You're missing out on the full benefits of a University Checking Account.
If you have a UCU loan but not University Checking, or you’re not using features like autopay or direct deposit, you're missing out on lower rates and higher earnings.
Without your accounts working together, you're leaving value behind.
If you have: UCU Loan with a University Checking Account
You could be earning up to 5.00% APY* when you have a University Checking Account and a qualifying UCU loan.
If you have: UCU Loan with a University Checking Account
If you have: University Checking Account with direct deposit
You could get paid up to two days early1 with direct deposit.
If you have: University Checking Account with direct deposit
If you have: University Checking with autopay
You could receive auto and personal loan rate discounts of 0.25% APR2 when you enable autopay.
If you have: University Checking with autopay
It’s not a product. It’s a system.
Loan + Checking + Autopay + Direct Deposit
- Lower your loan rate with autopay
- Earn more with qualifying checking
- Get paid early with direct deposit
- Bring everything into one place to work together
University Checking works best when it’s connected to how you already bank.
Don't miss out on earning 2.00% APY, and up to 5.00% APY with University Checking:
Set up your UCU Loan
Congrats! You've already completed this step by having a loan with UCU, and that's the hardest part. Smooth sailing from here.
Register your digital banking account
This gives you easy access to your loan account, and makes setting up a University Checking Account super smooth. Already have one set up? Skip ahead to step 3.
Set up your University Checking Account
Call us or log into your digital banking account to set up University Checking with a $50 minimum deposit to get started.
University Checking Account Benefits
In addition to earning dividends on your account, a University Checking Account is a flexible option for your money:
Digital banking
Check your balance, pay bills, transfer funds, and deposit checks with our digital banking platform.
Digital banking
No monthly maintenance fees
Instead of imposing monthly fees, UCU rewards our University Checking Account member-owners with dividends paid monthly.
No monthly maintenance fees
Access to ATMs nationwide
Enjoy fee-free transactions at thousands of CO-OP ATMs nationwide and receive up to $15 in ATM fee refunds monthly.3
Access to ATMs nationwide
Shared branching network
Maintain direct access to your money with in-branch access at over 5,000 locations across the nation.
Shared branching network
Get paid up to two days early
With Direct Deposit, you'll skip the wait and get paid up to two days earlier.
Get paid up to two days early
Easy application process
It only takes a few minutes to check your eligibility online, apply for membership, and open your University Checking Account.
Easy application process
Open your new account in digital banking
UCU members can open a new University Checking Account directly in their digital banking dashboard! If you are not currently enrolled in digital banking, registering online is quick and easy. You can also open an account over the phone at 800.UCU.4510.
Frequently asked questions
- How much APY could I earn?
With one qualifying loan product (auto loan, credit card, personal loan, or home loan/HELOC) and a University Checking Account with eStatements and minimum 25 monthly transactions, you could earn 2.00% APY. With any additional loan products, you can earn an additional 1.00% APY. So, for example if you had a UCU Credit Card, Personal Loan, and University Checking account, you’d earn 3.00% APY. If you had all four loan products and a University Checking Account, you could earn up to 5.00% APY.
- Where do I open a University Checking Account?
- If you have UCU digital banking: Log into your account, then select “Add a Deposit Account” from the top menu, then select “Checking”, and select “University Checking Account”
- If you haven’t set up UCU digital banking: Register for digital banking and follow the steps above, or call us at 800.UCU.4510 if you need assistance.
- Are there any minimum balance requirements?
There are no minimum balance requirements. However, a $50 minimum deposit is required to open a University Checking Account.
- Are there any monthly fees on a University Checking Account?
UCU does not charge any monthly maintenance fees on a University Checking Account. You can review our Fee Schedule for more information.
- Does University Credit Union offer overdraft protection?
University Credit Union protects your financial well-being with no automatic overdraft fees on our University Checking Account and Smart Checking Account. Instead, we offer access to an overdraft line of credit that is linked to your checking account. You will be charged interest only on the amount you borrow from your line of credit. This ensures that you only pay for the funds you utilize and can help you save money in the long run.
- How do I utilize funds in my University Checking Account?
There are several convenient options to utilize the funds in your University Checking Account. Settle payments electronically with Bill Pay, write checks for traditional transactions, or use your UCU debit card for online or in-person purchases or withdrawing cash from our network of over 30,000 fee-free CO-OP ATMs.
*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.
1Early 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.
2APR= Annual Percentage Rate. Rate with Automatic Payment from a University Checking Account may be discounted by 0.25% as long as the rate does not fall below the floor rate. Credit Cards, HELOCs, and mortgages are excluded.
3Up to $15 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.