BECU lets you link a checking account to savings, money market, or other deposit accounts you hold there, but the process and what you can do with linked accounts depends on which accounts you're connecting.
Linked accounts at BECU (Boeing Employees Credit Union) mean your accounts are connected in the online banking system so you can move money between them quickly. The most common reason to link accounts is to set up overdraft protection — if your checking account runs short, BECU can automatically transfer funds from a linked savings account to cover the gap. You can also link accounts to make manual transfers easier or to monitor balances across multiple accounts in one place.
BECU members can link checking to savings, money market accounts, or certificates of deposit (CDs) that they already own at BECU. You cannot link accounts at other banks through BECU's system — those connections happen through external transfer services like ACH or wire transfer. The linking itself is free and takes a few minutes in online banking or by calling BECU directly.
Key Takeaways
- You can link a BECU checking account to any savings, money market, or CD account you hold at BECU through online banking or by phone.
- Linked accounts are most useful for overdraft protection, which automatically transfers funds from a linked account if your checking balance drops below zero.
- BECU does not charge a fee to link accounts, but overdraft transfers may have a fee depending on your account type and membership status.
- Linking takes a few minutes in online banking under account settings, or you can ask a BECU representative to set it up during a phone call.
- You can unlink accounts at any time through the same online banking menu or by contacting BECU.
How to Link Accounts in BECU Online Banking
Log into your BECU online banking account and navigate to the account settings or account management section — the exact menu name varies slightly depending on whether you use the website or mobile app, but it is usually labeled "Accounts" or "Account Services." Find the checking account you want to protect and look for an option that says "Link Account," "Overdraft Protection," or "Account Links."
Select the account you want to link as your backup source — this is typically a savings account, but can be a money market account or CD. Confirm the link, and BECU will show you both accounts as connected. The link is active when ready, though you may need to wait until the next business day for overdraft transfers to work if you set it up after hours.
If you do not see a linking option in your online banking menu, or if you are not comfortable setting it up yourself, call BECU's member services line. A representative can link your accounts over the phone in about five minutes and explain exactly how overdraft transfers will work with your specific accounts.
What Happens When a Linked Account Covers an Overdraft
When your checking account balance would go negative, BECU automatically transfers money from your linked account to your checking account to cover the shortfall. This transfer happens in real time or within the same business day, depending on when the transaction posted. The overdraft protection prevents your transaction from being declined and keeps you from incurring overdraft fees on that particular charge.
However, BECU may charge a fee for each overdraft transfer — typically $1 to $3 per transfer, though the exact amount depends on your membership tier and account type. Some BECU members with premium accounts or higher balances have overdraft transfers waived. Check your account agreement or call BECU to confirm whether your checking account has a fee for overdraft transfers.
The linked account itself is not affected by the transfer — you still earn interest on a savings account or money market account even after money moves out to cover an overdraft. Once the overdraft is covered, the money sits in your checking account until you use it or transfer it back manually.
Linking Multiple Accounts and Setting Transfer Limits
You can link more than one account to your checking account. If you link both a savings account and a money market account, BECU will typically use the first one you designated as the primary backup, and move to the second only if the first does not have enough funds. This gives you a safety net with multiple layers, though it also means you need to monitor balances across three accounts instead of two.
BECU does not let you set a transfer limit directly through the linking feature — the system will transfer whatever amount is needed to cover the overdraft, up to the full balance of your linked account. If you want to limit how much can be transferred, you would need to contact BECU and ask them to set a cap, though not all account types support this option.
Unlinking Accounts and Removing Overdraft Protection
You can unlink accounts at any time through the same online banking menu where you set up the link. Find the account settings, locate the linked account, and select "Remove Link" or "Unlink." The change takes effect when ready, and overdraft transfers will no longer happen from that account.
If you unlink your only backup account, your checking account will no longer have overdraft protection. Transactions that would overdraw your account will be declined, and you may be charged an overdraft or non-sufficient-funds (NSF) fee instead. Before you unlink, make sure you understand what will happen if your checking account runs short.
Alternatives to Linked Accounts for Overdraft Protection
If you do not want to link accounts at BECU, you have other options. Some BECU checking accounts come with a small overdraft buffer — usually $25 to $50 — that covers small shortfalls without a transfer or fee. You can also request a line of credit from BECU, which acts as a backup source of funds similar to overdraft protection but is technically a loan product with interest charges.
Another approach is to straightforward keep a higher balance in your checking account so you are less likely to overdraw. This requires discipline but eliminates the need for overdraft protection altogether and means you will not pay transfer fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link a BECU checking account to an account at another bank?
No, BECU's account linking feature only works for accounts within BECU. To move money between BECU and another bank, you would set up an external transfer through ACH (Automated Clearing House) or wire transfer instead. Those transfers take one to three business days and are not automatic overdraft protection.
What if my linked account does not have enough money to cover the overdraft?
BECU will transfer whatever balance is available in the linked account, but if that is not enough to cover the full overdraft, your checking account will still go negative. You may then be charged an overdraft fee on the remaining shortfall. If you have multiple linked accounts, BECU will try the next one in the order you set up.
Do I pay interest on money transferred from a linked account?
No. An overdraft transfer is not a loan — it is straightforward moving your own money from one account to another. You do not pay interest, only the overdraft transfer fee (if your account has one). The money in your checking account after the transfer is yours to use or move back.
How long does it take to link accounts at BECU?
Linking accounts through online banking takes about two to five minutes. If you call BECU, a representative can set it up in roughly five minutes. The link is active when ready, though overdraft transfers may not process until the next business day if you set it up after banking hours.
Can I link a CD to my checking account for overdraft protection?
Yes, you can link a CD to your checking account, but BECU will not automatically break the CD to cover an overdraft. Instead, the CD sits as a backup option that you would have to manually transfer from, which defeats the purpose of automatic overdraft protection. Savings accounts and money market accounts are better choices for this reason.