Offer at a glance
- Interest Rate: 3% APY
- Minimum Balance: None
- Maximum Balance: $15,000
- Availability: MI, NV only
- Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum mentioned. It does say just an ACH deposit is required.
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Up to $1,000
- Monthly fees: None
- Insured: NCUA
The Offer
- United Federal Credit Union Ultra Checking account offers 3% APY on balances up to $15,000 when the following requirements are met:
- eStatements
- 10 debit transactions
- 1 ACH deposit (no minimum specified)
Avoiding Fees
There doesn’t seem to be any monthly fees to worry about.
Our Verdict
Relatively easy requirements to meet, will add this to the best high yield savings accounts.
Hat tip to PrudentVeterinarian0
Has anyone tried to open this lately? The buttons on the website are greyed out and don’t work at all. Tried 2 different browsers. Is is just me or ??
I opened account in April 2021 and am earning the 3% up to 15K. I was able to use Citi Double cash to fund account up to 1,000. AMEX is supposed to be accepted but would not work. At first Citi declined but let me go ahead after a quick verification. I had to specifically request a debit card and had to work with CS to e-sign documents to opt-out of overdraft protection (this option is not given during application). Opening the account did NOT cause a hard pull to my credit. There’s a five dollar join fee that sits as untouchable credit in the savings account (opening savings acct required but no fees with checking acct). Supposedly this 5 dollars is refundable once acct is closed. As for the 10 monthly credits, I was able to trigger successfully with Amazon and CashApp reloads. Setting up external transfers is a pain. They do the old-school micro-deposits AND they call to verify you on the first transaction. Seems a little much. To my knowledge, if a branch is located anywhere in your state they will accept your application. There is only a single branch in my state of Ohio (I don’t live near the branch at all) and I was approved. In my experience, the chat reps are way better than the phone operators. The bill pay option can only send checks, they cannot send directly to an external acct which can be a pain for some folks. The Android app works fine and includes mobile deposit. What’s interesting is that first 500 of check deposit is immediately available while the balance clears a few days later. That’s my experience, I hope it’s useful to someone.
Thanks for such detailed information!
I don’t know what to make of this CU … They’re very sensitive about everything, Great if you just want to keep 15K in your account, and get 3%. If not, I would stay away.
What do you mean by “very sensitive about everything”? Could you please elaborate (your experience) a little bit more?
Bank is Chex sensitive.
No, it is definitely not Chex-sensitive.
Guys, my penny loads at my local gas station counted towards the 10 monthly debit card purchases for the 3% APY. Each load was around 2 to 3 cents hehe
Beware of this credit union. They stole my $1000 deposit and won’t let me login or even close my account until I send them reference letters from my linked bank accounts. The fraud department makes their own rules. I don’t know if they are even legal. There is a particularly unprofessional and rude woman that works there and she hates me, so she keeps requiring more information. I already sent them bank statements. This credit union is the most unprofessional ever. They are so disorganized. I even offered to call the banks while they were on the line. Should I file CFPB and NCUA complaints?
What happened finally? Did you get your money back? Could you please tell us the full story….why they are asking for the reference letters?
They request 10 signature-based (non-PIN) debit card transactions posted to account, what is the best and cheapest way to meet this requirement?
10 debit card swipes at the gas station. I swipe my card 3-4 times/visit
During application, I have to choose the “Credit Card Report Agreement”. Just want to confirm it will be a “soft pull”.
Yes. My account was opened today. Actually they almost gave me 2 accounts but lol. Someone called me asking if I was really planning to open 2 savings and 2 checking accounts lol. I started 2 applications and one was approved while the other one went pending. I told the lady I didn’t need 2. I was scared of raising concerns if I have told her “yes please keep both accounts”.
Friends, quick question. What is the best and cheapest way to meet the 10 transactions requirement? $1 Venmo transactions, $1Amazon GC? I don’t use Amazon that much so I would rather not have to spend $10/month in GCs.
DoC has a list with some ideas posted: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/bank-accounts/how-to-meet-minimum-debit-credit-transaction-requirements/
re cheapest: Take a look at your existing spend. There are probably some purchases that can be broken into smaller transactions. Bills might be the best place to start. This way, you’re not having to spend any more than you do already.
United FCU also has branches in six other states, including Nevada – I can’t speak for any other states, but this account is available for Nevada residents as well.