Free Checking and Debit Rewards
A free checking account that rewards you with brag-worthy interest rates, plus points.
Goodbye, ho-hum checking. Hello, member rewards.
Say goodbye to ordinary checking and hello to checking that rewards you for your everyday banking. Sign up for a free checking account that earns amazing yields and points for every debit card purchase of $100 or more. The more you use your debit card, the more your points add up!
- Earn up to 5% APY1 on balances up to $10,0002
- Boost your rate when you add a money market account
- Earn points for debit card purchases good at dozens of online retailers
- Manage your account via online and mobile banking
- Schedule automated bill payments online and avoid late fees
- Get your paycheck up to one day early3
- Get cash when you need it with no out-of-network ATM fees
- All deposits federally insured by NCUA for up to $250,000
Select your location to view rates.
Checking Rates
Showing rates for
Effective Date 12/05/2025
* APY = Annual Percentage Yield. All dividend rates and APY may change at any time, as determined by GLCU Board of Directors. The APYs shown above assume that all principal and dividends remain on deposit for the entire term. Fees could reduce earnings on the above accounts.
**
Tier 1: Accounts with 0-19 debit card transactions per month balances of $1.00 and over, will earn ::checking-tier-1:: APY.
Tier 2: Accounts with 20-39 debit card transactions per month and enrolled in e-statements will earn ::checking-tier-2:: APY on balances between $0-$10,000. Balances $10,001 and above will earn .05% APY.
Tier 3: Accounts with 40 or more transactions per month and e-statements will earn ::checking-tier-3:: APY on balances between $0-$10,000. Balances $10,001 and above will earn .05% APY.
The dividend rate may be calculated using two different rates. The dividend rate will appear as a blended APY on your monthly statement.
Do more than bank. Bank for a greater good. Join our membership and be part of the Great Lakes Credit Union story.
Debit Card Rewards
Enjoy exclusive savings on everything from apparel to travel, courtesy of our debit card rewards program – a small “thank you” for your membership.
Invite a Friend
Know someone looking for a not-for-profit financial institution that lets them bank for a greater good? Send them our way!
Testimonials
“I’ve gotten great customer service from Great Lakes Credit Union. When I go into the branch there is always someone there with a smile ready to help.”
Free Checking FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Don’t see an answer to your question here? Contact us, and a team member will be happy to help.
A high-yield checking account offers higher interest rates on your balance than traditional checking accounts, which helps your money grow faster. It’s ideal for both short- and long-term savings goals.
It’s easy! Simply open a Share Savings Account to become a GLCU member, then open your Free Checking Account and start enjoying all the perks of membership. Contact us or visit a branch to get started.4
A GLCU Money Market Account is similar to a savings account in that you can access your money as needed. Unlike a regular savings account, however, a Money Market account pays dividends to the account holder. Money Market accounts also have higher minimum balance requirements.
Yes, you can access your funds when you need them through ATMs, debit cards, online banking, and by writing checks.
Yes! There are no minimum balance requirements to open a GLCU Free Checking Account — and no monthly service fee or hidden fees!
Yes! You will receive a debit card with your GLCU Free Checking Account. If you need a new one, give us a call or stop by any of our branches. We’ll print up a new card for you in minutes.
Free Checking balances of over $10,000 will earn the standard savings rate. The dividend rate may be calculated using two different rates and will appear as a blended APY on your monthly statement.
Interest and dividends are both ways that investors can earn money, but where they come from and how they’re paid are different. Interest is money earned by lending money. When you deposit money in an interest-bearing account or buy a bond, you’re lending your money to the bank or bond issuer, which pays you interest in return. Dividends are payments made by an organization (such as a credit union) to its shareholders (members of the credit union) out of its profits. Credit union members own a “share” of the organization and are entitled to some of its profits, which are distributed as dividends. The dividend rate of a particular financial product, such as a checking account or share certificate, is determined by the credit union’s board of directors.
Share Certificates
Lock in a great rate with flexible terms of six months to five years. Guaranteed returns help you meet your savings goals and plan for the future.
Maxmize your Membership
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Bank online or on the go with features like free bill pay and mobile deposit at your busy fingertips. -
Take care of business with cash management solutions from ACH Origination to Positive Pay.
Disclosure:
1APY = Annual Percentage Yield. All dividend rates and APY may change at any time. The APYs shown above assume that all principal and dividends remain on deposit for the entire term. Fees could reduce earnings on the above accounts. The dividend rate may be calculated using two different rates. The dividend rate will appear as a blended APY on your monthly statement.
2Tier 1: Accounts with 0-19 debit card transactions per month balances of at least $1.00 will earn 0.05% APY. Tier 2: Accounts with 20-39 debit card transactions per month and enrolled in e-statements will earn 2.75% APY on balances from $0-$10,000. Balances $10,001 and above will earn .05% APY. Tier 3: Accounts with 40 or more transactions per month and e-statements will earn 5.00% APY on balances from $0-$10,000. Balances $10,001 and above will earn .05% APY. Balances over $10,000 earn 0.05% APY. The dividend rate may be calculated using two different rates. The dividend rate will appear as a blended rate on your monthly statement.
3Depends on when your payer sends funds. Early direct deposit is available for GLCU members with a checking or savings account who have set up electronic direct deposit with their employer or other payor into their eligible GLCU checking or savings account. Certain non-payroll and tax payments are not eligible for early direct deposit. Direct deposits may be available up to one day before the settlement date (the date your payer tells GLCU to release the funds to you). However, GLCU is dependent on the timing of your payer’s payment instructions so you may not see all direct deposits, or every direct deposit, arrive early.
4Opening a GLCU account typically takes one business day, thanks to GLCU’s partnership with Plaid, a fintech company that facilitates communication between financial services apps and users’ banks and credit card providers. Read GLCU’s privacy policy for Plaid here.
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