatements
• Free credit score monitoring
• $0 overdraft fees

Student Checking

• $0 monthly fee and $0 overdraft fees
• $0 minimum balance requirement
• Allows a minor (age 13+) to open an account with a legal guardian (age 18+) as co-owner
• Debit card for the student
• Free access to a credit score feature to help start building credit early

To open a minor account, you must contact Chartway customer service.

Chartway Credit Union Savings Accounts

Prime Share Savings Account

• Minimum opening deposit: $5
• Starts earning dividends with a $100 average daily balance
• Supports ACH transfers plus mobile and phone deposits

Custom Share Account

• Minimum opening deposit: $0
• Starts earning dividends with a $100 average daily balance
• Good option as a second savings account to separate goals

Bonus Savings Account

• Minimum opening deposit: $100
• Positioned as an option to earn dividends faster

Money Market Accounts (MMA)

• Tiered dividends: higher balances may earn higher rates
• Designed for easier access to funds while earning more than basic savings

Retirement Savings Options

• Traditional IRA and Roth IRA options
• Tax benefits depend on IRA type and eligibility rules

Chartway Credit Cards

Chartway’s credit cards are positioned around low fees and everyday protection. The core promise is simple: $0 annual fee and $0 cash advance fee, plus features like payment protection/cancellation coverage for certain events, lost or stolen card support available twenty-four/seven, and fraud monitoring and identity theft protection. Chartway also highlights access to more than one million ATMs worldwide and a $0 liability policy for unauthorized transactions.

chartway.com | Credit Cards page

Visa Signature Rewards Card

Best for someone who wants stronger rewards and $0 foreign transaction fees.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: 20,000 points after $2,000 in purchases within the first 90 days
• Intro offer: 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers; $0 balance transfer fee
• Rewards: 1.5 points per $1 spent
• Other perks: $0 foreign transaction fees

Visa Rewards Card

Best for someone who wants a simpler rewards card with a lower spend requirement.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: $100 statement credit after $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days
• Intro offer: 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers; $0 balance transfer fee
• Rewards: 1 point per $1 spent
• Other perks: Fraud monitoring and identity theft protection

Visa Preferred Rate Card

Best for someone who cares more about rate than rewards.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers; $0 balance transfer fee
• Rewards: None
• Other perks: Contactless payments; 24/7 access for cash advances

Chartway Visa Secured Card

Best for someone who wants to build or rebuild credit.

• Annual fee: $0
• Welcome bonus: None
• Intro offer: None
• Rewards: 1 point per $1 spent
• Other perks: Designed for building or rebuilding credit

Loans

Chartway Credit Union offers several borrowing options in Utah, including personal loans, credit-building loans, and financing for vehicles and recreational purchases.

Signature (Unsecured) Personal Loan

• Loan type: Unsecured personal loan
• Loan amount: Up to $35,000
• Term: Up to 60 months
• Payments: Fixed monthly payments
• Best for: Larger one-time expenses without using collateral

Personal Line of Credit

• Loan type: Unsecured revolving line of credit
• Credit limit: Up to $35,000
• Term: Not specified
• Payments: Flexible payments based on your balance
• Best for: Ongoing access to funds instead of a one-time loan

Credit Builder Loan

Chartway’s credit builder loan is designed to help you build credit while saving. The loan amount is held while you make scheduled payments, and after payoff you can access the funds.

• Loan amount: $500 or $1,000
• Term: 6 or 12 months
• Goal: Build credit with on-time payment history
• Structure: Funds released after payoff
• Best for: Building or rebuilding credit while saving

Auto Loans

• Use cases: New or used vehicle financing (and refinancing, depending on eligibility)
• Terms: Varies
• Rates: Varies
• Feature: No payments for up to 45 days after signing
• Best for: Financing a vehicle purchase with predictable monthly payments

Recreational Vehicle and Boat Loans

Financing or refinancing is available for:

• Motorhomes
• Boats
• Motorcycles
• Utility vehicles
• Other watercraft
• Other recreational vehicles

Mortgages

Chartway Credit Union offers home financing options designed for both buying and refinancing, plus ways to tap into home equity.

• Fixed-rate mortgages: A set interest rate for the life of the loan
• Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs): A lower starting rate with the potential to change after a fixed period
• Mortgage refinance: An option to lower your rate, change your loan term, or consolidate debt
• VA loans: For eligible U.S. veterans and qualifying spouses
• FHA loans: Designed for lower down payments and more flexible qualification standards
• ITIN mortgage loans: For borrowers without a Social Security number who can apply using an ITIN and other documents
• Home equity loan: A lump-sum loan using home equity
• HELOC (home equity line of credit): A revolving line of credit that lets you borrow as needed

Business Checking

Chartway Credit Union offers business checking options designed for day-to-day operations like deposits, payments, and keeping business finances separate from personal spending.

Small Business Checking

Small Business Checking is Chartway’s standard day-to-day option for routine business banking needs.

Read our full review of Chartway Small Business Checking.

Community Checking

Community Checking is positioned as a $0 monthly fee option for eligible organizations.

Premium Business Checking

Premium Business Checking is positioned as a higher-tier option for businesses that want added benefits beyond basic checking.

Who Can Join Chartway Credit Union?

You may be eligible for membership if you meet one of the following:

• You live, work, study, or attend religious services in an area served by a Chartway branch in Utah
• A family member is currently a Chartway member
• You or an immediate family member works for 1 of the 750+ companies that offer Chartway membership benefits
• You make a $10 donation to the Chartway Promise Foundation

For more details, contact Chartway Credit Union customer service.

Conclusion

Chartway Credit Union began in 1959 as NorVA N.A.S. Federal Credit Union, founded by 7 civilian employees at the Naval Air Station in Norfolk. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, it expanded over time through broader membership eligibility, name changes (becoming Chartway Federal Credit Union in 1996), and mergers that helped it grow beyond Virginia into states like Utah and Texas.

In Utah, Chartway offers a full-service lineup for both everyday banking and larger financial needs, including multiple checking and savings options, CDs, credit cards, personal loans, auto/RV/boat financing, and a range of mortgage products. Membership is also flexible: you may qualify based on where you live, work, study, or attend religious services in a Utah service area, through a family member, through employer eligibility (750+ companies), or by making a $10 donation to the Chartway Promise Foundation.

Disclaimer:
This page is not affiliated with, maintained by, or sponsored by Chartway Credit Union. The information provided in this overview may be outdated or inaccurate after the publication date. UtahFi does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the content. The logo is a registered trademark of Chartway Credit Union.