EVERYDAY CHECKING
Free Checking that stays free
No monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no games about how many debit swipes you made last month. Open it with the same $5 that makes you an owner of Summit Federal Credit Union.
What you get
Six things included, none of them extra
Every Summit checking account comes with the same list. There is no premium tier you have to buy your way into.
$0 monthly fee
There is no service charge on any personal checking account we offer, at any balance. You do not have to keep a minimum in the account or set up a qualifying deposit to avoid one.
Direct deposit up to 2 days early
When your employer sends payroll instructions ahead of payday, we post the money the day the file arrives instead of holding it. For most members on a Friday payroll, that means Wednesday.
85,000 surcharge-free ATMs
Our network covers 85,000 machines nationwide, plus 5,600 shared branching locations where you can make a deposit in person. Use the ATM locator before you travel.
Mobile deposit and bill pay
Photograph a check in the app and the first $225 is typically available the same business day. Bill pay is included at no charge, including one-time and recurring payments.
Card controls in the app
Freeze your debit card the moment you cannot find it, then unfreeze it when it turns up in the couch. You can also set travel notices and per-transaction limits yourself.
Overdraft choices you control
You decide up front whether we cover an overdraft, pull from savings, or simply decline the charge. You can change that setting any time without closing the account.
Rates and fees
The whole cost of the account, on one screen
If a charge is not on this list, we do not charge it for this account.
Item
Amount
Notes
Monthly service fee
$0
No balance requirement, ever
Minimum to open
$0
Plus the $5 membership share deposit
Dividend rate
0.05% APY
Paid on all balances, credited monthly
Network ATM withdrawal
$0
85,000 surcharge-free machines
Out-of-network ATM
$2.50
The machine owner may add its own fee
Courtesy pay item
$28
Maximum three per day; opt-in only
Overdraft transfer from savings
$3
Per transfer, no matter the amount
Returned item
$28
Charged when we decline and return
Stop payment
$25
Per check or per range of checks
Paper statement
$2
Per month; free with e-statements
Replacement debit card
$8
$25 for next-day rush delivery
Foreign transaction
1%
Of the converted purchase amount
Rates current as of July 2026 and subject to change. Membership eligibility required. This is a demonstration website; rates, products, and figures shown are illustrative only.
Getting paid
Payday lands when the money lands
Most payrolls are sent to us a day or two before the official pay date. Some institutions hold that money until the stated date. We do not. As soon as your employer's file clears, the deposit posts and the funds are yours to spend.
Overdraft
Three ways to handle a short balance
Pick one when you open the account. You can switch at any branch, by phone, or inside online banking.
Decline and move on
We turn down any debit purchase or ATM withdrawal that would take you below zero, and you pay nothing. This is the setting we recommend for most members, and it is the default if you say nothing.
Transfer from savings
We pull exactly what is needed from your savings or money market to cover the item, and charge $3 for the transfer. If savings is short too, the item is returned.
Courtesy pay
We cover the item up to your assigned limit and charge $28, with a hard cap of three items in one day. Bring the account positive within 30 days or the privilege pauses.
Courtesy pay is a discretionary service, not a line of credit, and requires you to opt in for one-time debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals. This is a demonstration website; rates, products, and figures shown are illustrative only.
Common questions
Is there really no monthly fee?
Correct. There is no monthly service fee on any personal checking account at Summit, with no balance requirement and no minimum number of transactions. We have kept it that way since 1948 because members own the place.
What do I need to open one?
A government photo ID, your Social Security number, a current address, and $5 for the membership share deposit. If you are already a member, opening checking takes about four minutes in online banking.
Do you charge for checks?
Your first box of standard checks is free. After that, reorders are priced by the style you pick, starting around $18 a box, and you can order them from inside online banking.
How long does a mobile deposit take to clear?
The first $225 of a deposit is usually available the same business day if it is submitted before 6 p.m. The rest typically posts the next business day. Larger or unusual items may be held longer, and we tell you at the time of deposit.
Can I use an ATM that is not in your network?
Yes. We charge $2.50 and the machine's owner may charge its own surcharge on top of that. With 85,000 surcharge-free ATMs available, it is usually worth checking the locator first.
Does this account earn anything?
Free Checking pays 0.05% APY on every balance, credited monthly. If you are holding a cushion you do not spend, move it to High-Yield Savings at 4.15% APY and keep only your monthly spending here.
Open Free Checking in about four minutes
Bring an ID and $5. We will handle the rest, and a person will answer if you call.