SAN JOSE, Calif. - Valley Credit Union has reached "new heights"with the unveiling of its Peak Checking, a high-yield checkingaccount alternative.

Unlike other free checking accounts that often earn little or nointerest, VCU opted to do something different by offering a freechecking account that earns 3.00% APY on balances of $10,000 ormore and comes complete with free online banking and bill pay, freeunlimited ATM transactions at VCU and non-VCU ATMs, unlimited checkwriting and free Visa Debit Card. The Peak suite of products alsoincludes Peak Savings and Peak Money Market accounts. In addition,account holders can earn VCU's highest rates with RateBoost-available with direct deposit, an active Visa debit card,plus E-statements or free online bill pay.

To celebrate the account suite, VCU hosted a "Reach the PEAK"kick-off event. Playing off the marketing campaign's lifestyleimages of hikers and rock climbers, the company-wide event tappedinto an outdoor theme and featured energy bars and drinks. Inaddition, attendees were challenged to "reach their PEAK" with a25-foot rock wall. In keeping with the camping/climbing theme, agrand prize of a four-person tent, camping stove and lantern wasawarded.