Western Vista Credit Union Offers A Top Rate Rewards Checking Account
As I’ve stated in the recent past, a rewards checking account (RCA) with a great rate may be a safe haven for funds as CD, Money Market, and Savings account rates try to stabilize and define the new normal. Western Vista Federal Credit Union's (Western Vista) new rewards checking account, Panorama Checking, earns 4.00% APY on qualifying balances up to $15k. Qualifying balances over $15k and non-qualifying balances earn the same rate offered on the Credit Union's Primary Savings account (currently 0.08% APY).
| APY | MIN | MAX | INSTITUTION | PRODUCT | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.25*% | - | $15k | Western Vista Federal Credit Union | Panorama Checking | |
| OTHER TIERS: 0.01% → $15k+ | |||||
The qualification requirements include,
- At least 10 debit card purchases ($5 minimum) per statement cycle.
- Receive eStatements.
- At least one direct deposit per statement cycle.
The Panorama Checking account has no minimum balance requirement, no monthly service fee, and no minimum opening deposit. In addition to a fee-free debit card, unlimited check writing is available. If qualifications are met, nationwide ATM fees will be reimbursed up $25 per month (limit of $5 per transaction). There is a limit of one account per Social Security number.
Availability
Headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Western Vista Federal Credit Union’s field of membership (FOM) includes those who live, work, or worship in cities of Casper and Cheyenne, and Natrona County, Wyoming.
Western Vista’s Membership page indicates there is an easy membership requirement. CSR confirmed any U.S. citizen or resident alien, regardless of residency status, is eligible to join by making a $5 contribution to the Western Vista Community Foundation.
Even if you live outside our general service area, you can make a small contribution to
our charitable foundation, which then allows you to become a credit union member.Essentially, Western Vista Credit Union can serve the needs of people across the United States! If you have questions about your eligibility, please call 1-800-310-2197 or e-mail [email protected]
Two out-of-area DA readers, gmohan123 and Jason, had success joining and opening a CD this past fall.
Just an update for anyone still thinking or for future reference. They requested original papers signed and notarized to be mailed and once they received they opened the account immediately and I was able to fund using a shared branch and said good bye to money for 29 months!! [gmohan123]
I opened CD account, application you get via "secure email" easy to do, easy to open, you can always ask questions... they were very nice to me... [Jason]
Immediate family members of current Western Vista members are also welcome to apply.
While Western Vista has online applications for personal loans, vehicle loans, and credit cards, there is no membership application. If you don’t live near any of the three Wyoming branches (Cheyenne and Casper), you can request a membership application be sent via email. According to CSR, all out-of-area transactions can be done by email, but all official documents must be notarized.
There’s also a “Set Up Your Panorama Checking Account Today!” on the Panorama Checking landing page, which is essentially a “Contact Me” form.
The first step in establishing a membership is to open a Primary Savings account.
Make a small deposit ($25) in a primary savings account,
which represents your purchase of a share in the credit union.
Western Vista participates in the CO-OP Shared Branch and ATM Networks, giving members will access to more than 5,000 share branches and nearly 30,000 fee-free ATMs throughout the country.
You can complete most transactions at a shared branching
location just as if you were visiting Western Vista.Try it!
Credit Union Overview
Western Vista Federal Credit Union has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 3.18% (excellent) based on September 30, 2019 data. In the past year, Western Vista has increased its total non-brokered deposits by $12.68 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 10.92%. Please refer to our financial overview of Western Vista Federal Credit Union (NCUA Charter # 3972) for more details.
Chartered in 1940 as Wytel Federal Credit Union, the original FOM included the employees of Mountain Bell Telephone, exclusively. Like so many fledging credit unions, Wytel FCU started out small.
When the late Thomas Kenehan of Mountain Bell carried Wytel Federal Credit Union in a small briefcase in the early 1940s, he didn’t realize the impressive proportions the finance venture would reach. Warren Hicks, a charter member, once said, “There wasn’t anything when we started. I don’t think Kenehan even had a desk. Finally we bought one, and it just kept going from there.”
Between 1986 and 1991, four Wyoming credit unions merged with Wytel FCU, leading to the Western Vista rebrand in 1995. In 2002, the FOM was expanded to include the underserved areas in most of Natrona County and the cities of Casper and Cheyenne. Western Vista is currently the sixth largest credit union in Wyoming, with more than 11,000 members and assets in excess of $166 million.
How Panorama Checking Compares
When compared to the High Yield Rewards Checking Accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com that are available nationwide and have maximum qualifying balances of at least $15k, Western Vista Credit Union’s Panorama Checking APY currently ranks first.
The above rates are accurate as of 3/6/2020.
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 page.
