NCUA charter number
Ask USMI can help explain this term and how it shows up in a mortgage question.
Definition
An NCUA charter number is the unique number the National Credit Union Administration assigns to a credit union. Official NCUA documentation also treats it as the share-insurance certificate number.
In plain English
Credit unions are not identified with an FDIC certificate number. They have a charter number in NCUA records. Public research tools use that number to find the credit union. It is not an NMLS ID and not an RSSD ID. Banks use different official numbers.
Technical definition
NCUA Custom Query documentation defines Charter Number as a unique number that refers to a credit union’s share insurance certificate number. That identifier pattern matches the FDIC and RSSD pages.
Why it matters
US Mortgage Index may show a credit union’s charter number. Readers need the official label.
Related terms
Sources reviewed
Custom Query Tips, Charter Number
Source reviewedSeptember 6, 2026
Important note
An NCUA charter number is not an FDIC certificate number.
Cite as
Ask USMI about this term
Explore how this term relates to a loan cost or your next mortgage question.