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How much will I earn with Key Checking at today’s rates?
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Key Checking
Essential's Key Checking account is a high yield account for members who meet simple monthly qualifiers. Start earning rewards by using your checking account today! Also, rest easy knowing your money is federally insured up to $250,000.5
1APY=Annual Percentage Yield. Rates may change after account is opened. Minimum to open is $5. If qualifications are met each monthly qualification cycle: (1) Domestic ATM fees incurred during qualification cycle will be reimbursed up to a $20 amount each cycle (up to $5 per single transaction) and credited to account on the last day of monthly statement cycle; (2) balances up to $10,000 receive a high interest rate; and (3) balances over $10,000 earn a lower interest rate on portion of balance over $10,000. If qualifications are not met, all balances earn a specific APY. For rates, please visit our rates page. Qualifying transactions must post to and settle account during monthly qualification cycle. Transactions may take one or more banking days from the date transaction was made to post to and settle an account. ATM transactions do not count towards qualifying debit card transactions. “Monthly Qualification Cycle” means a period beginning one day prior to the first day of the current statement cycle through one day prior to the close of the current statement cycle. Fees may reduce earnings. Transfers between accounts do not count as qualifying transactions. Limit one account per SSN. 2Free automatic loan payments from an Essential account only. 3Essential will not return a check written to a merchant (as long as it does not bring your account below -$500), but will honor the check and draft the money from your account within 30 days. Normal NSF fees apply and there is a $34 service charge each time Safe Pay is implemented. Check eligibility. 4There is a $5.00 fee for transferring money from savings to the overdrawn account using the overdraft protection option. 5$250,000 in total account balances.
Simple Checking
A simple checking account should be just that--simple. All you need is monthly direct deposit or an active loan to start taking advantage of this free checking account.
1Essential will not return a check written to a merchant (as long as it does not bring your account below -$500), but will honor the check and draft the money from your account within 30 days. Normal NSF fees apply and there is a $34 service charge each time Safe Pay is implemented. Check eligibility. 2There is a $5.00 fee for transferring money from savings to the overdrawn account using the overdraft protection option.
Key Checking
Simple Checking
Free VISA Debit Card
Key Checking
Simple Checking
Free Online & Mobile Banking
Key Checking
Simple Checking
Free eStatements
Key Checking
Simple Checking
Earns Dividends
Key Checking
Simple Checking
Requires Qualifiers for Rewards
Key Checking
Simple Checking
No Account Fee
Key Checking
Simple Checking
Money Market
Our Money Market account is perfect for our members with a larger amount to deposit. Benefit from a higher yield, a greater return and, unlike other investment accounts, enjoy the added freedom of withdrawing funds at your convenience.
With a minimum balance of $1,000, our Money Market account allows you to earn variable dividends based on your monthly average balance. The tiers are based on the following balance increments:
1A minimum balance of $1,000.00 is required to avoid a fee and to obtain the APY for the dividend period. See Truth-in-Savings and Fee Schedule for more disclosures.
How to open or add a Checking Account
Non-Members
If you're new to Essential and have not yet established a membership, you will need to do that first. Becoming a member requires a share account and there is a $5 minimum to open a share account (In the credit union world a share account is similar to a savings account).
Once you have established membership, you can then open additional accounts under your membership, such as checking accounts and even certificates!