A day in Southern California can lead almost anywhere.

With a CU SoCal Checking Account1, you can rest assured that you'll be ready for wherever the day takes you. Not only do our checking accounts come with access to more ATMs than the largest banks, they feature great perks like mobile check deposit, bill pay, debit card controls and the ability to get your chip-enabled Visa® debit card instantly at a CU SoCal branch. Select our Rewards Checking Account2 and you'll even earn rewards on debit card purchases and receive identity theft restoration services and an entitlement to robust credit and dark web monitoring.

Checking Account Options

Classic Checking

CU SoCal’s Classic Checking Account offers all of the essentials of a standard checking account with no minimum balance requirement and is free with eDocuments.1

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Rewards Checking

CU SoCal’s Rewards Checking Account offers a monthly dividend on average account balances, reward points on debit card purchases, and fully-managed identity theft recovery services. Enjoy the checking account that pays and protects for only $5/month with eDocuments.

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Why savvy consumers choose CU SoCal Checking Accounts to make it happen:

Low-to-no monthly
account service fees
More free ATMs than
Chase, BofA, and Wells
Nationwide branch access
Federally insured by NCUA

CU SoCal Checking Accounts Compared

Rewards Checking¹  (Most Popular) Classic Checking¹
Debit Card with Cash Back from Reward Points3 Regular Debit Card
Interest Earning Does Not Earn Interest
Identity Restoration Services 4 N/A
Ability to Pool Debit and Credit Card Reward Points N/A
Ability to Qualify for Rewards+ Loyalty Program N/A
$5 monthly fee (waived with Rewards+) No Monthly Fee
APPLY NOW
Rewards Checking		 APPLY NOW
Classic Checking

Our Member Loyalty Program: Rewards+

Rewards Checking is the first step toward eligibility for Rewards+, our Member loyalty program. It offers these exclusive financial benefits:
 
  • A .25% rate discount on auto loans
  • Waived $5 monthly Rewards Checking fee
  • Waived $2.50 non-Co-op ATM fee
  • Waived $7 overdraft transfer fee
  • 10% annual bonus on CU SoCal Dream Points
  • One free box of checks per year
Easily track your eligibility status through the Rewards+ widget in Online and Mobile Banking (under the “Accounts” heading). Visit our Rewards+ webpage to learn how to qualify!

Fast and easy online application

Build a better banking future with a CU SoCal account! There are three ways to be eligible for Membership at CU SoCal:
 
  1. Live, work, attend school or religious services in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside or San Bernardino.
  2. Be related to a current member of CU SoCal.
  3. Be an employee of a partnering business.

 

Do You Have Trouble Opening a Checking Account?

If you have been turned down for a regular checking account due to a ChexSystems® report, we may be able to help you with Aspire Checking.

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California dreamin' every day.

Earn CU SoCal Dream Points on purchases made with CU SoCal Visa Debit and Credit Cards.
 

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Overdraft Protection

Anyone can make a mistake and overdraw a checking account. We offer two services to help you avoid the inconvenience of accidental overdrafts. Opt in to either, or both, to help ensure your transactions won't be declined in the event of an overdraft.

Overdraft Protection

We'll transfer funds from your savings, money market, or line of credit when you don't have money available in your checking account to cover a check, debit, or ACH (electronic) transaction.

CU SoCal Courtesy Pay

For qualified Members, for a small fee we'll cover checks, electronic payments, debit card purchases, and transfers that won't clear due to Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF), helping you avoid the hassle and expense of declined transactions. Fill out the CU SoCal Courtesy Pay Authorization form to sign up for CU SoCal Courtesy Pay. Once complete, bring the form to any CU SoCal branch.

What if my debit card is lost or stolen?

If your debit card is lost or stolen, call us immediately at 888.698.7241.
 

Get More Information About Debit Card Fraud Alerts

Looking for an ATM?

Access to a vast nationwide ATM network through Co-op.

Find ATMs

Hear from others like you who made it happen.

My wife and I have a checking and a savings account, and we've liked your service. That's why I decided to stay with the same credit union.

Mario, La Habra

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Checking Accounts

A checking account is a “liquid” account that lets CU SoCal customers make deposits and withdrawals as needed. This included using ATMs, depositing checks and cash, writing checks, automatic bill pay, and other transactions to pay everyday expenses, as well as making other financial transactions.
Rewards Checking from Credit Union of Southern California provides a monthly dividend, rewards points on debit card purchases, fully-managed identity theft recovery services, and robust credit monitoring – all for only $5/month with eStatements. You’ll also get nationwide access to over 30,000 free ATMs through the co-op Network. Our Rewards Checking also provides Online and Mobile Banking access, which you can use to check your balance, initiate transfers, pay bills, created budgets, and more.
A Rewards Checking Account generates interest on the balance, and also awards CU SoCal Dream Points on debit card transactions. Rewards Checking at CU SoCal does not require a minimum balance to earn interest. If you meet the minimum signature-based and PIN-based debit card purchase requirements for each monthly statement cycle, you will qualify for a Rewards Checking dividend rate of 0.15%. This dividend is money paid to you by CU SoCal, atop of the 0.15% APY your account already earns. Even if you don’t qualify for signature-based rewards, you’ll still earn .05% APY on your checking account balance.
Classic Checking doesn't have a minimum opening balance or a minimum balance requirement, and there is no monthly fee when you sign up for eStatements. Classic Checking Account holders enjoy free nationwide access to 30,000 ATMs. You can also make remote check deposits, pay bills, and access your mobile debit card controls with our free Mobile Banking App or make transactions online from a computer.
Yes, Membership is required to open an account. There are three ways to gain CU SoCal Membership:

1. Live, work, attend school or religious services in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside or San Bernardino.
2. Be related to a current member of CU SoCal.
3. Be an employee of a partnering business.
You may open a CU SoCal checking account on your own or jointly with another person. To open a checking account you’ll need:

1. Established Membership
2. Social Security Numbers for all account holders Driver's License or State-Issued ID for all account holders
3. A debit card, credit card, or checking account number to fund your account without visiting a branch.
Yes! At Credit Union of Southern California, we make it easy for you to open a checking account online. The first step is to establish Membership. Open your account online or through one of our branch locations. Although it is not required, you may schedule an appointment at a branch location of your choice to eliminate wait time.
A checking account can be thought of as “outgoing” funds and is traditionally used for receiving payments from others, writing checks and making debit card withdrawals. A savings account is for incoming funds that will be saved. Most people have both types of accounts. Savings accounts typically earn interest and the more money you keep in the account, the higher the interest you’ll earn. CU SoCal offers Classic Checking, Rewards Checking, and Savings Accounts.
Credit Union of Southern California does not report opening or closing a savings or checking to the credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax), which means that credit scores aren’t affected. The one exception is if you owe the credit union any money which you do not pay back before closing the account. In this case an unpaid debt would be reported to the credit reporting agencies.
A CU SoCal checking account is commonly used to deposit money, either cash or check, so Members can make withdrawals as needed. Transactions can be executed digitally through our Mobile Banking App from a smart phone or mobile device, or from a computer.
Some banks and credit unions charge overdraft fees when you withdraw more money than is available in your account. CU SoCal Classic Checking and Rewards Checking accounts both provide Overdraft Protection. This means we'll transfer funds from your savings, money market, or line of credit to your checking account when you don't have money available to cover a check or debit transaction.
Credit Union of Southern California has no minimum balance requirements for our Classic Checking or Rewards Checking accounts.
One way to find your account number is to look at the series of numbers on the bottom of your check. Your account number is the middle nine digits. The routing number for CU SoCal is 322283796. (This number may be used for a variety of services, including direct deposit, wire transfers, tax purposes, and paying utilities.) If you are having trouble finding your account number give us a call at 866-287-6225. Learn more.

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Building Better Lives™

Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) is a leading financial institution empowering those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County to reach their goals and build strong financial futures. CU SoCal provides access to convenient money management services and offers competitive rates and flexible terms on auto loans, mortgages, and VISA credit cards—turning wishing and waiting into achieving and doing.

 

562.698.8326 | 866 CU SoCal Se Habla Español

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