Looking for a simple way to pad your savings? First Community Credit Union, or FirstCCU, has a referral program that rewards both you and the person you bring in. It's a win-win: you get $50, and your friend pockets $100. The catch? Your friend needs to open a new checking account and use their debit card 20 times within 60 days. No direct deposit required, which is a nice break from many other bank bonuses.
Who Can Get In on This?
FirstCCU serves folks in parts of Illinois and Wisconsin. To be eligible for membership, you need to live or work in certain counties: in Wisconsin, that's Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Kenosha, Lafayette, Racine, Rock, Walworth, and Waukesha. In Illinois, it's Winnebago, Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, McHenry, Ogle, and Stephenson.
The referred friend must be new to FirstCCU — meaning they haven't had an account with the credit union in the past year. They also need to be at least 18 years old. And you, the referrer, must be a current member in good standing.
How the Referral Process Works
It's pretty straightforward. You fill out your info under the "MEMBER" section on the referral form. Then, give the coupon or link to your friend. They fill out their details under "FRIEND." Both of you need to submit the referral at the time your friend opens their new account — you can't do it later.
Your friend has two ways to qualify: open a new checking account and make 20 debit card purchases (not ATM withdrawals) within 60 days, or take out a loan of $10,000 or more (excluding unsecured loans). The account or loan must stay active and in good standing for at least 60 days, and the bonus lands in your savings account about 60 days after that.
What to Watch Out For
This is a solid offer, but there are a few gotchas. First, the referral must be submitted at account opening — no retroactive claims. Second, the fine print says FirstCCU can disqualify any referral they think wasn't made in good faith. So don't try to game the system. Also, employees and their household members can't participate.
One more thing: the bonus is deposited into your membership savings account, not your checking. That's a minor detail but worth knowing so you don't expect the cash in your main account.
Bottom Line
- Refer a friend and earn $50; your friend gets $100.
- No direct deposit needed — just 20 debit card transactions within 60 days.
- Available only in select IL and WI counties.
- Bonus paid within 60 days after requirements are met.
Common Questions
Can I refer multiple friends?
Yes, there's no listed household limit, so you can refer as many as you like. Just make sure each referral is submitted at the time of account opening.
What if my friend doesn't want a checking account?
They can also qualify by taking out a loan of $10,000 or more (unsecured loans don't count). But for most people, the checking route with 20 debit transactions is easier.
Is there a monthly fee on the checking account?
The basic checking account has no monthly fee listed. The Revved Up Checking account has a $4.99 fee, but it's waived if you make 20 debit transactions per month.
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