Make the SWAP.
Swap "someday" for a plan. Pick your goal, add $50 or more a month, and earn 3.15% APY* on balances up to $10,000 while round-ups and automatic transfers do the work.
Open SWAPThree steps. One goal at a time.
SWAP keeps the money you're saving for something specific apart from everyday spending, so it's easier to leave alone and fun to watch grow.
Pick your purpose.
An emergency fund, the holidays, a new car, or a trip you've been putting off. Nickname your account after the goal to make it real.
Add $50 or more a month.
Automatic transfers, round-ups, payroll, or any deposit counts, and smaller deposits add up. There's no monthly maximum.
Earn 3.15% APY*.
Every month you make a $50 qualifying deposit, balances up to $10,000 earn 3.15% APY. Dividends are paid monthly.
Miss a month? Your money stays put and still earns 0.10% APY* that month. Make your $50 deposit the next month and you're right back to 3.15% APY*. Saving for more than one thing? Open a SWAP account for each goal.
How fast can you reach your goal?
Pick a goal, then slide to set your monthly deposit.
Estimate only. Assumes the same deposit every month and no withdrawals. Months with a $50 or more deposit earn 3.15% APY on balances up to $10,000 and 0.10% APY on any amount over $10,000. Months without one earn 0.10% APY. Rates may change.
Open SWAP yourself in about a minute.
Already a member? You can open SWAP right in online banking or the CSCU app, with no minimum to open and no monthly fee.
Sign in to online banking.
Use the CSCU app or online banking on your computer.
Click New Account.
Choose Savings With A Purpose from the list.
Nickname it.
Name it after your goal, like "Emergency fund" or "Christmas 2027."
Set up your $50 a month.
Schedule a transfer, send part of your paycheck, or turn on round-ups.
Rather have us open it for you?
Message and data rates may apply. Not a member yet? Become a member with a $5 Regular Savings account first.
What will you save for?
A few of the goals members plan for. Big or small, every one counts.
Emergency fund
A cushion for car repairs, vet bills, and surprises.
Holidays
Pay for gifts in cash instead of January credit card bills.
Vacation
Plan the trip now and pay for it ahead of time.
Car down payment
A bigger down payment can mean a smaller monthly payment.
Home repairs
Roofs, AC units, and water heaters don't wait for a good time.
Back to school
Supplies, clothes, and fees, all ready by August.
Big life moments
Weddings, a new baby, or a first apartment.
Yearly bills
Insurance premiums, property taxes, and registrations.
Saving tips that actually stick.
Saving isn't about willpower. It's about setting things up so the right thing happens on its own.
Pay yourself first.
Move money to savings on payday, before bills and spending get to it. What's left is what you spend. Most people who save consistently do it this way.
Try it: schedule your SWAP transfer for the day after your paycheck lands.
Make it automatic.
Every decision is a chance to skip a month. An automatic transfer takes the decision away, so saving happens even on busy, tired, or tight months.
Try it: start with $50. You can raise it any time.
Build your emergency fund first.
A common guideline is three to six months of basic expenses. That can feel huge, so start with a smaller first goal, like $1,000, which covers many common surprises.
Try it: add up one month of rent, utilities, groceries, and car costs. That's your first milestone.
Plan for "surprise" bills that aren't surprises.
Holidays, car registration, and insurance premiums come every year. Divide the yearly cost by 12 and save that much each month. Some people call this a sinking fund.
Example: $1,200 of holiday spending is $100 a month starting in January.
Save without thinking about it.
With round-ups, each debit card purchase rounds up to the next dollar and the spare change moves to your savings. Small amounts, but they add up fast.
Round-ups, automatic transfers, payroll, and any other deposits all count toward your $50, and they add up across the month. Sending $25 from each biweekly paycheck gets you there.
Where SWAP fits.
Each CSCU savings account has a job. Many members use more than one.
Regular Savings
The $5 account that makes you a member. Good for a small cushion you can reach any time.
Learn moreSavings With A Purpose
Built for steady monthly saving. Earns 3.15% APY* on up to $10,000 in months you add $50 or more.
Open SWAPMoney Market
For balances of $10,000 or more that you want to keep easy to reach.
Learn moreCertificates
Lock in a rate for a set term when you know you won't need the money for a while.
Learn moreFrequently asked questions
What counts as the $50 qualifying deposit?
Any deposit counts: automatic transfers, round-ups, payroll, transfers from your other CSCU accounts, or a deposit at a branch. Smaller deposits add up, so $25 from each of two biweekly paychecks qualifies.
Which balances earn 3.15% APY?
In any month you make a qualifying deposit, balances up to $10,000 earn 3.15% APY. Any amount over $10,000 earns 0.10% APY.
What if I skip a month?
Nothing bad happens. There's no fee or penalty. Your whole balance earns 0.10% APY that month, and you're back to 3.15% APY the next month you deposit $50 or more.
Is there a limit on how much I can deposit?
No. There's no monthly maximum, so you can move money in from other accounts or add extra whenever you like. Balances over $10,000 earn 0.10% APY on the amount over $10,000.
Can I take money out?
Yes, any time. There's no limit on withdrawals. Life happens, and that's what the money is for. Just keep making your $50 monthly deposit to keep earning 3.15% APY.
Can I have more than one SWAP account?
Yes. Open one for each goal and give each its own nickname. Each account needs $50 or more in deposits that month to earn 3.15% APY.
Is there a minimum to open or a monthly fee?
No. There's no minimum to open and no monthly fee. Any balance of $0.01 or more earns dividends.
When are dividends paid?
Dividends are calculated daily on end-of-day balances and paid monthly.
Can the rate change?
Yes. Rates are variable and subject to change without notice.
*APY is annual percentage yield. Interest rate equals 3.11%. APY accurate as of 11/01/2026. In any month a qualifying deposit of $50.00 or more is made, balances up to $10,000.00 earn 3.15% APY and balances over $10,000.00 earn 0.10% APY on the amount over $10,000.00. If a qualifying deposit is not made, the entire balance earns 0.10% APY for that month. Dividends are calculated daily on end of day balances, paid out monthly. Rates are variable and subject to change without notice. Fees may reduce earnings. No minimum balance to open. A minimum balance of $0.01 is required to earn dividends. See our Truth in Savings Disclosure.