Free Checking Accounts in Boise, Idaho

Ascend Checking is a checking account with no monthly service fee that can help Boise area residents earn 3.50% APY1 on their average daily balances up to $15,000.

Start earning dividends in your checking account with our Ascend Checking by completing these qualifying activities1 each month:

To earn dividends each monthly statement cycle:

  • Enroll in eStatements
  • Make at least 20 debit card purchases
  • Receive at least one monthly direct deposit greater than $250  

If you do not meet the dividend qualifications during a statement cycle, you will not earn dividends for that cycle. There is no additional monthly fee for not meeting the qualifications.

 
P1FCU has 4 locations throughout the Treasure Valley,  Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, and Garden City  To find your nearest location, click below. 

eagle p1fcu branch

Benefits of a P1FCU Ascend Checking Account

Not only does Ascend Checking come with no monthly fee, but it also comes with all these free benefits:

Earn and save

  • Up to 3.50% APY on qualifying balances

  • Ascend Money Market Rate Bump

  • Save Your Change

  • No minimum opening deposit required

  • No monthly account service fee

Manage your money digitally

  • Digital Banking

  • Mobile Deposit

  • Zelle

  • Mobile Wallet

  • Contactless payments

  • Card Updater

 

Debit card and account protection

 

Flexible access

  • Shared Branching

  • No check writing fees

  • Digital and mobile account access

  • Access to local service at branches throughout the Boise Area

How Ascend Checking Earns Dividends

  1. Choose eStatements
     Stay enrolled in eStatements with a valid email address.

  2. Use your debit card
     Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases that post and settle during the month.

  3. Set up direct deposit
     Receive one monthly direct deposit greater than $250.

    If you do not meet the dividend qualifications during a statement cycle, you will not earn dividends for that cycle. There is no additional monthly fee for not meeting the qualifications.

Review Full Dividend Qualifications

Everyday Banking Access 

Use your Ascend Checking Account just like any other checking account, while also having the ability to earn dividends. Use your debit card at any retailer, while also being able to access your account through P1FCU Digital Banking, Mobile Deposit, Zelle, mobile wallets, and participating shared branches. Use the P1FCU branch locator to find a branch or account-access option near you.

Not sure where your nearest P1FCU Branch is? Click below to find yours.

P1FCU Locations

Want to take a look at our Digital Banking before opening your Ascend Checking Account? Check out our video tour, tutorials, and more by clicking below. 

P1FCU Digital Banking

 

Why Choose P1FCU for Checking in Boise

P1FCU has helped Idaho members pursue their financial goals since 1938. We expanded into the Boise area in 2021. Since then, we've continued investing in communities, organizations, and schools throughout the Treasure Valley.  Now with 4 local branches, you can get personalized service, later service hours compared to other local financial institutions, and a great checking account that can help you earn money back.  
 
4 Branches in the Treasure Valley
Visit us in Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, or Garden City for in-person assistance.
 
Innovative Digital Banking
Monitor your account, transfer money, deposit checks, pay bills, and manage your debit card from almost anywhere.
 
Checking That Rewards Everyday Banking
Our Ascend Checking is truly one of the best in this market. Its high earnings cap and high yield interest rate make it comparable with every checking account available in the Boise area. 
 
Friendly and Helpful Staff
Being around since 1938 doesn't happen by accident. It happens by hiring good people and putting them in the right positions for themselves and their communities. The Treasure Valley team prides itself on being present in their communities and would love to help anyone on their financial journey.
 
 

Ascend Checking Rates Meeting Qualifiers1


When all monthly qualifications are met, 3.50% APY is paid on the portion of the average daily balance up to $15,000. The blended APY for balances above $15,000 will range from 0.21% to 3.50%, depending on the account’s average daily balance. 

Deposit Amount Dividend Rate APY1
$0.00 - 15,000 3.445% 3.50%
$15,000.01+ 0.00% 0.21-3.50%


Earn More With an Ascend Money Market Account

When your Ascend Checking account meets all three monthly dividend qualifications, an eligible linked Ascend Money Market account can also receive a qualifying rate bump.²
 

Explore Ascend Money Market

 

How To Open an Ascend Checking Account

  1. Review Membership Eligibility
    Depending on where you live, work or worship in the Northwest and specifically the Treasure Valley, you are eligible to become a member. Review our membership requirements by clicking below.

    Membership Requirements
  2. What you'll need to apply
    To open an account, please bring a government-issued ID, current proof of address, and the $35 minimum to open a Savings Account, if you do not already have one.
  3. Complete your Application
  4. Set up Direct Deposit, eStatements,  and activate your debit card.

     Open Ascend Checking

Overdraft Protection

It's good to have someone looking out for you. That’s why we offer overdraft protection options to cover a transaction if money comes up short in your account. An overdraft happens when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. We offer two options for Overdraft Protection. 

Standard Overdraft

We can link other accounts to your checking account in the instance that funds aren’t available to cover a transaction. This service incurs a $2 transfer fee.

Line of Credit

Use a personal line of credit to have funds available when you need them.

Debit Card Overdraft Protection

Debit Card Overdraft Protection covers your accidental overdrafts so that merchants and credit bureaus will not be notified of overdrafts. For every transaction that we cover, there is a $25 overdraft fee.
 
To see the overdraft fees and the time period by which you must repay any overdraft, see the Account Agreement.

Ascend Checking FAQs


Ascend Checking has no monthly account fee and no minimum opening deposit. Other service or transaction fees may apply depending on how the account is used.


During each monthly statement cycle, you must be enrolled in eStatements, complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases and receive one direct deposit greater than $250.


You will not earn dividends for that statement cycle. There is no additional monthly fee simply for not meeting the dividend qualifications.


No minimum balance is required to maintain the account. Dividend earnings depend on meeting the monthly qualifications.




Yes. Ascend Checking includes a Debit Mastercard with contactless-payment and mobile-wallet functionality.


An eligible linked Ascend Money Market account may receive a qualifying rate bump during months when all Ascend Checking dividend qualifications are met.


P1FCU has 4 locations throughout the Treasure Valley, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa and Garden City. P1FCU members can access services through all P1FCU branches throughout the Northwest, using Digital Banking and participating shared branches. To see all of our locations please click the button below. 
 


Yes, you can open your account online from Boise. To get started on your application, please click below.
 





P1FCU has 4 locations throughout the Treasure Valley, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa and Garden City. To find your nearest location, click below. 



3 P1FCU Treasure Valley Locations

Meridian Branch
4669 S Eagle Road
Meridian, ID 83642 
eagle p1fcu branch
Eagle Branch
3635 W Johnny Lane
Eagle, ID 83616 
Nampa P1FCU branch
Nampa Branch
421 11th Avenue South
Nampa, ID 83651 

1 APY is Annual Percentage Yield. Rates may change after the account is opened. Qualifiers to earn dividends with an Ascend Checking Account, you must be enrolled in eStatements with a valid email address, have a minimum of 20 debit card transactions post and settle (excluding ATM transactions), and one monthly direct deposit of more than $250. When the qualifications are met during a monthly statement cycle, 3.50% APY is paid on the entire portion of the average daily balances up to $15,000, and 0.21-3.50% APY is paid on that portion of the average daily balances over $15,000, depending on the account's average daily balance. No dividends are earned if the qualifications are not met during the statement cycle. Fees may reduce earnings. APY is accurate as of the last dividend declaration date. Insured by NCUA. 

2 To qualify for the Money Market Account Qualifying Bump Rate, you must have an Ascend Checking account linked to the Money Market account, and you must meet the Ascend Checking account dividend qualifications each month. For each month you meet the Ascend Checking account dividend qualifications, you will qualify for the Money Market Account Qualifying Bump Rate. The three monthly dividend qualifications for the Ascend Checking account are: 1) Enrollment in eStatements 2) A minimum of 20 posted debit card transactions per month (ATM transactions excluded) and 3) A monthly direct deposit of over $250.  If the Ascend Checking dividend qualifications are not met, the Money Market will default to the standard Money Market Account Non-Qualifying Rate. Only one Money Market account may be linked to an Ascend Checking account at any time. The Money Market Account Qualifying Bump Rate will be applied to the Money Market account with the earliest opening date. If there are multiple Money Market accounts, you may select which Money Market account to apply the Qualifying Bump Rate at account opening or by reaching out to us at 800.843.7128.  Future changes of your selection can be made in branch or by reaching out to us at 800.843.7128. The dividend rate and annual percentage yield may change at any time. We may change the dividend rate for your account as determined by the credit union.