Republic Bank of Chicago’s Free Checking account is for customers seeking a simple, straightforward checking account that doesn’t charge a monthly fee, but doesn’t scrimp on features. The account requires a small opening deposit, but doesn’t require a maintaining balance afterwards. There are no excess activity charges or ATM fees associated with this account. Free Checking also includes the free benefits found in every Republic Bank of Chicago checking account, including the following:

• direct deposit
• debit MasterCard
• online & mobile banking services (including mobile check deposit, eStatements, check images and bill pay)
• unlimited check writing
• phone banking
• website technical support

The overdraft fee on the Free Checking account is high. However, it can be reduced through overdraft protection.

An account for older customers, Royal Benefit Checking has much of the same structure and functionality of Republic Bank of Chicago’s Free Checking account. The account requires the same opening deposit, has no ongoing balance requirements and charges no monthly or excess activity fees; it also has no ATM fees. The overdraft fee remains doggedly high, although that can be reduced with overdraft protection.

Royal Benefit Checking comes with the same additional benefits as the Free Checking account, including online and mobile access, unlimited check writing, direct deposit and a debit card. However, Royal Benefit also offers free money orders, free cashier’s checks, a free box of RBC checks every year, free notary services and safe deposit box discounts.

Republic Bank of Chicago’s Friends & Family Checking requires a fairly high opening deposit, but it is the first account at the bank that pays interest. However, customers are required to have a $1,000 minimum daily balance or a $1,500 monthly average balance to earn the stated interest rate. Those looking to avoid the moderate activity fee will also have to post six monthly debits.

Interest on the Friends & Family Checking is paid in two tiers, with the sub-$50,000 tier earning the highest rate; for a checking account, the tier-one interest rate is exceptional. Interest is compounded and paid monthly.

Beyond the interest payments and the fee and fee waiver requirements, Friends & Family Checking offers the same standard benefits as the Free Checking account, including free direct deposits and unlimited check writing, online and mobile banking and phone and website support. Overdraft fees remain high, but can still be reduced through overdraft protection.

Republic Bank of Chicago’s Elite Checking account technically has six interest-rate tiers. However, the first tier doesn’t actually pay any interest, as it is below the account’s $5,000 minimum to both open the account and to earn interest. That $5,000 minimum is also required as a daily balance to avoid the account’s hefty monthly fee.

Other features offered by the account are standard with all Republic Bank of Chicago checking accounts, including online and mobile banking, unlimited check writing, phone and web support, free direct deposit and a free debit card. The overdraft fee is the same high fee plaguing all Republic Bank of Chicago checking accounts, although it can be reduced by signing up for overdraft protection.

How to get Republic Bank of Chicago’s checking accounts

As mentioned above, you can apply for some Republic Bank of Chicago checking accounts online, namely the Free Checking, Friends & Family Checking and Royal Benefit Checking. You’ll need to call the bank or visit a branch to open the Elite Checking account, as there is no facility to open it online.

You’ll need to be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen and living in Illinois to qualify. At the time of application, you’ll need to provide your Social Security number and a driver’s license or state ID.

Passbook Savings is simple and straightforward. For a $25 minimum deposit, you get access to an interest-bearing account with the following features, which come with all Republic Bank of Chicago savings accounts:

• online and mobile banking
• phone and website support
• free direct deposit

Interest is earned in two tiers, although you’ll need at least $25 to qualify. Top interest rates are paid on balances of at least $5,000. You are allowed to make up to six preauthorized transfers or withdrawals every month, in line with federal Regulation D. Excess transactions incur a fee of $1 each from the bank. The account does require a minimum deposit of $25 both to earn interest and to avoid a small monthly fee.

As the name implies, customers opening a Passbook Savings account will receive a physical passbook, as with old-fashioned banking accounts. If you bring your passbook into a branch, you can get your account activity printed on your passbook. Notably, however, this account has no ATM access and cannot be overdrawn.

Statement Savings, from a functional perspective, is essentially the same exact account as Republic Bank of Chicago’s Passbook Savings account — the only difference is that there is no physical passbook issued with a Statement Savings account.

The accounts share the same $25 minimum opening deposit, which is also required to waive the small monthly fee. An ATM card is issued for this account, but it cannot be overdrawn.

Preauthorized transfers or withdrawals are limited to six per month, otherwise an excess activity fee of $1 per transaction kicks in, consistent with federal Regulation D standards. Statement Savings offers the same additional features as Passbook Savings, including online and mobile banking, direct deposit and online and web support.

Starter Passbook Savings is a nearly identical account to Republic Bank of Chicago’s Passbooks Savings account, except the monthly fee is waived and the interest rate payouts are different. Also, a parent or guardian is required to sign on to this account for minors.

For the same $25 minimum deposit, you’ll earn interest and get access to the following features:

• online and mobile banking
• phone and website support
• free direct deposit

Top interest rates kick in on balances of just $25. You are allowed to make up to six preauthorized transfers or withdrawals every month, in line with federal Regulation D. Excess transactions incur a fee of $1 each from the bank.

As the name implies, customers opening a Passbook Savings account will receive a physical passbook, as with old-fashioned banking accounts. If you bring your passbook into a branch, you can get your account activity printed on your passbook. Notably, however, this account has no ATM access and cannot be overdrawn.

Starter Statement Savings mirrors regular Statement Savings, with a few changes. On this account for minors, a parent or legal guardian must sign on to the account. In addition, there is no monthly fee with this account. The accounts have the same $25 minimum opening deposit and they are both issued ATM cards, although the accounts cannot be overdrawn.

Preauthorized transfers or withdrawals are limited to six per month, consistent with federal Regulation D standards; otherwise, an excess activity fee of $1 per transaction kicks in from the bank. Starter Statement Savings offers most of the same additional features as regular Statement Savings, including online and mobile banking, direct deposit and online and web support.

How to get Republic Bank of Chicago’s savings accounts

As mentioned above, not all Republic Bank of Chicago accounts can be opened online. When it comes to savings accounts, you can only open the Statement Savings account online. For Passbook Savings of either of the two Starter Savings accounts, you must either call a banker or visit a branch.

Accounts are limited to U.S. citizens aged 18 or older who are Illinois residents. You’ll need a Social Security number and form of ID, like a driver’s license or state ID, to open an account. If you’re a minor, you’ll also need a parent or legal guardian.

Republic Bank of Chicago publishes a limited CD lineup on its website, with just four maturities showing. However, if you contact the bank, you can get the full range of CDs and APYs, which range from 3 months to 60 months. The bank offers two breakable CDs, which allow you to take your money out and reinvest your funds in another CD with a maturity of at least one year, as long as the funds have been in the original CD for at least seven days. The other CDs are standard CDs, with $1,000 minimum investments, a 10-day grace period before auto-renewal and the same early withdrawal penalties, regardless of maturity.

How to get Republic Bank of Chicago’s CD accounts

Republic Bank of Chicago offers a wide range of CDs, but the only one you can open online is the nine-month CD. For all others, including the ones not listed on the bank’s website, you’ll have to visit a branch or contact a banker. Accounts are offered only to U.S. citizens residing in Illinois and at least 18 years of age. At the time of account opening, you’ll have to provide your Social Security number and a state ID or valid driver’s license.

The Executive Money Market, like traditional money markets, combines features of checking and savings accounts. At Republic Bank of Chicago, you can write checks on your Executive Money Market account balance, and you can also make ATM withdrawals. However, as with the savings accounts, preauthorized transfers and withdrawals are limited to six per month. Interest is credited every month on the last day of the month. With this account, you’ll also get online and mobile access, web and phone support and eStatements. The high overdraft fee that applies to all Republic Bank of Chicago accounts features here as well, but it can be reduced through overdraft protection.

How to get Republic Bank of Chicago’s money market account

You can’t open a Republic Bank of Chicago money market account online. You’ll have to contact a banker or visit a branch. To open an account, you’ll need a driver’s license or state ID and your Social Security number. To qualify, you’ll have to be an Illinois resident and a U.S. citizen at least 18 years of age or older.

Republic Bank of Chicago offers an IRA Money Market account that is completely different from the bank’s Executive Money Market account. The IRA Money Market pays a flat, non-tiered interest rate, but rates are not listed on the bank’s website; you’ll need to contact the bank to verify current rates.

Republic Bank of Chicago offers a provision that prevents the rate from falling below the 13-week Treasury Bill rate. This account also doesn’t allow check writing or ATM access, as it is in an IRA and withdrawals might face taxes and IRS penalties. There are no monthly fees with the IRA Money Market account, and the opening deposit is a modest $25.

If you’re happy with Republic Bank of Chicago’s regular CD line, you’ll also like its range of IRA CDs, as they share the same rates and maturity dates. To find current rates on most CDs, you’ll have to call the bank, as Republic Bank of Chicago currently only lists four CD maturities on its website. You can get the full range of Republic Bank of Chicago’s IRA CDs, which range from three months to five years, by calling its 24/7 CD rate hotline number at (800) 498-3347.

The bank offers two breakable CDs in its IRAs, which allow you to move your money from one CD to another with a maturity of at least one year, as long as you’ve invested the original funds for at least seven days. The remaining IRA CDs carry a standard $1,000 minimum investment, a 10-day grace period before auto-renewal and the same early withdrawal penalties, regardless of maturity.

How to get Republic Bank of Chicago’s IRA products

You can’t open a Republic Bank of Chicago IRA online. However, you can open an IRA by visiting a branch and speaking to a banker; you’ll need to provide your Social Security number and a valid ID, like a driver’s license or state ID, to open an IRA. If you’re not a U.S. citizen who’s at least 18 years old and living in Illinois, your account application will be rejected.

Coastal Credit Union’s Simple Basic Checking account is the credit union’s traditional checking account. Although a small opening balance is required, there is no maintaining balance requirement, and there are no monthly fees. Extensive features are included in this no-cost package, including the following:

• Digital, mobile and telephone banking
• Remote check deposit via the mobile app
• More than 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide
• Apple Pay™ and Visa Checkout
• Eligible for annual Loyalty Bonus payout
• One cent is donated to the Coastal Credit Union Foundation with each debit card transaction
• Free id Ally^SM identity theft recovery program
• Control over debit card permissions and preferences using CardNav

Although this account is low-cost overall, it does carry high overdraft fees, even with overdraft protection. However, the bank does have a short grace period, allowing members to cover any overdrafts.

Coastal Credit Union’s Simple Standard Checking account has a bit of a misleading name. Rather than being the credit union’s “standard” checking account, it actually serves as a “second-chance” account, targeted toward customers that need help rebuilding their checking history.

The account does carry a monthly service fee that cannot be waived, but after a small opening deposit, it doesn’t require any maintaining balance. As befitting a rebuilding account, Simple Standard Checking includes access to free financial counseling and budgeting services. After 12 months of positive history, customers can qualify to upgrade to Go Green Checking.

As with the credit union’s Basic Checking account, there are no in-network ATM fees, and ATM fees at non-network ATMs are waived up to five times per month. Apple Pay™ and Visa Checkout are available, along with the control of debit card permissions and preferences via CardNav. The account also donates one cent to the Coastal Credit Union Foundation with each debit card use, and customers can earn the annual Loyalty Bonus payout.

Go Green Checking is Coastal Credit Union’s top-tier checking account, emphasizing convenience, technology, security, perks and a high APY. The highlight feature is the exceptional interest rate paid starting with the first dollar deposited in the premium tier, which customers can qualify for with 30-plus debit card transactions per month. Standard Tier rates kick in with 12 to 29 posted debit card transactions, while the Base Tier applies to accounts with zero to 11 such transactions monthly.

Beyond the enhanced yield, the Go Green Checking account looks a lot like the other checking accounts at Coastal Credit Union. The account has a small opening balance requirement but no ongoing restrictions, it charges no monthly fee, and in-network ATMs are free, with five withdrawals per month free at non-network ATMs. Overdraft fees remain high, although a provision allows for overdrafts to be covered by additional deposits made before 11 p.m. the same day.

The student version of Coastal Credit Union’s Go Green Checking has the same requirements as the general Go Green Checking account to earn an exceptional yield: the posting of 30 or more debit transactions per month. An enhanced, but lesser, yield is available with 12 to 29 processed debit transactions per month. Those with zero to 11 monthly transactions still qualify for an interest-bearing account.

Student Go Green Checking comes with a smaller opening deposit requirement than the standard Go Green account, has free ATM withdrawals both in- and out-of-network, and it refunds foreign ATM withdrawals up to $4.99.

All of the other standard checking account perks at Coastal Credit Union apply to this account as well, including online, mobile and telephone banking, free ID protection services through id Ally^SM, Apple Pay™ and Visa Checkout, CardNav debit card control services, the annual Loyalty Bonus payout, and a one cent donation to the Coastal Credit Union Foundation for each use of the debit card.

Students looking for a basic, no-frills checking account might be drawn to the Student Basic Checking account. The account pays no interest, but doesn’t require any monthly debit card transactions.

Beyond that, the bones of the account are just like the Student Go Green Checking account, with a small deposit to open, no monthly maintenance fee, free ATM withdrawals, and a refund of up to $4.99 for foreign ATM withdrawals. The account carries the same high overdraft fee as Coastal Credit Union’s other checking accounts, although same-day deposits made by 11 p.m. can reduce that fee to just $0.01.

How to get Coastal Credit Union’s checking accounts

As mentioned above, you can apply for all of Coastal Credit Union’s checking accounts online. Once you’ve become a member of the credit union, you can choose the account(s) you would like to open. Then you can provide the necessary applicant information, such as your employment information and a valid form of ID, and then you’re all set to fund the account.

All credit union members must open a Primary Savings account. The account pays interest on all balances above $5 and charges no monthly maintenance fee. As with the credit union’s checking accounts, ATM access is free in the Coastal Credit Union network, and the first five withdrawals from non-network ATMs are also free. These accounts also qualify for the Loyalty Bonus payout and the complimentary identity theft recovery program id Ally^SM.

With the exception of the smaller opening deposit requirement, a Secondary Savings account at Coastal Credit Union is the same as a Primary Savings account. The interest rate is the same, but it is paid on all balances. Special Savings accounts can be used for distinct purposes, such as vacation, hobby or holiday savings.

The ATM fee structure is the same as with a Primary Savings account, meaning withdrawals are free at network ATMs and free for the first five withdrawals from non-network ATMs as well. Secondary Savings accounts are also eligible for the Loyalty Bonus payout and the free-of-charge identity theft recovery program id Ally^SM.

As with all HSAs, you can’t open a Coastal Credit Union Health Savings account unless you participate in a high-deductible health plan, as defined by the IRS. When you qualify, you get a tax deduction on your contributions and can take money out tax-free for qualifying medical expenses. Along the way, you earn an interest rate far above Coastal Credit Union’s traditional savings account rate. You can also choose to invest in an Investor Choice CD for 24, 36 or 48 months (see CD section below for rates).

This account provides a debit card so you can pay your medical bills. You can also use the debit card as an ATM card, with withdrawals of up to $1,000 per day allowed. The account also qualifies for Coastal Credit Union’s Loyalty Bonus payout and identity theft recovery program id Ally^SM.

How to get Coastal Credit Union’s savings accounts

As mentioned above, you can apply for all of Coastal Credit Union’s savings accounts online. In fact, you’ll need to open a Primary Savings account to be a member. After joining, you can choose the additional account(s) you would like to open, provide the necessary applicant information, such as your employment information and a valid form of ID, and then fund the account.

Standard certificates of deposit at Coastal Credit Union run from 6 months to 5 years in maturity, with a small $250 deposit required to open. The credit union offers mini-jumbo CDs ranging from seven to 90 days; those certificates require a hefty $50,000 minimum deposit to open. Coastal Credit Union offers Investor’s Choice CDs with three maturity levels, 24, 36 and 48 months, but those are available in Coastal Credit Union’s HSA only. Coastal Credit Union is also currently offering an 18 month CD special. All CD accounts qualify for Coastal Credit Union’s Loyalty Bonus payment, and all are covered by the complimentary identity theft recovery program id Ally^SM.

How to get Coastal Credit Union’s CD accounts

As mentioned above, you can apply for all of Coastal Credit Union’s CD accounts online after becoming a member of the credit union. Once you’ve done that, you can choose the account(s) you would like to open and proceed after providing your employment information and a valid form of ID before funding the account.

Coastal Credit Union’s Go Green Money Market account has a straightforward appeal. If you make 30 or more debit transactions per month, your APY jumps considerably. Otherwise, the account is essentially a standard Money Market account. You’ll still have online and mobile access, and your account is limited up to six certain withdrawals per month. As with a standard Money Market account, the Go Green Money Market account is eligible for the Coastal Credit Union Loyalty Bonus payment.

How to get Coastal Credit Union’s money market accounts

As mentioned above, you can apply for all of Coastal Credit Union’s money market accounts online. You’ll need to open a Primary Savings account and become a member before you can open an account, however. After joining, you can choose the additional account(s) you would like to open, provide the necessary applicant information, such as your employment information and a valid form of ID, and then fund the account.

The IRA Savings account at Coastal Credit Union pays a much higher rate than the credit union’s other savings accounts. The account minimum is very low and there’s no monthly fee. Customer don’t have ATM access with this account, as money coming out of an IRA could trigger taxes and IRS penalties; similarly, there is no provision for overdrawing this account.

For the most part, customers will find the same CDs available in a Coastal Credit Union IRA as they will in a taxable account. However, there are no Investor’s Choice CDs available in an IRA at Coastal Credit Union. Standard certificates of deposit run from 6 months to 5 years, with a small $250 deposit required to open them.

The credit union offers mini-jumbo CDs in its IRAs ranging from 7 to 90 days. Those certificates require a larger $50,000 minimum to open. Coastal Credit Union is also currently offering an 18 month CD special paying an above-average rate.

All IRA accounts qualify for Coastal Credit Union’s Loyalty Bonus payment, and all are covered by the complimentary identity theft recovery program id Ally^SM.

How to get Coastal Credit Union’s IRA accounts

As mentioned above, you can apply for all of Coastal Credit Union’s IRA accounts online. After becoming a member of the credit union, you can choose the account(s) you would like to open, provide the necessary applicant information, such as your employment information and a valid form of ID, and then fund the account.