Meanwhile, $18 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., is offering special auto loan rates through Memorial Day itself. New autos can be financed for as low as 0.99% APR for 48 months, while loans for used autos are as low as 1.99% for 36 months.

In addition, PenFed will finance up 110% of both new and used auto purchase prices for qualifying borrowers.

In recognition of Memorial Day's status as a federal holiday, most credit unions will be closed May 25. But there are some who see the holiday as an opportunity to continue or improve their abilities to provide member service.

Waterloo, Iowa-based Veridian Credit Union, with $2.77 billion in assets, is one of the few institutions that will be open to serve members on Memorial Day. Ten of the credit union's eastern Iowa branches will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 25. Eight of those branches are located inside Hy-Vee supermarkets.

While most employees will enjoy the day off, Memorial Day will be a workday for IT system staff members and executives at Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union. The $596 million credit union is taking advantage of the three-day weekend to upgrade and improve critical systems to incorporate new service technologies.

In addition to branches being closed for the weekend, Seattle Metro members will not have access to credit union-owned ATM and online and telephone banking, Shared branching, text and mobile banking capabilities and the Seattle Metro mobile app also will be nonfunctional during the upgrade. Functionality will be limited for non-credit union ATM and debit card transactions and bill-pay services.

Memorial Day was not an official federal holiday until 1967, but the practice of honoring those who died serving their country dates back to the post-Civil War era. Celebrated on the last Monday in May, this year on May 25, the day also includes picnics, family gatherings and opportunities for remembrance of family members who served in the armed forces.

For the nation's military credit unions and others, serving veterans' needs with special rates and service are not subject to the May 25 holiday.

Special services and rates are offered year-round to U.S. armed forces veterans who are members of $2.5 billion Service Credit Union in Portsmouth, N.H. Veterans receive an additional .35% discount on most credit union loans, as well as up to 100% financing of new and used auto loans. Veterans also receive a .35% premium on both a standard share savings account and 1-year standard 6-month certificate of deposit rate, with no limit on maximum contributions.

In addition, the credit union offers veterans no fee or monthly balance requirements on checking, unlimited access to 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 7,000 shared branches worldwide, and other special rates and services. Finally, 2% of all interest paid on the credit union's Veterans Program affinity card will be donated to organizations serving veterans.