Express Credit Union Receives National Certification by Banking Advocates as safe, affordable account
The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s Bank On National Account Standards Certification of Express CU Classic Checking account indicates that it meets over 25 features for safe and affordable consumer transaction accounts.
June 9, 2026 – Today Express Credit Union announced that its Classic Checking account was officially certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards (2025-2026). The national safe account Standards, co-created by consumer advocates, leading national nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and other financial institutions, designate both core and strongly recommended features that ensure low cost, high functionality, and consumer safety.
Key features of Classic Checking include a monthly cost of only $0.00, no overdraft or nonsufficient fund fees, the ability to pay bills and make purchases, and federal deposit insurance.
“The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account certification to Express Credit Union’s Classic Checking account,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Classic Checking account offers Washington residents who are looking to improve their finances a safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product to access and manage their money. Express Credit Union’s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of national banking access efforts, and we thank them.”
“This is exactly the work we’re committed to every day, creating access to safe, affordable banking. We’re excited to have this certification help us reach more people and spread the word about better options,” said Elizabeth Escobar, Chief Business Officer of Express CU.
The goal of Bank On is to ensure that everyone has access to safe and affordable financial products and services. The Bank On National Account Standards identify critical product features for appropriate bank or credit union accounts, making it easier for local coalitions across the country to connect consumers to accounts that meet their needs.
Express Credit Union’s Classic Checking is available at their Washington Branch location. Individuals can apply for the account online, in person or over the phone. In addition to Classic Checking there are more than 500 other Bank On certified accounts available at financial institutions across the country.
Express Credit Union partners with community organizations to serve as a financial pillar for its members, providing much-needed financial products to those who face barriers to traditional banking. Its small-dollar lending programs saved members over $1,000,000 in 2025, and it offers critical second-chance checking and savings accounts with no minimum balance requirements or monthly service fees.
Data collected by the CFE Fund in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis through Bank On’s national reporting platform shows that Bank On accounts are meeting consumers’ needs; since their offering, millions of consumers have opened Bank On certified accounts, with approximately 85% of them opened by consumers new to the financial institutions.
“As the lead organization for Bank On Washington, the Financial Empowerment Network is thrilled to have Express Credit Union join the growing list of financial institutions who offer a Bank On certified account in Washington state. These accounts are key for individuals and communities who have been excluded from mainstream financial products and services. Express is a long-time partner of FEN, and the addition of this account further strengthens our ability to collaborate in meaningful ways to advance financial thriving and banking access for all Washingtonians!” said Jennifer Quiroz, Executive Director of the Financial Empowerment Network.
The CFE Fund leads the national Bank On movement, supporting over 100 local coalitions working to connect individuals and families to the financial mainstream through partnerships between governments, financial institutions, and community organizations. To learn more about Bank On and the National Account Standards click here, or follow the conversation on Bluesky\ at @cfefund.bsky.social* #BankOn.
About Express Credit Union
Express Credit Union began in 1934 as King St. Terminal Credit Union serving Seattle transportation workers, later reinventing itself in the mid-2000s to evolve into a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) rooted in its original SODO neighborhood. Today, it provides fair, affordable financial services for people excluded from traditional banking, guided by its mission to collaborate with community to create access to financial opportunities and its vision of Economic Justice for ALL. Its impact is powered by CDFI funding, community partnerships, and social-impact depositors who expand lending for low-income members. www.expresscu.org
About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)
The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting-edge experience with large-scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 150 cities and counties, and has disbursed over $75 million to local governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org* or follow us on Bluesky* at @cfefund.bsky.social*.
About Bank On
The CFE Fund’s national Bank On movement supports local coalition and financial institution efforts to connect consumers to safe, affordable banking accounts as a fundamental component of financial stability. Already, over 500 accounts at banks and credit unions nationwide—representing over two-thirds of the national deposit market share—are certified as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards, which designate both core and strongly recommended features that ensure low cost, no surprise fees, high functionality, and consumer safety. More than 100 Bank On coalitions across the country are working to connect unbanked and underbanked individuals to certified accounts, often through leveraging large-scale government program and payment opportunities. Visit www.joinbankon.org* for more information.