Checking That Works As Hard As You Do
Free checking, dividend-earning options, second-chance accounts, and custom debit cards, all with online and mobile banking built in. You are a member-owner here, so your checking pays you back.
Find Your Perfect Checking Account
All accounts include free online & mobile banking, a free Visa debit card, and access to nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.
Affinity Free Checking
Ideal for everyday banking with minimal activity
- 0.75% APY on $1,000–$15,000
- No minimum balance or monthly fee
- Free mobile deposit & bill pay
- Free & unlimited ACU debit card use
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
Dividend Rates & APY by Balance
All rates require qualification requirements to be met. Subject to change without notice.
Effective October 1, 2026 · View Full Rate & Fee Schedule
| Balance Range | Affinity Free | Affinity Plus†† | Affinity Premier† |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 – $999.99 | 3.00% APY | 1.00% APY | — |
| $1,000 – $4,999.99 | 0.75% APY | 1.00% APY | — |
| $5,000 – $14,999.99 | 0.50% APY | 1.00% APY | 0.25% APY |
| $15,000 – $24,999.99 | 0.50% APY | 1.00% APY | 0.50% APY |
| $25,000 – $34,999.99 | 0.50% APY | 0.01% APY | 0.75% APY |
| $35,000+ | 0.50% APY | — | Regular Share Rate |
| Monthly Fee | None | $7.00 | None |
† Affinity Premier requires direct deposit of $500+/month. †† Affinity Plus requires eStatements, 15 debit card transactions of $5+, and one ACU Online/Mobile login per month. Affinity Free requires direct deposit of $500+/mo, 10 POS transactions, and $15,000 in combined ACU loans/deposits. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. Full rate and fee schedule →
Specialty Checking Accounts
Solutions for every life stage and situation.
Opportunity Checking
Designed for members who have been turned down for a checking account due to past issues. Rebuild your financial health and upgrade to a standard account after 12 months of good standing.
- No minimum balance requirement
- 10 free non-CU ATM withdrawals per month
- $8.95/mo with qualifying direct deposit of $500+/mo
- Upgrade eligibility after 12 consecutive months of good standing
Teen Checking
Young adults can open a Teen Checking account when a qualified ACU member co-signs as joint account holder. Build good financial habits early with all the digital tools included.
- No minimum balance required
- Free mobile banking & mobile deposit
- Free online banking & bill pay
- Free & unlimited use of ACU debit card and ATMs
- Access to nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide
- Free eStatements
Built-In Benefits
Every ACU checking account comes with these features at no extra cost. Nationally, interest checking accounts averaged a $15.65 monthly service fee in 2025 and required $10,705 on deposit to waive it, according to the Bankrate 2025 Checking Account and ATM Fee Study. Affinity Free and Affinity Premier charge no monthly maintenance fee at any balance.
Online & Mobile Banking
Check balances, transfer funds, pay bills, and manage your accounts 24/7 from your phone or computer.
Card Controls
Set purchase alerts, spending limits, and travel notices, and turn your debit card off and on instantly in the ACU app.
Custom Visa Debit Card
Choose from instant-issue designs or order a personalized card with your own photo online.
30,000+ Surcharge-Free ATMs
Access nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the country with your ACU debit card.
Free eStatements
Go paperless and access all your account statements from online or mobile banking at any time.
Digital Wallet
Pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay — fast, secure contactless payments anywhere.
How to Open a Checking Account
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 PNWCC members.
Open a Share Savings
Unlock all ACU products and services by opening a Regular Share Savings account with a minimum deposit of just $25.
Open Your Checking Account
Choose the account that fits your lifestyle and start enjoying dividends, cash back, and the full suite of ACU benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What members ask most about ACU checking accounts.
- Affinity Free — earns 3.00% APY on balances up to $1,000 (with qualifications)
- Affinity Plus — earns 1.00% APY on balances up to $25,000 (with qualifications)
- Affinity Premier — earns dividends on balances from $5,000 to $34,999 with direct deposit
- Enroll in eStatements
- Make 15 debit card transactions of $5.00 or more
- Log in to ACU Online or Mobile Banking at least once
- Affinity Free & Affinity Premier — no monthly maintenance fee
- Affinity Plus — $7.00/month
- Opportunity Checking — $8.95/mo with qualifying direct deposit; $10.95/mo without
- People who live, work, worship, or attend school in the Pacific Northwest
- Members and employees of the Armed Forces and their relatives
- Members of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
- Members of the Pacific Northwest Consumer Council (PNWCC)
Rate & Account Disclosures
† APY = Annual Percentage Yield, effective October 1, 2026. Limited to one Affinity Premier Checking account per primary account holder. Only consumer accounts in good standing are eligible. To earn dividends, you must have direct deposit of at least $500/month. Balances $5,000–$14,999.99 earn 0.25% APY; $15,000–$24,999.99 earn 0.50% APY; $25,000–$34,999.99 earn 0.75% APY; $35,000+ earn the Regular Share Rate. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. Regular Share Savings with a minimum deposit of $25 required. Rates subject to change.
†† APY = Annual Percentage Yield, effective October 1, 2026. Limited to one Affinity Plus Checking account per primary account holder. Monthly fee of $7.00 applies. To earn dividends, ATM fee reimbursement (up to $10.00/mo), and 10¢ cash back on debit purchases over $5.00, you must have eStatements, 15 POS transactions of $5+ that post and settle during the monthly qualification cycle, and log into ACU Online or Mobile App at least once per month. Balances over $25,000 do not earn dividends. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn 0.00% APY. Cell phone and identity theft insurance remain active regardless of qualification status. Identity theft insurance underwritten by Lyndon Southern Insurance Company, a member of the Fortegra family of companies. Regular Share Savings with a minimum deposit of $25 required.
APY = Annual Percentage Yield, effective October 1, 2026. Affinity Free Checking: 3.00% APY applies to balances up to $1,000.00; $1,000.01–$15,000.00 earn 0.75% APY; $15,000.01+ earn 0.50% APY. To earn dividends you must have direct deposit of $500+/mo, 10 POS transactions, $15,000 in combined ACU loans/deposits, and eStatements. Regular Share Savings with a minimum deposit of $25 required. Rates subject to change.
America's Credit Union may assess fees for deposit account services. Any changes to the Fee Schedule will be communicated in accordance with applicable law. NCUA insured. Federally chartered credit union.
Your Paycheck Deserves a Better Home
ACU members open checking accounts in minutes, online or in branch. Earn up to 3.00% APY with Affinity FREE Checking, pay no monthly fee, and bank NCUA insured.