Is my money safe at People Driven Credit Union?

Yes. People Driven Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) up to $250,000 per depositor — the credit union equivalent of FDIC insurance.

Can I have both a checking account and a savings account at PDCU?

Yes. Most members open a Membership Savings account ($5 to join) alongside a Basic Checking account. Linking them also provides automatic overdraft protection.

Which earns more interest — a savings account or a checking account?

Savings accounts and especially the PDCU High-Yield Money Market account earn more interest than a standard checking account. Regular checking accounts pay little to no interest, while the high-yield money market tier pays significantly higher rates.

What overdraft options are available for PDCU checking accounts?

PDCU offers three overdraft options: (1) Overdraft Protection Transfer — automatically moves funds from your linked savings account when your balance runs low; (2) Courtesy Pay — PDCU may authorize and pay overdrafts up to a preset limit for checks, ACH, and recurring debits; (3) No Overdraft Service — opt out entirely, and transactions that exceed your balance are simply declined with no fee.

How do I choose the right checking account at People Driven Credit Union?

PDCU keeps it simple: the main Basic Checking account has no monthly fee and no minimum balance. It includes a free Visa Debit Card, mobile check deposit, online bill pay, and the ability to get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit. If you want your balance to earn more, consider the High-Yield Money Market account. Call 248-263-4100 or visit any branch to compare options.

Explore Exciting Checking Account Options at People Driven Credit Union

Checking Account Options at People Driven Credit Union

At People Driven Credit Union, our checking account options are thoughtfully designed to fit the real-life needs of our members. From our no-fee Basic Checking for everyday use to accounts packed with helpful tools, every option puts you in control of your money without the hassle of minimum balances or monthly fees.

With convenient features like free Visa debit cards, direct deposit, mobile check deposit, bill pay, and the ability to get paid up to two days early, plus easy overdraft protection from your linked savings, opening a checking account with PDCU is the simple first step toward simplifying your daily banking and helping you reach your bigger financial goals. Our friendly, personalized service means you’re never just a number, you’re a valued member.

Explore our checking accounts today and discover the refreshing difference of banking with a credit union that puts people first.

PDCU Checking Account Options:

PDCU Checking Account Features:

Checking Account vs Savings Account at People Driven Credit Union

Feature	Checking Accounts	Savings / Money Market Accounts
Primary Purpose	Daily spending, bills, direct deposit	Growing money, emergency funds, goals
Access to Funds	Unlimited (debit card, checks, transfers)	Limited withdrawals (typically 6/month on standard savings; more flexible on money market)
Minimum Balance	$0 (Basic Checking)	$5 (Membership Savings) or $1,000–$10,000 for high-yield options
Monthly Fees	None	None
Best For	Everyday use, payroll, bill pay	Building wealth, short-term savings goals
PDCU Perks	Overdraft protection from linked savings, get paid up to 2 days early, Visa Debit	Save to Win® raffles, Round Up to Win auto-savings, higher rates on new money

A checking account is built for everyday transactions with debit cards, direct deposit, and no monthly fees or minimum balances, while a savings account (or our higher-yield money market options) earns dividends so your money works harder. Many members pair both: use checking for bills and spending, then automatically transfer to savings to build an emergency fund or hit big milestones.

With competitive rates on select high-yield accounts, low or no fees, NCUA insurance up to $250,000, and member-focused service, opening a savings account vs checking account at PDCU is your first step to smarter banking in Michigan. Explore our options today and see why more Michiganders are switching to a credit union that puts people first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I open a checking account at PDCU?

You can open a checking account with People Driven Credit Union online or in person at one of our branch locations. Opening a checking account online is a convenient option if you want to get started from anywhere, or you can visit a branch if you would rather speak with someone in person.

How to get started

To open an account online, visit our Open Account page. If you prefer to open your account in person, visit one of our branches in Livonia, Southfield, Warren, Ypsilanti, or Romeo.

What to expect

PDCU’s Basic Checking Account is designed to be simple and easy to use, with no monthly maintenance fees and no balance requirements. Membership and eligibility requirements apply, and all accounts are subject to approval.

Helpful next step

Once your checking account is open, you may want to link it to a PDCU savings account for overdraft protection or set up recurring transfers to help build your savings over time.

Need help?

If you need help opening a checking account, call 844-700-7328 during business hours or contact us.

Is it safe?

Yes – NCUA insured up to $250,000, just like FDIC but with the member-owned advantage of a credit union.

Can I have both a savings account and checking account?

Absolutely! Most members open a Membership Savings ($5 to join) + Basic Checking for the perfect combo.

Which earns more – savings account or checking account?

Savings and especially our High-Yield Money Market accounts earn more. Regular checking pays little, while our top-tier money market is paying much more.

What overdraft options are available for checking accounts?

People Driven Credit Union offers several overdraft options for checking accounts, including Overdraft Protection Transfer, Courtesy Pay for eligible accounts, or the choice to have transactions declined if you do not want overdraft coverage.

Overdraft Protection Transfer

You can link your Basic Checking Account to a PDCU savings account. If you have available funds in savings, money can transfer automatically to help cover a transaction. A transfer fee may apply, so review the Fee Schedule for current details.

Courtesy Pay

Courtesy Pay is available for eligible accounts in good standing. If approved at our discretion, it may help cover overdrafts for checks, ACH payments, and recurring debit card transactions up to the applicable limit. Opt-in is required if you want Courtesy Pay to apply to everyday debit card transactions. A fee may apply for each overdraft item that is paid.

Courtesy Pay is a discretionary service, not a guarantee. To remain eligible, you must bring your account back to a positive balance within 30 days. Other restrictions may apply.

No overdraft service

You can also choose not to use overdraft services. If a transaction exceeds your available balance, it may be declined and no overdraft fee will apply.

Need help choosing an option?

To ask questions about your overdraft options or update your preferences, contact our Member Services team.

What type of checking account does People Driven Credit Union offer?

Checking account offers at PDCU

Every day, checking for deposits, payments, and debit card use
Digital access through online and mobile banking
Member support for account setup, card services, and account questions
You get a free Visa Debit Card, online bill pay, mobile check deposit, and 24/7 digital access through the MyPDCU app.

How to Open Your Checking Account

Apply online in minutes or stop by any branch. You need your ID, Social Security number, and initial deposit. Our team walks you through setup and helps you add direct deposit or bill pay right away.

Get Help from Our Team

Call us at 248-263-4100 during business hours. Our team reviews your needs and recommends the best checking account. You can also visit any branch in Livonia, Southfield, Warren, Ypsilanti, or Romeo.