We know you work hard for your money. You deserve to save wherever you can, and we're here to help. We offer free checking as well as interest-earning checking accounts.
We also have special accounts for seniors, and youth accounts designed to help teens and college students build independence and responsibility. In fact, Golden 1 was named 2022 Best Credit Union for Teens and College Students by NerdWallet.com.
Explore our checking options below!
Free Checking
Free Checking is a great option for people who want a basic account with no monthly maintenance fees. This account does not earn dividends.
*Wireless carrier text or data fees may apply.
**Must be 18 years of age or older.
All third-party companies, products, and service names are for identification purposes only. All service marks, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
MarketRate CheckingSM
Introducing MarketRate Checking! This high-yield checking account pays the dividends of a higher earning savings account with the flexibility of a checking account, including unlimited transfers and withdrawals. If you regularly keep a higher balance in your checking account, it’s a smart way to earn returns on your money.
Start earning higher yields on your checking account today.
*Wireless carrier text or data fees may apply
**Must be 18 years of age or older.
***Fees could reduce earnings
All third-party companies, products, and service names are for identification purposes only. All service marks, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Premium CheckingSM
This dividend-earning account is ideal if you routinely keep a minimum daily balance of $1,000 or more in your checking account. This account maximizes your dividend-earning potential while providing convenient access to your funds, including unlimited withdrawals and deposits.
*Wireless carrier text or data fees may apply
**Must be 18 years of age or older.
***Fees could reduce earnings
All third-party companies, products, and service names are for identification purposes only. All service marks, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Student Checking
Start your life-long financial journey with a free checking account that helps you easily track your money – so you can stay focused on achieving your academic goals.
To 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 18 must have a parent or legal guardian as a joint owner. Applicants over 18 must affirm attendance at a high school, college, university, or trade school. This account does not earn dividends.
1Wireless carrier text or data fees may apply.
2Golden 1 provides Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized transactions on your card. To be covered the cardholder must safeguard their account information and notify Golden 1 promptly of any unauthorized transactions. Certain conditions and limitations can apply. For more information about consumer liability for unauthorized transactions, please refer to your Golden 1 Disclosure of Account Information. Visit our Golden 1 Identity Theft and Fraud page for additional information.
3Must be 18 years of age or older.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. All third-party companies, products, and service names are for identification purposes only. All service marks, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle®. Transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur in minutes. Please see the Golden 1 Digital Banking Services Agreement for the full terms and conditions.
4Early deposit of funds is not guaranteed and is dependent on the timing of funding by the payer.
Compare Checking Accounts
| No minimum deposit required to open account* |
| No monthly maintenance fee |
| Mobile, Online, and Text Banking services* |
| Mobile Deposit |
| Free first box of Golden 1 Custom Image 40-pack checks |
| Debit Card (subject to approval) |
| Free access to over 30,000 Golden 1 and CO-OP Network ATMs |
| Golden PrestigeSM Package Add-on (for members 62 or older) |
| Apply Online |
| Earns dividends with a minimum daily balance of $1,000 |
| Mobile, Online, and Text Banking services* |
| Mobile Deposit |
| $15 monthly fee waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $10,000 or more, OR you are enrolled in Golden Prestige℠*** |
| Debit Card (subject to approval) |
| Free access to over 30,000 Golden 1 and CO-OP Network ATMs |
| Golden PrestigeSM Package Add-on (for members 62 or older) |
| Minimum $25 opening deposit |
| Free first box of Golden 1 Custom Image 40-pack checks |
| Apply Online |
| Minimum $25 opening deposit |
| Earns dividends with a minimum daily balance of $1,000 |
| Mobile, Online, and Text Banking services* |
| Mobile Deposit |
| Free first box of Golden 1 Custom Image 40-pack checks |
| The $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℠*** |
| Debit Card (subject to approval) |
| Free access to over 30,000 Golden 1 and CO-OP Network ATMs |
| Golden PrestigeSM Package Add-on (for members 62 or older) |
| Apply Online |
| No minimum deposit required to open account* |
| No monthly maintenance fee |
| Mobile and Online Banking, including Mobile Deposits1 |
| Free access to over 30,000 Golden 1 and CO-OP Network ATMs |
| Contactless Debit Card (subject to approval) with Zero Liability Protection2 for unauthorized purchases |
| Card Management features let you set alerts and transaction limits, turn your card on and off, and add cards to your mobile wallet |
| Pay people you trust with Zelle®3 |
| Get paid up to 2 days early4 with Direct Deposit |
| Free personalized financial education for each stage of your life |
| Apply Online |
*You must keep a minimum of $1 in a Regular Savings account to maintain membership. See Fee Schedule for more information.
All checking accounts include:
Golden 1 Debit Card Makes Your Life Easier!
Concerned about fraud? Golden 1 Debit card is chip-enabled and contactless, making purchases fast, easy, and more secure. For ultimate convenience, download the card into your mobile wallet to pay with your smart phone!
Enable transaction controls and alerts to receive push notifications1 when your card is used to make a purchase. And if there is unauthorized activity on your card, you’re covered with Zero Liability Protection2.
A Golden 1 Debit Card3 comes with your checking account, along with access to 30,000 fee free ATMs nationwide! These are just some of the many benefits of being a Golden 1 member!
Questions about contactless cards? See our FAQs
1Message and data rates may apply. Check with your mobile provider.
2Golden 1 provides Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized transactions on your card. To be covered the cardholder must safeguard their account information and notify Golden 1 promptly of any unauthorized transactions. Certain conditions and limitations can apply. For more information about consumer liability for unauthorized transactions, please refer to your Golden 1 Disclosure of Account Information. Visit our Golden 1 Identity Theft and Fraud website for additional information.
3Subject to approval.
Ordering Checks
Whether you're re-ordering, changing your address, or choosing your first batch of checks, you can use any of these three ways to order. Select from a wide range of check styles. What works best for you?
- Online through Online Banking:
- Sign on to your Online Banking account
- Click on your Checking account
- On the Account Details page, click on More Actions
- Select Order Checks
- At your local branch
- By phone: 1-877-465-3361
That's it! You should receive your checks within two weeks.
Amazon One
Meet Amazon One. A free, contactless, and secure way to pay for your favorite things using your palm. Ditch your wallet—either physical or digital— and just hover your palm over an Amazon One device. It’s that easy, because it’s built off the most powerful thing of all: your identity.
Signing up is simple and takes less than a minute. Once you’re signed up, you can use your palm to enter, identify, and pay wherever Amazon One is available.
So, go for it. Pre-enroll online today and add your Golden 1 card to your Amazon One ID.
No phone? No wallet? No problem. No matter where your to-do list takes you, you have what you need.
Learn more about Amazon One.
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