Update 5/18/22: EFTCU will be rebranded to Liberty Federal Credit Union in September.
Update 6/13/19: Rate will increase to 3.30% APY on 7/1/19.
January 2nd, 2018: Maximum balance has been increased from $15,000 to $20,000.
Offer at a glance
- Interest Rate: 3.30% APY
- Minimum Balance: None
- Maximum Balance: $20,000
- Availability: Nationwide with $5 donation
- Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum specified
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Yes, mixed dp of being inquiry sensitive
- Credit card funding: Up to $1,200. Visa or Mastercard only
- Monthly fees: None
- Insured: NCUA
The Offer
- Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union (ETFCU) offer the Vertical Dividend Checking account, this account earns an APY of 3.30% on balances up to $20,000 when you complete the following requirements each month:
- 15 debit card purchases
- 1 direct deposit
- 1+ online or mobile banking login
- Receive eStatements
- You also get free ATM withdrawals worldwide (up to $15 per month)
Avoiding Fees
This account has no monthly fees
Eligibility
According to the sign up page, anybody can join by making a $5 donation to the Mater Dei Friends & Alumni Association
Our Verdict
One of the better nationwide high interest accounts, it’s nice that it’s a soft pull and you can fund a small amount with a credit card. The high maximum balance is also nice. As always, please share your experiences in the comments below.
Received a flyer in the mail last month… Complete 20 debits for a $10 bonus, or 15 debits for $5. No minimum purchase mentioned.
Did the 1-cent PayPal subscription thing, because my balance was only a couple dollars and wasn’t in the mood to jump through lots of hoops.
Debits posted as “Point Of Sale Withdrawal PAYPAL” from 2/16 – 2/25, 2x per day.
$10 bonus posted on 03/05/25 as “Interest Adjustment-Deposit / DEBIT PURCHASE PROMOTION”.
I received the same flyer but forgot to try something similar. Do you happen to know the expiration date of the promo? Maybe if I’m bored later I will do it.
Sorry, but it’s too late. Mailer said to use the debit card “now through February 28”. Which I thought was weird, because it arrived mid-month, like 2/14. Bonus was due by 3/10.
New link to this
William Charles is https://www.libertyfcu.org/, above link gives a database error.
And they raised their rate to 3.50%
I remember the good old days when Liberty’s rate was near the top!
Indeed, if it wasn’t for the requirements to get this rate, I would have kept it open just in case rates start falling again.
I don’t follow. Since there are no fees, why didn’t you just keep it open with $1 and not do the requirements?
Worded wrong. It was my decision at the time to get rid of any accounts I had that were not earning me any interest.
Can always open it again if need be.
Tried to do a US Bank Business Leverage funding of $1200, declined as it coded as cash advance.
$1200 (max) CC funding posted but available funds still showing $0. Anyone know how long it takes for funds to be made available? Already posted as purchase on my cc.
HOw long did it take to post for you?
I applied for my account 07/23 with the $1200 CC funding.
Account was approved on 07/30
Balance was pending until around 08/06
So in total, took around 2 weeks for the balance to be available
Just opened a new checking account. During sign up, it’s asking for the membership number and PIN. I have copied the membership number. But what is the PIN number?
answer my question: the PIN is the last four of the SSN.
Just FYI, this month’s cash app transactions posted as withdrawal rather than POS for me, may just be time to move on to a different bank since rate isn’t competitive anymore.
Ever since the transfer this account has turned to doo doo.
Are your penny Paypal subscriptions working? I tried to start one this morning and got an error message from Paypal.
Good to hear. I hadn’t done any recently.
CapitalOne Quiksilver
Wells Fargo Active Cash
Chase Ink Unlimited and Chase Ink Cash
Bank of America Premium Rewards
How is everyone taking out their money quickly? Seems like there is only a $1k limit per day..
Push/pull from other side.
I asked them to raise my limits. I’m now at $5k per day, $10k per week and $20k per month