The Verdict: An excellent, fee-free option for tech-savvy savers who want 24/7 human support, though you’ll need to jump through a few hoops to get their absolute highest interest rates.
The Quick Highlights
- No Monthly Fees: First Tech doesn’t charge maintenance fees on their core deposit accounts.
- 24/7 Member Support: A massive perk for a credit union—you can call them anytime at 855-855-8805.
- Solid Tech: Their mobile app is highly rated (4.7 on iOS, 4.3 on Android) and includes built-in Zelle support.
- NCUA Insured: Your deposits are federally protected up to $250,000 (Routing #:
321180379).
Account Breakdown & Rates
| Account Type | Key Rates & Yields | The Catch / Minimums |
| Membership Savings | Earns monthly dividends | $5 minimum balance required to join. |
| Rewards Checking & Savings | Up to 3% APY on savings | Can earn up to $900 back annually. |
| Start Up (Kids & Teens) | Up to 4% APY | Low entry barrier ($25 savings / $10 checking). |
| Share Certificates | Up to 4% APY (Traditional) Up to 3.4% APY (Bump-up) | $500 minimum deposit; terms from 6–60 months. |
| Premier Rewards Banking | 3.5% APY | Requires a heavy $250,000 combined daily balance. |
Other Products: First Tech also offers IRAs (up to 4% APY), Business Checking/Savings, Rewards Mastercards, and a full lending suite—including Student Loan Refinancing starting at 8.60% APR with zero application fees.
Fee Watchlist
While there are no monthly maintenance fees, watch out for these incidental charges:
- Overdraft Fee: $15
- Wire Transfers: $5 incoming $15 outgoing domestic | $40 outgoing international
- Inactivity: Up to $10 per month
- International Purchases: 1% currency conversion fee
- Card Rush Delivery: $20 for 2-day $35 for next-day
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Truly fee-free daily banking.
- 24/7 phone support and live chat, which is rare for credit unions.
- Strong commitment to sustainability (solar-powered offices, EV stations, and e-waste initiatives).
Cons:
- Geographic limits: Physical branches are restricted to just 8 states (CA, CO, GA, ID, MA, OR, TX, WA).
- Good, not great rates: While they beat traditional brick-and-mortar banks, top online-only banks still edge them out on high-yield accounts.
How to Join
You automatically qualify if you work for one of their 900+ partner companies, live/work in Lane County (or work for the State of Oregon), or share a household with a current member.
The Loophole: If you don’t meet those criteria, you can instantly qualify during your online application by choosing to join the Computer History Museum or the Financial Fitness Association.
Editing by- katie Willimas
Suresh holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and is a dedicated personal finance researcher and writer. Combining his advanced academic background in commerce with deep industry research, he covers complex topics like taxation, banking systems, credit analysis, and personal finance strategies. As the founder of Tax Assistant (taxassistant.org), Suresh is committed to translating complicated financial guidelines and economic data into simple, accurate, and actionable educational resources for everyday readers.
