Turn Your Checking Into a Money-Making Machine
Your checking account should work as hard as you do. While most traditional banks treat checking accounts as a necessary evil that barely earns pennies, Public Service Credit Union is revolutionizing how you think about everyday banking with our new Surge Share Draft Checking Account.
For the first time in our 90-year history, we're offering a checking account that doesn't just store your money – it grows it at an incredible 10% APY on your first $1,000.
The Traditional Banking Trap
Walk into any major bank in Wisconsin, and you'll discover a frustrating reality: most checking accounts earn practically nothing. The national average rate for checking accounts is just 0.07% APY according to the FDIC, while many Wisconsin banks offer even less or no interest at all on their standard checking accounts.
Here's what Wisconsin's major banks actually offer on checking accounts:
Most traditional Wisconsin banks like Associated Bank, BMO, and others offer checking accounts with rates "at or near 0%"
BMO's basic checking account requires a $1,000 minimum balance and charges a $12 monthly fee
Nicolet Bank's standard Value Checking "doesn't pay interest"
Let's put that in perspective. At the national average of 0.07%, your $1,000 would earn just 70 cents after an entire year. Meanwhile, that same $1,000 in a Surge Checking Account earns you $100 in dividends – that's over 140 times more than what you'd earn at a typical bank.
The Surge Advantage: Real Money for Real People
Here's where Surge Checking changes the game entirely. Our 10% APY on the first $1,000 means your checking account becomes a powerful savings tool. Every month, you'll see dividends deposited directly into your account, putting more money in your pocket simply for banking locally.
Consider Sarah, a Wisconsin Public Service employee from Wausau. She keeps $800 in her checking account for monthly expenses and emergencies. With BMO's standard checking, she would earn about 56 cents per year while paying $144 in annual fees. After switching to Surge Checking, she now earns $80 annually with just a $5 monthly fee (easily waived with e-statements) – putting over $200 more in her pocket each year.
Beyond the Numbers: What 10% APY Really Means
That 10% return isn't just impressive – it's life-changing for your everyday finances. Here's how it breaks down:
Monthly Impact: On $1,000, you earn approximately $8.33 per month in dividends. That's enough to cover a streaming service, contribute to a small emergency fund, or treat yourself to coffee throughout the month.
Annual Boost: Your full $100 in annual dividends could cover school supplies for your kids, holiday gifts for the family, or a small vacation fund contribution.
Compound Growth: Unlike traditional banks where your earnings disappear into rounding errors, Surge Checking dividends actually make a noticeable difference in your account balance.
The Community Credit Union Difference
While big banks focus on maximizing profits for shareholders, Public Service Credit Union operates with a different philosophy. We're owned by our members – that means you. When we succeed, you succeed through better rates, lower fees, and superior service.
Our Surge Checking Account reflects this member-first approach. Instead of keeping all the profits, we share them with you through industry-leading dividend rates. It's banking that puts people before profits, right here in central Wisconsin.
“$1,000 in a Surge Checking Account earns you $100 in dividends – that’s over 140 times more than what you’d earn at a typical bank.”
Smart Strategies for Maximum Earnings
To make the most of your Surge Checking Account, consider these approaches:
Optimize Your Balance: Keep close to $1,000 in your checking account to maximize your 10% earnings. Anything above $1,000 earns our standard checking rate, so you might transfer excess funds to our competitive money market or certificate accounts.
Automate Your Deposits: Set up direct deposit to ensure consistent balances that earn maximum dividends throughout the month.
Combine with Other PSCU Products: Use Surge Checking alongside our Holiday Club Account or Side Shares to create a comprehensive savings strategy that works harder for your money.
Real-World Comparison: Surge vs. Wisconsin Banks
Let's examine what $1,000 earns across different Wisconsin banking options:
BMO Standard Checking: $0.70 per year (0.07% APY) - plus requires $1,000 minimum balance and $12 monthly fee Nicolet Bank Value Checking: $0.00 per year (no interest paid) Associated Bank Standard Checking: Near 0% APY (less than $1.00 per year) High-Yield Online Checking: Up to $50 per year (but often with complex requirements) PSCU Surge Checking: $100 per year with simple requirements and local service
The difference is dramatic: Surge Checking gives you the convenience of local banking with earnings that significantly outperform Wisconsin's traditional banks, even those that market themselves as "premium" options.
Getting Started Is Simple
Opening your Surge Checking Account takes just minutes. As a current or prospective PSCU member, you can visit our Wausau branch, call us at (715) 842-9865, or email info@publicservicecu.org to get started.
Remember, the first 90 members to open Surge Checking accounts will be entered into our special founder's drawing for a $90 gift card and exclusive PSCU merchandise. It's our way of celebrating this historic milestone with the members who make our credit union special.
Your Money Deserves Better
After 90 years of serving WEC Energy Group employees and their families, we understand what matters most: your financial success. Surge Checking represents our commitment to helping your money work as hard as you do.
Don't let another month pass with your checking account earning practically nothing. Join the Surge revolution and discover what happens when your everyday banking account becomes a money-making machine.
Ready to turn your checking into a money-maker? Contact Public Service Credit Union today at (715) 842-9865 or visit our Wausau branch to open your Surge Share Draft Checking Account. Your financial future starts with a single decision – make it count.
Rate may change after account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings. $5 monthly maintenance fee applies unless you enroll in e-statements or are age 60 or better. PSCU membership required.