Start Your Banking Journey
Getting started with banking shouldn't feel confusing or stressful. At Express Credit Union, we meet you where you are and walk with you as you learn — you don't need to know everything, we'll help you figure it out.
If you're 15 or older and have a valid Washington State ID or driver's license, you can open your own account. No parent required. When you turn 18, you can start building credit, and our free certified financial counselors are here to help you make a plan that actually works for your life.
You're never expected to do this alone. But you can if you want — we'll provide you the tools and information.
Why Express Credit Union?
We've been part of the community for over 90 years, working with local organizations, nonprofits, and youth-serving partners across the region.
What that means for you:
- We show up where people are.
- We explain things in plain language.
- We help people build credit, save money, and recover from mistakes.
- We believe everyone deserves access to fair banking.
When you open an account with Express, you're not just getting a place to store money — you're getting people who care about your future.
First things first: what is a credit union?
A credit union is different from a bank:
- We're member-owned.
- You're not a customer — you're a part owner.
- Our goal is to help members succeed, not make profits for shareholders.
That's why we invest in education, second chances, and long-term support.
How to use your Express CU account
Five steps. Take them at your pace.
1Open a savings account
This is required to become a member — it's how you become a part owner.
- $5 minimum balance (this is your ownership share)
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No limit on how much you can save
- Earn interest — we pay you to save. See current rates here.
- Set up automatic transfers from checking
Think of this as your financial foundation.
2Add a checking account
For everyday spending.
- No minimum balance
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Direct deposit from your employer
- Use your Express CU Visa® Debit Card
- Add your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay to use Tap to Pay
- Pay friends with Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal
When you open you'll get:
- Your checking & savings account numbers
- Express CU's routing number (This is what employers need to pay you).
3Manage everything in the app
Your phone = your bank.
With online & mobile banking you can:
- Check balances
- Review transactions
- Download monthly statements
- Set alerts (low balance, large purchases, etc.)
- Send us secure messages
- Lock or unlock your debit card instantly if it's lost or stolen
Budgeting tip: create secondary savings accounts and name them:
- Rent
- School
- Car
- Emergency
Think of them as digital envelopes for your goals. When you get paid, log into online banking and transfer your money from your checking into your other savings envelopes to help reach your goals.
4Access your money anywhere
Not in Seattle? No problem.
We're part of the Co-Op Shared Branching Network:
- Use thousands of credit union locations nationwide
- Don't pay ATM fees when you use this network
- Make deposits, withdrawals, and payments
- Just bring your ID and your Express CU account number when visiting in person
5Reach out if you have questions
Don't suffer in silence. If you don't know how to do something or want support, give us a call, email us, or come in.
- Phone: 206-622-1850
- Email: expresscu@expresscu.org
- In person: 1930 6th Ave S, Suite 104, Seattle, WA 98134
Debit cards, credit cards & credit scores
Checking & savings accounts help you manage money
- They do not build credit
To build credit, you need to:
- Borrow money
- Make payments on time
That's where credit cards and loans come in.
We report payment history to all three credit bureaus:
- On-time payments build credit
- Missed payments hurt it
Picking your first credit card
A credit card can be a powerful tool if you use it correctly. Here's how to start smart.
-
Start small
Your first card should have:
- A low credit limit
- No or low annual fee
- Clear, simple terms
You don't need a big limit to build credit.
-
Use it for one thing
Choose one regular expense:
- Gas
- Groceries
- Phone bill
- Streaming service
If you wouldn't buy it with cash, don't put it on your card.
-
Pay it off every month
This is the goal: pay the full balance every month.
Set up autopay so you don't forget.
Avoid these four mistakes
If something feels confusing, stop and ask — we mean it.
We're here to help — seriously
TikTok and friends can be helpful. But sometimes you just want a real person.
You can
- Ask questions without judgment
- Get help fixing mistakes
- Build a plan that fits your life
Our free certified financial counselors will
- Help you decide if a credit card makes sense right now
- Explain your options without pressure
- Help you build credit safely
You make an impact by banking here
If an account stays negative too long and isn't repaid, it can be reported to ChexSystems, making it hard to open accounts in the future.
At Express, we believe in second and third chances.
We listen to people's stories.
We understand that life happens.
We work to keep people out of harmful alternative financial services.
When you bank with Express:
- You support economic justice
- You help us offer second chances
- You strengthen your community
What's included in your Checking account
No tiers, no asterisks. One account, all of this.
| Feature | Included |
|---|---|
| No monthly maintenance fees | |
| No minimum balance requirements | |
| Visa® Debit Card | |
| Online & mobile banking | |
| Remote check deposit from the app | |
| Lock or unlock your debit card instantly | |
| Apple Pay & Google Pay — Tap to Pay | |
| 24/7 fraud monitoring | |
| NCUA insured | |
| Real people you can talk to | |
| Joint ownership for parents (optional, not required) | |
| Free 1:1 financial counseling | |
| Bilingual Spanish support |