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 maximum 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.
New Generation CheckingSM
New Generation Checking is an easy-to-maintain account designed for teens between the ages of 13 and 17 who want to learn how to manage a checking account responsibly. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian sign as a joint owner on the account until the teen reaches the age of 18. Once the teen turns 18, the account will convert to a Free Checking account. This account does not earn dividends.
*Wireless carrier text or data fees may apply.
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.
Freedom CheckingSM
Golden 1 Freedom CheckingSM is a free account that can help students ages 16 and 17 manage their money independently. To be eligible for this free account, students must maintain a B grade average or higher. Once the teen turns 18, the account converts to a Free Checking account. This account does not earn dividends.
* Wireless carrier text or data fees may apply.
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
Student Checking is a free checking account that offers college students convenient access to their funds. To be eligible for this account, you must be a student age 17 or older and be able to provide proof of enrollment, acceptance, or attendance at any college or university. After five years, your Student Checking account will convert automatically into a Free Checking account. 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.
Compare Checking Accounts
| No minimum deposit required to open account |
| No monthly maintenance fee |
| Mobile, Online, and Text Banking services* |
| Mobile Deposit |
| Online Bill Payment service and Popmoney® personal payment service (for person-to-person payments)** |
| 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 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* |
| Online Bill Payment service and Popmoney® personal payment service (for person-to-person payments)** |
| 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 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 |
| Online Bill Payment service and Popmoney® personal payment service (for person-to-person payments)** |
| 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 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, 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 ATMs |
| Apply Online |
| Withdrawal and deposit funds without the presence of a parent or legal guardian |
| 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 ATMs |
| Visit a Branch |
| No minimum deposit required to open account |
| No monthly maintenance fee |
| Mobile, Online, and Text Banking services* |
| Mobile Deposit |
| Online Bill Payment service and Popmoney® personal payment service (for person-to-person payments)** |
| 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 ATMs |
| Visit a Branch |
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.
