America First Credit Union Checking Accounts

America First Credit Union (AFCU) checking accounts are share-draft transaction accounts available to the credit union's 1.5 million members across seven western states. The lineup includes Classic Checking with no monthly fee, Premium Checking with rewards, a Money Market Checking tier for higher balances, plus dedicated Youth and Senior options. All accounts are NCUA-insured to $250,000 per depositor and share the routing number 324377516.

The AFCU checking lineup at a glance

AFCU groups its share-draft (checking) products around the balance and life stage of the member. Classic Checking is the default opener for most adult members: no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance, and a debit card that ties into the credit union's surcharge-free ATM network. Premium Checking layers paid rewards on top — cell phone insurance, identity-protection benefits, and roadside assistance — in exchange for a monthly fee that can be waived under qualifying use patterns. Money Market Checking is positioned for members who keep a higher average balance and want to earn a dividend on funds still available by debit card. Youth Checking is built for members under 18, and a Senior tier focuses on simplified statements and fee waivers for older members.

Across every tier, the underlying mechanics are the same: a Visa debit card, mobile and online banking access, free e-statements, Zelle person-to-person transfers, and bill pay. Cheque writing is supported but, in line with most credit unions, the day-to-day transaction volume happens through the debit card and the mobile app rather than paper cheques.

Steps to open an AFCU checking account

1. Confirm membership eligibility.Membership is open to residents of qualifying counties in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California and Oregon, plus family members of existing members and employees of partner organizations.
2. Open a primary share savings.A small share savings deposit (typically $1) is the membership stake; this account must exist before any checking account can be added.
3. Choose the checking tier.Classic for fee-free everyday use, Premium for built-in protection benefits, Money Market for higher balances, Youth for under-18 members, or Senior for fee-simplified statements.
4. Fund the account.Transfer the opening deposit from an external bank, deposit a paper cheque in-branch or via the mobile app, or set up direct deposit to start it on the first pay cycle.
5. Activate digital access.Enrol in online banking at americafirst.com, install the AFCU mobile app, request a debit card, and set up Zelle and bill pay.

Fees, minimums, and how AFCU compares

AFCU's headline appeal on checking is what it does not charge: Classic Checking carries no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum-balance requirement, and no per-transaction limit. Out-of-network ATM fees are minimised by the 30,000+ surcharge-free CO-OP and Allpoint ATM partnership — wider than what most regional banks offer. Overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) treatment follow standard credit-union practice, with overdraft protection available by linking a share savings or line of credit. As with any deposit account, members should consult AFCU's current fee schedule for exact dollar amounts before opening, since published schedules can be revised.

Mobile deposit, debit cards, and the ATM network

Once a checking account is open, the everyday experience runs through three channels. The AFCU mobile app for iOS and Android handles deposits — members photograph the front and back of an endorsed cheque and submit it for clearing without visiting a branch. Person-to-person transfers run through Zelle inside the app. Card controls (lock/unlock, travel notices, transaction alerts) are also handled in-app, removing one of the most common reasons members historically had to call a branch.

The debit card is a Visa product, accepted internationally wherever Visa debit is honoured. ATM access is the wider story: AFCU is part of the CO-OP and Allpoint shared networks, which collectively offer more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the United States — including most major drugstore and convenience-store ATM locations. For members travelling outside Utah and Nevada (where physical AFCU branches are concentrated), the shared network is what makes day-to-day cash access workable.

Key facts about AFCU checking accounts

Youth and Senior checking tiers

For younger members, AFCU Youth Checking is structured around safety rails rather than rewards: no setup or maintenance fees, parental visibility tools, and a debit card designed to help under-18 members practice card discipline before they take on a credit product. Holiday and student savings accounts are commonly paired with the youth checking tier so members can build a habit of moving money to savings each pay cycle. On the other end of the lifecycle, the Senior tier waives certain statement and printed-cheque fees that older members often need, and pairs with the credit union's no-surcharge ATM network so on-the-road members in Arizona or California still avoid out-of-network fees.

Overview & Key Features

America First Credit Union is the 6th largest US credit union with $23.3 billion in assets, 1.5 million members, and 116 branches across seven states. Its checking lineup centres on a fee-free Classic account, a rewards-driven Premium tier, a balance-earning Money Market checking, plus dedicated Youth and Senior options — all NCUA insured and tied into the 30,000+ surcharge-free CO-OP and Allpoint ATM network.

• Classic Checking: No monthly fee, no minimum balance, free Visa debit card and unlimited transactions
• Premium Checking: Rewards tier with cell phone protection, ID-theft monitoring, and roadside assistance — monthly fee waivable
• Money Market Checking: Earns a dividend on higher balances while keeping debit-card and bill-pay access
• Youth Checking: For members under 18, no setup or maintenance fees, parental oversight tools
• Mobile Deposit: Available in iOS and Android AFCU apps for photographed cheque deposit
• ATM Network: 30,000+ surcharge-free CO-OP and Allpoint ATMs nationwide
• Routing Number: 324377516 for direct deposit, ACH and wire transfers
• NCUA Insured: Federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category

People also ask about AFCU checking

Does America First Credit Union offer free checking?

Yes. AFCU Classic Checking has no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement, and includes a free Visa debit card with unlimited transactions. Premium Checking adds insurance and rewards benefits in exchange for a monthly fee that can be waived under qualifying use conditions.

Can I deposit cheques from my phone with AFCU?

Yes. AFCU mobile deposit is built into the America First mobile app for iOS and Android. Members photograph the front and back of an endorsed cheque inside the app and submit it for processing — typically the same business day for small amounts.

How many surcharge-free ATMs do AFCU members have access to?

More than 30,000, through the CO-OP and Allpoint shared ATM networks plus AFCU's own branch ATMs. That coverage spans most US states and includes common convenience-store and drugstore ATM locations.

What is the routing number for AFCU checking?

The routing number for all America First Credit Union accounts, including every checking tier, is 324377516. It is used for direct deposit, ACH transfers and wire transfers.

Can a non-Utah resident open an AFCU checking account?

Yes, if the applicant is in one of the qualifying counties in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, California, or Oregon, or qualifies through a family member who is already an AFCU member or through an eligible employer group.