Earn 4.00% APY* without changing how you spend.
Spend Smart rewards what you already do. Meet three monthly activity qualifiers and earn more on your everyday checking balance.
Open your accountEarn more just by banking like you already do.
Get paid, get rewarded.
Have $1,000 or more in direct deposits land in your account each month. Set it up once and you're set.
Swipe your way there.
Make 20 debit card purchases a month, $10 or more each. Think groceries, gas, and coffee runs.***
Skip the paper.
Sign up for eStatements. It only takes a minute, and your statements are always there when you need them.
That's it. Hit all three each month and your eligible balance earns 4.00% APY*. Miss a month? You can still use your account as usual.
Your debit card earns rewards, too.
Register your CSCU debit card with uChoose Rewards and earn points every time you use it. Redeem them for cash back in your account, gift cards, travel, and more.
Card registration required.Banking that has your back.
Say hello to early paydays.
Set up direct deposit and get paid up to 2 days early.
Send money with Zelle®.
Pay friends and family right from the app. We don't charge a fee for Zelle®.
Manage your card in the app.
Lock and unlock your Visa debit card in seconds, and set travel notices before you go.
Keep an eye on your credit.
Get free credit score monitoring from SavvyMoney in online banking and the mobile app, so you can track your score right alongside your money.
What we charge, and what we don't.
Plain answers about Spend Smart fees, so there's nothing to go hunting for.
There's a lot we don't charge for
...and the fees you're most likely to see
*Applies when a checking account, with a balance of less than $5,000, has no activity for 60 days.
These are our most common fees. Contact us for our complete fee schedule.
A checking account that pays like a savings account.*
Here's how Spend Smart compares with other checking accounts, using each institution's published rates.
| Account | Checking APY | Estimated yearly earnings |
|---|---|---|
| CSCU Spend Smart | 4.00%*on balances of $500 to $10,000 | $400.00 |
| Ally Spending Account | 0.10%0.25% at $15,000 or more | $10.00 |
| SoFi Checking and Savings | Up to 0.50%with eligible direct deposits | Up to $50.00 |
| Woodforest Personal Choice Checking | 0.15%with a $1,000 minimum daily balance | $15.00 |
| Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking | 0.00% | $0.00 |
| Chase Total Checking | 0.00% | $0.00 |
What you should know.
Estimated earnings assume a $10,000 balance held for one year at the APY shown, with no deposits, withdrawals, or fees. *CSCU's 4.00% APY applies to balances of $500.00 to $10,000.00 when you meet the activity qualifiers each month. Balances over $10,000.00 earn 0.25% APY on the amount over $10,000.00, balances under $500.00 do not earn interest, and if the qualifiers are not met, balances of $500.00 or more earn 0.25% APY. The account has no minimum balance requirement, and the qualifiers are not required to use the account. CSCU's APY is accurate as of 10/05/2026. Rates are variable and may change after the account is open. Fees may reduce earnings. Information on other institutions comes from their public websites and published fee documents, collected on 10/05/2026, and may have changed. Each row shows one account per institution, and other accounts may have different terms. Bank of America, Chase, and SoFi rates are from mybanktracker.com. Bank of America and Chase report that these accounts do not earn interest, and SoFi pays up to 0.50% on checking balances with eligible direct deposits.
See what you could earn.
Move the slider to your average balance.
Estimate only. When all three qualifiers are met, balances of $500 to $10,000 earn 4.00% APY and any amount over $10,000 earns 0.25% APY. If they are not met, balances of $500 or more earn 0.25% APY. Balances under $500 do not earn interest. Rates may change.
Better banking starts today.
Start online or stop by a local branch.
Tell us about yourself.
Answer a few quick questions and we'll get you on your way.
Add money to your account.
Make your first deposit and you're ready to bank.
Set up your qualifiers.
Direct deposit, debit card purchases, and eStatements.
Bank anywhere with the CSCU app.
Your card, in your control.
Lock and unlock your Visa debit card in seconds, and set travel notices before you go.
Deposit checks from anywhere.
Take a photo of your check with your phone and you're done.
Send money in a few taps.
Pay friends and family with Zelle®, right from the app. We don't charge a fee for it.
Plus 24/7 alerts, round-up savings, spend analysis, contactless payments, and credit score monitoring.
What members say.
Real reviews from our members on Google.
“I have been with CSCU for about 20 years. They are always friendly and willing to help in any way. They make you feel important regardless of your $. Love this place!”
S.R., Google review
“[The team] at CSCU are a top notch group! They make all my banking needs as easy and painless as possible. … They treat you like family. They jump through hoops to make things happen! I am a customer for life!!”
D.L., Google review
“Employees at both locations are wonderful. They handle their business with courtesy and respect and if I have ever had an issue they have handled it properly and quickly. Thank you cscu for being professional and friendly.”
M.M., Google review
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to meet the qualifiers to use the account?
No. The qualifiers only trigger the interest rate on eligible balances. The account has no minimum balance requirement.
Which balances earn 4.00% APY?
Balances from $500 to $10,000 earn 4.00% APY when you meet the monthly qualifiers. Anything over $10,000 earns 0.25% APY, and balances under $500 do not earn interest.
What if I miss a qualifier one month?
Each month stands on its own. If you miss a qualifier, balances of $500 or more earn 0.25% APY for that month. If you meet all three qualifiers the next month, you earn 4.00% APY again that month. You can use your account as usual either way.
Which debit purchases count?
PIN and signature transactions combine toward the 20. Each must be at least $10 and posted by the end of the month. Pending transactions don't count.
When is interest paid?
Dividends are calculated daily on end-of-day balances and paid monthly.
Can the rate change?
Yes. Rates are subject to change without notice.
*APY is annual percentage yield. Interest rate equals 3.93%. Balances of $500.00 - $10,000.00 earn 4.00% APY. Balances over $10,000.00 earn 0.25% APY on the amount over $10,000.00. If the activity qualifiers are not met, balances of $500.00 or more earn 0.25% APY. Dividends are calculated daily on end of day balances, paid out monthly. Rates are subject to change without notice. See our Truth in Savings Disclosure.
**Activity qualifiers trigger interest rate calculation on eligible balances. They are not required in order to use the account. The account has no minimum balance requirement. In order to earn interest, the account must have a balance of $500.00 or more.
***PIN or signature-based transactions on debit cards are combined to meet the criteria. Transactions must be of at least $10 to qualify. All transactions must be posted on your account by the end of the month. Pending transactions are not counted towards the minimum qualifiers.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.