Yes, you can link a checking account at BECU, and the process depends on whether you already have an account there

If you are a BECU member without a checking account, you can open one and link it to savings, money market, or other accounts you hold. If you already have a BECU checking account, you can link additional accounts to it for transfers and bill pay. BECU is a credit union, so membership comes first — you cannot open a checking account without joining.

Linking accounts means you can move money between them online without waiting for transfers to clear, and you can pay bills from any linked account. The linking itself is free and takes minutes once your accounts exist.

Key Takeaways

  • BECU membership is required before you can open any account, including a checking account.
  • You can link a BECU checking account to savings, money market, or other BECU accounts you own for instant transfers.
  • Linking accounts happens through BECU's online banking portal or mobile app after both accounts are open.
  • Linked accounts let you move money between them without fees and use bill pay from any linked account.

Becoming a BECU member first

BECU requires membership before you can open a checking account. Membership is open to people who live, work, worship, or go to school in Washington state, or who are family members of current BECU members. You do not pay a membership fee — it is included when you open your first account.

You can start the membership and account process online, by phone, or in person at a BECU branch. Online is fastest: you provide your Social Security number, address, and basic identity information, and BECU verifies you against public records. The process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Once you are a member, you can open a checking account immediately. BECU offers several checking products — a standard checking account, a rewards checking account that pays interest if you meet monthly requirements, and a checking account with no monthly fee. The account you choose does not affect your ability to link other accounts.

Opening a checking account if you do not have one

If you want to link a checking account but do not have one yet, open one through BECU's website, app, or a branch. You will need your Social Security number, a government ID, and proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement works). The application takes about 10 minutes online.

BECU funds new checking accounts immediately, so you can start using it the same day. You can order a debit card online or pick one up at a branch. If you need the card quickly, ask at a branch — some locations can issue a temporary card on the spot.

Linking your checking account to other BECU accounts

Once you have a checking account and at least one other BECU account (savings, money market, or certificate of deposit), you can link them. Log into BECU's online banking portal or open the mobile app, go to the accounts section, and select the option to link accounts. You will see a list of all accounts in your name and can choose which ones to link to your checking account.

Linking is instant — you do not need to wait for approval. Once linked, you can transfer money between accounts at any time with no fee. Transfers show up immediately in your account balance, even outside business hours.

You can link as many accounts as you want. Some members link a checking account to multiple savings accounts to organize money by purpose — one for emergencies, one for a car fund, one for vacation.

Using linked accounts for bill pay and transfers

Linked accounts work together for BECU's bill pay service. When you set up a bill payment, you can choose which linked account to pay from. This is useful if you keep different money in different accounts and want to pay a bill from a specific one.

You can also set up automatic transfers between linked accounts. For example, you could transfer a fixed amount from checking to savings every payday, or move money from savings to checking when your balance drops below a certain amount. These automatic transfers happen on the schedule you set.

Transfers between your own linked BECU accounts are always free and immediate. If you transfer to an account at another bank, BECU may charge a fee depending on the transfer method — check BECU's current fee schedule on their website.

Linking a checking account to accounts at other banks

You can also link your BECU checking account to checking or savings accounts you hold at other banks. This is called external linking and lets you transfer money between BECU and the other bank, though the transfer takes one to two business days instead of being instant.

To link an external account, go to the accounts section in BECU's online banking or app and select the option to add an external account. You will need the routing number and account number of the other bank account. BECU will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) and asking you to confirm the amounts — this takes one to two business days.

Once verified, you can transfer money to and from that external account. BECU does not charge a fee for external transfers, but the other bank might. Check with your other bank about their transfer fees.

What to do if linking does not work

If you try to link accounts and get an error, the most common reasons are that the account is not in your name, the account is closed or frozen, or there is a temporary system issue. Try again in a few minutes — temporary issues usually clear quickly.

If the problem continues, contact BECU directly. You can call their member service line (the number is on your debit card or BECU's website), use the chat feature in the mobile app, or visit a branch. Have your account numbers ready. BECU can see what is blocking the link and either fix it or explain why the accounts cannot be linked.

If you are trying to link an external account at another bank and the verification deposits do not arrive after three business days, contact BECU. The other bank may be delaying the deposits, or there may be a mismatch in the account information you provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a minimum balance to link accounts at BECU?

No. Linking accounts is free and has no balance requirement. You can link accounts even if one of them has zero dollars in it. However, individual BECU accounts may have minimum balance requirements to avoid a monthly fee — check the terms of each account type.

Can I unlink accounts after I link them?

Yes. Go to the accounts section in online banking or the app and select the option to unlink. The accounts remain open; you just lose the ability to transfer between them instantly. You can relink them anytime.

If I link my checking account to savings, can someone else access both accounts?

No. Linking is just a convenience feature for transfers and bill pay. Only people whose names are on an account can access it. If you are the sole owner of both accounts, only you can access them, even though they are linked.

How many accounts can I link to one checking account?

BECU does not publish a limit, and most members link between two and five accounts. If you want to link more than ten, contact BECU to confirm there is no restriction on your account.

What happens to linked accounts if I close my checking account?

The links disappear, but the other accounts stay open. If you close your checking account and later open a new one, you will need to relink the other accounts.