Comprehensive Financial Services

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Full-Service Banking Solutions

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Beyond their award-winning checking accounts, BCU offers:

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• Savings & CDs: Including Rainy Day Savings™ and competitive Certificate of Deposit rates
• Credit Cards: Cash Rewards Visa®, Travel Rewards Visa®, Simply Visa®, and LAUNCH Visa®
• Loans: Auto loans, personal loans, and student loans
• Mortgages & Home Equity: Comprehensive home financing solutions

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Wealth Management Services

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BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC was recognized as a finalist in the Mid-Size Firms, Credit Union Firms categories, and ranked #4 as a top finalist in the Women-Led Firms category at the Kehrer Group's annual Top Directors Awards ceremony.

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Community Impact and Member-First Philosophy

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Disaster Relief and Community Support

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As the southern US braced for the impact of Hurricane Helene, with Hurricane Milton fast following, BCU swiftly activated its disaster relief assistance, fulfilling its promise to be "Here Today, For Your Tomorrow".

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Member-Owned, Not-for-Profit Structure

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As a not-for-profit, member-owned institution, BCU returns value to its members through competitive rates, lower fees, and enhanced services. The credit union is fiercely dedicated to Empowering People to Discover Financial Freedom through its comprehensive financial services and well-being programming.

Why Choose BCU in 2025?

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Proven Track Record of Excellence

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BCU's recognition by multiple industry authorities speaks to its consistent performance:

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• CNET's Best Credit Unions of 2024 (earning one of nine spots out of 50 financial institutions considered)
• CardRates.com's 10 Most Respected Credit Unions in America for 2024
• Ranked #1 Illinois Credit Union for Mortgages in 2024 by CardRates.com

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Competitive Advantage

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What sets BCU apart from traditional banks:

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• Higher earnings: Up to 8.00% APY on checking accounts
• Lower fees: Many services offered with no fees
• Better technology: State-of-the-art digital banking platforms
• Personal service: Member-focused approach with lifetime access to services

Getting Started with BCU

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Membership Eligibility

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BCU membership is available to:

• Employees and families of partner Fortune 100 companies
• Residents or workers in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin
• Residents of Puerto Rico
• Subscribers of BCU's wholly-owned CUSO, Life. Money. You.®

Next Steps

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Ready to experience the BCU difference? Visit BCU.org to learn more about membership eligibility and start your journey toward financial freedom with one of America's most respected credit unions.

Final Thoughts

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BCU continues to lead the industry in member satisfaction, innovative products, and financial technology. The credit union's mission is to empower people to discover financial freedom through exceptional banking services, competitive rates, and comprehensive financial well-being programs.

BCU Credit Union FAQ

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BCU (Baxter Credit Union) is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union serving over 350,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico. With nearly $6 billion in assets, BCU has been empowering people to discover financial freedom for over 40 years and is recognized as one of the Top 100 credit unions in America.

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Who can join BCU?

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BCU membership is available to:

• Employees and families of partner Fortune 100 companies (including Baxter Healthcare, Cardinal Health, Boston Scientific, Target, UnitedHealth Group, TeamHealth, Hillrom, BD, and GEICO)
• Individuals who live or work in Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin
• Residents of Puerto Rico
• Subscribers of BCU's wholly-owned Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO), Life. Money. You.®

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How do I become a BCU member?

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You can join BCU by visiting BCU.org and completing the online membership application, or by visiting one of their branch locations. You'll need to meet the membership eligibility requirements and open a savings account with a minimum deposit.

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Is there a membership fee?

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BCU membership details and any associated fees can be found in their Consumer Member Service Agreement at BCU.org. As a member-owned institution, BCU focuses on providing value back to members rather than maximizing fees.

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What makes PowerPlus™ Checking special?

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PowerPlus™ Checking is BCU's flagship high-yield checking account offering:

• Up to 8.00% APY (nearly 99 times higher than national big banks)
• Up to $20.00 monthly ATM fee refunds
• No minimum balance requirements
• No monthly maintenance fees
• Digital Banking with PowerPlus™ Checking Tracker Tool

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What are the current PowerPlus™ Checking rates?

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For new memberships opened between July 1, 2024, and December 31, 2025:

• Level 1: 4.00% APY (regular rate: 1.00% APY)
• Level 2: 8.00% APY (regular rate: 4.00% APY)
• Rates apply to balances up to $15,000, with higher balances earning a lower stated rate

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How do I qualify for PowerPlus™ Checking rates?

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Level 1 Requirements (4.00% APY):

• Monthly direct deposits of at least $1,000
• Enrollment in eStatements
• Complete at least 15 qualified transactions monthly

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Level 2 Requirements (8.00% APY):

• Monthly direct deposits of at least $3,000
• Enrollment in eStatements
• Complete at least 30 qualified transactions monthly

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What counts as a qualified transaction?

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Qualified transactions include:

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• BCU Debit Card PIN purchases
• BCU Debit Card signature purchases
• BCU Credit card purchases
• Online Bill Pay payments
• ACH payments
• Payments to BCU loans

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What happens if I don't meet the monthly requirements?

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If you don't meet all monthly requirements, you won't earn dividends or receive ATM fee refunds for that month, but you won't be penalized. You'll continue to enjoy no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fees, plus easy account access.

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How do I track my PowerPlus™ Checking qualifications?

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BCU provides a PowerPlus™ Checking Tracker Tool within their Digital Banking platform that allows you to monitor your qualification progress in real-time.

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What digital services does BCU offer?

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BCU is recognized as one of the most technology-forward credit unions, offering:

• Digital Banking platform with mobile and online access
• Deposit Anywhere mobile check deposit
• Zelle® payments
• Digital notarization services through their Proof partnership
• AI-powered customer communications
• Same-day loan processing capabilities

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How does BCU's digital notarization work?

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BCU partners with Proof to offer online notarization services, reducing processes that previously took days to complete down to an average of 15 minutes. This service is particularly useful for auto loans and other documents requiring notarization.

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Is BCU's digital banking secure?

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Yes, BCU maintains state-of-the-art security with sub-second response times and systems that handle over 10,000 daily logins across their platforms. They use advanced integration systems and maintain exceptional system stability.

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What types of loans does BCU offer?

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BCU provides:

• Auto loans with streamlined digital processing
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Mortgages and home equity loans
• Business loans

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How fast can I get approved for a loan?

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BCU is developing same-day loan approval capabilities as part of their technology-forward approach. Their digital processes have significantly reduced processing times, with some documentation completed in as little as 15 minutes.

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What credit cards does BCU offer?

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BCU offers several Visa® credit card options:

• Cash Rewards Visa®
• Travel Rewards Visa®
• Simply Visa®
• LAUNCH Visa®

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Does BCU charge monthly maintenance fees?

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No, PowerPlus™ Checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fees, regardless of whether you meet the monthly qualifications.

Are there ATM fees?

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BCU provides ATM fee refunds:

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• Level 1: Up to $10.00 monthly in ATM surcharge fee refunds
• Level 2: Up to $20.00 monthly in ATM surcharge fee refunds
• Must meet monthly PowerPlus™ Checking requirements to qualify

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How do BCU's rates compare to big banks?

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BCU's PowerPlus™ Checking offers rates up to 99 times higher than national big banks, with APYs reaching 8.00% compared to typical bank rates of around 0.08%.

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Where is BCU located?

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BCU's headquarters is in Vernon Hills, Illinois, with their main office at 340 N. Milwaukee Avenue. They serve members across the United States and Puerto Rico through their branch network and digital platforms.

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Can I bank with BCU if I don't live near a branch?

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Yes! BCU offers comprehensive digital banking services, allowing members to bank remotely through their mobile app and online platform. They also provide digital notarization and other remote services.

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What's BCU's routing number?

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BCU's routing number is 271992400.

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What savings accounts does BCU offer?

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BCU provides various savings options including:

• Traditional savings accounts
• Rainy Day Savings™
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
• Money Market accounts

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Does BCU offer wealth management services?

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Yes, BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC provides comprehensive wealth management services and was recognized as a top finalist in multiple categories at the Kehrer Group's annual Top Directors Awards.

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What makes BCU different from banks?

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As a not-for-profit, member-owned institution, BCU:

• Returns profits to members through better rates and lower fees
• Focuses on member service rather than shareholder profits
• Provides lifetime membership benefits
• Offers financial well-being programs
• Maintains a "Member First" philosophy

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How can I contact BCU?

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• Phone: 800-388-7000 (available day and night)
• Website: BCU.org
• Help Center: Available through their website
• Social Media: Facebook (@MyBCU), Instagram (@lovebcu)

What is BCU's mission?

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BCU's mission is to empower people to discover financial freedom through their brand promise "Here Today For Your Tomorrow." They provide extraordinary service, competitive products, and comprehensive financial well-being programming to help members achieve their financial goals.