Checking accounts

Choose What Checking Account Is Right for You

Compare WECU Checking Accounts

Spend Plus Rewards^†

A checking account that rewards loyalty again and again.

Spend Free Checking^†

A no frills checking account for people that like to keep it simple.

Spend Safe Checking^†

A safe checking account for folks who need a second chance.

First Step Checking

A checking account for kids and teens to build smart money habits

Best For
Minimum Deposit
Minimum Age
Early Payday
Overdraft Protection
ATM Refunds
Member Rewards
Monthly Fee

Spend Plus Rewards^†

A checking account that rewards loyalty again and again.

Best For 8.00% APY¹ on your first $5,000
Minimum Deposit $1
Minimum Age 18
Early Payday
Overdraft Protection
ATM Refunds up to $10/month
Member Rewards View Rewards
Monthly Fee $0 with direct deposit³
Open Account

Spend Free Checking^†

A no frills checking account for people that like to keep it simple.

Best For No minimums after opening
Minimum Deposit $1
Minimum Age 18
Early Payday
Overdraft Protection
ATM Refunds
Spend Plus Points
Monthly Fee $0
Open Account

Spend Safe Checking^†

A safe checking account for folks who need a second chance.

Best For No fees
No overdrafts⁴
Minimum Deposit $1
Minimum Age 18
Early Payday
Overdraft Protection
ATM Refunds
Member Rewards
Monthly Fee $0
Appointment

First Step Checking

A checking account for kids and teens to build smart money habits

Best For 7.00% APY⁵ on their first $250
Minimum Deposit $1
Minimum Age 6
Early Payday
Overdraft Protection
ATM Refunds
Member Rewards
Monthly Fee $0
Open Account

Official Card of the Bellingham Bells

Checking that Gives Back to Youth Baseball

The WECU Bells Debit Card supports local youth baseball and softball with every swipe. No extra steps. Just a better way to support the community you already show up for. Read more about the Bellingham Bells Community Foundation.

Learn More

WECU Checking Account Features

Balance Alerts

Get notified of low or high balances in real time.

Bill Pay

Schedule and pay bills automatically with Bill Pay.

FICO Score

View your FICO score in online banking to monitor your credit.

Mobile Deposits

Deposit checks anytime from your smartphone.

Account Nicknames

Nickname your checking accounts for easier account management.

Save the Difference

Round up debit card purchases and save the difference.

Broad ATM Network

Access 30,000+ surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

The image depicts a calendar showing an upcoming week's schedule with highlighted days and various annotations, including Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Money, $10, $5, and $0. The calendar is set against a dark background.

Member Benefits

Early Payday

Get your paycheck up to two days earlier^‡ with a WECU checking account. You've earned it!

Online services animation, customer support

Get banking on-the-go

Members love WECU Mobile

We know you’re on the move, so banking should never slow you down. Download our 4.8 star** app today to manage your accounts, pay your bills, check your balances and more. Click, swipe tap. It’s as easy as that. Learn more about our online services.

WECU Checking FAQs

What do I need to open a checking account?

To open a checking account at WECU, you will need a government-issued photo ID and your Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). If your ID does not show your current address, please bring in proof of address, such as a utility bill, dated within the last 60 days. WECU also offers checking accounts for individuals without an SSN or ITIN.

How do I open my first checking account?

You can open your first checking account online in less than three minutes! Alternatively, you can book an in-person, video, or phone appointment.

How do I set up direct deposit?

You can set up direct deposit through the “Do More” feature in our mobile app. If you can’t find your employer in the list, our platform can generate a PDF form for you to give to your employer.

Can I open a checking account online?

Yes! You can open a checking account online with WECU in less than three minutes.

How much does it cost to open a checking account?

There is no cost to open a checking account at WECU. The minimum opening deposit for any checking account at WECU is $1.

What is the monthly cost of a checking account?

Our Spend Free and Spend Safe accounts have no monthly costs. Our Spend Plus checking account has a $5 monthly cost, but that cost is waived with a direct deposit amount greater than $100 per month.

How much is the overdraft fee for WECU?

Members can choose to opt into overdraft protection on our Spend Plus and Spend Free checking accounts. Details about WECU’s overdraft fees can be found in the account disclosures or by contacting us. WECU also offers a Spend Safe checking account that does not include overdraft protection, designed to help members manage their finances without the risk of overdraft charges.

My card is expiring, when will the new card be sent out?

Debit cards expire on the last day of the month. Cards are reissued approximately 45 days prior to expiration. It takes 7-10 days for the cards to arrive after they have been sent.

What is WECU?

WECU is a not-for-profit credit union based in Washington state that offers checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, credit cards, mortgages, and digital banking services.

How do I become a WECU member?

You and your family can become members if you live, work, worship, or attend school in Washington. Additionally, if your business is majority-owned and operated within the state, you are also eligible for membership.

Does WECU offer online and mobile banking?

Yes. WECU offers online banking and a mobile app that lets members:

• Deposit checks
• Transfer money
• Pay bills
• Use Zelle
• Manage debit/credit cards
• View eStatements
• Monitor credit scores

Can I use Zelle with WECU?

Yes. WECU supports Zelle for sending and receiving money digitally.

Disclosures

† A minimum opening deposit of $1 is required.
1. APY = Annual percentage yield. 8.00% APY on balances up to $5,000; .05% base APY plus additional 7.95% APY monthly for qualifying accounts with 20 Debit Card Transactions, enrollment in eStatements, and direct deposit greater than $100 per month. Non-qualifying accounts and balances over $5,000 will earn .05% APY. Minimum opening deposit of $1 is required. Fees could reduce earnings. APY is accurate as of 09/12/2023.
2. See Member Rewards Terms and Conditions or contact us for details.
3. Monthly fee is waived with a direct deposit greater than $100 per month; otherwise account is $5 per month.
4. No overdrafts or check writing available on this account. See account disclosures and fees.
5. APY = Annual percentage yield. No monthly fee or minimum balance. $1 to open. First Step Checking is available for ages 6-19 years with a parent/guardian joint signer. It earns 7.00% APY on balances up to $250. Remaining balance is non-dividend-bearing. No overdraft fees. No check writing. First Step Savings and Checking APY is accurate as of April 01, 2024

‡ Early access to automatic deposits depends on the day the money is sent. WECU deposits the funds on the business day the payment is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

** WECU Mobile is rated 4.8 in the Apple App Store and 4.8 in Google Play, as of October 2025.

Open online in minutes

Your money does more when it stays local. Straightforward checking accounts for everyone in Washington State.

Choose What Checking Account Is Right for You

Compare WECU Checking Accounts

Spend Plus Rewards^†

Spend Free Checking^†

Spend Safe Checking^†

First Step Checking

Spend Plus Rewards^†

Spend Free Checking^†

Spend Safe Checking^†

First Step Checking

Official Card of the Bellingham Bells

Checking that Gives Back to Youth Baseball

WECU Checking Account Features

Balance Alerts

Bill Pay

FICO Score

Mobile Deposits

Account Nicknames

Save the Difference

Broad ATM Network

Member Benefits

Early Payday

Get banking on-the-go

Members love WECU Mobile

Open a Checking Account Online Today

WECU Checking FAQs

Disclosures

Choose What Checking Account Is Right for You

Compare WECU Checking Accounts

Spend Plus Rewards†

Spend Free Checking†

Spend Safe Checking†

First Step Checking

Spend Plus Rewards†

Spend Free Checking†

Spend Safe Checking†

First Step Checking

Official Card of the Bellingham Bells

Checking that Gives Back to Youth Baseball

WECU Checking Account Features

Balance Alerts

Bill Pay

FICO Score

Mobile Deposits

Account Nicknames

Save the Difference

Broad ATM Network

Member Benefits

Early Payday

Get banking on-the-go

Members love WECU Mobile

WECU Checking FAQs

Disclosures

Please Note

You are about to leave wecu.com.

We are excited to help you on your home ownership journey!

Spend Plus Rewards^†

Spend Free Checking^†

Spend Safe Checking^†

Spend Plus Rewards^†

Spend Free Checking^†

Spend Safe Checking^†