Orange County’s Credit Union unveils new checking offerings to help reduce fees and make banking more accessible
Members Can Take Advantage of Free Features and Affordable Checking Services with Convenient Access
SANTA ANA, CA (September 25, 2023) — Orange County’s Credit Union, a Santa Ana-based financial services provider with more than 130,000 Members, today announced the expansion of its suite of checking account offerings with the introduction of two new options: Access Checking and Plus Checking. The new checking account offerings are designed to make banking more accessible for Members in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties while providing an opportunity for financial stability and security throughout every stage of life.
With an Access Checking account, Members who may have been unable to open a checking account at another bank or credit union due to poor credit or other financial blemishes can now build or rebuild their banking status with a low-fee account. Built specifically for those who have had to use high-fee banking alternative solutions, such as payday lenders, the new Access Checking account offers a fresh start with a debit MasterCard®, resources and tools for financial wellness, and the opportunity to transition into a Basic Checking account after 12 months. Members won’t have to pay NSF fees with Access Checking, because the account only allows you to spend what you have. Free digital banking access allows Members to set up alerts and easily monitor their account balance at a quick glance. In recognition of its accessibility, Access Checking has been certified as a safe and low-fee account with no overdraft or NSF fees that meets the Bank On National Account Standards by the national nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s Bank On initiative, which works to connect consumers to safe and affordable banking accounts.
With the new Plus Checking account, Orange County’s Credit Union allows Members to manage funds and safeguard their account from accidental overdrafts. Plus Checking provides a streamlined checking experience without additional overdraft or NSF fees, providing a cost-effective payment protection service and greater peace of mind. Additionally, Members will benefit from free overdraft protection when linked to an eligible savings or deposit account as well as a built-in overdraft-only $500 line of credit with no annual fee and a low interest rate.
“We designed these new checking accounts specifically with our Members’ needs in mind,” said Amber Cisneros, Chief Member Experience Officer at Orange County’s Credit Union. “Every day our Associates help Members throughout southern California who want to avoid paying extra fees, and who are looking for guidance on improving their financial futures. We’re here to help the communities we serve, in whatever capacity we can. We couldn’t be more pleased to introduce these two new checking options to help serve their needs.”
Orange County’s Credit Union Members can now choose from up to five federally insured checking accounts: Basic Checking, Interest Checking, Plus Checking, Access Checking and Pacific Checking. Designed for a simplified banking experience with the utmost convenience, all checking accounts feature free 24/7 access to telephone, online, and mobile banking, access to nearly 30,000 CO-OP ATMs nationwide, eAlerts, eStatements, a wealth of financial resources and tools, and much more.
Beyond checking accounts, Orange County’s Credit Union helps Members with additional financial services, including savings, retirement accounts, as well as auto, mortgage and small business loans. Orange County’s Credit Union is a certified Community Development Financial Institution credit union and holds the Low-Income Designation to better serve Members of all backgrounds.
For more information on Orange County’s Credit Union or to find a location, visit: www.orangecountyscu.org.
About Orange County’s Credit Union
Orange County’s Credit Union is a Santa Ana-based financial services provider established in 1938 with more than 135,000 Members and over $2.5 billion in assets. As a not-for-profit financial services provider, Orange County’s Credit Union is owned by Members, not shareholders, which means its profits are returned to Members in the form of fewer fees, lower loan rates, and enhanced products and services. Orange County’s Credit Union is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to support the challenges faced by low-income families and communities, and offers a full range of financial services to Members, including checking and savings, mobile banking, and retirement accounts, as well as auto, small business, and home loans with zero-percent down and three-percent down options. Ranked in the top three percent of credit unions nationwide based on assets, Orange County’s Credit Union offers Membership to anyone who lives or works in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. For more information, visit Orange County’s Credit Union’s website at www.orangecountyscu.org or call (888) 354-6228.
