State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina (SECU) is the largest North Carolina-headquartered financial institution and the second-largest credit union in the United States by assets (behind only Navy Federal Credit Union). SECU was founded in June 1937 in Raleigh, North Carolina, originally to serve North Carolina state government employees. Today SECU has approximately $55 billion in total assets, more than 2.8 million members, and 275 branches in all 100 North Carolina counties, plus the largest free ATM network in North Carolina through the proprietary CashPoints ATM network. SECU is headquartered at 119 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, and is regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Membership eligibility is centered on North Carolina state employees, federal employees in North Carolina, teachers, employees of the UNC system, and the immediate family of any current SECU member.
Map of SECU State Employees’ Credit Union locations near me
Use the SECU branch locator below to find the nearest SECU branch in your location, with branch hours, services, and contact details. The map covers all 275 SECU branches across every one of North Carolina’s 100 counties plus all CashPoints ATM locations. You can click ‘Use my location‘ to view branches and CashPoints ATMs around you on the map.
SECU State Employees’ Credit Union at a glance
- Official name: State Employees’ Credit Union (commonly SECU; also known as North Carolina SECU or NC SECU to distinguish from other state SECUs)
- Founded: June 4, 1937 in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Headquarters: 119 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
- Total assets: approximately $55 billion
- Members: approximately 2.8 million
- Branches: 275 branches in all 100 North Carolina counties (the largest credit-union branch network in any single US state)
- CashPoints ATM network: the largest free ATM network in North Carolina; over 1,100 SECU CashPoints ATMs across the state, plus access to shared credit-union network ATMs nationwide
- Customer service: 1-888-732-8562 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, automated and live agent support); +1-919-857-2150 from outside the United States
- Branch hours: typically Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM at most North Carolina branches
- Wire transfer routing number: 253177049
- Minimum to open a share account: $25
- US credit union rank: 2nd largest by assets (behind Navy Federal Credit Union)
- NCUA insurance: deposits insured up to $250,000 per member, per insured credit union, per account ownership category by the National Credit Union Administration
SECU State Employees’ Credit Union branch near me
SECU operates 275 branches across all 100 counties of North Carolina, the most extensive single-state credit union branch network in the United States. Use the official SECU branch locator at ncsecu.org/locations to find a branch with addresses, phone numbers, hours, services, and a map. Because SECU has a branch in every NC county, there is almost always a SECU branch within a reasonable drive of any North Carolina resident.
SECU in the major North Carolina metros
- Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill (the Triangle, NC’s capital region): the densest concentration of SECU branches, including the headquarters at 119 N Salisbury Street in downtown Raleigh, plus branches across Wake, Durham, and Orange counties
- Charlotte (and Mecklenburg, Union, Cabarrus counties): SECU’s second-largest metro presence
- Greensboro-Winston-Salem (the Triad): branches across Guilford, Forsyth, and surrounding counties
- Wilmington and the coast: branches across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow counties
- Asheville and the western NC mountains: branches across Buncombe, Henderson, and surrounding counties
- Fayetteville (and the Fort Liberty area): branches serving the Cumberland County and Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) military community
SECU in every North Carolina county
SECU’s defining feature is that every one of North Carolina’s 100 counties has at least one SECU branch. This includes rural counties (such as Tyrrell, Hyde, Camden, Currituck), small mountain counties (such as Mitchell, Yancey, Avery, Graham, Cherokee), and small coastal-plain counties. No other US credit union or state-headquartered bank has comparable single-state coverage. The 100-county branch presence reflects SECU’s mission to serve state government employees and their families wherever they live in North Carolina, including remote rural areas underserved by mainstream banks.
For the official county-by-county branch list, see ncsecu.org/locations.
SECU CashPoints ATM near me
Use the SECU ATM finder to find the closest CashPoints ATM machine around you. SECU operates the CashPoints ATM network, which is the largest free ATM network in North Carolina with over 1,100 ATMs across the state. SECU members get fee-free access to all CashPoints ATMs plus access to the broader CO-OP credit union ATM network nationwide.
CashPoints ATM locations
CashPoints ATMs are commonly located at:
- SECU branch locations in every NC county (drive-up and walk-up ATMs at most branches, accessible 24/7)
- North Carolina state government office buildings (since SECU originally served state employees)
- Public school district offices and select school campuses (since teachers and education-system employees are a core SECU membership group)
- University and community college campuses across the UNC system and the NC community college system
- Major North Carolina employers and government installations
- Select retail and convenience locations in major NC cities
Fee-free ATM access for SECU members
- CashPoints ATMs: SECU members can use any CashPoints ATM in North Carolina fee-free for withdrawals, deposits, and balance inquiries.
- CO-OP Network ATMs: SECU members have access to the nationwide CO-OP credit union ATM network (approximately 30,000+ ATMs) for fee-free withdrawals when traveling outside North Carolina.
- Out-of-network ATMs: using an ATM outside the CashPoints and CO-OP networks may incur fees from SECU plus the ATM operator’s surcharge.
- Drive-up ATMs: most SECU branches have drive-up CashPoints ATMs accessible 24/7.
- Deposit ATMs: CashPoints ATMs at SECU branches accept cash and check deposits without an envelope, with funds typically available the next business day.
SECU membership eligibility
SECU membership is centered on North Carolina state government employment and family relationships to existing members. Eligibility categories:
Direct eligibility (employment or service in North Carolina)
- North Carolina state government employees (active and retired), across all 100 NC counties and all state departments, agencies, divisions, and commissions
- UNC system employees (employees of any of the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina system, including UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, UNC-Charlotte, East Carolina, App State, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Wilmington, and others)
- North Carolina K-12 public school teachers and employees (across all 115 NC public school districts)
- NC community college employees
- Federal government employees stationed in North Carolina (military, civilian DOD, federal agencies)
- Active-duty and retired US military with North Carolina connection
- Employees of select North Carolina government-affiliated organizations
Family eligibility
The immediate family of any current SECU member is eligible for SECU membership, regardless of whether the family member lives in North Carolina or has a North Carolina employment connection. “Immediate family” includes spouse, child (including stepchild and adopted child), sibling (including stepsibling), parent (including stepparent and adoptive parent), grandparent, grandchild, and other defined family relationships. This family-eligibility provision is one of the most generous in any US credit union and effectively extends SECU membership across generations of North Carolina families.
How to join
Membership requires opening a Share Account with a minimum deposit of $25. Once you are a SECU member, you remain a member for life regardless of changes in employment, NC residence, or other circumstances. Joining can be completed at any SECU branch or through the SECU website at ncsecu.org/join.
SECU distinctive products and services
The “people helping people” mission
SECU is one of the older US credit unions (founded 1937) and continues to operate on the cooperative “people helping people” philosophy that underlies the credit-union movement. Member benefits include the absence of for-profit shareholders (returns flow back to members through better rates and lower fees), competitive APYs on share accounts and certificates of deposit (called Share Certificates at SECU), and a focus on serving North Carolina communities including rural areas underserved by mainstream banks.
Share Certificates (CDs)
SECU is consistently competitive on Share Certificate (CD) rates, particularly for longer-term certificates. Terms range from 3 months to 5 years, with minimum deposits as low as $250 for many term certificates.
SECU Visa Check Card (debit) and Visa credit cards
SECU members can request a Visa Check Card linked to their Share Draft (checking) account for purchases and ATM access. SECU also issues Visa credit cards with competitive rates and rewards.
SECU mortgages and home equity
SECU is one of the largest mortgage lenders in North Carolina, with a strong focus on first-time home buyer mortgages, conventional mortgages, and home equity products for NC residents. SECU mortgages are typically held in portfolio (not sold to investors), which allows the credit union to offer competitive rates and personalized underwriting.
SECU auto loans
Among the most competitive auto loan APRs available in North Carolina, particularly for new and used car purchases through SECU’s direct lending and indirect dealer relationships.
ASK SECU virtual assistant
SECU operates an AI-powered virtual assistant called ASK SECU at ncsecu.org/accounts/services/ask-secu that handles routine member questions 24/7.
SECU hours, customer service hours, and open now
SECU branch hours are consistent across the 275 NC branches and are simpler than most banks:
| Day | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM lobby; drive-up CashPoints ATMs at all branches 24/7 |
| Saturday | Closed at most branches (some select branches have limited Saturday hours) |
| Sunday | Closed at all branches |
SECU branches are closed on the standard 11 US federal holidays. The CashPoints ATM network is available 24/7 even when branches are closed. The SECU customer service line at 1-888-732-8562 is available 24/7, which is unusual among credit unions and most US regional banks.
Federal holidays:
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday of January)
- Presidents Day (third Monday of February)
- Memorial Day (last Monday of May)
- Juneteenth National Independence Day (June 19)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Labor Day (first Monday of September)
- Columbus Day (second Monday of October)
- Veterans Day (November 11)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
Is SECU open now near me? SECU branches keep weekday business hours (8:30 AM to 5:30 PM) across all 100 NC counties. Most branches are closed Saturday. ATMs at all branches and across the CashPoints network are available 24/7. The SECU customer service line is staffed 24/7 (1-888-732-8562), which is rare for credit unions of this size and a distinctive SECU service feature.
Contact SECU State Employees’ Credit Union: customer service phone numbers
- SECU Member Services (main line): 1-888-732-8562 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- SECU International callers (from outside the US): +1-919-857-2150 (24/7)
- SECU Online Banking and Mobile App technical support: 1-888-732-8562 (same as main line)
- SECU Lost or Stolen Visa Check Card: 1-888-732-8562 (24/7)
- ASK SECU virtual assistant: available 24/7 at ncsecu.org/accounts/services/ask-secu for routine questions and self-service
- Visit a branch: use the locator at ncsecu.org/locations to find your nearest branch and its direct phone number
The 24/7 phone customer service is one of SECU’s signature service features and is unusual among credit unions of any size. The line is staffed by SECU representatives, not contracted to third-party call centers, which is consistent with SECU’s “people helping people” cooperative service tradition.
About SECU State Employees’ Credit Union: 1937 founding and the 100-county mission
Founding: June 4, 1937 in Raleigh, North Carolina
SECU was founded on June 4, 1937 in Raleigh, North Carolina, originally as the State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina to serve civilian employees of the North Carolina state government. The founding charter was issued under the federal Federal Credit Union Act of 1934, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed three years earlier to create a regulatory framework for member-owned cooperative financial institutions in the United States. The 17 founding members deposited a combined initial capital of $437 to start the credit union.
20th-century growth across North Carolina
Through the 20th century, SECU grew steadily by serving the expanding North Carolina state government workforce, the UNC system, and the K-12 public school system. The credit union deliberately expanded into rural North Carolina counties that mainstream banks underserved, eventually reaching all 100 NC counties (the first US credit union to operate in every county of a single state). The 100-county model reflects SECU’s commitment to its core mission of serving North Carolina state employees and teachers wherever they live in the state.
The CashPoints ATM network
SECU launched the CashPoints ATM network to provide free ATM access to members in an era when most banks charged surcharge fees on non-customer ATM transactions. The CashPoints network expanded across North Carolina state government buildings, public schools, university campuses, and select retail locations, becoming the largest ATM network in the state.
SECU today
SECU is now a $55 billion credit union with 2.8 million members and 275 branches across all 100 North Carolina counties, plus the CashPoints ATM network and the broader CO-OP Network for out-of-state access. The credit union remains member-owned and cooperative, with returns flowing back to members through competitive rates and lower fees rather than to shareholders.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Nearest SECU State Employees’ Credit Union Branch Near Me?
Use the official SECU branch locator at ncsecu.org/locations to find your nearest branch. SECU operates 275 branches in all 100 North Carolina counties, the largest single-state credit-union branch network in the United States. There is almost always a SECU branch within a reasonable drive of any North Carolina resident, including in rural and small-county markets.
How to Find the Closest SECU CashPoints ATM Around Your Location
Use the SECU ATM finder at ncsecu.org/locations to find the closest CashPoints ATM machine around you. SECU operates over 1,100 CashPoints ATMs across North Carolina (the largest free ATM network in the state), plus access to 30,000+ CO-OP Network ATMs nationwide for SECU members traveling outside North Carolina.
Use the Map to See Locations of SECU Around You
The map on this page shows SECU branches and CashPoints ATMs near your location. SECU has the densest branch concentrations in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Triangle (the headquarters region), Charlotte, the Triad (Greensboro-Winston-Salem), Wilmington and the NC coast, Asheville and the NC mountains, and Fayetteville (Fort Liberty area). Every NC county has at least one SECU branch.
Who can join SECU?
SECU membership is centered on North Carolina state government employees and family. Direct eligibility includes NC state employees (active and retired), UNC system employees, K-12 public school teachers and staff, NC community college employees, federal employees stationed in NC, and active-duty/retired US military with NC connection. Family eligibility extends to the immediate family (spouse, children, siblings, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, and step/adoptive relationships) of any current SECU member. Joining requires opening a Share Account with a minimum deposit of $25.
What is the SECU customer service phone number?
The main SECU Member Services number is 1-888-732-8562, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. International callers from outside the United States can reach SECU at +1-919-857-2150 (also 24/7). The 24/7 phone service is one of SECU’s distinctive features and unusual among credit unions of any size.
What is the SECU routing number?
The primary SECU routing number for wire transfers, direct deposits, and ACH transactions is 253177049. SECU members can also find their account-specific routing information by logging in to SECU Online Banking, looking in the SECU mobile app under account details, or calling customer service at 1-888-732-8562.
Is SECU NCUA insured?
Yes. SECU State Employees’ Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Deposits are insured up to $250,000 per member, per insured credit union, for each account ownership category. NCUA insurance functions equivalently to FDIC insurance for banks; both are federal-government-backed deposit insurance programs.
Where is SECU headquartered?
SECU is headquartered at 119 N Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603, in downtown Raleigh near the North Carolina State Capitol and state government district. SECU has been Raleigh-headquartered since its 1937 founding.
How many SECU locations are there?
SECU operates 275 branches in all 100 counties of North Carolina, the largest single-state credit-union branch network in the United States. SECU is the second-largest US credit union by assets (approximately $55 billion) and members (approximately 2.8 million), behind only Navy Federal Credit Union.
Are SECU branches open on Saturday?
Most SECU branches are closed on Saturday. A small number of select SECU branches have limited Saturday hours, but the vast majority operate Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM only. The CashPoints ATM network is available 24/7, and the customer service phone line at 1-888-732-8562 is open 24/7, providing weekend service access without branch lobbies.
Are SECU branches open on Sunday?
No. SECU branches are closed on Sundays at all locations. The CashPoints ATM network and the customer service line at 1-888-732-8562 are available 24/7. The SECU mobile app and online banking handle routine member transactions 24/7. See our Banks Open on Sunday Near Me page for the list of banks with Sunday hours.
What is the difference between SECU and Navy Federal Credit Union?
Navy Federal Credit Union is the largest US credit union (approximately $185 billion in assets, ~14 million members), focused on US military (Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard) and DoD members and their families nationwide. SECU of North Carolina is the second-largest US credit union (approximately $55 billion in assets, ~2.8 million members), focused on North Carolina state employees, teachers, the UNC system, and their immediate family. Many North Carolinians are eligible for both (NC residents in federal employment or military service). Membership at one does not affect membership at the other.
What is the difference between SECU of NC and SECU of Maryland?
The acronym SECU is used by several state-employees’ credit unions in different states, but they are separate, independent credit unions. State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina (this page) is the largest and best-known, serving NC state employees and their family. SECU of Maryland (formally State Employees Credit Union of Maryland) is a separate credit union serving Maryland state employees, with no corporate relationship to NC SECU. Both use the “SECU” acronym independently.
For more banking guides
- Navy Federal Credit Union Near Me, the largest US credit union, focused on US military and DoD members and their families
- PenFed Credit Union Near Me, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union, another major US credit union open to anyone via the $20 affiliate-organization donation
- First Citizens Bank Near Me, the largest North Carolina-headquartered bank (Raleigh) with overlapping NC customer base
- Banks Open on Holidays Near Me, the federal holiday schedule and which banks observe which holidays
- Banks Open on Sunday Near Me, the full list of banks with Sunday hours
- ATM Near Me, find ATMs at any bank, surcharge-free options, and drive-thru ATMs
- Banks Near Me homepage, a directory of 70+ US, UK, and international banks