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Rewards Checking

rewards checking account

Everything you need from a checking account.

More Benefits You Can Count On

Monthly Dividends

Earn dividends on balances

ATM Rebates

Up to $10 in monthly ATM rebates^

Loan Discounts

Eligible members meeting requirements receive up to 0.50% discount†††

No Minimum Balance Requirement

And a bonus rate on certificates.****

A free box of checks** annually and a free Visa® personalized debit card.***

Free ATM Transactions

Up to 10 free ATM transactions monthly.

Get More From Your Checking Account

Best ForFor those who want a great checking account that pays dividends on the daily balance and also offers special benefits.
Monthly Fee$0 ($5 monthly fee if requirements are not met)^
ATM RebatesUp to $10 monthly^
Dividends*1.10%
Opening Deposit$50
Minimum Balance$0

Requirements:

Direct Deposit

Visa® Debit or Credit Card Transactions

15 signed debit card transactions or 5 transactions combined with qualifying loan or credit card per month

E-Statements

Enjoy the best ALEC has to offer

Our Rewards Checking account also includes many convenient, time-saving services and additional money-saving benefits at no charge.

Mobile Banking

Handle financial transactions no matter where you are.

Online Banking & Bill Pay

Access and manage your money and pay bills remotely, 24/7.

E-Statements & Direct Deposit

Set up direct deposit to receive fast, secure direct payments and view statements online.

Large Branch Network

Over 5,000 CO-OP shared branch locations nationwide.

VISA® Debit Card

Immediate access to your money for quick, easy electronic payments

Wide ATM Access

Over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs.

Overdraft Transfer & Account Insurance

Overdraft transfer linked to your savings††; each account insured up to $250,000.

24/7 Support

YOUR Checking Account in YOUR Hands

Designed to take full advantage of the built-in features of a smartphone or tablet, our mobile app offer exceptional convenience in accessing and managing your ALEC accounts from virtually anywhere.

  • Check balances
  • Make transfers
  • Review account activity
  • Find ATMs & branches near you
  • Deposit checks

Download the ALEC Mobile Banking app now for Android or Apple.

Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
ALEC Mobile Banking screenshot
ALEC Mobile Banking screenshot

Rewards Checking FAQs

When will I receive my new Visa® debit card?

The application is quick and easy. However, once you open your checking account, you may need to wait seven to ten days for your new debit card to arrive. You can activate immediately upon receiving it and begin making debit card purchases.

What are the additional benefits of a Visa® debit card?

You get more than instant electronic access to your checking account with an ALEC Visa® Debit card, offering the following benefits:

  • Add a special photo to personalize your debit card. Rewards Checking account holders can order two customized cards free of charge.
  • Easy withdrawals of up to $750 every 24 hours.
  • Free access at more than 30,000 ATMs in the United States and Canada, with no ATM fees in the form of surcharges.
  • Card is accepted worldwide.
  • If your ALEC debit card is lost or stolen, call 800.472.3272 to report it immediately. Your card will then be blocked from any future fraudulent transactions.
  • Enjoy cashback debit purchases where offered.
Do I have to be a member to take advantage of ALEC Rewards Checking?

Yes, you must be an ALEC member to access our wide range of products and services. Becoming a member is easy. Check our eligibility requirements, then start your application.

  • Abbott and AbbVie employees and retirees
  • Current Abbott and AbbVie employee family members
  • Current ALEC members’ family members

ALEC has a broad definition of family member. Individuals who qualify as family members of Abbott and AbbVie employees and ALEC members include:

  • Spouses and domestic partners
  • Parents, grandparents, and in-laws
  • Children, grandchildren, and legal dependents
  • Aunts, uncles, and cousins
  • Nieces and nephews

Don’t worry if you’re already banking somewhere else. We even offer the ALEC Switch Kit, which helps make the process of switching financial institutions smooth and efficient.

You can start an application online, or stop by one of our Service Centers to begin the process. Joining is fee free — all you need is a $5 deposit in your new ALEC savings account to get started.

What if my debit card is lost or stolen?

ALEC offers zero liability if you experience fraudulent transactions. If you notify ALEC as soon as you are aware of potentially fraudulent transactions (no more than 2 business days), you could lose only $50 from your account. You may lose up to $500 if you wait more than 2 business days, or even all the money in your checking account.

As long as you haven’t been engaged in fraud or grossly negligent, ALEC will not hold you personally responsible (liable) for the fraudulent transactions, except for ATM and other transactions requiring use of a Personal Identification Number, which Visa® does not process.

Does ALEC offer fraud protection?

Yes, you will receive text fraud alerts if we detect suspicious activity. Additionally, ALEC diligently monitors your accounts for indications of fraud, criminal attempts, and scam attempts, either against your financial accounts or your personal information.

What is the difference between a Free Checking and a Rewards Checking account?

A free checking account means you don’t pay monthly fees or have a required minimum balance.

Things are a little different with an ALEC Rewards Checking account. While there is no required minimum balance, there may be a $5 monthly fee if certain requirements are not met. In return, you can receive monthly ATM rebates of up to $10, dividends on balances, and 10 free transactions at non-ALEC ATMs per month.


^ Requirements: Up to $10 in ATM fees may be refunded if the following conditions are met and a $5 monthly fee will be charged if the following conditions are not met: Total direct deposit of $500 or more deposited into their Rewards Checking account during a calendar month, enrollment in e-statements, and either 15 signature-based ALEC debit card transactions posted and settled during a calendar month, or have a combination of 5 signature-based ALEC debit card transactions or ALEC credit card transactions posted and settled during a calendar month, and an open and active qualifying ALEC loan or credit card in good standing. Any credit union loan or credit card that is not in good standing or delinquent will not meet one of these checking requirements. Limit one ALEC Rewards Checking per member.
* The nominal rate is the rate used to calculate the monthly dividend.
** Free checks limited to the ALEC check design.
*** Rewards Checking account members are eligible for up to two free initial custom designs per account (such as for the primary and joint owner of the account). Renewals will be at no charge, unless a new image is uploaded. This is an optional service.
**** Certificate bonus varies depending on the term of the certificate; only applies at certificate opening, excludes renewals, excludes IRA, HSA, and Variable rate share certificates and cannot be combined with any other promotional offers.
There will be a fee for each transaction over the amount noted. See ALEC's Fee Schedule. Please note, there may be a fee assessed by the ATM owner, if it is not part of ALEC’s surcharge-free network.
†† Subject to approval. We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction. We reserve the right not to pay. If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined or returned.
††† ALEC members with a loan from the credit union who receive approval for another loan automatically receive a 0.50% discount. Members with no loan from ALEC must have an ALEC checking account with a $500 direct deposit per statement cycle and be enrolled in E-Statements to qualify for a 0.50% discount. Discount not valid on credit cards, mortgages and home equity lines of credit.