Guardian Credit Union (AL) Ultimate Checking Still Has Top Rate
Eighteen months ago, Guardian Credit Union (Guardian) introduced a new reward checking account. The Ultimate Checking account has maintained its initial 4.07% APY on qualifying balances up to $30k. Qualifying balances above $30k earn 0.50% APY, with non-qualifying balances earning no interest. .
The monthly qualification requirements have remained the same:
- At least 15 debit card swipes per month.
- A minimum monthly payroll direct deposit of at least $500.
The $10 monthly service charge will be waived if the debit card swipes and direct deposit requirements are met. The Ultimate Checking account can be opened with any amount. Unlimited check writing is available, with members age 55 and above receiving one free box of checks per year, two free official checks per day, and free rent for one year on a safe deposit box.
Out-of-network ATM fees are reimbursed only up to $6 per month, but Guardian participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch network, providing members with,
easy access to their Guardian accounts at more than 5,000 Shared
Branch locations and nearly 30,000 surcharge free ATMs nationwide.
Availability
Headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, Guardian Credit Union’s field of membership (FOM) is primarily residency-based, with individuals who live, work, worship, or attend school in the Alabama counties of Autauga, Butler, Chilton, Coosa, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, or Tallapoosa eligible to join.
Active or retired Alabama Army or Air National Guard personnel also qualify for membership.
Joining Guardian and/or opening an Ultimate Checking account can be done online, or at any of the 15 Alabama branches located in Clanton, Greenville, Maplesville, Montgomery (6), Prattville (3), Tallassee, Troy, and Wetumpka. All branch lobbies are currently open to walk-in traffic.
Guardian requires its members to be at least 19 years old (or have a legal guardian on the account until the member’s 19th birthday) and open a Share Account with a minimum deposit of $1.
Credit Union Overview
Guardian Credit Union has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 6.01% (excellent), based on June 30, 2020 data. In the past year, Guardian has increased its total non-brokered deposits by $110.59 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 24.49%. Please refer to our financial overview of Guardian Credit Union (NCUA Charter # 68374) for more details.
Guardian Credit Union was founded in 1958, for the benefit of Alabama’s National Guard members and their families, exclusively. Currently Alabama’s 11th largest credit, Guardian has more than 72,300 members and assets in excess of $650 million.
How the Ultimate Checking Compares
When compared to the High Yield Reward Checking Accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com, which are available within the FOM and have maximum qualifying balances of at least $30k, Guardian Credit Union’s Ultimate Checking APY currently ranks first.
The above rates are accurate as of 10/9/2020.
Interested in Rewards Checking Accounts? Please refer to DA’s High Yield Reward Checking Account Rates Table page for both nationwide and state-specific accounts.
