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Great Lakes Credit Union has everything you need to help manage your money and plan for the future.
Checking and Money Market Accounts
Earn up to 5.00% APY* with GLCU Free Checking on balances up to $10,000.
Plus, earn even more with a GLCU Money Market account.
You work hard and so should your money. Now, with one of the country’s most competitive free checking rates, you can do more of what you love while banking for a greater good!
- Earn ultra-competitive free checking rates of up to 5.00% APY* on balances up to $10,0005.
- 30,000 free ATMs and $10/month2 in reimbursed ATM fees.
- Debit rewards4
- Get your paycheck up to one day earlier.3
Free Checking Rate Tiers
Tier 1
Accounts with 0-19 debit card transactions per month will earn .05% APY*. Tier 1 accounts are not eligible for ATM fee reimbursement.2
Tier 2
Accounts with 20-39 debit card transactions per month and enrolled in e-statements will earn 2.75% APY* on balances up to $10,0005 and be eligible for up to $10/month in ATM fee reimbursements.2
Tier 3
Accounts with 40 or more transactions per month and enrolled in e-statements will earn 5.00% APY* on balances up to $10,0005 and be eligible for up to $10/month in ATM fee reimbursements.2
What Our Members Say
A Money Market Account that Actually Makes You Money
Want to earn even more? GLCU Free Checking account members that meet the Tier 2 or Tier 3 qualifications outlined above will earn up to an additional 0.50 APY or 1.00% APY, respectively. View the Money Market rates:
Money Market
Tier1 | Dividend Rate | APY* | How to Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$2,500 | 0.000% | 0.00% | |
| $2,500-$9,999 | 0.050% | 0.05% | |
| $10,000-$24,999 | 0.100% | 0.10% | |
| $25,000-$49,999 | 0.100% | 0.10% | |
| $50,000-$74,999 | 0.150% | 0.15% | |
| $75,000-$99,999 | 0.150% | 0.15% | |
| $100,000-$499,999 | 0.200% | 0.20% | |
| $500,000-$999,999 | 0.399% | 0.40% | |
| $1,000,000+ | 0.499% | 0.50% |
Banking for a Greater Good
Your bank should be more than a place to store money. At GLCU, your membership empowers communities and elevates your financial journey.
- GLCU reinvests in its members and communities.
- Members enjoy lower rates and better returns.
- Empowering local, underserved communities is part of our mission.
- GLCU employees have volunteered over 2000 hours in 2023!
Bank on Your Terms
You deserve freedom in finance. Find flexible banking solutions tailored to your unique lifestyle and needs.
- 24/7 online and mobile banking.
- Enroll in Visa Fraud alerts.
- Free Bill Pay.
- Access your paycheck up to one day earlier.
FAQ's
Free Checking balances over $10,000 will earn the standard savings rate. The dividend rate may be calculated using two different rates. The dividend will appear as a blended rate on your monthly statement.
Opening a GLCU Free Checking account is easy! To become a GLCU member you just need a Share Savings Account and then you can start enjoying all the awesome products and services GLCU has to offer. Once you have a savings account with GLCU, contact usor visit a branch and we’ll help you open the account that’s right for you.
Having a money market account can be a good idea if you're looking for a safe place to store a larger amount of money and earn a more interest compared to a regular savings account. They're also useful if you want a blend of savings and checking features, such as check-writing capabilities and debit card access, with the caveat of limited transactions. However, the suitability of a money market account depends on your personal financial goals and liquidity needs.
A GLCU money market account is like a savings account in that it can be a place where you store money that you can access as needed, but unlike a regular savings account, a money marketing account pays dividends to the holder, up to 0.500% with an additional 1.00% APY on qualified money market accounts. A GLCU money market account also requires a minimum balance to qualify.** Learn more about GLCU money market accounts.
The amount of money you need to keep in your money market account depends on the terms and conditions of the account and your savings goals. Your GLCU Money Market account requires a minimum balance of $2,500 and has no maximum.
There is generally no set limit on how long money can stay in a money market account. You can keep funds in a money market account indefinitely, as long as the account remains in good standing according to the terms and conditions of your financial institution. However, it's essential to ensure that the account's returns align with your long-term financial goals.
Yes! There are no minimums required to open a GLCU Free Checking account, and no monthly or hidden fees! Find out more about GLCU Free Checking + Debit Rewards.
Yes! With a GLCU Free Checking account you will receive a debit card.
Money market accounts are as safe as other deposit accounts. A money market account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA up to $250,000.
One disadvantage of a money market account is that it may have limited withdrawal capabilities, often restricting users to a certain number of transactions per month due to federal regulations. Additionally, although they offer higher interest rates or dividends than traditional savings accounts, they generally provide lower returns compared to other investment options such as stocks or mutual funds.
Yes, money does grow in a money market account. These accounts pay interest on or dividends your balance, typically at a higher rate than traditional savings accounts. However, the growth is generally lower than what might be expected from riskier investments like stocks or bonds.
A money market fund is mutual fund variety that channels investments into high-quality, short-term debt instruments like Treasury bills and commercial paper is known as a money market fund. While they aim to maintain a stable value, there's a possibility of losing money. On the other hand, a money market account is a type of savings account offered by banks and credit unions that typically pays higher interest than a regular savings account and often comes with check-writing and debit card privileges. Money market accounts are insured by the FDIC or NCUA, making them a safer choice.
Checking and Money Market Articles
7 Reasons why credit unions have better free checking accounts
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Money Market vs. Certificates of Deposit
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6 ways to get the most for your money with no-fee checking accounts
Click Here* 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.
1 A Minimum of $2,500.00 is required to open the account. You must maintain a minimum average daily balance of $2,500.00 to earn the above stated dividends.
2 All debit card transactions, whether PIN or signature-based, will contribute towards the minimum transaction count required. To be eligible for up to $10 ATM fee reimbursement, you will need a minimum of 20 debit card transactions. Enrollment in e-statements is required to qualify for tier 2 and tier 3 dividend rates.
3 Depends on when your payor 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 payor tells GLCU to release the funds to you), however GLCU is dependent on the timing of your payor’s payment instructions so you may not see all direct deposits, or every direct deposit, arrive early.
4 Visit www.glcurecwards.org to learn more about GLCU's debit card rewards program.
5 Free Checking balances over $10,000 will earn .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.