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compare checking accounts

We offer two fantastic checking accounts–a free checkingaccount and one that earns you high interest. Compare the two and see which works best for you!


the difference is in the details

compare checking accounts from United

Looking for a new checking account, but don't understand the difference? Compare and contrast Free Checking and Ultra Checking accounts. With no minimum monthly balance requirement or maintenance fee, both options are a great choice for you.

Free Checking

With a Free Checking2 account, getting easy and secure access to your money when you need it is just the beginning.

ideal for

Members who want a simple, straightforward checking account with no hidden fees, no hoops, and no transactional requirements. 

Ultra Checking

Our Ultra Checking Account is an account with the ability to earn bonus dividends. It includes share certificate and money market rate bump-ups, and interest rate discounts on qualifying loans.

ideal for

Members looking for high interest rate on a checking account.

comparison chart

Get the breakdown of what makes Free Checking and Ultra Checking different from one another.

Free Checking
Ultra Checking
balances
Minimum Opening Balance
$50
$50
Minimum Balance Requirement3
None
None
features
Dividends
Up to 5.00% APY1
Early Pay4
Included
Included
Share Certificate Rate Bonus
Additional 0.10% APY5
Consumer Loan Discount
Additional 0.25% APY6
Additional 0.25% APY6
Elevate Money Market Rate Bonus
Additional 2.50% APY7
Additional 2.50% APY7
ATM
United Deposits / Withdrawals
Free
Free
Co-Op / Alliance ATMs
5 free withdrawals per month8
5 free withdrawals per month8
ATM Fee Refund9
None
Up to $10 per month
digital banking
Digital Banking
Free
Free
Online Bill Pay
Free
Free
eStatements
Free
Free
Mobile Check Deposit
Free
Free
Savvy Money10
Free
Free
Zelle®11
Free
Free
My Home Tracker12
Free
Free
protection
Courtesy Pay13 Limit
$1,000
$1,000
Overdraft Protection
Available
Available
Deposits Insured By NCUA
Up to $250,000
Up to $250,000
get started

helpful hint

For the Ultra Checking Account, to qualify for 5.00% APY on balances up to $10,000 and up to $10 in monthly ATM fee refunds, you must meet the following three requirements:

  • Enroll in eStatements
  • Complete one direct deposit or ACH transaction per month
  • Use your card 20 times, run as a “credit,” per month (PIN-based transactions do not qualify)

Learn all you need to know about Ultra Checking Account.


[1] Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. 5.00% APY earned on the portion of your daily balance that is less than or equal to $10,000 if monthly requirements for Bonus APY are met; 0.05% APY earned on the portion of your daily balance that is less than or equal to $10,000 if monthly requirements are not met; 0.10% APY earned on the portion of your daily balance that is greater than $10,000. Monthly requirements for Bonus APY: (a) a combined total of at least 20 cleared signature (swipe and sign) credit transactions/non-PIN based debit card transactions on this Ultra Checking account and cleared credit transactions on a U Boost, U First, or U Rewards credit card account for which the owner of this account who will receive the tax statement (“Tax Reported Owner”) is a cardholder are posted by 11:59 PM ET on the second to last calendar day of the dividend period; (b) 1 direct deposit to or electronic auto payment (ACH) from this Ultra Checking account is posted by 11:59 PM ET on the second to last calendar day of the dividend period; and (c) active enrollment in e-statements. Rates may change after account is opened. Minimum deposit required to open account is $50.00. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. One account per Member.

[2] Free with eStatements. A Paper Statement fee of $2.50 per statement will be charged if you are not enrolled in Digital Banking and eDocuments to receive electronic statements. You can enroll in Digital Banking and sign up for eDocuments or enroll via the United App.

[3] Minimum opening balance of $50 required.

[4] Early Pay is provisional credit only. Deposits eligible for Early Pay are limited to payroll direct deposits and government benefit payments made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network to a personal checking account. Other deposits or credits are not eligible for Early Pay. Funds from eligible direct deposits may not post early.

[5] Bonus rate of 0.10% APY when the owner of this account who will receive the tax statement (the “Tax Reported Owner”) is the Tax Reported Owner of an Ultra Checking account with an average monthly balance of at least $1.00. Minimum balance for consumer is $500. A penalty may be charged for early withdrawal. Fees may reduce earnings on the account.

[6] A 0.25% interest rate discount is available when automatic payments are established from a United Checking account. This discount is not available on mortgage loans or credit card loans. Some restrictions may apply.

[7] Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. Bonus rate of 2.50% APY when all of the following requirements are met: a) the owner of this account who will receive the tax statement (the “Tax Reported Owner”) is the Tax Reported Owner of an Ultra Checking account or a Free Checking account maintained with an average monthly balance of at least $1.00; b) a combined total of at least 20 cleared signature (swipe and sign) credit transactions/non-PIN based debit card transactions on such Ultra Checking account or Free Checking account and cleared credit transactions on a U Boost, U First, or U Rewards credit card account for which the Tax Reported Owner is a cardholder are posted by 11:59 PM ET on the second to last calendar day of the dividend period; c) one direct deposit or electronic auto payment (ACH) from your Ultra Checking account or Free Checking account that is posted by 11:59 PM ET on the second to last calendar day of the dividend period; d) active enrollment in e-statements. Rates may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Consumer money market accounts only; business accounts not eligible. Subject to membership qualifications. 

[8] Members receive up to five (5) free withdrawals per month at non-United ATMs. Withdrawals conducted at CO-OP Network ATMs are surcharge-free. After the five (5) free withdrawals are used, additional non-United ATM withdrawals, as well as withdrawals at CO-OP/Alliance ATMs, may be subject to fees assessed by United Federal Credit Union. Transactions conducted at non-CO-OP bank or privately owned ATMs may also be subject to a surcharge assessed by the ATM owner. Any such surcharge is not imposed, collected, or controlled by United Federal Credit Union.

[9] ATM foreign surcharge fees will be refunded monthly, up to $10/month; excluding international ATMs, balance inquiry, and ATM deposit fees. Members must meet the following monthly requirements to earn ATM foreign surcharge fee refunds: (a) enrollment in eDocuments; (b) at least 1 direct deposit or ACH per month; and (c) a combined total of at least 20 cleared signature (swipe-and-sign/non-PIN) transactions on an Ultra Checking account or cleared credit transactions on a U Boost, U First, or U Rewards credit card account for which the Tax Reported owner is a cardholder are posted by 11:59 PM ET on the second-to-last calendar day of the dividend period.

[10] The services are provided by SavvyMoney, Inc. and do not represent any agreement by United Federal Credit Union to provide any product, service, or other benefit to me. Information provided by SavvyMoney, Inc. is for educational purposes only and does not represent accounting, tax, legal, real-estate, mortgage, and financial planning or investment advice by United Federal Credit Union. The credit report card and score is not used for determining loan rates or loan approval purposes; loan rates and approvals are based on information provided separately to United Federal Credit Union when you apply for a loan. The credit score found in the credit report used by United Federal Credit Union may be different than the credit score provided within SavvyMoney.

[11] Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. Mobile network carrier fees may apply. U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle®. Transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur in minutes. In order to send payment requests or split payment request to a U.S. mobile number, the mobile number must already be enrolled with Zelle®.

[12] My Home Tracker is not an official appraisal and doesn't represent value for any loan purposes at United. Your estimated equity does not represent an offer to lend or approved loan amount. All members will still be required to complete the formal application process to receive a firm offer to lend or exact amount of equity available.

[13] Requires your account is in good standing, which is defined as: A) your checking account has been open for at least 30 days; B) making regular deposits sufficient to cover transactions; C) bringing the account to a positive balance (and maintaining that positive balance for twenty-four hours) at least once every thirty days or less; D) there are no legal orders outstanding on your account; and E) you do not have any loans with us that are more than 30 days past due, we may, at our sole discretion, pay overdrafts up to the limits mentioned above, including our normal Non-Sufficient Funds or Courtesy Pay charge(s). Whether we pay or return an item, your account will be assessed a fee for each transaction, either as a Courtesy Pay charge ($25) or a Non-Sufficient Funds charge, but you will not be charged both fees.

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