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5 Things to Look for in a Checking Account

A checking account is the center of your financial life – this is where you’ll most likely deposit your paycheck, access money to make purchases and pay bills, and when you have extra, transfer money into a savings or investment account. It’s important to select a checking account that helps you meet your goals.

To help focus your search, consider this list of the most common checking account features:

1. Monthly Cost

Keep in Mind: Sunward Checking Account:
Monthly fees No monthly or low-balance fees
Minimum balance requirement No minimum balance or initial deposit required

2. Overdraft Fees

Keep in Mind: Sunward Checking Account:
If you accidentally spend more than you have by overdrawing your account, you’ll be charged an Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) fee. $25 NSF fee2 - Members age 18-25, you can request one NSF fee refund per quarter3.
The 2014 national average for an NSF fee was $32.74.1 Free automatic overdraft protection from your savings account

3. Debit Card

Keep in Mind: Sunward Checking Account:
Some banks charge a monthly debit card fee. Free Mastercard Debit Card
ATM transaction fees Unlimited surcharge-free CU Anytime and CO-OP ATM transactions when you enroll in eStatements and eNotices

4. Account Access & Management

Keep in Mind: Sunward Checking Account:
ATM and branch locations Nearly 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs and 5,000 shared branches nationwide
Options for online and mobile banking Access accounts anytime, anywhere with online banking, our mobile app, and the automated phone system.
Deposit checks with your smartphone using mobile deposit.

5. Customer Service

Keep in Mind: Sunward Checking Account:
Talk with someone who can help. Our Contact Center, located in Albuquerque, is available to assist you by phone or secure online banking message during business hours.
Convenient locations Visit any of our branches to speak with a representative.

Learn more or open an Sunward checking account today.

1 http://www.bankrate.com/finance/checking/checking-account-fees.aspx

2 Courtesy pay allows for authorization and payment of checks and automatic bill payments for a $25 fee per instance for members in good standing. This discretionary service can also be extended to cover ATM transactions and debit card transactions. For more information, ask an Sunward representative or see the Sunward Universal Disclosure and Member Handbook.

3 Valid only for Young Adult Checking accounts for members age 18-25.

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