High-Yield Checking

High-Yield Checking

Columbia Credit Union Welcome bonus offer

NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME OFFER

We've got a $3001 welcome bonus, just for you.

As you settle into the neighborhood, we want to show you that it pays to put down roots with Columbia Credit Union. 

Let’s kick things off with:

  • A $300 welcome bonus
  • 5.50% APY² checking (earn up to $1,300 annually³)
  • Up to $25 in ATM fee rebates each month

Open your first Columbia Credit Union FREE Income Checking account and earn your Reward Dividend Rate twice within 90 days of opening to unlock your $300 bonus! Be sure to include your promo code when you apply online or bring your postcard with you to apply in branch.

See below for more info about earning your monthly dividend rate.

 

NEW NEIGHBOR WELCOME OFFER

We've got a $3001 welcome bonus, just for you.

Columbia Credit Union Welcome bonus offer

As you settle into the neighborhood, we want to show you that it pays to put down roots with Columbia Credit Union. 

Let’s kick things off with:

  • A $300 welcome bonus
  • 5.50% APY² checking (earn up to $1,300 annually³)
  • Up to $25 in ATM fee rebates each month

Open your first Columbia Credit Union FREE Income Checking account and earn your Reward Dividend Rate twice within 90 days of opening to unlock your $300 bonus! Be sure to include your promo code when you apply online or bring your postcard with you to apply in branch.

See below for more info about earning your monthly dividend rate.

 

Checking

INCOME CHECKING

Earn more on your account than the competition.

Each month, earn 5.50% APY on balances up to $25,000 and receive up to $25 in nationwide ATM fee rebates when 3 easy steps are completed during that month’s Requirements Period (26th of the prior month – 25th of the current month):

  1. Enroll in e-statements
  2. Have a direct deposit of at least $500
  3. Make at least 15 purchases between your Income Checking debit card and Columbia CU credit card

INCOME CHECKING

Earn more on your account than the competition.

Each month, earn 5.50% APY on balances up to $25,000 and receive up to $25 in nationwide ATM fee rebates when 3 easy steps are completed during that month’s Requirements Period (26th of the prior month – 25th of the current month):

  1. Enroll in e-statements
  2. Have a direct deposit of at least $500
  3. Make at least 15 purchases between your Income Checking debit card and Columbia CU credit card

Three great reasons to open an account

Higher Returns

Enjoy greater interest rates than traditional checking accounts. The more you save, the more you earn!

No Fees

Retain more of your wealth with no monthly or transaction fees, allowing your funds to grow without unnecessary costs.

Full-Service Solutions

Consider us your local partner for high-powered checking options, high-yield savings, cash back credit cards, and tailored mortgage plans.

Additional Details​

Other high-yield checking account benefits include:

  • Early direct deposit
  • If you don’t meet the qualification requirements, you will earn 0.05% on your balance. Your ATM fees will not get reimbursed.
  • No monthly fee or minimum balance requirements
  • No Columbia CU ATM fee
  • Free Online and Mobile Banking, debit rewards, budgeting tool, and e-statements
  • $1 minimum to open
  • Available with Stash Your Cash
  • Federally insured up to $250,000

Additional Details​

Other high-yield checking account benefits include:

  • Early direct deposit
  • If you don’t meet the qualification requirements, you will earn 0.05% on your balance. Your ATM fees will not get reimbursed.
  • No monthly fee or minimum balance requirements
  • No Columbia CU ATM fee
  • Free Online and Mobile Banking, debit rewards, budgeting tool, and e-statements
  • $1 minimum to open
  • Available with Stash Your Cash
  • Federally insured up to $250,000

EARLY DIRECT DEPOSIT

Get paid up to 3 days early.

Open an account and enjoy our early direct deposit to get your money up to three days early.4

EARLY DIRECT DEPOSIT

Get paid up to 3 days early.

Open an account and enjoy our early direct deposit to get your money up to three days early.5

REDUCED AUTO RATES

Save on your current or next car loan.

Take 1.25% APR5 off your existing rate from another lender on any year vehicle down to our floor of 4.99% APR when you refinance from another lender and set up automatic payments from your Columbia CU checking account.

REDUCED AUTO RATES

Save on your current or next car loan.

Take 1.25% APR5 off your existing rate from another lender on any year vehicle down to our floor of 4.99% APR when you refinance from another lender and set up automatic payments from your Columbia CU checking account.

★★★★★

"Awesome people who work here. Never had a better experience. So glad I switched to a credit union. The tellers actually get to know you and who you are, unlike big banks that just see you as a number and not a human being. Thank you Columbia CU."

- Kenny B.

Debit Card Features

Withdraw money directly using your debit card at network ATMs or banks.

EMV chip technology provides an encrypted safeguard against fraud or theft.

Upload and add any photo you want to your debit card at no extra charge.

Our Card Manager feature in Online & Mobile Banking helps secure your cards while you’re away from home.

THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE

Join the credit union movement.

Watch Lindsey Salvestrin, our President and CEO, be joined by our Chief Experience Officer Colleen Boccia for a chat with Fox 12’s Stephanie Kralevich about the credit union movement and all the benefits of being a member at a place that puts people first:

  • How money stays in the community
  • Why credit unions can offer better rates
  • What local service brings to members

THE CREDIT UNION DIFFERENCE

Join the credit union movement.

Watch Lindsey Salvestrin, our President and CEO, be joined by our Chief Experience Officer Colleen Boccia for a chat with Fox 12’s Stephanie Kralevich about the credit union movement and all the benefits of being a member at a place that puts people first:

  • How money stays in the community
  • Why credit unions can offer better rates
  • What local service brings to members

Frequently Asked Questions

If your household received a promo code to join Columbia Credit Union, you are eligible to earn a $300 new account opening bonus by opening your first Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account and earning your Reward Dividend Rate twice within 90 days of opening. You must apply for membership by the deadline included in the mailing, fund your account within 10 business days of applying, and include the promo code by bringing your postcard with you when opening in branch or typing it into the Promotion code field in the last step of your online application. See full details below.

Your debit card purchases are deducted from your account balance like any regular checking account. Additionally, 15 Income Checking debit card and Columbia CU credit card purchases each month help you qualify for the high interest.

This high interest checking account stands out because of its higher interest rate. It’s typically greater than rates on standard interest-earning checking accounts. This means you can grow your finances faster while enjoying the benefits of a regular checking account.

A high-interest checking account offers a higher interest rate than traditional checking accounts. This type of account allows for both deposits and withdrawals.

A savings account is designed primarily for saving money and typically offers a higher interest rate than standard checking accounts. However, it usually has limits on the number of withdrawals you can make each month.

The Income Checking account offers a high-interest rate of 5.50% annual percentage yield APY on balances up to $25,000. There are specific requirements to earn this rate and up to $25 in ATM fee rebates. You must make at least 15 purchases with your debit and credit cards, have a direct deposit of at least $500, and enroll in e-statements. This account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

The RewardsPlus Checking account provides different benefits. It includes perks like one free folio of checks per year, free unlimited money orders, and a discount on safe deposit box rental.

This rewards checking account does not have monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. It offers free online and mobile banking, a budgeting tool, and e-statements. The focus for the RewardsPlus account is on banking-related discounts and perks rather than a high-interest rate.

Yes, you can use your High-Yield Checking account for daily transactions. You have the ability to make purchases, pay bills, and withdraw cash. These accounts combine the flexibility of a checking account with the advantage of higher interest rates.

Don't just take it from us.

Best of Clark County Award
2008-2024

The Columbian

Corporate Philanthropy Award
2017-2024

Portland Business Journal

Best in Business Award
2013-2024

Vancouver Business Journal

Become a member.

Columbia Credit Union membership is open to individuals and businesses in Washington State and in the Oregon communities of Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, and Washington Counties (and to the families of eligible individuals).

1$300 Checking Account Bonus. Application must be submitted by June 30, 2025, and account funded within 10 business days of application approval. Must be a natural person, age 18 or older, who has not been a member (Tax Reported Owner) on a Columbia CU personal checking account in the past 12 months. During the promotional period, you must open a new Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account. Then, after earning your Income Checking Reward Dividend Rate twice within the first 90 days of opening your Income Checking account, we’ll deposit an extra $300 into your account. Reward Dividend Rate qualifications are defined below in section 2. Account must have a positive balance and be open at the time of payment. Bonus will be deposited into your Columbia CU Income Checking account on the first business day of the month following the completion of the requirements listed above. You must have received a personalized promotional code directly from Columbia Credit Union and enter the offer code at the time of account opening to qualify. Limit one account-opening offer per individual. Columbia Credit Union is not responsible for, and will not honor, promotional offers that appear on non-Columbia Credit Union websites or that are not authorized by Columbia Credit Union. The value of your account opening offer will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. Trusts and Businesses are not eligible. Offers are subject to change without notice. This promotional offer is valid in-branch, by phone, or online.

²APY=Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of May 1, 2025, and can change at any time without notice. When qualifications are met, the Rewards Dividend Rate is calculated and accrued daily on ending balances of $25,000 or less. Dividends are paid and compounded monthly. The advertised Rewards APY assumes your balance, including the prior months’ dividends, is $25,000 or less every day of every month during the APY’s annual look-ahead timeframe. Minimum to open is $1. Requirements Period: (26th of the prior month – 25th of the current month). To earn Rewards APY and/or ATM fee rebates you must complete these three Requirements during the month’s Requirements Period: 1) Be enrolled in e-Statements; 2) Have a direct deposit of at least $500 into Income Checking; 3) Have 15 posted* Income Checking debit card or Columbia CU credit card purchases; pending transactions do not qualify. Please note: Debit and credit card transactions may not post (or may show as pending, not posted) to your Income Checking or Credit Card Account the same day as the purchases. *Definition: posted transaction has fully processed and appears on your account statement or in online & mobile banking with a transaction date. Credit card purchases count toward Requirements when the same person is the Tax Reported Owner (member) on the Income Checking and the credit card account. ATM withdrawals don’t count toward Requirements. Limit one (1) Income Checking per Tax Reported Owner (Member).

3One year of earnings of up to $1,300 based on meeting requirements for qualifying transactions to earn 5.50% APY on account and carrying $25,000 daily balance for 12 months. Potential earnings with a Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account are estimates based on published rates current as of May 1, 2025, and subject to change without notice.

4Early direct deposit is available for checking members that set up direct deposit with their employer or other payer to receive electronic deposits of regular periodic payments (such as salary, pension, or government benefits). Early direct deposits may be available to you up to 3 days earlier, however, we are dependent on the timing of your payer’s payment and therefore you may not always see your direct deposits arrive early.

5APR=Annual Percentage Rate. If you’re refinancing your vehicle loan from another lender, we will give you the lowest of either a) your Columbia CU qualifying APR or; b) up to 1.00% APR off your current lender’s APR down to our floor of 4.99% APR. Lowest APRs include Checking Relationship Plan discount which provides a qualifying rate discount of 0.25% APR for automatic loan payments from Columbia CU checking. Within 60 days of loan closing, Auto Pay can be set up via automatic transfers from your Columbia CU checking to your loan with the assistance of a Columbia CU representative. Membership required to borrow. Columbia Credit Union may offer other rates in the future.