How to Choose the Right Checking Account
Choosing a checking account starts with understanding how you plan to use it. United Federal Credit Union offers three distinct checking account options: Free Checking1, Ultra Checking, and SafeSpend, each designed with different features and benefits in mind. Whether you’re looking for simple everyday banking, built‑in spending limits, or the opportunity to earn dividends and rewards, this guide breaks down how each checking account works so you can make an informed choice.
Free Checking1
Free Checking is designed for simplicity and transparency. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees, so long as you’re enrolled in eDocuments, which you can do as soon as you set up the account.
Key features:
- No minimum balance requirements, just $50 to set up
- No monthly maintenance fee
- Easy everyday banking with digital tools
- Deposit checks from your phone using mobile check deposit in the United app
Ultra Checking2
Ultra Checking is designed for members who use their checking account actively and want to earn more value in return. Unlike basic checking options, Ultra Checking offers the opportunity to earn bonus dividends and monthly ATM fee refunds when certain account activity requirements are met. This account is a good fit for members who keep a higher balance in checking and regularly use features like direct deposit and debit card purchases.
Key features:
- No minimum balance or monthly fees
- Get reimbursed for ATM fees3
- Bank digitally, wherever you are
- Earn more on your checking balance: When you meet a few monthly activity requirements, you can earn bonus dividends on balances up to $10,000. If not, the account still works like normal checking.
To earn the bonus dividend rate and ATM fee refunds, members must:
- Be enrolled in eDocuments
- Have at least one direct deposit or ACH transaction post each month
- Complete a required number of qualifying debit card or credit card transactions during the month
If those requirements aren’t met, the account still functions as a checking account, but it earns the base dividend rate instead of the bonus rate.
SafeSpend
SafeSpend is designed to prevent overspending by limiting purchases to available funds and declining transactions that exceed the balance. If there isn’t enough money in the account to cover a transaction, it will be declined and more importantly, you won’t be fined.
Key features:
- Avoid overdrafts altogether
- Helps you budget carefully and managing spending limits
- Only spend what you’ve deposited
- $5 monthly maintenance fee (waived for primary account holders 25 or younger, and for Members over 25 who also have an Ultra, or Free checking account)
Take 10 Minutes to Feel Confident About Your Checking Account
Checking accounts shouldn’t feel stressful or unpredictable. Here are two easy steps to help you feel in total control of your checking account.
How to enroll in eDocuments to avoid the paper statement fee
- Log in to United Digital Banking (online or through the United app)
- Navigate to ‘shortcuts’
- Click ‘eDocuments’
How to set up low balance alerts
- Log in to United Digital Banking (online or through the United app)
- Navigate to Settings
- Select Account Alerts
- Choose your checking account
- Turn on a Low Balance Alert and set the dollar amount that makes sense for you (for example, $50, $25, or $10)
- Choose how you’d like to receive alerts, such as email and/or text message
Get Personalized Help
If you’re unsure which checking account fits your lifestyle, a conversation can make all the difference. United Federal Credit Union’s team is here to answer questions, explain your options, and help you choose an account that supports your goals, whether you’re ready to open one now or just starting to explore.
Book a no-pressure appointment with a Member Service Advisor and get answers to your questions in person, or call (888) 982-1400.
Insured by NCUA. Membership is subject to eligibility.
[1] 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.
[2] 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.
[3] ATM foreign surcharge fees will be refunded monthly up to $10/ month; excludes 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) 1 direct deposit or ACH per month from a Ultra checking account that is posted by 11:59 PM ET on the second to last calendar day of the dividend period; 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.