Personal Finance Banking Checking Account

Nationally available checking account offers nearly 7% interest as the battle for deposits intensifies

A man sits in front of a computer at a cafe. He is smiling and holding a debit card.
Genisys Credit Union offers a great interest rate on its checking account. South_agency/Getty Images
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Genisys Credit Union, a financial institution based in the Midwest that's open to anyone, is currently offering a high-yield checking account with up to 6.75% annual percentage yield (APY).

The average interest rate for a checking account is 0.07% according to the FDIC, so this account offers a rate multiple percentage points above the national average.

However, you'll have to meet some requirements and deal with some limitations to earn that interest rate.

How to get 6.75% APY on a Genisys Credit Union checking account

Genisys Credit Union is a credit union that anyone can join, and there are numerous ways to qualify for membership.

To become a member, you need to either live, work, worship, attend school, or own a business in specific parts of Michigan, Minnesota, or Pennsylvania, have an immediate family member who's part of the credit union, or be a member of either the Arthritis Foundation or the Paint Creek Center for the Arts. You can join both of those associations while applying for membership to Genisys.

Once you're a member, you'll need to open Genisys Credit Union Genius High Yield Checking. This account does not have minimum balance requirements or monthly service fees, and it is also a rewards checking account. In order to earn the high APY, you'll need to do the following:

  • turn on eStatements
  • Use your Genisys debit card at least 10 times each month for non-ATM transactions of at least $5.00

Once you do that, you'll earn 6.75% APY on any money in the account up to $7,500. After the first $7,500, you'll only earn 0.05% APY. This may be less of a big deal for a checking account than it is for high-yield savings accounts because checking accounts are primarily used for spending while savings are more suitable for building your savings. Still, to make sure you're making the best possible use of your account, make sure you keep an eye on how much is in your account.

Other banks with high rates

While Genisys is offering an incredibly high rate for its checking account, there are other checking accounts that offer high rates that you might prefer. Here are some competitive rates on high-yield checking accounts from other banks and credit unions.

Account NameAPY (Annual Percentage Yield)Minimum Account Opening Balance
OnPath Rewards High-Yield Checkingup to 7.00% *$25
CIT Bank Platinum Savings4.10% (with $5,000 minimum balance)****$5,000
Axos Bank Rewards Checkingup to 3.30%$0

Genisys Checking Account FAQs

How much is it to open a checking account at Genisys Credit Union?

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The Genisys Credit Union Genius High Yield Checking has a $5 minimum opening deposit, and it doesn't come with any monthly bank maintenance fees. You do have to keep an eye out for its overdraft fees, however; if you overdraft, you'll have to pay a $28 fee unless you set up overdraft transfer protection, which still has a $3 fee.

Is Genisys Credit Union legit?

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Yes, Genisys Credit Union is NCUA-insured, which means your money is safe up to $250,000 per account type, per depositor.

What is a Genisys high-yield checking account?

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Genisys offers a high-yield checking account, which means that the account gives you a high interest rate on the money you keep in it. If you meet the requirements, you can earn up to 6.75% APY.

Is it good to have a high-yield checking account?

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Having a high-yield checking account can be good for earning money on whatever funds you keep out of savings for your expenses. Just keep in mind what the limitations of the account are and look out for high bank fees.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards.

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

*Varo Savings Account: To earn the highest APY each month (5.00%) on up to $5,000, you must receive at least $1,000 in direct deposits each month and keep your Varo Bank Account balances above $0. Earn 2.50% APY on your remaining balance. Rates are subject to change at any time.

**LendingClub LevelUp Savings Account: Earn 4.40% APY when you deposit at least $250 per month, earn 3.40% standard APY if minimum isn't met.

***Barclays Tiered Savings Account: Accounts with $250,000 or less will earn 3.65% APY, accounts with over $250,000 will earn 3.75% APY. Rate are determined by balance tiers and amount deposited.

1Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. *APYs — Annual Percentage Yields are accurate as of September 23, 2025: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.85% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest Rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.

2Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 15, 2025.

1 APY — Annual Percentage Yield is accurate as of September 23, 2025. Interest Rates for the Savings Connect Account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Savings Connect account is $100. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.

2Based on comparison to the national average Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on savings accounts as published in the FDIC National Rates and Rate Caps, accurate as of September 15, 2025.

Kit Pulliam (they/them) was a banking expert who specialized in certificates of deposit, savings accounts, and checking accounts. They’ve been reporting, editing, and fact-checking personal finance stories for more than four years. ExperienceIn college, Kit worked as an undergraduate research assistant in a psychology lab. While there, they found that they were passionate about writing and helping others write about topics that matter.Before Business Insider, Kit was an editorial specialist for Tax Analysts, diving into the tax code to help readers get the best information about a confusing but necessary subject.They find banking similar to taxes in that way: There are some things everyone needs to know because just about everyone needs to work with a bank — and you don’t want to end up with an account that doesn’t serve your needs.As interest rates changed, they enjoyed the fast pace of reviewing rates for products like CDs and high-yield savings, which can change daily and have a direct impact on readers’ money.Their work has been featured in Business Insider and MSN. They were part of the My Financial Life and Milestone Moments series with Business Insider.ExpertiseTheir expertise includes:
  • Certificates of deposit
  • Savings accounts
  • Checking accounts
  • CD rates
  • Bank reviews
EducationKit is an alumnus of Vanderbilt University, where they studied English and psychology and received the Jum C. Nunnally Honors Research Award for their senior thesis.Outside personal finance, Kit enjoys reading, film, video games, and cross-stitching. They are based in the DC area.