Are you looking for a savings account? There are a lot of savings products out there nowadays stemming from a traditional bank to an online bank.
Online savings accounts are similar to traditional savings accounts, but there are some key differences. Most online savings accounts do offer the same FDIC protection that traditional accounts also offer.
This means that your money will be insured up to $250,000 if the bank fails.
We recommend learning more about:
- CIT Bank’s Savings Builder account
- Discover Bank’s Online Savings account
- America Express Personal Savings account
- HSBC Direct Savings account
What We Like About Online Savings Accounts
Higher interest rates. This is one of the key reasons to consider an online savings accounts. Many offer APYs in the range of 1.6% to 1.8%, while traditional savings accounts rarely go above 1%.
Lower bank fees. Online banks are less likely to charge monthly maintenance fees. However, you may need to maintain a minimum balance to get that feature.
Online convenience. Online savings accounts allow you to conduct your banking without leaving your house.
Easy transfers. Many online banks offer free and easy ACH transfers to make up for the fact that they can’t accommodate cash deposits.
What We Don’t Like About Online Savings Accounts
No physical branches. If you’re the type of person who would prefer to talk face-to-face with your teller to do your banking, then you’re in the wrong place. The only customer service offered by online banks would be
Difficulty withdrawing money. Online savings accounts will charge you for withdrawing money early.
Fewer product offerings. Many traditional banks offer other financial products, such as mortgages, insurance, and other types of financing. Online banks don’t usually offer these.
Should You Open An Online Savings Account?
There are a couple things to consider before deciding to open an online savings account. If you need access to your money quickly, you might want to consider a traditional savings account because they tend to not have fees associated with early withdrawals.
If you prefer going to a physical branch, this is another thing to consider. Since online banks don’t have any time of physical branch, this may be an issue for some that prefer to have that physical interaction.
Online banks generally also do not accept cash deposits since they don’t have an ATM network for you to deposit at. The only way for this cash to enter your account is to transfer it from an existing account.
How To Open An Online Savings Account
The process is quite simple once you’ve made your decision to open one. Choose your bank that suits your needs by researching the terms and yield of the products they have to offer.
Gather any documents you think you may need to open an account such as a Social Security Number or driver’s license number. Submit your application and just wait!
Once you’re accepted, you can fund your account by using an existing bank account that you already have.
Online Savings Account FAQs
Are online-only banks safe?
Online banks are considered very safe. Using specific technology that protects your privacy, you can rest assured that online banks are just as safe as in-person banks. That is, there is minimal risk.
Can you lose money in a savings account?
If you’re banking with an FDIC-insured bank (which most banks are), your money will be protected if the bank were to fail. However, this is only for amounts less than $250,000. Any amount higher than that is not insured by the FDIC.
What is the typical minimum balance for an online savings account?
Many online savings accounts don’t require a minimum balance, but some require as little as $1. Others have a $5,000 minimum balance requirement or higher. Don’t try to open a new online savings account if you do not have enough funds to meet the bank’s minimum deposit requirement.
Are online savings accounts FDIC insured?
Most online savings accounts are FDIC insured, meaning that your funds will be protected for up to $250,000 in the event of a bank failure.
Recommended Online Savings Accounts
 Open a Discover® Online Savings Account for all these features: • Earn $200/$150 Bonus with promo code LOP325 by 9/11/2025 • Earn high interest rate of 3.50% APY • No minimum opening deposit, no minimum balance requirement, and now no fees • Interest on Discover Online Savings Accounts is compounded daily and credited monthly • Manage your account online or with the Discover mobile app • FDIC insurance up to $250,000 • See advertiser website for full details To qualify for Bonus: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, enter Offer Code LOP325 at application, deposit into your Account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Qualifying deposit(s) may consist of multiple deposits and must post to Account within 45 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200. What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 09/11/2025, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank. |
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Bottom Line
Of course, there are pros and cons to having an entirely online savings account. Major cons include not being able to do your banking face-to-face with your teller.
However, this allows the online banks to offer higher APYs, which will help grow your savings faster! For more posts like this, check out our list of bank guides!
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