Checking Accounts

1st Defense™ Checking

1st Defense™ checking¹ offers more than just a place to keep your money safe. It brings enhanced online security, tools for financial and physical wellness, savings options and protection for your valuables right to your fingertips. This isn't your average checking account—and that's precisely the point!

MORE THAN A CHECKING ACCOUNT

Streamline your financial life with our checking accounts offering convenient online bill pay, contactless debit cards, no minimum balance requirements, overdraft protection and 24/7 digital banking access. With a 1st Defense™ checking¹ account, you’ll get all the essentials—plus exclusive benefits that deliver armor for your assets and perks for your people, like:

  • Identity Protection
  • Travel & Leisure Discounts
  • $hopping Rewards™*
  • Credit Monitoring*
  • Cell Phone Protection²
  • Telehealth³ Services & Health Savings*
  • 24/7 Roadside Assistance²

SEE WHAT'S UNDER THE SHIELD

ALWAYS ON DUTY

Protecting your money and peace of mind should be easy, no matter what stage in life you’re in. With 1st Defense™ checking, experience an account with enhanced security features and savings opportunities—all accessible to you and any joint account holders for just $6.95 a month!

*Registration/activation required.

¹Eligibility: Benefits are available to personal checking account owner(s) and their joint account owners subject to the terms and conditions for the applicable Benefits. Some Benefits require authentication, registration and/or activation. Benefits are not available to a “signer” on the account who is not an account owner or to businesses, clubs, trusts, organizations and/or churches and their members or schools and their employees/students.

²Special Program Notes: The descriptions herein are summaries only and do not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the Benefits described. Please refer to the actual Guide to Benefit and/or insurance documents for complete details of coverage and exclusions. Coverage is provided through the company named in the Guide to Benefit or on the certificate of insurance. Guide to Benefit and insurance documents can be found online through your Members 1st Online Banking or Mobile App.

³Available for the account holder and their spouse/domestic partner and up to six (6) dependent children aged 2 and older. This is not insurance.

SAVE MORE WITH 1ST DEFENSE CHECKING

Identity Theft Support and Credit Tools

Feel secure 24/7 with multiple Identity Theft Services that vigilantly monitor, proactively prevent and swiftly re-solve potential threats for you and joint account holders.

  • Identity Theft Resolution Services
  • Up to $25,000 Identity Theft Expense Reimbursement
  • Credit File Monitoring
  • Credit Report and Score
  • Credit Score Tracker
  • Credit Score Simulator
  • Dark Web Monitoring
  • CyberRecover
  • Financial Wellness 360°

Health Discount Savings

Stretch your healthcare dollars further with discounts and savings from thousands of providers nationwide.

  • Prescription drugs
  • Dental services
  • Vision care

Travel & Leisure Discounts

Save big with exclusive discounts from thousands of local and national retailers with just a few taps online!

  • Cash back rewards
  • Travel discounts

Telehealth

Experience healthcare from the comfort of your home with our Telehealth service, offering a range of convenient and affordable medical solutions.

  • Access to 24/7 video or phone visits with U.S.-based board-certified, licensed and credentialed doctors
  • Zero copays, no surprise bills, plus discounts on prescriptions and lab work

Cell Phone Protection

Safeguard your phone with a comprehensive coverage plan that protect your device from theft and damage.

  • Up to $600 limit/$50 deductible
  • Maximum payout/claims for stolen and damaged devices
  • Up to 2 claims and maximum of $1,000 per account, per 12-month period
  • Cell phone bill must be paid using your 1st Defense™ checking account

Roadside Assistance

Round-the-clock coverage helps you get back on the road quickly with a variety of services available for your convenience.

  • 24-hour coverage for roadside assistance services, including vehicle towing, fuel/oil/fluid/water delivery, and battery/lock-out/tire assistance up to $100 per occurrence
  • Maximum of two occurrences per twelve-month period

Checking Account Access

Manage your money your way with flexible, convenient options to fit your lifestyle.

  • Contactless Visa® Debit Card
  • ATMs across PA
  • 24/7 digital banking
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Overdraft Protection
  • Easily transfer money
TOTAL ESTIMATED
MONTHLY VALUE**:
$80
ACTUAL MONTHLY PRICE
FOR 1ST DEFENSE™ CHECKING:
$6.95

**Estimated values are based on approximate monthly costs or savings for similar marketplace benefits and are subject to change. Benefits and features may vary and may not necessarily reflect the exact features offered through 1st Defensechecking. No cash value is implied with the use of this account or any of its features.

GETTING STARTED

Whether you need to open a new checking account or upgrade your current one, you’ll enjoy all the benefits of 1st Defense™ checking in just a few easy steps! Follow the instructions to get started in digital banking.

UPGRADE YOUR CURRENT CHECKING ACCOUNT

1. Log in to online banking and navigate to the checking account you would like to upgrade. 

2. Scroll down to the “Additional Actions” section and select the option to upgrade to 1st Defense™ checking.

3. Follow the prompts to finish setting up your account and for more information on activating your benefits.

OPEN A NEW CHECKING ACCOUNT

1. Log in to online banking, click on the menu in the top right corner of the screen and select “Add Product.”

2. Find the “Savings & Checking” section and click "Get Started."

3. Scroll down to "1st Defense™ Checking" and select "Add Now." Follow the prompts to finish setting up your new checking account and to learn more about activating your benefits. 

Ready to Fortify Your Finances?

Current Members

Sign in or register for digital banking.

Sign In Register for Digital Banking

Not a member yet?

Joining our faM1ly is the first step.

Open an Account

COMMON QUESTIONS

It is $6.95 a month for you and all joint account owners. The subscription fee will be taken directly out of the account. 

The subscription fee of $6.95 will be automatically withdrawn from your 1st Defense™ checking account. 

Please be aware that by continuing you will be leaving www.members1st.org and viewing content from another website.

For your protection please be advised that public Internet email is not secure. Various links within our web site allow you to submit information to us by public Internet email. Please DO NOT provide personal or account information through public email or submit any personal information that would compromise your identity including your account number, social security number, credit card numbers, electronic services PINs, passwords or mother's maiden name. Members 1st will not respond via public Internet email to requests-for-account-information or account activity. Please contact Customer Service with these types of requests at (800) 237-7288 or (717) 795-6049.