topic Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account in Personal Finance

Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

Beefy1212 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:20:07 GMT

Anyone sign up for this?

250 dollar/month ach or DD

12 transactions and 10% cashback

They had a second account option for 5.5%APY ON upto 15k for monthly 500 deposit

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

FicoMike0 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:03:44 GMT

Interesting. I see in the fine print theres a monthly limit of $15. I suppose if you had a lot of small purchases for the 12 debits, it might be interesting. The last two purchases I made were about $20 each. If I made 12 of those a month that would be $240, $15 is 6.25% if that.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

Beefy1212 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 06:32:10 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Interesting. I see in the fine print theres a monthly limit of $15. I suppose if you had a lot of small purchases for the 12 debits, it might be interesting. The last two purchases I made were about $20 each. If I made 12 of those a month that would be $240, $15 is 6.25% if that.

I somehow knew there was a catch the blurb in the app didn't mention. I get gas about every 6 weeks for about 120-150/tank buy lunch a few times, a soda or two a few packs of gum but when getting these things at 3-5% to begin with it becomes pretty marginal just to get 6.25% on 240 spent/month.

The 5.5%apy option is also tempting on 15k would be roughly 70 a month but I am sure there is a gotcha hidden in there too.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

TrapLine — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:17:02 GMT

These catches are using a Debit Card 10 to even 20 times a month.

To each his own but the rewards and peace of mind that go with credit cards is my best choice. Truth, I do not make ten transactions a month on anything so great rates but a reality check.

There are other CUs that offer some good rates for Debit Card use. Talked to my local banker and a large local CU and both said the risks to them with Debit Cards as financials was at a significant cost.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

AndySoCal — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:59:40 GMT

If it were me I would be happy with the regular checking account that gets 1% cash back. On the 10% cash back per the fine print the PIN must be entered if not that transaction does not count. My question is the 10% earned on the debit card transaction only? If so the other account might be better because the 5% in theory is on a larger balance.

I agree with @TrapLine on debit card usage. If there is a fraud charge the debit card will be closed and a new one sent. The process to receive the money back into the account will take time. How much time varies by bank/ credit union. For the amount of fraud that is going on I very rarely use my debit card for anything but the ATM. If my card is lost the all the fraudster has to do swipe the card without a PIN.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

crystal626 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:41:45 GMT

I opted to get their 1% on up to $1000 of purchases instead because it didn't have any requirements, not even direct deposit or minimum balance, and they automatically pay the cash back monthly.

I made Affinity my primary bank back in October or November and I've been very happy so far. In fact, they deposit my Social Security direct deposit not two days early like they say on the site but five days early (Affinity releases the deposit the moment they're notified they will be receiving it for all customers with any direct deposits) and they gave me a $5K CLOC which is currently at a 13.75% variable APR while Navy Federal refuses to budge from $500 and a fixed 15.9% APR.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

RobertS2 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:27:08 GMT

@FicoMike0 wrote:
Interesting. I see in the fine print theres a monthly limit of $15. I suppose if you had a lot of small purchases for the 12 debits, it might be interesting. The last two purchases I made were about $20 each. If I made 12 of those a month that would be $240, $15 is 6.25% if that.

Darn fine print, always ruining the party!

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

TrapLine — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:03:40 GMT

@crystal626

You have scored a winner. Sounds good. Now dump PenFed!

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

crystal626 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:25:55 GMT

@TrapLine wrote:
@crystal626

You have scored a winner. Sounds good. Now dump PenFed!

lol

Now that I can pay them again, there's no reason to. They've given me more targeted offers than anyone except for NFCU so it's been a more lucrative card than it has been a hassle.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

IcyCool7227 — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 04:17:31 GMT

@AndySoCal wrote:
If it were me I would be happy with the regular checking account that gets 1% cash back. On the 10% cash back per the fine print the PIN must be entered if not that transaction does not count. My question is the 10% earned on the debit card transaction only? If so the other account might be better because the 5% in theory is on a larger balance.

I agree with @TrapLine on debit card usage. If there is a fraud charge the debit card will be closed and a new one sent. The process to receive the money back into the account will take time. How much time varies by bank/ credit union. For the amount of fraud that is going on I very rarely use my debit card for anything but the ATM. If my card is lost the all the fraudster has to do swipe the card without a PIN.

Andy, I believe that that Pin required wording may only be for in store purchases but I have never used mine for in store purchases. It works fine without a pin online and even counts PayPal transactions.

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

CaneVariant — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 23:58:39 GMT

Been using the various cb debit cards for the last year. Have not had any fraud issues whatsoever and I live in the credit card fraud ridden Southern CA. I can easily pull $1200 a year in straight cash back. Even more if I game it. In the last year only my credit card was exposed to fraud. CB debit cards are a blessing for people rebuilding their credit. You should sign up for both. Store your $ in the higher APY account and move it over when you want to make a purchase. How much "float" do you really make. My guess for the average spender is not much. Your mileage my vary. Edit spend level for the $1200 is ~ $2k

Re: Affinity FCU 10% CB checking account

Royalbacon — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:27:43 GMT

@CaneVariant wrote:
Been using the various cb debit cards for the last year. Have not had any fraud issues whatsoever and I live in the credit card fraud ridden Southern CA. I can easily pull $1200 a year in straight cash back. Even more if I game it. In the last year only my credit card was exposed to fraud. CB debit cards are a blessing for people rebuilding their credit. You should sign up for both. Store your $ in the higher APY account and move it over when you want to make a purchase. How much "float" do you really make. My guess for the average spender is not much. Your mileage my vary. Edit spend level for the $1200 is ~ $2k

I agree