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TRU ESSENTIALS CHEQUING ACCOUNT

Account details   |   Ways to bank   |   FAQ

Is this chequing account right for you?

Right for you if:

  • You make regular transactions, electronic bill payments and transfers
 It might not be right for you if:

  • You want to earn interest
  • You make purchases in US Dollars

Want to speak to an advisor on the phone or at a branch? Book an appointment today or call us at 1-888-597-8083.

No interest is paid on this account.
  • Tru Essentials chequing account includes 12 free debit transactions a month. Debit transactions 13 through 18 will be charged the below fees, up to a monthly maximum of $9.
  • It is free to move money between your First West Credit Union accounts using our online banking services and mobile apps.
  • Members under 19 years old will enjoy free banking until January 1 of the year the primary account holder turns 20. After that, standard account features and fees will apply.
  • A fee may also apply for any additional banking services you use. View Personal Service Fees to see our full list of account & service fees.
View Account Terms and Conditions (PDF)
 
Transaction Fee
ATM withdrawal
(via THE EXCHANGE® and ACCULINK® networks)†		 $1.50
ATM deposit
(via THE EXCHANGE® and ACCULINK® networks)		 Included
Cheque clearing $1.50
In-branch withdrawal $1.50
In-branch transfer out $1.50
In-branch utility bill payment / manual bill payment $1.50
In-branch deposit Included
Electronic transfer between First West Credit Union accounts Included
Electronic utility bill $1.50
Valley First or Enderby & District Financial credit cards and CUMIS bill payments are free using online banking services and mobile apps
Cheque deposit via mobile app Included
Interac e-Transfer® incoming (CAD currency only) Included
Interac e-Transfer® Autodeposit (CAD currency only) Included
Interac e-Transfer® outgoing (CAD currency only) $1.50
Interac e-Transfer® Request Money $1.50
Point of sale purchase $1.50
Point of sale return Included
Me-to-Me transfer incoming Included
Me-to-Me transfer outgoing $1.50
Pre-authorized debit (payment) $1.50
Automated pre-authorized debits into Valley First or Enderby & District Financial credit cards, CUMIS, and Aviso Wealth or Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. accounts are not included in your monthly debit transaction count.
Pre-authorized credit Included

†Does not include Interac® ATM withdrawals or International (including US) Cirrus® network ATM withdrawals. Withdrawals outside of THE EXCHANGE® and ACCULINK® networks will incur a fee - view those service fees here.

Achieve your financial goals with free personalized advice for your life 

Our experts provide personalized solutions with genuine care. Whether you’re saving for today, building for the future, or paying down debt, our advisors can create a customized plan to help you achieve your financial goals.

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Convenience when you need it

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Pay your bills, check your balance, transfer money and more.

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Pay with your debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay.

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A convenient and reliable way to access your money sooner.​

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Put your savings on auto pilot with BIGChange®, our rounding up tool.

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Deposit a cheque on the go and save valuable time.

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Stay informed on account activity with instant account alerts.

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Automate the switch to Valley First

Transfer all your pre-authorized payments and deposits from other financial institutions to your Valley First account automatically with ClickSWITCH®.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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Debit transactions involve money leaving your account, and they can include point-of-sale purchases with your debit card, outgoing Interac e-Transfer®, Interac e-Transfer® fulfil requests, outgoing Me-to-Me transfers, in-branch withdrawals, ATM withdrawals via THE EXCHANGE® & ACCULINK® networks, bill payments, cheque clearing, preauthorized debits (PADI) and more. Valley First and Enderby & District Financial credit card and CUMIS pre-authorized debits or bill payments are free using online banking services and mobile apps.

We will continue providing no-fee banking with unlimited debit transactions for members who are under 19 years old. Starting January 1 of the year the primary account holder turns 20 years old, the standard account features and fees will apply as defined above.

Yes. However, our maximum fee of $9.00 per month offers unlimited debit transactions including unlimited Interac e-Transfer® which other financial institutions may charge for, even in a free seniors account.

Members who are collecting the Guaranteed Income Supplement or are beneficiaries of a Registered Disability Savings Plan are eligible for a fee waiver on their Tru Essentials Chequing account. Please contact us for more details.

We will continue providing no-fee banking with unlimited debit transactions for members who are under 19 years old. Starting January 1 of the year the primary account holder turns 20 years old, the standard account features and fees will apply as defined above.

Members who are collecting the Guaranteed Income Supplement or are beneficiaries of a Registered Disability Savings Plan are eligible for a fee waiver on their Tru Essentials Chequing account. Please contact us for more details.

It is free to move money between your First West Credit Union accounts using our online banking services and mobile apps.

No. BIGChange® rounds up and deposits the difference into your specified eligible account whenever you make a purchase with your debit card. Making a purchase with your debit card will count towards your limit of 12 debit transactions per month, but BIGChange® deposits are currently free and will not count towards the transaction limit.

The Tru Essentials chequing account is an industry-leading everyday personal banking product that offers outstanding value. To see how this account compares with similar accounts at other financial institutions, use the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Account Comparison Tool.

This type of functionality is not currently available. However, you can keep an eye on your accounts with account alerts: free and easy-to-set-up digital notifications are an effective way to stay on top of unusual transactions or account activity. Receive an email and/or text message whenever important activity happens on your account, such as when your personal access code changes, or your account balance falls below a certain threshold. Set up alerts in online banking or the mobile app now, see how to set up here.

From November 1, 2021, to November 21, 2021, the members of First West Credit Union voted on special resolutions that, among other things, authorize First West to apply to become a federal credit union under the Bank Act. If First West becomes a federal credit union, it will automatically become a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) and Credit Union Deposit Insurance Corporation of British Columbia deposit insurance will no longer apply. See attached Notice for further detail on what this change means to your deposits with First West.

 

*Debit transactions involve money leaving your account, and they can include point-of-sale purchases with your debit card, outgoing Interac e-Transfer®, Interac e-Transfer® fulfil requests, outgoing Me-to-Me transfers, in-branch withdrawals, ATM withdrawals via THE EXCHANGE® & ACCULINK® networks, bill payments, cheque clearing, preauthorized debits (PADI) and more. Valley First credit card and CUMIS pre-authorized debits or bill payments are free using online banking services and mobile apps.

**Members who are under 19 years old benefit from no-fee banking with unlimited debit transactions until January 1 of the year the primary account holder turns 20. After that, standard account features and fees will apply.

Product terms, features and fees are subject to change, and we will provide appropriate notice as applicable and as may be required. Debit transactions over what the monthly package allows and any additional banking services you use may incur a fee. View Personal Service Fees to see our account & service fees.

 

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We acknowledge that we have the privilege of doing business on the traditional and unceded territory of First Nations communities.