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Transparency, not hidden fees
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Free Checking |
Desert Safe Spend |
|
|
Monthly service fees |
$0 |
$4.95 |
|
Minimum balance requirement |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Online banking access |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Zelle®3 |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Early direct deposit2 |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Eligible for Relationship Rewards and Member Giveback Bonus |
✓ |
✓ |
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Free Bill Pay |
✓ |
✓ |
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Check writing5 |
✓ |
|
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Overdraft coverage6 |
✓ |
Desert Safe Spend FAQs
What is Desert Safe Spend?
Desert Safe Spend provides essential banking access designed to support everyday banking. Built-in protections like no overdraft fees and no paper checks provide a more structured way to manage your spending and bank with confidence.
What are some of the features of Desert Safe Spend?
Desert Safe Spend gives you access to the banking tools you’ll need in everyday life, like debit cards, digital banking and more. Plus, you’ll get many of the great perks that come with a Free Checking account, like banking with no minimum monthly balance, early direct deposit, Zelle®, digital wallet access, free online Bill Pay and more.
How much does Desert Safe Spend cost?
Desert Safe Spend has no minimum deposit to get started and no minimum balance requirement. There is a low monthly fee of $4.95 that is waived with $250 or more in qualifying direct deposits per month and for current ASU or NAU students and employees.1
Can I overdraft my Desert Safe Spend account?
Desert Safe Spend is designed to only allow you to spend up to your available balance. If you don’t have the available funds to make a purchase, the transaction will typically be declined. That means you won’t face overdraft fees from Desert Financial for spending beyond your available balance.
In limited circumstances, a transaction may be paid that exceeds your available balance, which could result in a negative balance; however, no overdraft fee will be charged by Desert Financial. If a payment can’t be covered by available funds and is returned unpaid, the merchant may charge a return fee. Checking your balance ahead of time can help you avoid unexpected fees and keep your finances on track.
What if I need a check?
While there are no paper checks for this account, you can pay bills using our free online Bill Pay, send money through Zelle®4 or purchase a cashier's check or money order at one of our branches.
Can I upgrade to a Free Checking account?
After six months, you can request a review to determine whether you’re eligible to transition to a Free Checking account, subject to approval.
Do I earn Relationship Rewards for Desert Safe Spend?
Yes! You will automatically be enrolled into Relationship Rewards when you open your account. This can help you qualify for a Member Giveback Bonus, an annual cash reward for members who do more with us.
Disclosures
1
The Monthly Service Fee is first assessed at the end of the first full calendar month after the account is opened or converted to a Desert Safe Spend account. After that, the fee is assessed at the end of each calendar month unless qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $250 are received during that month. If the waiver requirement is not met, the Monthly Service Fee will be charged in full.
A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic deposit of income, such as a paycheck, government benefit payment, or other recurring payment, that is posted to your account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. Transfers between accounts, mobile check deposits, incoming Zelle® transactions, and deposits made at a branch or ATM do not qualify.
2
Early access to direct deposit funds is a free and automatic feature, dependent on the timing of the payment file submission from your payer. Funds are generally made available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to two business days earlier than the scheduled payment date. If your deposit does not arrive early, expect it to be available on your scheduled pay date. Standard fraud prevention restrictions apply. Not all direct deposits qualify for early access. Early availability of funds is not guaranteed and may vary with each deposit. This service is offered at the discretion of Desert Financial Credit Union, which reserves the right to discontinue it at any time without notice.
3
Zelle® is available to active personal Online Banking users. Waiting periods and additional restrictions may apply. For additional information, please refer to the Zelle® Terms of Service. Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
4
In limited circumstances, transactions posted to a Desert Safe Spend account may result in a negative balance. In these instances, Desert Financial will not assess an overdraft fee. See the Statements of Terms Conditions and Disclosures for details.
5
Desert Safe Spend is a checkless account. Checks may not be written, ordered, or processed from this account.
6
Overdraft Coverage is not available for Desert Safe Spend accounts. Overdraft Protection may be set up by linking a savings account or other eligible funding source, which will be used to cover transactions that would otherwise be declined.