Enjoy a high rate on checking with an LGE High Rate Checking Account^SM. Apply Now or Convert Existing Account through Home Banking

Here is how it works. When you open a new High Rate Checking account (or convert your existing checking account to High Rate Checking) you go completely electronic, and the reduced expense for us enables us to pay you more. By using products like direct deposit, eStatements, Home Banking, Visa Credit Cards, and Visa Check Cards, you are actually saving the credit union money on paper and certain transaction costs. We return the favor by paying a high rate on balances and even refunding ATM surcharge fees you might have been charged.

Here are the details. At the end of each month, we pay a high rate and refund ATM surcharge fees (up to $15) if the account has met the following criteria:

• You perform any combination of at least 15 LGE check card or credit card transactions that post during the month – excluding ATM transactions and credit card cash advances.
• You receive eStatements instead of paper statements.
• You log on to Home Banking at least once per month.
• You have at least one monthly direct deposit into the account or one monthly automatic payment from the account (excluding transfers between LGE accounts).
• You maintain a valid email address.

And that's it! No minimum balance, nothing else for you to do. If you don't meet any of those criteria, your account simply earns at the regular rate for that month.

All of our checking accounts offer this generous array of services:

• Earn on every dollar
• No monthly service charge
• No minimum balance
• Free Visa® Check Card
• Free eStatements
• Free Web Bill Pay when you enjoy free eStatements
• Free Home Banking and Telephone Memberline, enabling you to transfer funds between co-owned accounts, check account balances, see automatic deposits, and much more – 24 hours a day.
• Free Identity Theft 911 protection
• Free & Unlimited Transactions at LGE ATMs
• Ability to access a variety of ATM networks with your LGE Visa® Check Card

Many more free services are available to you through the Power of Participation, a powerful program that rewards you with a wide array of free services based on your combined balances among your LGE accounts.

We also offer additional checking options.

Click here for our current checking account rates.

Frequently Asked Questions
How can you afford to pay a higher interest rate and refund ATM surcharge fees?
LGE High Rate Checking is an account that rewards members for using our automated services.  By using products like direct deposit, eStatements, Home Banking, Visa Credit Cards, and Visa Check Cards, you are actually saving the credit union money. We return the favor by paying a fantastic interest on balances and refunding ATM surcharge fees you might have been charged.

Is there a monthly service charge for an LGE High Rate Checking account?
No, there is no monthly service charge.

What are the rewards for LGE High Rate Checking?
Higher interest rates on the balance in the account up to a maximum balance of $25,000.Refund up to $15 per month for domestic ATM surcharge fees.

How often must the requirements be met to qualify for the rewards?
The qualification period goes from the first day of the month through the last day of the month.

What happens if the requirements for LGE High Rate Checking are not met?
You will still receive interest; however, it will be paid at the lower rate. ATM surcharge fees will not be refunded.

Can the interest rate on my LGE High Rate Checking account change?
Yes, this is a variable rate and can change at any time. This is true for all LGE checking accounts.

How is the interest rate calculated?
Dividends are calculated by the daily balance method which applies a daily periodic rate to the balance in the account each day.

If I meet the requirements, when will I receive my rewards?
The refund for qualifying ATM surcharges is paid on the last day of the current month. Interest will be paid on the first day of the following month.

How will I know that I have qualified for my rewards at the end of the statement cycle?
You won’t have to wait until the end of the statement cycle.  You can log into Home Banking any time during the month to check the status of your requirements.

Will LGE High Rate Checking members receive a 1099 at the end of the year reflecting interest earned over the year?
Members will receive a 1099 if the combined interest earned on all LGE accounts is $10.00 or more.

If my account balance goes negative, will I still be able to qualify for my rewards during that statement cycle?
Yes, as long as you meet the requirements you will still qualify for your rewards.

If I fail to meet the requirements during this statement cycle, can I still have a chance to qualify during the next statement cycle?
Yes, you can start over next month and work towards meeting the requirements.

What if my new check card or credit card doesn’t arrive until late in the statement cycle and I don’t have time to earn my rewards? Will I still get them?
You will earn the rewards the first month that you have the checking account regardless of meeting the qualifications. You should have your check card or credit card before the next qualification period.

If I miss my requirements by only one check card or credit card transaction, can I call in and get my interest and ATM refunds anyway?
No. You will still earn the lower interest rate. Don’t worry, though, you can start over next month and work towards meeting the requirements.

If I use another bank’s ATM and pay a surcharge fee, when will I get my refund?
If you meet the requirements, you will receive the refund on the last day of the current month. 

Do I have to do anything in order to get my ATM surcharge fee refund?
The only thing you have to do is meet the requirements. You will automatically receive the refund on the last day of the current month.

Are surcharge fees refunded on ATMs used internationally?
No, ATM surcharge fee refunds apply for domestic ATM surcharge fees only.

Is there a limit on the amount of ATM refunds that I can receive during a statement cycle?
Yes, up to $15 per month.

What is the statement cycle for LGE High Rate Checking?
The statement cycle for the LGE High Rate Checking is the same as all other checking accounts. The statement cut off date is the last day of the month.

Will all LGE High Rate Checking members be on the same statement cycle?
Yes, all LGE High Rate Checking members will be on the same statement cycle.

If an existing customer is moved to an LGE High Rate Checking account, will his/her statement cycle change?
No, the statement cycle will always be the same.

If I use my check card at an ATM, will that transaction count toward my requirements?
No, ATM transactions do not count toward the requirements. Only point-of-sale transactions that post to your account during the statement cycle counts (PIN entered or signature based).

If I use my credit card for a cash advance, will that transaction count toward my requirements?
No, cash advances do not count toward the requirements.

On a joint account, do check card or credit card transactions from either of the account owners count towards the monthly requirement?
Yes, transactions from each account owner count toward the monthly requirement.

Do I have to use the check card as a debit transaction at the point of sale, or may I tell the vendor to use it as though it were a credit transaction?
As long as you use your check card, it doesn't matter if you use it with your PIN, or as if it were processed as a credit card transaction (signature rather than PIN).

May I carry forward check card or credit card transactions in excess of the required number to the next statement cycle?
No, only transactions that post during the qualification period will count towards the requirements for that statement cycle.

Will the transactions from this statement cycle on my old account count toward the required transactions for this statement cycle on my LGE High Rate Checking account?
No, the qualification period and transactions start on the new LGE High Rate checking account. Transactions do not carry over. However, you will earn the rewards the first month that you have the checking account regardless of meeting the qualifications.

Can I have LGE High Rate Checking if I don't have a computer?
Yes. You can use computers at your local library or an internet café to sign up. You do need a valid email account and there are internet service providers that offer free email accounts.  You might check with Google, MSN, Hotmail, and Yahoo to investigate free email accounts.

Must I access my eStatement online in order to qualify for the rewards?
No, you are not required to access your eStatement online. You are only required to sign up and receive the eStatement notification by email. We strongly encourage you to review your account statement regularly; however, this is your choice.

What if I need a printed copy of my statement?
Statements can be printed through online Home Banking or you may contact the credit union for copies.

What is the minimum opening balance for an LGE High Rate Checking account?
There is no required minimum opening balance; however, we recommend that you deposit enough funds to cover the costs of any printed checks you wish to order.

Is there a minimum balance requirement in order to receive my rewards?
No, there is no minimum balance requirement to receive your rewards.

Is there a limit on the amount of money I can keep in my LGE High Rate Checking account?
There is no limit on the amount of money you can keep in the LGE High Rate checking account. The higher interest rate only applies to the first $25,000.Checking balances over $25,000 will be paid the Simply Free Checking tiered rate. Reference the Credit Union Rate Schedule for current rates and APYs that apply.  

Is overdraft protection available for LGE High Rate Checking accounts?
Yes, overdraft protection is available for the LGE High Rate checking account. Choose overdraft protection for your checking account from savings, personal line of credit, or a combination of the two by drawing first from available savings then from your personal line of credit. We also provide our members with a worry-free way to avoid bouncing checks with our Worry Free Overdraft Courtesy Pay service.

Will I be able to use my existing check card, printed checks, and account number with my LGE High Rate Checking account or will those all change?
Yes, you can use your existing check card, printed checks, and account number. The only thing that will change is the name of the checking account.

Will the Direct Deposit and ACH transactions that were attached to my old checking account transfer over automatically to my LGE High Rate Checking account?
Yes, your account number will not change.  Therefore, everything will work the same on your new LGE High Rate Checking account.

How may I convert my current checking account to an LGE High Rate Checking account?
To convert your current checking account you can log into Home Banking and easily make the switch or you can visit a local branch or contact the Account Services Consulting Center (ASCC) at 770-424-0060/800-541-8921. Please note if you elect to switch your current checking account to the High Rate Checking account, you will no longer receive free printed checks or free travelers checks if you previously received these as a benefit of another LGE checking program.

Can I open multiple LGE High Rate Checking accounts?
No, only one LGE High Rate Checking account is allowed per primary member.

Can multiple people use the same LGE High Rate Checking account?
To use the LGE High Rate Checking account, the user must be added to the account.

Can a DBA (“Doing Business As”) use this account?
No, only consumer accounts are eligible for the LGE High Rate Checking account.

Is there a limit on the number or type of transactions you can do on an LGE High Rate Checking account?
No, there is no limit on transaction type or the number of transactions that you may conduct.