Big Balances Deserve Big Dividends
If you keep $5,000 or more in checking, your balance should be earning dividends. Affinity Premier charges no monthly fee and pays tiered rates, the more you keep, the more you earn.
The Premium Account Without the Premium Fee
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
- Nationwide ATM access
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
Premium Features, Zero Monthly Fee
Members with higher balances deserve accounts that earn more. Affinity Premier delivers, with no monthly fee and tiered dividends up to 0.75% APY.
Tiered Dividends on Higher Balances
Earn 0.25% to 0.75% APY on balances from $5,000 to $34,999 when you maintain $500+/mo direct deposit.
No Monthly Fee or Service Charge
No monthly maintenance fee, no service charge, no low-balance fee. A premium account with zero premium charges, your balance earns dividends instead of paying for the account.
Identity Theft Protection
Full managed identity recovery, credit monitoring from all three bureaus, dark web scanning, and suspicious activity alerts.
Free Box of Checks Annually
Receive one free box of standard checks every year as an Affinity Premier member.
Custom Visa Debit Card
Choose from ACU’s instant-issue designs, or order a personalized debit card online for a one-time $15 fee.
Online & Mobile Banking
Manage your account, deposit checks, pay bills, and transfer funds 24/7, all free with your Affinity Premier account.
Dividend Rates & APY by Balance
Affinity Premier dividends require $500+/month direct deposit. 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 | , |
| $1,000 to $4,999.99 | 0.75% APY | 1.00% APY | , |
| $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 Premier requires direct deposit of $500+/month to earn dividends. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. †† Affinity Plus requires eStatements, 15 debit card transactions of $5+, and one ACU Online/Mobile login per 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 Premier Checking
Deposit funds and set up direct deposit. Start earning tiered dividends once your balance reaches $5,000.
“I can’t say enough good things about ACU!! I am always helped when I need it, and I appreciate everyone that goes out of their way to help!”
Frequently Asked Questions
To earn dividends, you need to set up a direct deposit of at least $500 per month and maintain a balance of $5,000 or more. Here’s what you earn:
- 0.25% APY on $5,000 to $14,999
- 0.50% APY on $15,000 to $24,999
- 0.75% APY on $25,000 to $34,999
Balances over $35,000 earn the Regular Share Rate. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY.
No. There is no minimum balance requirement to maintain the account, no monthly fee, and no low-balance fee. You only need a balance of $5,000 with direct deposit to start earning dividends.
Affinity Premier has no monthly maintenance fee, no service fee, and no low-balance fee. There are no ATM fees on ACU or Co-op Network ATMs. You can also link your account to a Share Savings or Money Market for overdraft protection.
All features are free: Online and Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, Mobile Deposit, and eStatements. The ACU mobile app also includes transaction alerts, the Card On-Off Switch, and travel notices.
Yes. Your Affinity Premier account includes a free ACU Visa debit card. You can also order a personalized card online with your own photo for a one-time $15 fee, or select from ACU’s instant-issue designs at any branch.
You may not qualify for Affinity Premier if your finances are not in great shape, but ACU offers an Opportunity Checking Account to help you get your financial health back on track. Ask a branch representative for details.
Legal Disclosures
† APY = Annual Percentage Yield accurate as of 02/01/2023. Limited to one Affinity Premier Checking account per primary account holder. Only consumer accounts in good standing are eligible. Rates are subject to change. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Balances $35,000.00+ earn the Regular Share Rate. To earn dividends, you must have direct deposit of at least $500 or more per month. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. Balances $5,000.00 to $14,999.99 earn 0.25% APY. Balances $15,000.00 to $24,999.99 earn 0.50% APY. Balances $25,000.00 to $34,999.99 earn 0.75% APY. Regular Share Savings with a minimum deposit of $25 is required. Accounts that do not satisfy the requirements of the account will still receive the identity theft insurance. Identity theft expense reimbursement insurance is underwritten by Lyndon Southern Insurance Company, a member of the Fortegra family of companies.
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.
A Higher Balance Deserves a Higher Rate
Keeping $5,000 in a no-rate checking account costs you dividends every month. Affinity Premier charges nothing and pays up to 0.75% APY, because you should earn more when you keep more.
Open Affinity Premier Account