Until now, PenFed has been the only credit union I know that doesn't offer a free checking account. The Access America account was the only checking account they offered, and it assessed a stiff $10 penalty for any month in which one did not have either a minimum balance of $500 or direct deposits of $500 ("direct deposits" being loosely defined).
Now I see they are offering "free checking". The website says:
PENFED FREE CHECKING
You asked, we listened
Managing your money has never been easier
- Zero monthly fees
- Zero ATM fees
Well I'm glad they finally "listened" 
Thanks to @Anonymous for bringing this to my attention.
@SouthJamaica wrote:Until now, PenFed has been the only credit union I know that doesn't offer a free checking account. The Access America account was the only checking account they offered, and it assessed a stiff $10 penalty for any month in which one did not have either a minimum balance of $500 or direct deposits of $500 ("direct deposits" being loosely defined).
Now I see they are offering "free checking". The website says:
PENFED FREE CHECKING
You asked, we listened
Managing your money has never been easier
- Zero monthly fees
- Zero ATM fees
Well I'm glad they finally "listened"
Thanks to @Anonymous for bringing this to my attention.
They're not the only that didn't offer a free checking. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union doesn't, Elements Financial and GTE Financial all don't offer free checking. Alaska USA also has $50 annual fees on all their cards unless you have a checking account with them 
@Royalbacon wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:Until now, PenFed has been the only credit union I know that doesn't offer a free checking account. The Access America account was the only checking account they offered, and it assessed a stiff $10 penalty for any month in which one did not have either a minimum balance of $500 or direct deposits of $500 ("direct deposits" being loosely defined).
Now I see they are offering "free checking". The website says:
PENFED FREE CHECKING
You asked, we listened
Managing your money has never been easier
- Zero monthly fees
- Zero ATM fees
Well I'm glad they finally "listened"
Thanks to @Anonymous for bringing this to my attention.
They're not the only that didn't offer a free checking. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union doesn't, Elements Financial and GTE Financial all don't offer free checking. Alaska USA also has $50 annual fees on all their cards unless you have a checking account with them
Hard to believe in this day and age that there are credit unions which fail to offer free checking. Well, at least their ranks have been thinned by one.
I wonder if they will allow changing from Access America to the Free Checking, or if one has to open a new account. I'll probably call and find out in a month or so unless anyone else has any DP.
@tortoise_credit wrote:I wonder if they will allow changing from Access America to the Free Checking, or if one has to open a new account. I'll probably call and find out in a month or so unless anyone else has any DP.
Just called in to Penfed to see if I could convert my two Access America checking accounts to the free checking account. They don't allow straight conversions but I was able to close both Access America accounts and open a new free checking account. Representative did all the closing of accounts and opening of new account while I was on the phone. He was also able to link my current debit card and existing overdraft lines of credit to the new account. Logged in after conversation and new account was posted. That will actually save me $20 a month in maintance fees. Thanks @SouthJamaica for the heads up!
@outofcredit Thanks for the info. Excuse my ignorance on this, but does closing the Access America account affect chexsystems at all? I just opened the Access America let month, and it's in good standing. I ask because I wanted to join Affinity soon, and until now I've really only had one checking/savings opened at a time.
@tortoise_credit wrote:@outofcredit Thanks for the info. Excuse my ignorance on this, but does closing the Access America account affect chexsystems at all? I just opened the Access America let month, and it's in good standing. I ask because I wanted to join Affinity soon, and until now I've really only had one checking/savings opened at a time.
I dont think it will affect your status with chexsystems. Generally, I have found that chexsystems focuses on negative information related to checking accounts that is reported. While they do keep a tally of the number of "inquires" for new checking accounts you've had I think most banks check your chexsystem report for the amount of negative banking information you have on file. YMMV, but that has been my experience. I have over 10 checking accounts opened at most of the major banks and several credit unions. So far I haven't been denied due to chexsystems.