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Two accounts. One perfect match.

With a University Checking and a High Yield Savings account, some things are just better together.

When these accounts team up, your earnings accelerate.

Our University Checking Account is designed for everyday spending, while our High Yield Savings Account helps your money grow steadily over time. Together, they create a simple, balanced way to manage your finances from day one.

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University Checking

Your everyday money manager, built for flexibility and value. Earn up to 5.00% APY*, complete with easy access and digital convenience.

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High Yield Savings Account

The ideal partner for checking, designed to help you grow. Earn 3.00% APY¹ and keep your money accessible while building your savings.

Why choose a University Checking Account?

When you choose UCU for your checking needs, you're choosing a financial partner committed to your success. Our checking accounts offer a host of benefits.

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  • Earn dividends: Earn up to 5.00% APY, giving you a financial advantage with one of the best rates in the nation.

  • No monthly service fees: Enjoy truly free checking with no hidden monthly fees

  • Loan rate discounts: Benefit from potential discounts on UCU loans when you set up automatic payments from your checking account.

  • Overdraft protection options: Gain peace of mind with available overdraft protection solutions.

  • Mastercard® debit card: Enjoy secure and convenient spending wherever Mastercard is accepted.

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Why choose a UCU High Yield Savings Account?

Our High Yield Savings Account is a steady, dependable way to grow your savings with one of the nation's highest-earning rates, amongst other benefits.

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  • Earn dividends: Watch your savings grow faster when you earn 3.00% APY

  • No monthly service fees: Enjoy no hidden monthly fees or penalties

  • Easy to start: Only a $5 minimum deposit to open your account, and a $2,500 minimum balance to earn dividends.

We make banking easy.

Digital Banking

Digital banking

Check your balance, pay bills, transfer funds, and deposit checks with our digital banking platform.
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Surcharge-Free Checking

Fee-free checking

Instead of imposing fees, UCU rewards our University Checking Account member-owners with dividends paid monthly.
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Access to ATMs Nationwide

Access to ATMs nationwide

Enjoy fee-free transactions at thousands of CO-OP ATMs nationwide and receive up to $25 in ATM fee refunds monthly.2

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Shared branching network

Shared branching network

Maintain direct access to your money with in-branch access at over 5,000 locations across the nation.
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Get paid up to two days early

Get paid up to two days early3

With Direct Deposit, you'll skip the wait and get paid up to two days earlier.
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Get paid up to two days early3

Easy application process

Easy application process

It only takes a few minutes to check your eligibility online, apply for membership, and open your University Checking and High Yield Savings Accounts.

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*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. To earn up to 5.00% APY, member must have a qualifying University Checking Account. Based on a combined rate of 4.88%. Credit card must be active, have at least one monthly transaction (excludes balance transfers and cash advances), and be enrolled in credit card eStatements to qualify for the extra 1.00% APY in dividends. Account does not earn dividends if there is a $0 balance in a HELOC at the end of the month. All accounts must be in good standing with no delinquency or bankruptcy pending. Multiple loans in the same category count for only 1.00% APY in dividends.

 

Qualifying University Checking Accounts will earn 1.00% APY in dividends on balances up to $25,000. Balances above $25,000 will be paid at the regular checking rate. Qualifying University Checking Accounts are defined as having at least 25 transactions per month (includes transactions made with both debit and credit cards) and enrollment in eStatements. If the requirements are not met, then no dividend is earned. Secondary University Checking Accounts not eligible to earn APY. Dividends are calculated by the daily balance method, which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account at the end of each day. Dividends are disbursed monthly into the active University Checking Account. APY is accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Rate subject to change after account opening and may vary based on qualifications met at month end. Not valid with any other offers. To establish a UCU Membership, you must deposit at least $5 to a Regular (Share) Savings Account. A $50 minimum deposit is required to open a University Checking Account. All accounts are subject to approval.

 

1APY is accurate as of 11/1/25 and subject to change or end at any time. Dividend rate is 2.960%. Minimum opening deposit is $5. Minimum balance required to earn APY is $2,500.00. The High Yield Savings Account is a tiered rate account. 0% APY for a balance less than $2,500.00 and 3.00% APY for balances $2,500.00 and more. The APY for each balance tier is variable and is subject to change after the account is opened. High Yield Savings Account is only available for new money deposited to UCU. New money is money not currently or previously held in a UCU account.

 

2Up to $25 in ATM fees incurred at other financial institutions will be automatically credited to your active University Checking Account at close of month end. Note: member must have e-statements and at least 25 transactions monthly to qualify for ATM fee refunds. 

 

3Early access to direct deposit funds is dependent on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. Generally, these funds are available on the day the payment file is received, which may be between two and six days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

Giving our University Communities a financial advantage
University Credit Union offers membership to employees, students and alumni of UCLA, Pepperdine University, Loyola Marymount University, Santa Clara University, Saint Mary's College, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC San Diego, Georgia Tech, University of Texas at Arlington, Abilene Christian University, Mount St. Mary's University, Chabot College and Las Positas College, West Coast Conference Universities, Western Athletic Conference Universities, and other universities throughout California. UCU offers a variety of products and services including checking accounts, credit cards, home mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, commercial loans, insurance, investments, as well as digital banking.

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You're covered from coast to coast with 30,000 surcharge free CO-OP ATMs and 5,000+ shared branches
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