Fresh Start Checking - East County Schools Federal Credit Union
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Fresh Start Checking

Available for those who many not qualify for other Checking Accounts

All our Checking Accounts include:

  • Unlimited VISA Debit Card access - No fee transactions at 30,000 CO-OP ATMs nationwide, including 7-Eleven stores. Use your VISA Debit Card to make purchases anywhere VISA is accepted!
  • Free Visa Debit Card with EMV Chip Technology
  • Unlimited Bill Pay
  • Free Online Banking and Mobile App
  • Overdraft Protection from Savings or Signature Lines of Credit
  • Check Copies online

Fresh Start Checking Account Details

  • Minimum Deposit to Open: $20.00
  • Minimum Balance Requirement: none
  • Dividend Rates: This account is a non-interest-bearing account.
  • Electronic Service Limitations:
    • $300 per day maximum for Debit Card POS or ATM Transactions
    • $300 per day maximum for Signature Debit Transactions
  • Mobile Check Deposit: not available for this account type
  • Direct deposit of your payroll check is required.
  • Excessive overdrafts or mishandling of the account, at the credit union’s sole discretion, is cause for immediate account termination.

Fresh Start Addendum to Truth-in-Savings-Disclosure

FeatureeCheckingRegular CheckingFresh Start CheckingTeen Checking
DescriptionFor those who want to earn dividendsFor those who would like paper statements For those who may not qualify for other checking accounts Available for Teens of our Members age 13-17
Dividend RateEarn up to 2.0% APY on balances up to $2,500 *.01% APY*No dividendsNo dividends
Direct DepositRequiredOptionalRequiredOptional
eStatementsRequiredOptionalRequiredOptional
Monthly FeeNone$3 - waived monthly with four+ monthly debit transactions OR **NoneNone
FREE ChecksStarter checks for new accountsOne box free annually with $500 monthly direct depositNoOne 25 pack/year
FREE Mobile App with card controls, mobile deposit, credit card access, set alerts and more
checkcheckYes, no mobile check depositcheck
Signature Lines of Credit OptionscheckcheckNoNo
OtherNew ECSFCU members must open a Share Savings Account with a $5.00 minimum opening deposit, in order to open a Checking Account.
New ECSFCU members must open a Share Savings Account with a $5.00 minimum opening deposit, in order to open a Checking Account.
$300/day Debit Card/ATM/POS and 8 transactions/day limits
$300/day Debit Card/ATM/POS and 8 transactions/day limits


** $3.00 monthly Regular Checking fee will also be waived for those members with a consolidated savings balance of $500 or any outstanding loan balance of $500 (excluding overdraft protection and VISA credit card balances.

Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. See our Forms page for Truth-in-Savings Disclosure within the New Account Disclosure document for all applicable disclosure information. On any month you do not meet the requirements, you will not be paid a dividend but there is no fee incurred for not meeting the requirements. Existing Regular Checking accounts may be converted to an eChecking at any time. Rates are accurate as of May 1, 2024.

e-Checking

  • Earn 2.00% APY*, just for using your account as shown below
  • No monthly fee
  • No minimum balance required
  • Online Bill Pay transactions are free and unlimited.
  • ATM and branch transactions are unlimited.

It's easy to earn eChecking Dividends. Here's how you can get this great rate!

  1. Receive eStatements, opting out of paper statements
  2. Make eight (8) or more debit card transactions each month
  3. Direct Deposit a minimum of $500 monthly to your eChecking

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. 2.00% APY paid on the first $2,500 on deposit. 1.25% APY paid on balances between $2,500 and $5,000. 0.10% APY paid on balances between $5,000 and $10,000. 0.05% APY paid on balances over $10,000. Dividends are calculated daily and compounded and paid monthly. Please refer to our Truth-in-Savings Disclosure for all applicable disclosure information. On any month you do not meet the requirements, you will not be paid a dividend but there is no fee incurred for not meeting the requirements. Existing Regular Checking accounts may be converted to an eChecking at any time. Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. Rates are accurate May 1, 2024.

More stuff about things

Regular Checking

  • Earn a competitive Dividend Rate
  • No minimum balance required
  • One box of checks free annually with a minimum Direct Deposit of $500
  • No monthly fee with a minimum of 4 transactions per month or a minimum consolidated savings balances of $500.00 or any outstanding loan balance of $500 (excluding overdraft protection and VISA Credit Card balances)

All it takes is a minimum of four (4) monthly transactions to avoid an inactive monthly service fee on Regular Checking. Checking transactions may be a combination of deposits, check clearings, transfers, Debit card transactions (signature or POS), ACH debit or bill payments. Internal transfers within your account or linked account does not count towards the minimum required.

See Fee Schedule for all other checking account fees.

More stuff about things

Teen Checking - for students 13 - 17 years old

Because making better decisions related to managing your money as an adult takes practice and education.

  • No minimum balance
  • No monthly fees
  • Only a $20 deposit required to open an account
  • FREE ATM/Debit card
  • FREE mobile app
  • FREE eStatements and online banking
  • FREE checks (25 pack) each year
  • $10 Good Grades Reward up to twice a year*

Requires a parent or legal guardian to be joint on the account.

Would you like to earn $5 gift cards just for correctly answering a few questions?

Help your teen learn more about finances. Download our free financial literacy Zogo app and start earning "pineapples" that can be traded in for gift cards to your favorite retailers. Check out our Zogo page for more information.

*Report card with a minimum GPA of 3.00 must be submitted no later than 45 days after the date of the report. Student must have a minimum of eight (8) checking transactions during the semester,  have no NSF checks or overdrawn account activity and must be enrolled in eStatements to receive the $10 savings deposit.

More stuff about things

Fresh Start Checking Account Details

  • Minimum Deposit to Open: $20.00
  • Minimum Balance Requirement: none
  • Dividend Rates: This account is a non-interest bearing account
  • Electronic Service Limitations:
    • $300 per day maximum for Debit Card POS or ATM Transactions
    • $300 per day maximum for Signature Debit Transactions
  • Mobile Check Deposit: not available for this account type
  • Direct deposit of your payroll check is required
  • Excessive overdrafts or mishandling of the account, at the credit union’s sole discretion, is cause for immediate account termination.

Please see our New Account Disclosure which includes the Truth-in-Savings-Disclosure on our Forms page

Checking Rates

Advertisement for financial literacy app Zogo and the QR code and access code to begin using this app

Members LoveECSFCU!

  • Grant Nelson 2019

    While overseas I found myself in the frightening situation of being out of cash and with two debit cards from other financial institutions that weren’t working, despite my travel notice pre-planning. ECSFCU’s amazing member services team stayed late on a Friday to approve and immediately fund a quick loan that made the rest of our trip wonderful. Nobody else does that! Not only is it something that I will never forget, but it’s something I want to tell everyone about.

    Grant Nelson - Retired La Mesa Spring Valley Schools 8th Grade History Teacher