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compare checking accounts

We offer two fantastic checking accounts - one that earns you rewards 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 Rewards Checking and Ultra Checking accounts. With no minimum balance requirement or fee, both options are a great choice for you.

Ultra Checking

Ultra Checking Account

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.

Rewards Checking

Rewards Checking Account

With a Rewards Checking Account, the card earns reward points when purchases are run as a "credit" (no PIN-based transaction).

ideal for

Members interested in earning points towards cash back.

comparison chart

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

Rewards Checking
Ultra Checking
balances
Minimum Opening Balance
$50
$50
Minimum Balance Required
None Required
None Required
Below Minimum Balance Fee
None
None
features
Dividends
Up to 5.00% APY1
CardPerks Rewards2

The CardPerks Rewards program offers rewards for points earned. Points can be redeemed for cash back.

Learn More
1 point for every $3 spent*
Share Certificate Rate Bonus
Additional 0.10% APY3
Consumer Loan Discount
Additional 0.10% APY4
Elevate Money Market Rate Bonus
Additional 0.50% APY5
Additional 0.50% APY5
ATM
United Deposits / Withdrawals
Free
Free
Co-Op / Alliance ATMs

Members can use CO-OP Network and Alliance One ATMs. CO-OP Network has access available at nearly 30,000 network ATMs nationwide. Alliance One has ATMs in 39 states and territories.

5 free withdrawals per month6
5 free withdrawals per month6
ATM Fee Refund7

Refunds are for ATM fees that occur from using financial institutions nationwide. Conditions apply. Read the fine print at the bottom of the page for more information.

Up to $10 per month
Up to $10 per month
online banking
Online Banking
Free
Free
Online Bill Pay
Free
Free
eStatements
Free
Free
Mobile Check Deposit

Snap, send, done. Simply use your smartphone and the United Mobile Banking app to snap, submit, and deposit your checks electronically.

Learn More
Free
Free
protection
Courtesy Pay Limit

Courtesy Pay is a service that provides certain account holders in "good standing" with the ability to overdraw their personal checking account up to the Courtesy Pay limit.

Learn More
$1,000
$1,000
Overdraft Protection
Available
Available
Deposits Insured By NCUA
Up to $250,000
Up to $250,000
Interested?
*for qualified purchases. Card must be run as a 'credit.' Pin-based transactions do not earn rewards.

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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 3 requirements:

  • Enroll in eStatements
  • Do 1 direct deposit or 1 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] [3] [4] 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] Subject to program CardPerks Terms and Conditions. View Terms and Conditions for more information. 


[5] Bonus rate of 0.50% 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 Rewards 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 Rewards 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); d) active enrollment in e-statements. Rates may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings on the account.


[6] You can use your United debit card to access money at ATMs anytime and anywhere. Enjoy free withdrawals at ATMs owned by United Federal Credit Union. Members are entitled to five (5) free withdrawals per month through CO-OP Network and Alliance One ATMs: CO-OP Network – Access at nearly 30,000 network ATMs nationwide. Text Messaging and GPS available! Alliance One – ATMs in 39 states and territories.


Transactions at ATMs not owned by United Federal Credit Union may incur an additional surcharge from the ATM owner. This fee is not collected nor controlled by United Federal Credit Union.


[7] 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 or Rewards 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.

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