A Better Way To Bank
High-Interest Checking
BCU’s PowerPlus™ Checking offers rates up to 8.00% APY*, nearly 50 times higher1 than rates at national big banks!
Higher Rates
Earn up to 8.00% APY on balances up to $15,000.*
Fewer Fees
Up to $20/month in ATM fee refunds* and no monthly maintenance fees.
Earlier Payday
Access your money up to two days ahead of your scheduled payday.2
Our members come first. You come first.
As a credit union, we're owned by our members. Everything we do is to serve members like you— not faceless stockholders. That's why you'll find lower rates, lower fees (and no fees when possible), higher dividends and more innovative products and services than you'd get at many financial institutions.
Bank how and when you want – we’re open 24/7!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why BCU?
BCU is one of the nation's Top 100 credit unions, serving over 325,000 members in the United States and Puerto Rico. You'll find lower fees, fewer fees (and no fees when possible), greater rewards and more innovative products and services than other big banks.
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What is the introductory offer?
Memberships opened with a PowerPlus™ Checking between July 1 – December 31, 2024 will automatically receive the introductory offer. During the introductory period, Level 1 will earn 4.00% APY and Level 2 will earn 8.00% APY on balances up to $15,000. The account must meet all requirements to achieve either Level 1 or Level 2 for all three months to be eligible to receive the respective higher APY.
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What is PowerPlus Checking?
Our most popular account! PowerPlus Checking is our high-interest checking account that gives you the power to earn more with up to 4.00% APY*, unlimited ATM refunds and no monthly maintenance fees in the months you qualify.
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How do I qualify for the benefits?
Meet three monthly requirements to qualify for Level 1 or Level 2:
- Direct Deposit: Make at least $1,000 in direct deposits for Level 1 and $3,000 or more for Level 2
- Qualifying Transactions: Make 15 qualifying transactions for Level 1 and 30 for Level 2.
- eStatements: Sign up for paperless statements in Digital Banking.
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How many PowerPlus Checking accounts can I have?
PowerPlus checking accounts are limited to one account per member.
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What are the different checking account options offered by the Credit Union?
The Credit Union offers a variety of checking account options—all with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements:
PowerPlus™ Checking—allows you to earn a great dividend rate on balances up to $15,000*, provides unlimited monthly ATM fee refunds and simplified monthly qualifications
Simply Checking™—a basic account for your day-to-day transactions
Minors over the age of 16 are eligible to open a checking account if a parent or legal guardian is listed as the joint account holder on the membership.
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What if I don't meet the qualifications for the PowerPlus Checking interest and non-BCU ATM fee reimbursement benefits?
If you don't meet the qualifications, don't sweat it. You won't be penalized, and will continue to enjoy no minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees as well as easy access to your account.
Next Steps:
You've selected PowerPlus™ Checking
Great choice, get ready to save and earn!
Would you like to pair your PowerPlus Checking with other accounts?
Note: All memberships come with a Regular Savings* account.
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Disclosure
PowerPlus Checking
* To earn monthly dividends and reimbursements of other banks’ ATM surcharge fees up to $5.00 per transaction, your account must meet all three of these requirements monthly to qualify for Level 1 or Level 2. Please note, ATM surcharge fees are covered up to $5.00 per transaction, any remaining ATM surcharge fee over $5.00 will not be reimbursed. To achieve Level 1, you must have monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1000 into your PowerPlus Checking account on an ongoing monthly basis, enrollment in eStatements and completion of at least fifteen (15) qualified transactions. To achieve Level 2, you must have direct deposits totaling at least $3000 into your PowerPlus Checking account on an ongoing monthly basis, enrollment in eStatements and completion of at least thirty (30) qualified transactions. Qualified transactions include any combination of the following: BCU Debit Card PIN, Debit Card signature, credit card purchases, Online Bill Pay or ACH payments, which will apply toward the monthly requirements in the month they post to your account. Credit card transactions that post on the last day of the month will be applied toward the following month’s transaction total. Accounts not meeting all monthly requirements will not earn dividends and will not receive reimbursements of other banks’ ATM surcharge fees. Rates accurate as of 11/1/2024. The dividend rate and annual percentage yield (APY) may change at any time. Balances up to $15,000 will earn the stated higher rate and the portion of the balance over $15,000 will earn the stated lower rate. See rate sheet or website for current rates. There is no minimum balance required to earn dividends. Dividends are paid monthly and calculated based on the average daily balance method. Fees may reduce earnings. PowerPlus Checking is available as a personal account only and is limited to one account per member. When Opted In, if you do not have sufficient available funds in your checking account to clear a presented item, funds may automatically transfer from your savings or money market share and may count towards withdrawal limitations for that savings or money market share (Electronic funds transfers from savings and money market shares, which include overdraft transfers are limited to six per month). Each electronic funds transfer in excess of six per month is subject to a $3 excessive withdrawal fee. See Service Charges and Fees Schedule in Consumer Member Service Agreement for further details. PowerPlus™ Checking is a trademark of BCU.
1 Calculation is based on the national deposit rate for interest checking of 0.08 as of 4/15/2024. Source: S&P Capital IQ Pro; SNL Financial Data. Calculations: FDIC. Interest checking rates are based on the $2,500 product tier. Visit FDIC: National Rates and Rate Caps to access published information.
2 Direct deposit allows you to receive payroll and other electronic deposits up to two days ahead of your scheduled payday. It’s important to note, funds are not AVAILABLE for you to spend until they are reflected in the AVAILABLE BALANCE. Please be sure to confirm available funds in your account before withdrawing against this deposit. While BCU will try wherever possible to advance payroll direct deposits by up to 2 days, availability of funds ahead of the original scheduled pay date is not guaranteed. You should not rely on direct deposit to satisfy the needs of scheduled bill or loan payments, or any other date-sensitive financial obligations.Rainy Day Savings
3Rainy Day Savings is a tiered, dividend-bearing account based on qualifying activity and balance. To qualify for the stated annual percentage yield (APY), a deposit must be made monthly of at least $25.00. The specified Dividend Rate for each tier will apply only to the portion of the account balance that is within that tier. The annual percentage yields, which vary depending on the balance in the account, are shown for each tier. During the first calendar month the account is opened only, a member may deposit up to $50,000.00. Deposits exceeding the first month maximum deposit will be transferred to the member’s Regular Savings account. Balances above $25,000.00 and up to $50,000 will earn a different rate as posted. Balances above $50,000 will earn a different rate as posted. For months in which the minimum deposit requirement is not fulfilled, the Regular savings rate will be paid. Rates are subject to change without notice. An allowance of four withdrawals are permitted each calendar year, any additional withdrawals will result in a $25 excessive withdrawal fee which may reduce earnings. Rainy Day Savings is available as a personal account only and limited to one account per member.
Money Market
4The dividend rate and annual percentage yield (APY) may change at any time. Dividends are calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. The dividend period for this account is monthly. Dividends will begin to accrue on the business day non-cash items are placed (for example checks) into the account. During any statement cycle, no more than six withdrawals or transfers to another credit union account or to a third party by means of a preauthorized, automatic, or computer transfer or telephonic order or instruction. Exceeding the withdrawal limit will result in a $3 fee for each additional transaction and the account may be subject to closure by the credit union. Balances that fall below $1,000 will earn the Regular savings rate.
IRA Money Market dividends are calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. The dividend period for this account is monthly. Dividends will begin to accrue on the business day you place non-cash items (for example checks) to your account. IRA Money Markets are not available in Puerto Rico.
Money Market Special
4AOffer valid for new Money Market Special account with a minimum opening balance of $15,000 in new money. New money is defined as money not on deposit with BCU at or within 90 days prior to account opening. This is a tiered rate account. Rates and Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) accurate as of 11/1/2024. Balances below $15,000, you will earn the stated lower rate of 0.05% with an APY of 0.05% and balances of $15,000 and over will earn the higher stated rate of 1.74% with an APY of 1.45%. The rates and APYs are variable and may change. There is no minimum balance to earn an APY. Dividends are calculated by using the Average Daily Balance method, which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. The dividend rate for a particular tier will apply to the entire balance if the average daily account balance is within the balance range for that tier. Dividends will be compounded and credited monthly. The dividend period begins on the first calendar day of the period and ends on the last calendar day of the period. Dividends will begin to accrue on non-cash deposits (e.g. checks) on the day after you make the deposit to your account. If you close your account before accrued dividends are credited, accrued dividends will not be paid. Six withdrawal transactions per month are allowed. No more than six preauthorized, automatic, or telephone transfers may be made from this account to another account of yours or to a third party in any month. If you exceed the transfer or withdrawals limitations, your account may be subject to a $3 excessive withdrawals fee for each transaction that exceeds the monthly six transaction limit and closure by BCU. See Service and Fee Schedule in BCU Consumer Member Service Agreement at http://www.BCU.org for a list of fees applicable to this account.
4BThe dividend rate and annual percentage yield (APY) may change at any time. Dividends are calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. The dividend period for this account is monthly. Dividends will begin to accrue on the business day non-cash items are placed (for example checks) into the account. During any statement cycle, no more than six withdrawals or transfers to another credit union account or to a third party by means of a preauthorized, automatic, or computer transfer or telephonic order or instruction. Exceeding the withdrawal limit will result in a $3 fee for each additional transaction and the account may be subject to closure by the credit union. Balances that fall below $1,000 will earn the Regular savings rate.
IRA Money Market dividends are calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day. The dividend period for this account is monthly. Dividends will begin to accrue on the business day you place non-cash items (for example checks) to your account. IRA Money Markets are not available in Puerto Rico.