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Unified Checking

Get the most out of your checking account without all the fuss and the fees with our free checking account.

Enjoy the benefits of a truly free* checking account

Our Unified Checking Account is packed with features that make banking easier and more rewarding. With this truly free checking account, you'll never have to worry about monthly service fees or maintaining a minimum balance, plus you'll earn interest on your account balance each month. Open an account today and enjoy all the features of a convenient account, including:

  • No monthly service fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Earn up to 1.00% APY*
  • Overdraft protection with Courtesy Pay**

 

Get Rewarded with an Account that Pays You

In addition to the everyday features and benefits, you can also earn more each month when you qualify for the enhanced perks of Unified Checking:

To earn enhanced perks, just meet a few simple qualifiers each month:

  • Perform at least 15 Georgia United debit and/or credit card transactions
  • Make a direct deposit(s) of $500 or more
  • Enroll in E-Statements

 

Ways to Open A Unified Checking Account

Other Checking Account Options

Simple Checking

  • No monthly service fees
  • No minimum opening deposit
  • Visa® Debit Card

Money Masters Teen Checking

  • Available to teens ages 12-17
  • No monthly service fees
  • $5 minimum opening deposit required
  • Visa® Debit Card
  • Rewards for good grades and volunteering
Georgia United Credit Union employees are sweet, honest and homegrown. They are respectful and take great care of your needs. Plus the rates the credit union offers are a home run for me. Wish I had joined sooner.
- Kellye A.
Much easier to bank with Georgia United Credit Union than other banks. Reps seem more friendly, and better customer service. Rates and terms are generally better when a loan is needed.
- Wesley W.
I have always had great experiences while dealing with my banking business at the credit union. All employees are extremely friendly and helpful every time I deal with them.
- Bryan B.
The service is exceptional! The tellers are always friendly and personable! They ensure that my account is secure by asking security questions each time I withdraw money. I am a very satisfied customer!
- Keshia H.
Personnel have always helped me to navigate through any issues or questions that I may have. Friendly staff members and I have been completely satisfied with the services and options rendered to me.
- Mary J.
Georgia United Credit Union associates are always professional, friendly and courteous towards me as a customer. They have always met my financial needs and have my best interest in mind. I love the Dublin Branch employees! They make me feel like I am a part of their family!!
- Diane O.
Every time I or one of my immediate family members go to the Cumming branch we are greeted with very kind and appreciative faces. I have never been inside where I was treated any other way. The ladies are top notch and I wouldn't change anything that they are doing in any way. They treat everyone like they want to be there and want to help you in any way they can.
- Donald D.

Avoiding Overdraft and NSF Fees

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. Georgia United can cover your overdrafts in two different ways:

1. Overdraft protection plans, such as a link to your other accounts, which may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. 

2. Standard overdraft practices, called Courtesy Pay, that automatically comes with your Unified Checking Account.

 
Understanding Your Account balance

We determine whether you have enough money in your account for purposes of assessing overdraft fees based on your available balance. It’s important to know your available balance can differ from your actual balance. 

  • Your actual balance is the actual amount of money in your account at any given moment in time. It may be referred to on your statement as “current balance” or simply “balance.” It reflects items that have been fully processed and actually posted to your account but not transactions that are still processing or pending. Some people say these transactions “have cleared my account."
  • Your available balance is usually a different number than your actual balance. Your available balance is the portion of your actual balance that is available for immediate withdrawal or to pay other debit items; it takes into account standard funds availability holds under our Funds Availability Policy, as well as any pending debits and credits we have received but not yet posted to your account (for example, preauthorized debit card transactions, pending checks, transfers, withdrawals or other holds on your account.) Items still in process or on hold may be referred to as “pending” in Online Banking. The available balance changes throughout the day as transactions occur.

 

Overdraft Protection Plans

Georgia United offers other ways to cover your overdrafts that may be less expensive than standard overdraft practices. You can tell us to “link” a savings or loan account to your checking account, so if you cause an overdraft, we will transfer money from your linked account to pay the overdraft.

A transfer fee of $5.00 will apply each time we transfer funds from your linked savings, checking or money market account. See your Membership and Account Agreement or Share Rate and Fee Schedule for more information.

If you link a line of credit or credit card account, amounts will be added to a line of credit or credit card in increments of $50.00. For example, if your transaction causes an overdraft of $5.00, $50.00 will be charged to your line or card. Fees will be added to the balance and interest will accrue on the entire balance at the rate disclosed in your line of credit or credit card agreement. See your credit card Truth-In-Lending Disclosure for details.

If there is not enough money in any of your linked accounts, your transaction may be rejected and the item will be returned to the merchant. A non‑sufficient fund (NSF) fee of $35.00 will apply each time we reject an item.

You can opt-in or opt-out of the overdraft protection plans at any time by contacting our Member Care Center. For more information, see our Overdraft Protection Plans agreement.

 
COURTESY PAY

Courtesy Pay is a standard practice provided to eligible members with a Unified Checking Account to help cover unintended overdrafts. If you are in a situation where there is not enough money available in your account, Courtesy Pay may cover the costs of your automatic bill payments, checks and other transactions made using your checking account number. It does not automatically authorize and pay overdrafts for ATM or everyday debit card transactions; this requires a separate opt-in request.

Courtesy Pay is not a loan and is not subject to interest charges or late fees; however, items paid are subject to fees of $35.00 per transaction covered. Overdrafts are paid at the credit union’s discretion and it does not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction.

If you choose to opt-out of this service and incur an overdraft, a non-sufficient fund (NSF) fee of $35.00 will be charged each time we reject an item.

You can learn more about Courtesy Pay and see our Share Rate and Fee Schedule for the most current fees.

 

helpful account tools

Overdraft fees can be an unnecessary strain on your budget and financial well-being. With some vigilance, however, you can be free of overdraft and NSF fees and make the most of your money.

The best way to minimize overdraft fees is to monitor your account balance and ensure you have sufficient funds at all times. Tools such as Online Banking and the Georgia United Mobile App, are free to use and provide you with account access 24-hours a day. From here, you can set up online account alerts to be notified of transactions, deposits and balances on your account.

We also offer a variety of free financial calculators that can help you create a budget and analyze your expenses. Getting your spending under control and in line with your income is an essential element to building a healthy financial future.

We want you to feel in control of your finances. If you have questions specific to your own situation, please contact our Member Care Center or schedule an appointment and we will be happy to assist you. 

 

Updated March 1, 2022

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Rate may change after account is opened. The APY is accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. If your account balance is from $0.01 to $15,000.00 and qualifications are met, the Annual Percentage Yield will be 1.00%. If your account balance is $15,000.01 and above and you have met the qualifications, the Annual Percentage Yield will range from 1.00% to 0.05%. To earn 1.00% APY on up to $15,000 of the average daily account balance and to receive up to $10 per month in non-Georgia United ATM surcharge fee refunds, there is no minimum account balance requirement; however, the account must perform at least 15 Georgia United debit and/or credit card transactions that post and clear during the month, have a monthly direct deposit of $500 or more and be enrolled in E-Statements. If you do not meet the qualifications the APY will be 0.05%. Overdraft/returned item fees may apply, see Share Rates and Fees Schedule for additional fees that may apply. All Credit Union programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

**Courtesy Pay is a standard overdraft practice that comes with a Unified Checking Account. An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. We authorize and pay overdrafts for checks and other transactions made using your checking account number, and automatic bill payments. We do not authorize and pay overdrafts for ATM and everyday debit card transactions unless you ask us to. We will charge you a Courtesy Pay fee of $35 each time we pay a transaction. We also offer overdraft protection plans, such as a link to your other accounts, which may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. Your account must be brought current within 30 days of initial use.

***Items transmitted using this service are not subject to the funds availability requirements of the Federal Reserve Board Regulation CC. Mobile check deposits are subject to verification and may not be available for immediate withdrawal.

The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) insures your deposits (in savings, savings certificates, and share-draft/checking accounts) up to $250,000. IRAs are insured separately to $250,000.