Checking accounts

Smart, secure, simple: Find the right checking account that fits your needs, wherever you are in life's journey.

Open a checking account

Checking accounts made for you

Free Checking

Simple, straightforward banking designed for your daily spending needs.

  • $0 minimum deposit to open*
  • $0 monthly maintenance fee*

Apply for Free CheckingLearn about Free Checking

Premium Checking

Higher balances unlock higher dividends each month.

  • $25 minimum opening deposit to open*
  • Earns dividends with a minimum daily balance of $1,000+
  • Monthly maintenance fees are waived with direct deposit or minimum daily balance of $5001

Apply for Premium CheckingLearn about Premium Checking

MarketRate Checking

Boost your savings with our highest-earning checking account.

  • $25 minimum deposit to open*
  • Dividends are paid on balances of $1,000+ and increase with higher balances
  • Monthly maintenance fees are waived on balances of $10,000+2

Apply for MarketRate CheckingLearn about MarketRate Checking

Easy Checking

The perfect account if you’re new to banking or haven’t had a checking account for some time. This account is Bank On certified3.

  • $0 minimum deposit to open*
  • $0 monthly maintenance fee*
  • $0 overdraft fees

Apply for Easy CheckingLearn about Easy Checking

Student Checking

This Bank On Certified account, designed for students aged 13-24, helps you track your money so you can stay focused on your academic goals.

  • For students between 13 and 24 years old4
  • $0 minimum deposit to open*
  • $0 monthly maintenance fees*

Apply for Student CheckingLearn about Student Checking

Golden Prestige

A special add-on package of services available to our golden members, 62 years and older.

  • $0 monthly maintenance fee*
  • $0 check charges
  • Custom image checks - two free boxes per year!

Call 1 (877) 465‑3361Learn about Golden Prestige

Personal banking built around you

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Mobile money

Manage your money anywhere with the Golden 1 mobile app and online banking portal.

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Early paydays

Setup your account with direct deposit, and you can get paid up to two days early5.

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Credit scores

Keep tabs on your credit health with insights, score reports, and more from Credit Sense.

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Zelle®

From splitting tabs to paying the babysitter, Zelle®6 makes money transfers easy.

Benefits you can count on

Experience the Golden 1 difference and discover why 1 million California members love us.

Explore member benefits

FAQs - How to join


  • All Californians can join!

    If you live or work in California, you are eligible. Just open a Golden 1 savings account with $1.

    Non-Californians may join if they are a family member or registered domestic partner of a current Golden 1 member, or a member of one of nearly 1,000 Select Employee Groups.

*You must keep a minimum of $1 in a Regular Savings account to maintain membership. For more, see Fee Schedule and Disclosure of Account Information.

1The $8 monthly maintenance fee is waived if you: Have electronic Direct Deposit of a recurring paycheck or retirement check into your Premium Checking Account, OR maintain a minimum daily balance of $500, OR maintain an aggregate savings balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of savings accounts under the same membership as the Premium Checking Account during the statement period at the time the monthly maintenance fee is assessed, OR Are enrolled in Golden Prestige℠.

2The $15 monthly maintenance fee is waived if you: maintain a minimum daily balance of $10,000 or more, OR are enrolled in Golden Prestige℠. Fees could reduce earnings.

3The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s national Bank On platform supports local coalition and financial institution efforts to connect consumers to safe, affordable bank accounts. Bank On certified accounts are not eligible for Courtesy Pay

4To be eligible for this account, you must be a student between the ages of 13 and 24. When you turn 25, your Student Checking account will convert automatically to a Free Checking account. Applicants under age 16 must have a parent or legal guardian as a joint owner. Individual applicants ages 16 and 17 and all applicants over 18 must affirm attendance at a high school, college, university, or trade school. This account does not earn dividends. Accounts with owners ages 16-17 without adults will not have access to Zelle®, external transfer service, and Bill Pay.

5Early deposit of funds is not guaranteed and is dependent on the timing of funding by the payer.

6Online Bill Payment and Zelle® are only available for members 18 or older. There is no fee to use Zelle® in the Golden 1 Mobile Banking app and Online Banking. However, other fees may be assessed based on usage. Message and data rates may apply. Check with your mobile provider. Other fees such as, but not limited to, Golden 1 Courtesy Pay or Overdraft Protection fees may apply, if enrolled in those or other available programs.

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