Basic checking with no fees and digital access

A checking account is a “liquid” account that lets CU SoCal customers make deposits and withdrawals as needed. This included using ATMs, depositing checks and cash, writing checks, automatic bill pay, and other transactions to pay everyday expenses, as well as making other financial transactions.

Classic Checking only has a minimum deposit of $25, and there is no monthly fee when you sign up for eStatements. Classic Checking Account holders enjoy free nationwide access to 30,000 ATMs. You can also make remote check deposits, pay bills, and access your mobile debit card controls with our free Mobile Banking App or make transactions online from a computer.

Yes, you need to become a Member of Credit Union of Southern California (CU SoCal) to open a checking account. You’re within CU SoCal’s field of Membership if you meet any one of the following qualifications: 

• If you are a relative or household member of a current CU SoCal Member. 

• If you live or work in Lake Havasu City, AZ. 

• If you are an employee of one of our partner companies. 

• If you are a student at Rio Hondo College, Whittier Union High Schools District, El Rancho Unified School District, or Lowell Joint School District. 

• If none of the above applies to you, CU SoCal will provide a complimentary Membership to one of our approved nonprofit partner associations. This membership to a partner association automatically qualifies you for full CU SoCal Membership benefits. Once a CU SoCal Member, always a CU SoCal Member—you do not need to keep your association membership to remain a CU SoCal Member. CU SoCal will take care of this process for you during your Membership application.  

No matter how you qualify, once your Membership is established and your share (savings) account is opened, you’ll enjoy full access to CU SoCal’s products, services, and Member benefits. 

You may open a CU SoCal checking account on your own or jointly with another person. To open a checking account you’ll need:

1. Established Membership
2. Social Security Numbers for all account holders Driver’s License or State-Issued ID for all account holders
3. A debit card, credit card, or checking account number to fund your account without visiting a branch.

Yes! At Credit Union of Southern California, we make it easy for you to open a checking account online. The first step is to establish Membership. You can open your account online or through one of our branch locations. Although it is not required, you may schedule an appointment  at a branch location of your choice to eliminate wait time.

A checking account can be thought of as “outgoing” funds and is traditionally used for receiving payments from others, writing checks and making debit card withdrawals. A savings account is for incoming funds that will be saved. Most people have both types of accounts. Savings accounts typically earn interest and the more money you keep in the account, the higher the interest you’ll earn. CU SoCal offers Classic Checking, Rewards Checking, and a regular Savings Accounts

Credit Union of Southern California does not report opening or closing a savings or checking to the credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax), which means that credit scores aren’t affected. The one exception is if you owe the credit union any money which you do not pay back before closing the account. In this case an unpaid debt would be reported to the credit reporting agencies.

A CU SoCal checking account is commonly used to deposit money, either cash or check, so Members can make withdrawals as needed. Transactions can be executed digitally through our Mobile Banking App from a smart phone or mobile device, or from a computer.

Some banks and credit unions charge overdraft fees when you withdraw more money than is available in your account. CU SoCal Classic Checking and Rewards Checking accounts both provide Overdraft Protection. This means we’ll transfer funds from your savings, money market, or line of credit to your checking account when you don’t have money available to cover a check or debit transaction.

One way to find your account number is to look at the series of numbers on the bottom of your check. Your account number is the middle nine digits. The routing number for CU SoCal is 322283796. (This number may be used for a variety of services, including direct deposit, wire transfers, tax purposes, and paying utilities.) If you are having trouble finding your account number give us a call at 866-287-6225. Learn more.

USA Patriot Act Notice
Important Information about Procedures for Opening a New Account. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account we will ask for your name, street address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

1. All new accounts will be verified through ChexSystems^® and are subject to approval. A $2 monthly paper statement fee will be applied to the primary savings account for Members ages 18-63 who are not enrolled in eDocuments. If funds are unavailable in the primary savings account, the fee will be transferred to that account from the secondary savings, checking, or money market account. For Members without a primary savings account, the fee will be applied to the checking account or money market account.
2. Member must be 18 years and older and accounts with CU SoCal must be in good standing. Account must use a SSN or ITIN, not an EIN.
3. Available to all named account holders, and extends to three generations of your family. Family members include the primary account holder, primary account holder’s spouse or domestic partner, primary account holder’s dependents under the age of 25 with the same permanent address, any IRS-qualified dependents of the primary account holder, and primary account holder’s parents (mother or father) with the same permanent address, or who are registered in a senior assisted living facility, nursing home, or hospice. Services continue up to 12 months after death for all family members.