ultra checking account
Earn up to 5.00% APY1 on balances up to $10,000 with a high-yield Ultra Checking Account.
earn up to 5.00% APY1
get more from your checking
What if your checking account did more than just hold your money? What if it could grow it? With Ultra Checking, you can earn up to 5.00% APY¹ on balances up to $10,000, transforming everyday transactions into real savings. It's not just convenient; it's rewarding.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Ultra Checking goes beyond everyday banking by giving you extra perks designed to boost your savings and save you money in multiple ways:
- Share Certificates: Enjoy an additional 0.10% APY bonus.²
- Elevate Money Market: Earn a 2.50% APY bonus with qualifying Ultra Checking activities3.
- Loans: Lower your borrowing cost with 0.25% APR off your rate on new loans.4
- Early Pay: Access to your paycheck up to a few days early—at no extra cost.5
- ATM Fees: Receive up to $10 back monthly in ATM fees.6
Ultra Checking is more than just checking—Keep reading and learn why Ultra Checking is right for you and your loved ones. Get more from your checking, every day. At United, we get U.
Ultra Checking |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Date: June 01, 2026 | |||
| Account Type | Minimum Amount | Dividend Rate | APY1 |
| Base Rate | $0.00 | 0.050% | 0.05% |
| Bonus Rate | $0.00 | 4.841% | 4.95% |
| TOTAL Rate | $0.00 | 4.891% | 5.00% |
| Base Rate | Over $10,000 | 0.100% | 0.10% |
| Bonus Rate | Over $10,000 | 0.000% | 0.00% |
| TOTAL Rate | Over $10,000 | 0.100% | 0.10% |
| [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. | |||
3 easy steps
to maximize your earnings
enroll in eDocuments
Sign up in Digital Banking to receive your statements electronically each month
fund your account
Receive one direct deposit or one electronic payment each month (ACH)
swipe and sign
Make at least 20 monthly signature-based (non-PIN) transactions using your Ultra Checking Debit Card, or in combined with your U Rewards, U First, or U Boost credit card
additional features
We are dedicated to helping every Member within every community we're a part of. Feel at ease knowing we have your back during tough times.
- Keep tabs on your account activity with Visa® Purchase Alerts
- Use Courtesy Pay protection on up to $1,000 for those moments when you don't have enough money in your account7
- Access free personal financial planning and helpful financial seminars.
Manage your money effortlessly through convenient digital banking tools, extensive ATM access, and friendly, local service you can rely on, when you need it.
services at a glance
On-the-go, online, or in-branch. We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the chart below to see all the different ways you can access your Ultra Checking account. The choice is yours at United!
frequently asked questions
Each month, you'll need to complete the following requirements to qualify for the Bonus APY and monthly ATM surcharge fee refunds:
- be enrolled in e-statements
- have 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
- have 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
If you don’t meet the monthly requirements, there’s no penalty or fee. You simply won’t earn the Bonus APY rate. Instead, you’ll earn 0.05% APY¹ on the portion of your daily balance up to $10,000 and 0.10% APY¹ on the portion of your daily balance above $10,000.
We've made it easy to track your progress toward earning Bonus APY rates in Digital Banking. After logging in, you'll find the Bonus Dividend Tracker right on your home screen. The tracker shows your eDocument enrollment status, eligible ACH transactions, and qualifying debit and credit card transactions, so you can quickly see where you stand. It’s important to note that the tracker refreshes overnight each day.
Yes, up to $10 per month⁶. To receive the ATM surcharge fee refund, you must qualify during the same month the fees are incurred. The qualification requirements are the same as those needed to earn the Bonus APY, including:
- be enrolled in e-statements
- have 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
- have 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
If you qualify, following the last day of the dividend period, you’ll be refunded up to $10/month.
Each member is permitted only one Ultra Checking account.
There are several convenient ways to open a new Ultra Checking account at United:
Online or Digital Banking
The fastest and most convenient option is to open your account online—available anytime, 24/7. New members can open an account by clicking here. Existing members can sign in to Digital Banking and take advantage of pre-filled information to make the application process even quicker.
Visit a Branch
Prefer in-person assistance? Stop by any of our 40+ branch locations, and a member of Team United will be happy to help you open your new account.
No. One of the key benefits of Ultra Checking is that there are no monthly maintenance fees, no account fees, and no minimum balance requirements.
The only exception is a $2.50 fee per statement for members who choose to receive paper statements. Enrolling in eDocuments is completely free and allows you to avoid this fee.
No, Ultra Checking does not require a minimum balance.
There is no minimum age requirement to be a primary checking account owner at United. However, if the primary owner is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be listed as a joint owner.
Courtesy Pay6 is available to eligible account holders in good standing and allows personal checking accounts to overdraw up to the Courtesy Pay limit for the specific account type, as outlined below:
- Free Checking – $1,000 Courtesy Pay limit
- Ultra Checking – $1,000 Courtesy Pay limit
If you have established other overdraft protection methods, such as a line of credit or automatic transfer from your other accounts, we will always look to pay any overdraft by those other methods first before paying your overdraft utilizing Courtesy Pay and imposing a Courtesy Pay fee ($25) for each overdraft we pay.
There are several ways to qualify for membership at United. While eligibility qualifications vary by state, it generally includes the following options:
- You live, work, worship, attend schools, perform volunteer activities or conduct business near one of our physical branch locations.
- You currently work for, volunteer at, or have retired from one of United’s 900+ Select Employee Group (SEG) partners.
- You have an immediate family or household member who is a current Member or who is eligible for Membership.
- You choose to join the National American Consumer Council, at no cost to you.
Ready to become a Member today? Click here to join online.
To join, we will need your address, Social Security / government identification number, and your ID. IDs can be in the form of:
- Driver’s License
- State ID
- Passport
- Active Military ID
Absolutely. For the past 28 years, United has consistently earned a 5‑star rating from BauerFinancial, one of the nation’s most respected financial rating agencies. This distinction—combined with capital levels that significantly exceed the NCUA’s “well‑capitalized” threshold—reinforces United’s strength, stability, and commitment to being a safe, financially sound institution for its Members.
Yes. The money you have at United is insured up to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) through the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund and fully backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.
APY = Annual Percentage Yield
[1] 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] A 0.10% APY increase is applicable when the owner of this account, designated as the 'Tax Reported Owner,' also holds the same status for an Ultra Checking account with an average monthly balance of at least $1.00.
[3] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] 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.
[6] 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 eStatements; (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.
[7] 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. Click here for Courtesy Pay disclosures
[8] Zelle and the Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
[9] Apple and the Apple Pay® logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play™ and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
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