5 Reasons to Open an Online Savings Account (and 4 Reasons Not to)

Keeping your extra money lumped together in a checking account is convenient, but you’re limiting yourself when you miss out on the potential interest that cash could earn. Choosing the best savings account might be a better option. An online high-yield savings account may be your best bet to earn higher interest and other perks. 

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What is an online savings account?

An online savings account is an account you open with a company that doesn’t have brick-and-mortar branches. You’ll never visit a branch in person; they’re online-only institutions you access through a website, app, or over the phone.

While the setup isn’t traditional, the account part usually is. You can find the same banking rules at online banks as you would with traditional banks. For example, accounts are usually FDIC-insured, and federal regulations only allow for six withdrawals a month from savings accounts.

5 smart reasons to open an online savings account

If you’re unsure about opening an online savings account, check out the following perks you could discover. There are plenty of reasons why you should take the plunge.

1. You could find better interest rates

Online-only savings accounts often have much higher annual percentage yields compared to brick-and-mortar banks.

For example, Bank of America’s Rewards Savings Account offers a standard APY of 0.01% (as of Jan. 9, 2023). You can access higher rates if you’re a member of their Preferred Rewards program, but the highest APY available is 0.04% (as of Jan. 9, 2023) and requires you to keep a minimum of $100,000 in Bank of America or Merrill Lynch accounts.

On the other hand, the online-only Aspiration Spend and Save Account offers up to a 3.00% (as of Mar. 23, 2023) APY — that’s a lot more than the best rate offered by Bank of America. 

2. There may be lower fees

No matter where you bank, fees will be a reality you’ll have to face. But some banks levy more fees than others.

For instance, a Chase savings account will charge you a monthly service fee of $5 to $25 unless you meet monthly balance minimums or you fall into one of their other limited exceptions. You’ll also be charge $5 for each transaction that exceeds the federal monthly limit of six.

In contrast, online-only banks may be able to charge fewer fees because they have no physical locations to maintain. The American Express Personal Savings account, for example, has no maintenance fees, regardless of what your balance is. There’s no minimum balance to open an account or consistently maintain to avoid fees.

3. There are often no account minimums

Savings accounts from places like Chase require at least a $300 minimum to avoid fees, which doesn’t help you save money if the bank is constantly collecting it. Many online banks don’t require a minimum balance to open or maintain an account, which means more money is going in your pocket.

For instance, Ally offers an APY of 3.60% (as of Mar. 22, 2023) and doesn’t require a minimum balance requirement. That gives you more flexibility in how you choose to manage your money.

4. You’ll never have to wait in line at the bank

Sometimes going into a bank can feel like a complete waste of time, especially if you’re only making a deposit or signing up for an account. While most big-name banks have made strides in online banking options, they still put a lot of effort into running in-person branches.

Online banks don’t require visits or waiting in line when you need to complete something important. Rather, you sign up, deposit money, and set up transfers all from the comfort of your own home. Many have easy apps you can access straight from your phone.

5. Apps and websites are easy to use

Sometimes traditional banks’ apps or websites are difficult to navigate — particularly with smaller regional banks or credit unions. That’s because online banking technology isn’t their main operation. But for online banks, it’s the only operation.

The websites and apps for online banks are usually customers’ only interactions with the business, so the banks spend a lot of time and money optimizing the process. When you pull up the app on your phone or the website on your computer, it should be seamless to register, make transfers, or otherwise handle your money.

4 reasons not to open an online savings account

There are plenty of perks to having an online savings account, but even the best savings accounts have some drawbacks.

1. Deposits could be more complicated

When you’ve got cash you want to put into your account, it’s easy for your local branch at a traditional bank to handle money. But it’s not always that seamless for online banks.

Ally, for example, doesn’t allow cash deposits but will accept wire transfers, online transfers, and direct deposits. That means if someone gives you cash and you want to put in your savings, you may have to deposit it in a separate checking account, then transfer the money to your savings.

2. Finding ATMs can be annoying

Because online banks don’t have physical branches, they often provide third-party ATM networks for their customers. For example, the Allpoint network has 55,000 ATMs across the world, and you can use them surcharge-free. While that can make it easy to find an ATM near your house, it might be difficult when you’re driving around and looking for an ATM for some quick cash.

With big banks, there are usually plenty of easy-to-find branches, whether you’re close to home or traveling. Because of this, having a brick-and-mortar account may mean quicker, more convenient access to your cash.

3. Routine banking tasks can be slower

At online banks, you may need a little extra patience to complete relatively small tasks. For example, if you have to mail in a check to deposit, it could take several days to post to your account. The same can be true for moving money virtually — if you want to transfer money to a checking account at another bank, for instance, it can take a few days to complete.

If you like instant access to your money, you may feel better about opening a savings account at a bank where you already have a checking account.

4. No in-person help

Sometimes you just need to talk it out with a knowledgeable person. Having a bank branch you can visit with account questions might be important to you. If that’s the case, an online bank may not be up your alley.

Many online banks have supreme online and phone customer service due to the lack of in-person options. However, you may prefer speaking with someone face to face.

Are you ready for an online bank?

With higher interest rates, lower fees, and fewer account minimums, using an online bank could a great option for many people. They’re low maintenance and easy to manage no matter where you are.

But the lack of face-to-face interaction may hold you back. As you’re exploring online banking options, make sure to choose one of the best banks for you.

Disclaimer: All rates and fees are accurate as of Jan. 9, 2023.

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Author Details

Dori Zinn Dori Zinn is a personal finance journalist with work featured in Huffington Post, Quartz, Wirecutter, Bankrate, Credit Karma, and others. She loves helping people learn to be better with money.

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