Your Debit Card, Now on Payroll
Your debit card is already doing the work. With Affinity Plus, it pays you back, 10¢ cash back on qualifying purchases, 1.00% APY on your balance, and cell phone coverage included. Just $7 a month.
The Checking Account That Earns While You Spend
Compare our Affinity checking accounts. All include free online & mobile banking, a free Visa debit card, and 35,000+ surcharge-free ATMs.
Affinity Free Checking
No fees, no minimums, still earns dividends
- 0.75% APY on balances $1,000 to $15,000
- No minimum balance requirement
- Free mobile deposit & bill pay
- 35,000+ surcharge-free ATMs
Affinity Plus Checking
Best for active spenders who want cash back & dividends
- 10¢ cash back on debit purchases over $5
- ATM surcharge reimbursement up to $10/mo
- Cell phone & identity theft insurance
- No minimum balance requirement
Affinity Premier Checking
Best for higher balances earning tiered dividends
- Tiered rates starting at $5,000 balance
- Free box of checks annually
- Identity theft coverage included
- Requires $500+/mo direct deposit
What $7 a Month Gets You at ACU
Affinity Plus packs cash back, insurance, and dividends into one powerful account.
10¢ Cash Back on Debit
Earn 10 cents back every time you use your debit card for a purchase of $5.00 or more. It adds up fast.
1.00% APY Dividends
Earn 1.00% APY on balances up to $25,000 when qualifications are met each month.
Cell Phone Insurance
Your phone is covered against theft and accidental damage the moment you open your account. No extra monthly bill needed.
Identity Theft Protection
Access managed recovery, credit monitoring from all three bureaus, dark web scanning, and suspicious activity alerts.
ATM Surcharge Reimbursement
Get back up to $10 per month in ATM fees when you use out-of-network ATMs, so you’re never stuck without cash.
No Minimum Balance
All the benefits above are yours with any balance. No minimum required to keep the account open and active.
Dividend Rates & APY by Balance
All Affinity Plus benefits require monthly qualifications. Subject to change without notice.
Effective October 1, 2026 · View Full Rate & Fee Schedule →
| Balance Range | Affinity Free* | Affinity Plus†† | Affinity Premier† |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 to $999.99 | 3.00% APY | 1.00% APY | None |
| $1,000 to $4,999.99 | 0.75% APY | 1.00% APY | None |
| $5,000 to $14,999.99 | 0.50% APY | 1.00% APY | 0.25% APY |
| $15,000 to $24,999.99 | 0.50% APY | 1.00% APY | 0.50% APY |
| $25,000 to $34,999.99 | 0.50% APY | 0.01% APY | 0.75% APY |
| $35,000+ | 0.50% APY | None | Regular Share Rate |
| Monthly Fee | None | $7.00 | None |
* Affinity Free requires direct deposit of $500+/month, 10 point-of-sale transactions, $15,000 in combined ACU loans/deposits, and eStatements enrollment. †† Affinity Plus requires eStatements, 15 debit card transactions of $5+, and one ACU Online/Mobile login per month. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. † Affinity Premier requires direct deposit of $500+/month. Full rate and fee schedule →
Three Simple Steps to Open
Membership is open to Pacific Northwest residents, military members & their families, and qualifying organizations.
Check Your Eligibility
Membership is open to those who live, work, worship, or attend school in the Pacific Northwest, military members & families, AUSA members, and their relatives. See full eligibility →
Open a Share Savings
Unlock all ACU products and services by opening a Regular Share Savings account with a minimum deposit of just $25.
Select Affinity Plus Checking
Start earning cash back on purchases, get your phone and identity protected, and enjoy dividends from day one.
“Friendly service with a smile and amazing competitive rates for all your financial needs. Thank you for truly being the credit union we all deserve!”
Frequently Asked Questions
A cash back checking account rewards you with money back on eligible purchases made with your debit card. With ACU’s Affinity Plus, you earn 10 cents back every time you spend $5.00 or more using your debit card, provided you meet the monthly qualifying requirements.
To receive 10¢ cash back, ATM reimbursements, dividends on balances up to $25,000, each month you must: receive eStatements, make 15 debit card transactions of $5.00 or more, and log in to ACU Online or Mobile Banking. Cell phone and identity theft insurance are automatic, no qualifications needed.
No. There is no minimum balance requirement or low-balance fee. All the premium features are available regardless of your account balance, as long as you meet the monthly activity qualifications.
Yes. Affinity Plus includes cell phone insurance for theft and accidental damage. Theft coverage begins the day you open your account; accidental damage coverage begins the first day of the following month. Covers all your phones, personal and work.
Cash back accounts can be worth it if you use your debit card regularly and meet the monthly activity requirements. The rewards add up over time, especially when the account also includes ATM fee refunds, identity theft protection, and cell phone insurance, services valued at $75 or more each month.
You may not qualify for Affinity Plus if your personal finances aren’t in great shape, but ACU offers an Opportunity Checking Account to help you get back on track. Ask a branch representative for details.
Legal Disclosures
*Subject to credit approval. Requirement of a Regular Share Savings with a minimum balance of $25. Limited to one Affinity Plus Checking account per primary account holder. Only consumer accounts in good standing are eligible. Qualifying accounts receive reimbursed ATM fees up to $10 per month. Balances over $25,000 do not earn dividends on the portion of the balance over $25,000. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. Qualifications do not have to be met to receive cell phone and identity theft insurance. Your wireless carrier may charge a data or text messaging fee. Please check with your provider. The Qualification Cycle is defined as the first day of the calendar month through the last calendar day of the month. The advertised Affinity Plus APY is based on compounding dividends. Transactions may take one or more banking days from the date the transaction was made to post to and settle in the account. ATM-processed withdrawals do not count as qualifying debit card transactions. Secondary checking accounts for members who have more than one checking account will be designated as Affinity Free accounts. A separate fee may be charged by the institution that owns or operates the ATM. Identity theft expense reimbursement insurance is underwritten by Lyndon Southern Insurance Company, a member of the Fortegra family of companies. For mobile claims call Worth Ave Group by phone.
Consumer Account Disclosure: The terms applicable to your Deposit Accounts at ACU are provided in a separate Truth-in-Savings Disclosure. Fees may reduce earnings. See Fee Schedule. ** APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rates may change after account opening.
Every Debit Purchase Is Earning. Are You Collecting?
At $7/month, Affinity Plus costs less than most streaming subscriptions, and pays you 10¢ back on every qualifying debit purchase, plus 1.00% APY on your balance.
Open Affinity Plus Account