Union Bank Priority Banking® Checking Account

- is for you if you're looking to:

  • open a checking account that pays interest,
  • avoid most of the fees linked to a checking account,
  • open an additional personal or business account with Union Bank.

securely on the bank's website

The Union Bank Priority Banking is an interest-bearing checking account offering many free perks otherwise available for a fee. These include free cashier's checks and personal money orders, free monthly statements, free incoming wire transfers, and free stop payments.

You'll also receive a discount if you want to rent a safe deposit box to store your valuable items there. Do note it is your responsibility to insure the contents of your safe deposit box, as they aren't covered by the FDIC. Don't store your money there. With unlimited ATM reimbursements, you'll be able access your funds wherever you are - worldwide! Quite handy, since you'll avoid all those surcharge fees, without having to constantly look for Union Bank's ATMs. On the other hand, there are other options you can use to access funds in your Priority Banking checking account, including Union Bank's Express Banking kiosks, which are like small self-banking machines available at select Union Bank locations across the U.S., enabling you to do some banking transactions on your own, with a Union Bank representative being there to help you, if needed.

In addition to all these features, you will enjoy a suite of exclusive services as a Priority Banking accountholder. For example, Priority Banking Client Services, which aare enhanced services with specialized training and additional resources for bankers. With many Priority Banking offices throughout California, as well as other locations, Union Bank's Priority Banking Experts will help you find a banking solution tailored to your specific personal banking needs.

Furthermore, if you want to open an additional personal bank account with Union Bank, whether it be a checking, savings or a money market account, you won't have to pay any monthly maintenance fees. If you're a business owner, you'll also be able to link a business checking account to your Priority Banking free of charge. This way, you can have all your bank accounts with one bank, and manage your money more conveniently.

To summarize, the Priority Banking checking account is not a bad checking account offer at all, especially if you can meet the requirements to have the monthly fee waived. However, these requirements are exactly what we like less about this checking account: it seems that you have to have more than one bank account with Union Bank to avoid the monthly fee. Since there are premium checking accounts with slightly less strict requirements (let's not forget these checking accounts are for those who earn enough to keep quite a high balance), you might want to shop around before deciding whether to open a Priority Banking or not. If you're not interested in all these additional perks and services, then you'll do just fine with a regular interest-bearing checking account, most of which offer better rates than the Priority Banking. 

Checking account details

Checking account fees

  • Monthly Fee
    $25 (can be waived)
  • APY
    0.01% / 0.05%
  • Minimum Deposit to Open
    >$0
  • Out-of-Network ATM Transaction Fee
    $2
  • Out-of-Network ATM Withdrawal Fee
    $2
  • Overdraft Fee
    $33
  • Non-Sufficient Funds Fee
    $33
  • Foreign Transaction Fee
    2%

Union Bank Priority Banking® Checking Account FAQ

1. Can I open the Priority Banking Checking Account online?

While for Union Bank's Bank Freely Checking Account, you need to visit your local Union Bank branch, you can apply for the Priority Banking Checking Account online. A link to the application form is available at notebanks.com -> it's under "APPLY NOW" on this page. The link will take you securely to the bank's website.

2. What are tiered-rate accounts?

Tiered-rate accounts are bank accounts where interest rates change based on the account balance. Usually, the more you keep in your account, the better rates you get. It's a practice banks use to attract customers, and entice them to deposit more money, since deposits are banks' essential source of funds.

Union Bank's Priority Banking Checking Account is a tired-rate account, so, if you open it, you'll earn a variable APY depending on how much money you keep in your Priority Banking balance.

3. What are Priority Banking tiers and rates?

As a tiered-rate account, the Priority Banking pays a variable APY, which is based on the amount you keep in your checking account balance.

Currently, the following tiers and rates apply:

  • For balances between $0.01 and 2,499.99, you'll earn 0.01%.
  • For balances between $2,500.00 and 24,999.99, you'll earn 0.05%.
  • For balances between $25,000.00 and 49,999.99, you'll earn 0.05%
  • For balances between $50,000.00 and 99,999.99, you'll earn 0.05%.
  • For balances between $100,000.00 and 499,999.99, you'll earn 0.05%.
  • For balances between $500,000.00 and 999,999.99, you'll earn 0.05%.
  • For balances between $1,000,000.00 and 999,999,999.99, you'll earn 0.05%.
4. What is a combined balance?

A combined balance is the total amount of money you keep in one or more eligible accounts that are linked to your primary checking account.

One of the ways to have the $25 monthly fee waived on the Priority Banking checking account is to keep a minimum combined monthly balance of $25,000. So, for example, if you keep $3,000 in your Priority Banking checking account, and have the remaining $22,000 across multiple Union Bank bank accounts (excluding PurePoint® Financial accounts), you won't have to pay the monthly maintenance fee.

5. What kind of services or benefits do I receive through UnionBanc Investment Services®?

Through UnionBanc Investment Services®, as a Priority Banking checking account customer, you will also receive:

  • access to your UnionBanc Investment Services brokerage account using Online Investing,
  • complimentary investment and insurance reviews from Union Bank's subsidiary, UnionBanc Investment Services, and Union Bank's insurance division, UnionBanc Insurance Services.
6. Can I check my Priority Banking account balance over the phone?

Yes, you can use Telephone Banking to check your account balance, as well as for some other transactions. You can use Union Bank's Automated Telephone Banking service or contact them at at 1-800-238-4486. Do note Online Banking also lets you check your balance, and do much more.

7. How much can I withdraw from a Union Bank ATM?

You can withdraw up to $500 per day at Union Bank ATMs, but limits may vary. You should better check your card carrier details you received together with your Union Bank Mastercard or contact Union Bank's customer service at 1-800-238-4486.

8. How can I order checks with Union Bank?

You can order checks with Union Bank:

  • Online: at deluxe.com to place an order, view your order history, verify the order status, change check designs, and more.
  • By phone: call 1-800-238-4486 to order checks or make address and name changes.
  • At a Union Bank branch: visit your nearest Union Bank branch to order new checks, reorder checks, make address or name changes, and more. 
9. What features are available through Union Bank Mobile Banking?

If you want to bank on the go, using the Union Bank Mobile Banking app, you'll be able to:

  • view your account balance and transaction history,
  • deposit checks,
  • transfer money between your Union Bank accounts, as well as your external accounts,
  • pay bills, and schedule payments,
  • send money to friends, and family,
  • locate Union Bank ATMs and branches, and more!
10. What is the Union Bank routing number?

The Union Bank routing numberfor wire transfers and for setting up direct deposit to your Union Bank account is 122000496. If you are ordering checks, the routing number will depend on the branch where your account was opened.

Check Processing:

  • California: 122000496
  • Oregon: 123000068
  • Washington: 125000118

Wires:

  • Fed Routing Number: 122000496
  • International Wire Payments (SWIFT Code): BOFCUS33MPK
Check Out Other Products From Union Bank
Bank Monthly Service Charge Minimum Deposit to Open APY
Union Bank Bank Freely™ Checking Account $0 >$0 0.00%
Union Bank Priority Banking® Checking Account $25 (can be waived) >$0 0.01% / 0.05%
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