Bellco Credit Union 2.25% Rewards Checking Account

Update 3/18/21: Deal now available nationwide with a $10 donation to Bellco foundation. Hat tip to reader Jeff.

Offer at a glance

• Interest Rate: 2.25% APY
• Minimum Balance: None
• Maximum Balance: $25,000
• Availability: Nationwide.
• Direct deposit required: Yes
• Additional requirements: Yes, see below 
• Hard/soft pull: Hard
• Credit card funding: None
• Monthly fees:  None 
• Early Account Termination Fee: Unknown
• Insured: NCUA

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Receive an interest rate of 2.25% APY on Bellco boost checking account on balances up to $25,000 when you met the following requirements:
  • Make at least 15 debit card transactions
  • Have at least one direct deposit per month
  • Log in to online or mobile banking at least once per month

Avoiding Fees

They say there is no monthly fees, but if you read the fine print it says there is no fee to use bill pay as long as each enrolled Bill Pay user completes at least one Bill Pay transaction per month.

Membership Requirements

Update: Seems like they will deny you if you apply from out of state.

Bellco is available to everybody by joining consumers united association ($5 annually or $25 for life). Otherwise you need to live or work in the following Colorado counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Garfield, Jefferson, Mesa, Moffat, or Rio Blanco.

Our Verdict

Requirements for the bonus rate are way to high considering it’s a rate of only 2.25%. In my opinion there are better options out there in terms of high interesting savings accounts. The other option is to just focus on accounts with a high sign up bonus instead.