Connexus CU Xtraordinary Checking Account 2024 Review

Connexus Credit Union's Xtraordinary Checking account offers a competitive rate on balances with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Joining the credit union is easy, as anyone in the U.S. can become a member with a $5 donation. 

The Connexus Credit Union Xtraordinary Checking account is an interest-bearing checking account that pays dividends monthly when certain requirements are met. There are no monthly fees and you can open an account online in minutes. 

You might consider banking with Connexus if you:

• Are interested in exploring the benefits of a credit union
• Would like to earn a competitive rate on checking balances
• Need access to a sizable ATM network
• Keep $25,000 or less in checking

Connexus also offers basic checking and a teen checking account. The teen account earns interest and the APY is just above what you'll get with Xtraordinary Checking.

Compared to Other Checking Accounts

PenFed Credit Union Free Checking

PenFed Credit Union offers a free checking account that's geared toward basic money management needs. There are no minimum balance requirements and you can get started with as little as $25. You'll have access to more than 85,000 fee-free ATMs and membership is open to everyone, with only a $5 deposit required to join. 

Read our full editorial review of PenFed Credit Union Free Checking.

Blue Federal Credit Union Money Market Account

If you're looking for a money market account instead of checking you might consider Blue Federal Credit Union. In partnership with Raisin, Blue FCU offers an exceptional rate for its online money market account. You'll need just $1 to open this account and there are no monthly fees. 

Read our full editorial review of Blue Federal Credit Union Money Market Account.

Experian Smart Money Checking

Experian Smart Money Checking is a digital checking account that helps you build credit as you pay bills. There are no minimums or monthly fees and you can get a $50 bonus when you enroll in direct deposit. You can access more than 55,000 ATMs fee-free and deposit cash at CVS Pharmacy, 7-Eleven and Walmart locations. 

Read our full editorial review of Experian Smart Money Checking.

SoFi Checking and Savings

SoFi offers a checking and savings account together that make it easy to spend and earn interest on balances. You'll earn cash back on eligible debit card purchases and get an excellent savings rate. There are no monthly fees and you can get paid up to two days early when you enroll in direct deposit. 

Read our full editorial review of SoFi Checking and Savings.

Interest and Rewards

Connexus allows you to earn interest with Xtraordinary Checking. Compared to other interest checking accounts, the APY is pretty solid. 

You'll need to meet one of these requirements to earn dividends:

• 15 debit card purchases per month OR
• $400 in debit card purchases and enrollment in paperless statements

It shouldn't be difficult to earn the advertised APY if you regularly spend with your debit card. You can spend the dividends you earn or save them in a Connexus Credit Union savings account. 

Note that the APY drops once your balance exceeds $25,000. So you may want to keep that in mind if you're planning to maintain a large balance in checking. 

You won't earn cash back on debit card purchases. That may be a drawback if you're interested in rewards checking. But the interest earnings still make this account worth a look. 

Fees

Credit unions are often more fee-friendly than traditional banks. Getting the full rundown on fees before opening an account can help you avoid surprises. 

Here are the fees Connexus charges.

Other Service Fees - Connexus CU Xtraordinary Checking

Connexus charges no fees for overdraft protection transfers from linked accounts. As you can see, the fees overall are less than what most brick-and-mortar banks charge. 

Branch and ATM Access

Connexus has branches in Minnesota, Ohio, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. However, you don't need to live in one of those states to open an account. 

You also get the benefit of shared branch banking, which allows you to access your Connexus accounts at partner credit unions across the country. There are more than 5,000 shared branches in the CO-OP network. 

You can withdraw cash fee-free at Connexus ATMs. You also have access to 67,000 fee-free ATMs in the CO-OP and MoneyPass networks. 

Account Access

You'll be able to manage your accounts with online and mobile banking. You can track your progress toward earning the APY each month in the Connexus Credit Union mobile app. 

Your options for depositing money include:

• ACH transfers
• Wire transfers
• Mobile check deposit
• Direct deposit

The daily mobile check deposit limit starts at $2,500. There's no limit on the number of checks you can deposit each day. 

If you're using bill pay services, payments to a business, bank or credit union have a per-transaction limit of $9,999.99. Payments to individuals have a per-transaction limit of $1,500 and a daily limit of $3,000. 

Connexus limits external transfers as well. You'll need to log in to your account to view your transfer limits. 

You won't find Zelle access offered in the Connexus app. But you can download the Zelle app and link your accounts manually to pay friends and family. 

FDIC Insurance

FDIC insurance protects deposits at member banks if a bank fails. The FDIC does not insure banks; that's left to the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). 

Connexus Credit Union is insured by the NCUA. The coverage limit is $250,000 per depositor. 

What You Need to Open

You'll first need to join Connexus Credit Union to open an Xtraordinary Checking account. Anyone can join with a $5 donation. 

You can join without a donation if you are:

• A spouse, family member or household member of someone who's already a member
• Are employed or have been employed by selected organizations
• Are a student or alumni of selected organizations
• Live in an eligible community

You can open your account online and you'll need a valid government-issued ID to do so. You'll also need to provide your Social Security number, home address, email address and phone number. 

Once you've joined the credit union you can open your checking account. There's no minimum opening deposit for Xtraordinary Checking. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Connexus Credit Union legitimate? 

Connexus Credit Union is a legitimate financial institution and NCUA member. The credit union offers checking accounts, savings accounts, share certificates, money market accounts, Individual Retirement Accounts, credit cards and loans. 

Is a credit union better than a bank? 

Credit unions can be more appealing than traditional banks if you're able to earn better rates on deposits while paying fewer fees. Comparing credit union features and benefits can help you decide if it makes sense to choose one over a bank. 

What is the best credit union checking account? 

The best credit union checking account is one that meets your needs, offers convenience and doesn't charge a lot of fees. Credit union checking accounts can be even more attractive if you're earning interest on balances or cashback rewards on debit card purchases.