TTCU Federal Credit Union’s most basic checking account, Free Checking, still provides a number of the same services that come with all of the credit union’s other checking accounts. The account is not entirely free of fees, but most customers should be able to avoid them. On top of having no monthly maintenance fee, this account doesn’t charge any ATM fees, even at non-network machines — though the ATM owner may still charge its own fee. After the initial opening deposit requirement is met, there is no ongoing minimum balance requirement.

Free Checking comes with the following additional free benefits:

• Online, telephone and mobile banking
• Bill pay
• A Visa check card
• e-statements
• Carbonless copies of checks
• Unlimited check writing

The account offers overdraft protection via the credit union’s Courtesy Pay program, but it does not reduce the overdraft fee.

For the most part, Classic Checking is simply an interest-bearing version of TTCU Federal Credit Union’s Free Checking account. Both accounts have the same minimum opening deposit and no monthly fee, along with no ATM charges. However, customers must maintain at least $250 in this account to avoid a per-check surcharge.

Beyond those small differences, Free Checking and Classic Checking are the same. Both offer free online, mobile and telephone account access, free bill pay, e-statements and check copies, and both come with a Visa check card and unlimited check writing.

Rewards Checking offers the highest level of features and benefits of any TTCU Federal Credit Union Checking account, but there is a modest monthly fee that cannot be avoided. Like the credit union’s other checking accounts, this account comes with a host of free features and benefits, ranging from online, telephone and mobile banking to e-statements, bill pay, copies of checks and unlimited check writing. The account also has the same ATM and overdraft fee structure, meaning there are no ATM fees charged by the credit union but that the overdraft fee cannot be avoided, even with overdraft protection services. As with the credit union’s Classic Checking account, Rewards Checking pays interest on all balances, although the non-tiered structure means all balances earn the same rate.

Rewards Checking offers numerous additional benefits, including travel savings, an interactive benefits feature, and a subscription to Sojourns Magazine. Rewards Checking customers also enjoy enrollment in the following programs (terms may apply):

• Everyday Rebate Rewards, offering 10% cash back (up to $40) per year on everyday purchases
• Savers Club, which provides discounts of up to 50% on lodging, car rentals, and theme parks with participating vendors.
• Bonus Travel, which provides members-only savings when using a Vacation Savings Hotline.
• ID Network Safety Service, which provides your child with a registered ID.
• Local Connections, providing discounts and coupons for local merchants.

Rewards Checking customers also receive a free, $10,000 24-hour accidental death insurance policy.

TTCU Federal Credit Union makes it easy for anyone with prior financial missteps to open a basic checking account. Although this account does charge a steep and unavoidable monthly fee, in most other aspects it’s similar to the credit union’s Free Checking account. With both accounts, customers have fee-free access to online, mobile and telephone banking, e-statements, bill pay, check copies, a Visa Check Card and unlimited check writing. This account also allows for overdrafts, although the overdraft protection service only covers overdrafts up to $200 with this account instead of $500.

Although there is no ongoing minimum balance requirement, this account also does not pay any interest. If you maintain this account in good standing for at least one year, you can request to convert it to one of the credit union’s other checking accounts.

How to get TTCU Federal Credit Union’s checking accounts

You can open all TTCU Federal Credit Union checking accounts online. The process requires various personal and financial information, including your Social Security number, citizenship or residency status, valid ID and funding source. If you’re not a member, you’ll have to open join the credit union first by opening a Savings account. The credit union will also run a credit check.

This Savings account is required for membership at TTFCU Federal Credit Union and represents your ownership share. Although there is no ongoing minimum balance requirement, customers must either have additional credit union accounts open or a balance of at least $100 to avoid a modest monthly fee. This account pays interest on all balances across four different tiers, with deposits of more than $40,000 earning the highest interest.

Savings can be accessed via online banking, phone, mail or through electronic withdrawals. Deposits can be made via payroll deduction, electronic deposit or branch night depositories. ATM access is not allowed, however, unless the account is tied to a checking account or an ATM Access account, as outlined below.

Certain withdrawals, including those via pre-authorized or automatic transfer, bill pay, online banking or telephonic means are limited to six per month. Excess transactions may be charged a fee or may cause the closure of the account.

The ATM Access account is a special account that can be added to other credit union accounts to provide ATM access. For example, while the traditional Savings account at TTCU Federal Credit Union does not have ATM access, adding a complementary ATM Access account grants that access. Similarly, the Money Market account doesn’t have ATM access, but you can open this account and transfer money market funds to it free of charge to then access the money via an ATM.

This service costs $10 per month, and the account cannot be opened online.

The Youth Savings account is similar to a standard savings account at TTCU Federal Credit Union but with a few twists designed for its younger clientele. Once the opening deposit requirement is met, account holders receive the following free benefits:

• A Kids’ Savings Club t-shirt
• A Kids’ Savings book
• A $10 Incredible Pizza game card

After the initial deposit, subsequent deposits are rewarded with Kids’ Bucks in lieu of cash dividends. Additional deposits between $1 and $10 earn $1 in Kids’ Bucks, deposits between $11 and $20 earn $2 in Kids’ Bucks and deposits over $20 earn $5 in Kids’ Bucks. Kids’ Bucks can be redeemed for prizes from the safe at a TTCU Federal Credit Union branch.

This account has no ATM access and doesn’t allow overdrafts. However, like other TTCU Federal Credit Union accounts, it can be linked to an ATM Access account to allow machine-based access to your money. You must visit a branch to open this account.

How to get TTCU Federal Credit Union’s savings accounts

You can open TTCU Federal Credit Union’s basic Savings account online. However, for the ATM Access and the Youth Savings accounts, you’ll need to visit a branch. Opening a Savings account online takes about 10 minutes and requires a Social Security number, citizenship or residency status, a funding source and a valid ID. You should also expect the credit union to run a credit check.

CDs at TTCU Federal Credit Union, also known as Share Certificates, cover a standard range of maturities, from 3 months to 48 months. Terms are a bit short, as many banks and credit unions offer 5 year maturities. Beyond that, TTCU Federal Credit Union’s CDs are fairly standard, with a $1,000 minimum and a 10-day grace period after maturity before auto-renewal. Rates are tiered and generally rise with longer maturities, but the progression is not linear. Currently, two maturities, the 9 month and the 19 month CD, are listed as promotional, meaning they could change or disappear at any time. Early withdrawal penalties apply.

Jumbo CDs at TTCU Federal Credit Union, also known as Share Certificates, cover the same standard range of maturities as the credit unions regular CDs, from 3 months to 48 months. The only difference between the two is that higher yields can be earned on the jumbo CDs, which require a $50,000 minimum.

Rates jump by about 10 basis points per maturity at the moment, although that is always subject to change. As with the credit union’s regular Share Certificates, there are currently two promotional jumbo maturities, the 9 and 19 month maturities. The standard 10-day grace period after maturity before auto-renewal applies, as do the early withdrawal penalties.

How to get TTCU Federal Credit Union’s CD accounts

You can open both types of TTCU Federal Credit Union CDs online. If you’re not a member, you’ll have to open a membership Savings account first. You’ll have to provide your Social Security number, a valid ID and a funding source, in addition to demonstrating citizenship or residency. A credit check is performed at the time you open an account.

This traditional money market account offers check-writing capabilities but no ATM access. Customers looking to access their money market funds via an ATM can sign up for the ATM Access account, which charges a fee.

The minimum deposit for the Money Market account is $2,500, and subsequent deposits must be at least $100. Similarly, the minimum withdrawal size is also $100. Dividends are paid monthly, using a five-tier APY system. Although even the smallest balances earn interest, the best rates are paid on deposits of over $50,000.

The Money Market account charges a $12 per transaction fee after three withdrawals per month. Certain withdrawals and transfers are limited up to 6 per month, following Regulation D. TTCU Federal Credit Union prohibits additional monthly withdrawals.

How to get TTCU Federal Credit Union’s money market account

You can get a TTCU Federal Credit Union Money Market account online. Opening an account at the credit union requires certain financial and personal information. To proceed, you’ll need your Social Security number, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, a valid ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, and a funding source. When you apply, the credit union will run a credit check.

The IRA Savings account at TTCU Federal Credit Union is a place customers can keep their cash if they don’t want to commit to other investments, such as a CD. Unlike with many institutions, however, this IRA Savings account isn’t simply a parking place for cash. With no monthly fees and high yields, this account is a viable alternative for conservative investors. Interest is paid in three tiers. Although deposits of more than $40,000 earn the highest APY, even the smallest balance earns a respectable rate of interest. As the account is in an IRA, there is no ATM access and no provision for overdrafts. You must visit a branch to open this account.

IRA CDs at TTCU Federal Credit Union are slightly different from the credit union’s regular CDs, also known as Share Certificates. IRA CD maturities range from 9 months to 60 months, and the rates paid are a bit higher.

Otherwise, the two types of CDs share the same $1,000 minimum and 10-day grace period following maturity before auto-renewal. The same early withdrawal penalties apply to both types of CDs as well. TTCU Federal Credit Union also currently offers promo rates on its 9 month and 19 month IRA CDs. The same rates apply to both traditional and Roth IRAs. You’ll need to visit a branch to open this account.

How to get TTCU Federal Credit Union’s IRA products

As mentioned above, you’ll have to visit a branch to open a TTCU Federal Credit Union IRA, as IRAs cannot be opened online. You’ll need to bring certain information and documentation to open an IRA account, including your Social Security number and a valid ID, like a passport, military ID, state ID or driver’s license. You’ll also need to prove U.S. citizenship or resident alien status. If you wish to make a deposit, you’ll need to provide information about your funding source, such as a checking account routing number.

Access Checking is designed to appeal to tech-savvy youths who need a debit-card account only, rather than a traditional checking account. This no-fee account doesn’t pay any interest. Although dubbed “Access Checking,” this account actually doesn’t offer check writing. The account offers free mobile banking and electronic statements, and account holders can remotely deposit paper checks via the app. Debit card purchases that exceed the amount of money available will be rejected; the account cannot be linked to overdraft protection sources as with other Travis Credit Union checking accounts.

If an account holder orders third-party checks that are presented for payment against this account, the transaction will be rejected and a nonsufficient funds fee will be assessed. However, if an account is temporarily overdrawn due to an otherwise-approved transaction, no overdraft fee will be charged. This could occur if a merchant doesn’t initially post the full value of the transaction, such as at a hotel or gas station.

Travis Credit Union’s Free Checking account is an entry-level offering with no monthly fee and a low minimum opening deposit requirement. And while it does not pay interest, the account still comes with the package of free features and benefits offered on all Travis Credit Union checking accounts, including the following:

• Online and mobile banking
• Bill pay
• A mobile app for iOS and Android that includes remote check deposit
• eStatements
• 24-hour phone banking
• Identity theft assistance
• Money Mover, which allows for free transfers into credit union accounts ($1 fee for transfers from the credit union to external accounts)

Customers with at least $500 they can keep on deposit at Travis Credit Union might want to look at the Dividend Checking checking account. Feature-wise, the account is almost identical to the credit union’s Free Checking account. Dividend checking does come with a monthly fee, but the same $500 that is required to earn interest on the account is enough to avoid the monthly fee. Beyond that, both accounts have the same ATM and overdraft fee structure and offer the same benefits, such as mobile and online banking, 24-hour phone banking, identity theft protection, and money transfers via the Money Mover program.

Structurally, Silver Wings Checking is almost a carbon copy of Travis Credit Union’s Dividend Checking account. Both accounts require a small opening deposit but pay interest on balances of at least $500. However, there is no fee attached to the Silver Wings Checking account, regardless of account balance. Silver Wings is designed to appeal to senior customers of the credit union, offering special perks such as a free box of standard checks and no fee for overdraft protection transfers.

Investor Checking pays the highest interest rate in the Travis Credit Union Checking account lineup, with balances of $50,000 or more earning the highest rates. Interest is paid in six tiers, although balances under $1,000 don’t earn anything. The moderate monthly fee can be avoided with a checking account balance of $2,500 or a combined $5,000 in balances across Travis Credit Union accounts.

Unlike other checking accounts at the credit union, Investor Checking allows four free non-network ATM withdrawals per month, although fees that may be charged by the terminal operator are not refunded. Account holders also enjoy no-free overdraft transfer protection transfers. One box of checks can be ordered for free at any time.

Youth Checking is a simple checking account designed to teach teenagers how to handle money. The account carries many of the same features as the Free Checking account, including a small opening deposit requirement, no monthly fee, and a free ATM card or Visa debit card. Account holders can also apply for a Young Adult Visa credit card with a $2,000 limit to help build credit.

How to get Travis Credit Union’s checking accounts

Most of Travis Credit Union’s checking accounts can be opened online. The exception is the Youth Checking account, which requires a visit to a branch location.

All customers at Travis Credit Union must open a Share Savings account, which is mostly a basic, straightforward savings account. A $5 opening deposit, on top of a $5 membership fee, is all that’s needed to open this no-fee account. Dividends are paid in a four-tier structure: balances over $10,000 earn the top normal rate, but balances below $100 earn nothing. The account has ATM access, with free in-network withdrawals but no refunds of other banks’ terminal charges. In accordance with federal regulation D, certain transfers and withdrawals through phone or online banking are limited to six per month. A $9 quarterly low-balance fee is assessed on balances of less than $100; this can be waived with a loan balance or an active checking account.

The Ultimate Rewards Package is a special feature offered by Travis Credit Union. It provides a greatly enhanced yield on the first $500 in a Share Savings account for customers that have a checking account with eStatements and add either direct deposit or bill pay.

The Target Share account at Travis Credit Union is a secondary savings account designed to mirror the Share Savings account. Customers can open as many Target Share accounts as they would like to save for specific goals like the holidays, a vacation or special events (e.g. a wedding). Like the Share Savings account, the Target Share account has no monthly maintenance fee and requires a $5 opening deposit, although the additional $5 membership fee is not required on this account. ATM fees are the same, with nothing charged for in-network withdrawals, and the quarterly low balance fee also applies. Certain withdrawals and transfers share the same six-per-month limit as per Regulation D.

The first in a series of three youth savings accounts at Travis Credit Union, the T-Bird Club Savings account is for the youngest savers, up to 12 years old. There are no minimum deposit requirements and no monthly maintenance fees, and the quarterly low-balance fee is also waived. To help youngsters learn more about the financial world, this account, along with all youth accounts at Travis Credit Union, provides access to an interactive web site with various financial education topics. Every child signing up for the T-Bird Club account also receives a free piggy bank.

The Rising Stars Club is a youth savings account that gives older children more control over their financial lives. Account holders aged 14 to 17 are given access to an ATM card, as long as a parent co-signs for the account. Teens aged 16 or 17 can also sign up for a Visa debit card if they have a parent or guardian as a co-signer. Beyond these additional features, the account is like the T-Bird Club account, with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and access to the credit union’s educational web site.

The Young Adult account at Travis Credit Union is the top-tier youth account and it functions like a full-fledged savings account. In addition to having no monthly fees or account minimums, the Young Adult account comes with a Free Checking account, free bill pay, a free ATM or Visa debit card, and mobile banking. This account is also the only youth account that pays dividends, although they are not listed on the website; you’ll have to contact the credit union directly to get current rates. Account holders are also eligible to apply for a Visa credit card with an up to $2,000 limit.

As with all Health Savings accounts, the HSA at Travis Credit Union requires enrollment in a high-deductible health plan to qualify. Contributions to the account may be tax-deductible, and distributions are generally tax-free when used for qualifying medical expenses. Travis Credit Union’s HSA is a bit unusual in that it offers check writing, which not all HSAs do. Interest is earned in two tiers, although currently only deposits of $100 or more earn any dividends.

How to get Travis Credit Union’s savings accounts

All traditional Travis Credit Union savings accounts, including youth accounts, can be opened online. You’ll need a Social Security number, government-issued ID, proof of physical address, employment and personal information, and a funding source. For the Health Savings account, customers must visit a branch or call (800) 877-8328.

For youth accounts, with the exception of the Young Adult account, a parent or guardian at least 18 years old must be the joint owner.

CDs at Travis Credit Union have a modest opening balance requirement and a fairly limited range of maturities. Although terms range from 6 months to 60 months, there are only a total of six maturities. Rates are fixed until maturity, and dividends are compounded monthly. Travis Credit Union CDs have a 6 day grace period after maturity during which funds can be withdrawn free-of-charge. Standard early withdrawal penalties otherwise apply.

In order to receive the bonus interest rates offered by Travis Credit Union’s Laddering Certificates, customers must purchase $50,000 in CDs laddered over five years, with $10,000 going towards a 1-year certificate, $10,000 going towards a 2-year certificate, and so on for up to five years. Every year a CD matures, it auto-renews into a new 5-year certificate, unless you notify the credit union first. The standard 6-day grace period applies, as does the early withdrawal penalty.

The Bump-Up Certificate at Travis Credit Union is a current special offer that can be pulled at any time. Account holders are allowed to “bump up” the rate on their CD to the then-current rate one time during the term. The minimum balance to open is twice that of a regular CD at Travis Credit Union, but the same early withdrawal penalty holds. Upon maturity, Bump-Up CDs automatically renew into standard certificates, with no promotional rate available. However, customers can withdraw funds without penalty during a 6-day grace period after maturity.

How to get Travis Credit Union’s CD accounts

You can open a Travis Credit Union CD account online. You can also visit a branch or call (707) 449-4000. As mentioned above, opening an account online takes about 10 minutes. If you’re not yet a credit union member, you must join by opening a Share Savings account. To complete the process, you’ll need your Social Security number, a valid ID like a passport or driver’s license, various personal and employment information, your address, and your source of funding.

The Flexible Money Market account occupies the entry-level spot in Travis Credit Union’s money market account portfolio. Travis Credit Union’s money market accounts have no monthly maintenance fee and pays interest, but the minimum opening deposit and the APY schedule varies from account to account.

For the Flexible Money Market account, interest is earned in five tiers, the most of any of the credit union’s money market accounts, with payouts beginning on the first dollar.

All of Travis Credit Union’s money market accounts have ATM access and the same ATM fee structure, but none of them have overdraft protection. Travis Credit Union charges a $15 excessive transaction fee for certain money market transactions in excess of six per month, including checks, pre-authorized or automatic transfers, online banking transfers, and telephonic transfers.

The Sterling Money Market account functions just like the Flexible Money Market account, with two major distinctions. First, the minimum opening deposit for this account jumps up to $25,000. Second, interest is paid in two tiers. To get anything more than a minimal rate, customers must maintain a balance at least as large as the minimum opening deposit.

As with the Flexible Money Market account, the Sterling Money Market account has ATM access and the same ATM fee structure, but with no overdraft protection. Account holders are assessed a $15 excessive transaction fee for certain transactions in excess of six per month, including checks, online banking transfers, pre-authorized or automatic transfers, and telephonic transfers.

The Sterling Money Market account is a mirror image of the first two money market accounts in the Travis Credit Union stable, with two notable exceptions. The minimum opening deposit requirement on this account jumps up to $50,000, and the interest rate paid at that level and above is commensurately higher.

Beyond these differences, the Sterling Money Market is essentially the same account as the others. ATM access comes with the account, and there are still only ATM fees for non-CO-OP machines. There is also no overdraft protection with this account. Certain electronic, telephonic, or pre-authorized transactions in excess of six per month are assessed a $15 fee.

The Premiere Plus Money Market account pays its best interest rate on deposits of at least $75,000, which is also the minimum amount required to open the account; smaller deposits earn hardly any interest at all. This account doesn’t have a monthly fee and has all the other benefits and restrictions that the credit union’s other money market accounts share, including no monthly fees, free in-network ATM transactions, and no overdraft protection. The excess activity fee of $15 applies to certain transactions in excess of six per month.

The Jumbo Money Market account is the big dog when it comes to money markets at Travis Credit Union, requiring a whopping $100,000 minimum opening deposit. Customers must maintain this balance in the account to earn anything but a token APY. However, those that can manage it will benefit from the credit union’s highest money market interest-rate payout. There are no monthly fees with this account, but the overdraft fee can’t be reduced via overdraft protection. ATM access is provided, with no fees charged on in-network transactions. As with the credit union’s other money market accounts, certain transactions in excess of six per month are met with a $15 excessive transaction fee.

How to get Travis Credit Union’s money market accounts

All of Travis Credit Union’s money market accounts can be opened online. As mentioned above, you can open an account with a government-issued ID, proof of physical residence, employment and personal information, a Social Security number, and a funding source.

The IRA Savings account is a way for customers to earn a little bit of interest on otherwise uninvested IRA money. The rate paid is low, but it applies to all deposits above the minimum $200 opening deposit requirement. There is no ATM access with this account and no monthly maintenance fee. As the account is in an IRA, overdrafts are not allowed.

IRA CDs at Travis Credit Union have the same $500 minimum as the credit union’s non-IRA CDs. However, the 6-month CD is left off the maturity in the credit union’s IRAs. Customers must choose from just five different terms, ranging from 1 year to 5 years. Rates paid on those CDs are identical to the credit union’s taxable CDs.

The same Bump-Up Certificate that is available in taxable accounts at Travis Credit Union is also available in the credit union’s IRAs. This rate is a current special offer, but can be changed or removed at any time. Bump-Up CD holders can up the rate on their CD to the then-current rate once before maturity. As with the taxable Bump-Up CD, the IRA version has a minimum balance twice that of a regular CD. Bump-Up CDs automatically renew into standard certificates, upon maturity with no promotional rate available. However, customers can withdraw funds without penalty during a 6-day grace period after maturity. Otherwise, an early withdrawal penalty applies.

Laddering Certificates are available in both taxable and IRA form at Travis Credit Union. Customers purchasing $50,000 of the certificates earn bonus interest rates. The $50,000 invested must be distributed across five maturities, with $10,000 in a 1-year certificate, $10,000 in a 2-year certificate, and so on for the full five years. Every time a CD matures, it auto-renews into a new 5-year certificate, unless the credit union is notified in advance. A 6-day grace period applies before auto-renewal, as does the early withdrawal penalty.

How to get Travis Credit Union’s IRA products

You can call the Member Service Center at (800) 877-8328 for additional information, but the account opening process for an IRA must take place in a branch. As with all Travis Credit Union accounts, you’ll need to become a member before you can open an IRA. To open an account, you’ll need to provide basic personal and financial information, along with your Social Security number, a valid ID like a state ID, passport or driver’s license, and a funding source.