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FREE CHECKING

Free Checking designed for you

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No monthly fees

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Deposit cash where you shop

PenFed Credit Union

Apply for Free Checking

Member

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Guest

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Features & benefits

Move your money with ease

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In-store deposits: Use a secure barcode to deposit cash instantly5

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Bill pay: Pay your household bills online

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Transfer funds: Move money between accounts

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Send money: Send money to friends and family

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Free checks: Get a box of checks when you open a new checking account

Maximize your wallet

Enjoy no monthly fees, fee free ATMs, 24/7 online and mobile banking and early access to your paycheck

No monthly fees

  •  Keep your money and lose the fees

  • Open an account with as little as $25

24/7 banking at your fingertips

  • Easy access: Check your balances and transactions anytime, anywhere
  • Go digital: Enjoy paperless banking for convenience and sustainability
  • Manage: Pay bills, transfer funds, and stay informed with instant alerts

Get paid early

  • Quicker access: Receive your direct deposit up to 2 days earlier1

  • How it works: We'll make your paycheck available as soon as we receive your deposit information from your employer

Debit card controls

Deposit checks without leaving your couch

With the PenFed mobile app, you can handle it all from your phone.

Making deposits has never been easier. With PenFed’s mobile app, mobile deposits is fast, simple and secure right from your mobile phone!

How it works

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Log in: Open the PenFed mobile app

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Select: “Deposit”

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Choose:  “Deposit To Account” and “Deposit Amount”

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Snap: Take photos of the front and back of the signed check

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Tap: Press “Continue” and your money is on its way to your PenFed account

PenFed Power Cash & PathFinder Rewards Visa® Cards

Checking elevates your credit card rewards

Pair your checking and credit cards, and you can enjoy % Cash back on all purchases with your Power Cash Visa® Credit Card and/or points on all travel plus a $ annual fee waiver with your Pathfinder Visa® Credit Card.

FAQs

A Free Checking account offers no monthly service fees and no monthly minimum balance requirements. Certain account activity fees still apply, including but not limited to outgoing wire transfer and stop payment fees. Please see PenFed Service Fees for a full list of associated fees.

  1. Electronic Funds Transfer - You can send funds from your external bank account using your PenFed account number and the PenFed routing number: 256078446.
  2. Mobile Check Deposit - Download our mobile app.
  3. Internal Transfer – Use an existing PenFed account.
  4. Cash and Check Deposit – Visit a PenFed branch location, branch ATM, or participating retailers (Cash deposit only).
  5. Mail a check – Follow the instructions below:
    • Print the following deposit voucher: (Form 451W.pdf)
    • Complete all fields in Section 1 and Section 2 and enter your account number in Section 3.
    • Mail the check with your voucher to:

PenFed Credit Union
Box 247009
Omaha, NE 68124-7009

Note: Please allow 5-7 business days for USPS mail delivery time.

  1. Log in to PenFed Online or the PenFed Mobile app to:
    • Perform an online transfer to an internal or external bank account
    • Write a check
    • Use online bill pay
    • Wire transfer
  1. Cash Withdrawal 
    • Use your PenFed Debit Card at an ATM or at a point of sale with merchants that offer cash back.
    • Visit a PenFed branch location

Generally, when you request an electronic transfer or make a check deposit, your funds will be available for withdrawal no later than the 5th business day after you initiate your transaction at PenFed.

Your debit card will arrive within 5 to 7 business days after your account is opened.

Access to PenFed's ATM network — PenFed, Allpoint and Co-op — will be free. This includes both withdrawals and balance inquiries. PenFed will not charge an out-of-network ATM fee, but out-of-network ATM fees may be levied by the financial institution that owns the ATM, and fees will vary depending on the financial institution that owns the ATM.

Yes, you can enroll in overdraft protection through Overdraft from Savings or an Overdraft Line of Credit. For more information please visit our Overdraft Protection (penfed.org) page.

You can order checks online, by phone, or in our branches. Your first set of 40 checks will be delivered for free within 7 to 10 business days after the order has been placed.

As an -year-old Financial Institution, we’ve stood by our members through thick and thin. We’re not just a credit union. We’re your partner. Becoming a PenFed member means never facing a financial decision alone.

Disclosures

1

Early access to direct deposit is available for all PenFed members that set up a direct deposit with their employer or other payor. Early direct deposit eligibility may vary between pay periods and timing of payor's funding.

2

Have peace of mind knowing that PenFed won’t hold you responsible for unauthorized transactions on your Visa debit card. Visa’s Zero Liability policy applies to purchases made in the store, over the telephone, online, or via a mobile device. Visa’s Zero Liability policy does not apply to transactions not processed by Visa.

3

Rates and offers current as of  and are subject to change. After account opening, a three business day waiting period applies for credit line advances. This account can only be accessed by overdraft from a checking account. No other types of advances are permitted.

4

U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle®. Transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur in minutes.

2023 Early Warning Services, LLC. Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

5

VanillaDirect Pay is provided by InComm Financial Services, Inc. (NMLS# 912772), which is licensed as a Money Transmitter by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Terms and conditions apply. Web access is needed to use mobile banking and Add Cash in Store. Check with your service provider for details of specific fees and charges. Add Cash in Store transaction limits apply: For each member, the monthly limit for adding cash in store is $5,000 or no more than 10 transactions per month. The daily limit is $1,500. The first three (3) add Cash in Store transactions are free per month. After that, there is a $2 fee per transaction. Routine or unscheduled maintenance may impact accessibility. PenCheck Limited accounts are not eligible. PenFed Credit Union does not provide, endorse or guarantee any third-party product, service, information or recommendation listed above. The third parties listed above are not affiliated with PenFed Credit Union and are solely responsible for their products and services. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.