Better Life Checking (Tiered APYs) Available At Del-One CU (DE)

When I was researching Del-One Credit Union’s (Del-One CU) 15-month Share Certificate Special (1.50% APY) for a previous blog, I remembered I had written about Del-One CU’s Better Life Checking account in 2012. At that time, the Better Life Checking earned 3.00% APY on qualifying balances up to $25k; the APY was lowered to 2.00% in early 2013.

The most current version of the Better Life Checking features tiered APYs on a maximum qualifying $25k balance, with the APYs determined by account activity.

Qualification Requirements

Tier 1 – 1.00% APY

• At least 10 signature debit card transactions
• At least $100 in monthly Direct Deposit or a current Del-One loan balance
• Receive E-statements

Tier 2 – 2.00% APY

• At least 15 signature debit card transactions
• At least $500 in monthly Direct Deposit or $5k aggregate Del-One loan balance
• Receive E-statements

Tier 3 – 3.00% APY

• At least 15 signature debit card transactions
• At least $500 in monthly Direct Deposit, and
• At least $100k aggregate Del-One loan balance
• Receive E-statements

All Tiers earn 0.20% APY on qualifying balances above $25k, with non-qualifying balances earning 0.10% APY.

The Better Life Checking account has no monthly service fee or minimum balance requirement, and requires only a $5 minimum deposit to open. ATM fees will be refunded up to $25 per month, based on Tier 1 requirements.

Tier 2 (2.00% APY) is probably the most competitive of the three Tiers, as it requires a Direct Deposit or an aggregate loan balance, while Tier 3 (3.00% APY) requires a Direct Deposit and a substantial aggregate loan balance.

Availability

Headquartered in Dover, Delaware, Del-One Credit Union offers membership through an assortment of ways.

Easy Membership: Residents of Delaware can join the Credit Union by joining the Del-One Foundation with a minimum $12 contribution.

Residency: Individuals who live, work, worship, or live in the Delaware cities of Milford, Newark, or Wilmington, or the town of Georgetown, or within selected areas of West Dover, are eligible for membership.

Employment: Employees/retirees/volunteers of more than 200 SEGs are eligible to join.

State of Delaware: All full-time, part-time, and seasonal/casual/temporary employees, and elected and appointed officials are eligible for membership.

Relationship: Immediate family members (spouse, children, step-children, parents, step-parents, siblings (brothers & sisters), step-siblings, adopted children, grandparents, and grandchildren) and household members (individuals living in the same residence, domestic partners, anyone who lives in the household that can prove a degree of permanency, live-in nannies, domestic workers, and foster children) of current Del-One CU members also qualify for membership.

Joining Del-One CU and opening a Better Life Checking account can be done online, or with an in-person visit to any of nine Delaware branches Dagsboro, Dover (2), Georgetown, Milford, New Castle, Seaford, Smyrna, and Wilmington.

Credit Union Overview

Del-One Credit Union (NCUA Charter #13919) has an overall health grade of "B+" at DepositAccounts.com, with an above average Texas ratio of 13.96%, based on June 30, 2016 data. In the past year, Del-One CU has increased its total deposits by $20.32 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 6.32%. Please refer to our financial overview of Del-One Credit Union for more details.

Del-One Credit Union was established in 1960 as the Delaware Highway Federal Credit Union. After more than 65 years of growth and expansion (including seven mergers, four name changes, and a charter change), Del-One Credit Union is currently Delaware’s 2nd largest credit union, with more than 53,000 members and assets in excess of $381 million.

How the Better Life Checking Compares

When compared to the 20 High Yield Reward Checking Accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com, which are available to Delaware residents and have maximum qualifying balances of at least $25k, Del-One Credit Union’s Better Life Checking Tier 3 and Tier 2 APYs currently rank first and fifth, respectively.

The above rates are accurate as of 9/21/2016.

To look for the best Reward Checking Account rates, both nationwide and state specific, please refer to our High Yield Reward Checking Account rates table or our Rates Map page.