Axos Bank recently launched its new savings and checking bundle, AXOS ONE®. This bundle combines the best of two of Axos’ most popular products: a high-yield savings account and a checking account.

The AXOS ONE bundle provides a boosted savings interest rate if you meet the minimum criteria (which we’ll explain below).

Let’s dive in and see how the AXOS ONE® bundle works!

How AXOS ONE® Works

The AXOS ONE® bundle consists of two components: a high-yield savings account (ONE Savings) and a checking account (ONE Checking).

First, there are no monthly maintenance, minimum balance, account opening, or overdraft fees for the bundle.

Second, the bundle earns high APY (annual percentage yield): earn up to 4.86% APY on savings, and 0.51% APY on checking when you meet the requirements.

To earn the “boosted” APY rate, you must receive qualifying monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500 and maintain an average daily balance of $1,500 in your Axos ONE® Checking account.

If you don’t meet the requirements for the boosted rate, you’ll drop down to a 1.00% APY in your savings account and 0% in your checking account.

Related: Axos Bank Review

Why We Like It

We love seeing accounts that still offer competitive rates in this environment. Furthermore, the “hurdles” to get the highest boosted rate are easy to meet.

Plus, this bundle has no monthly account fees, so even if you don’t meet the requirements for one month, you won’t be nickel-and-dimmed with fees.

This account is well over the national average for both savings and checking - even at the non-boosted!

Plus, Axos offers a great suite of tools and features, such as early pay day and a large network of fee-free ATMs.

Any Important Fine Print?

As with most financial products, there’s always fine print. In this case, it’s just the requirement to maintain the boosted rate on the account.

Here’s the fine print you need to know:

Axos ONE accounts are eligible to receive a promotional APY for each statement cycle if the criteria are met. To receive the promotional APY on both Axos ONE Checking and Axos ONE Savings, the Axos ONE Checking account must meet both of the following requirements during the statement cycle:

1. Your Axos ONE Checking account has received qualifying direct deposits of at least $1,500 in total.
2. The average daily balance of your Axos ONE Checking account is greater than $1,500.

If the above requirements are met:      

• The Axos ONE Checking account will earn a promotional rate of 0.51% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met.
• The Axos ONE Savings account will earn a promotional rate of up to 4.86% APY for the statement cycle in which the requirements are met.

Final Thoughts

We love this new Axos ONE bundle from Axos Bank. If you’re looking for a new savings account and checking account option, this must be a top consideration.

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AlumniFi Credit Union is an online banking platform that offers a digital checking and savings account, along with access to helpful financial tools for college and university grads. This includes free access to Changed, a automatic savings app which can expedite your student loan repayment. 

There are also self-paced lessons available to help you boost your financial knowledge. But with a limited product lineup, does AlumniFi have what it takes to draw college grads away from top online banking platforms such as Ally or Acorns? Find out in this full review. 

What Is AlumniFi Credit Union? 

AlumniFi Credit Union is an online banking brand of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, a National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) member. This means that deposits made into AlumniFi Credit Union's digital checking and savings accounts are eligible for up to $250,000 of NCUA deposit insurance. Its accounts and financial tools are geared specifically to college and university grads. 

What Does It Offer?

AlumniFi Credit Union's product lineup is straightforward. It offers an online checking and savings account, and some helpful financial tools to make it easier to pay off debt, manage spending, and save toward various financial goals.

AlumniFi Checking

The AlumniFi checking is an interest-bearing account offering round-up savings, direct deposit, Bill Pay, P2P payment options, and access to over 30,000 no-fee ATMs. There are no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance requirements. At the time of writing, the account pays a base annual percentage yield (APY) of 0.50%, while balances over $50,000 are eligible to earn 1.00% APY. 

AlumniFi Savings 

The AlumniFi Savings account is a high-yield savings account with no monthly maintenance fees. Current APYs are as follows: 

AlumniFi Credit Union members can use their AlumniFi savings account to create custom savings goals, automate savings and student loan payments, and make mobile deposits. 

Access to Changed App

One of the key benefits of opening an account with AlumniFi Credit Union is free access to Changed, a roundup savings app that applies your spare change to your student loan repayment. The automated service, which connects with AlumniFi mobile and online apps, is normally $3/month. So, if you have student loan debt, AlumniFi and Changed can help you repay your debt more quickly, at no charge. 

Financial Education 

AlumniFi has a dedicated financial wellness app called AlumniFi Fin-Life. It delivers three-minute lessons each week that can help you improve your financial knowledge. You can also access a variety of educational content via AlumniFi's financial blog, which is packed with content for college and university graduates. 

Mobile App

AlumniFi Credit Union's mobile app is available for download on iOS and Android devices. The app has a 5-star rating on the App Store, and a 4.2 star rating on the Google Play store. 

Are There Any Fees?

AlumniFi Credit Union does not charge any monthly maintenance fees on its checking and savings accounts. That said, you might encounter other fees or charges, depending on how you use your account. These include, but are not limited, to the following: 

• Dormant account: $5.00/month 
• Stop payment: $25 
• Replacement debit card: $10 (Expedited is $30 to $40) 
• Non CO-OP Network ATM: $1.00
• Incoming wire transfer: $5
• Garnishment: $75 for each garnishment received 
• Research: $25 per hour

How Does AlumniFi Compare?

AlumniFi offers a very competitive high-yield savings APY, in addition to convenient banking features with its digital checking account. However, other online banking apps, such as Ally and Acorns, have a larger product lineup, including credit cards, mortgages, and investments. 

Ally Bank is one of the most popular digital banks in the U.S. Its high-yield savings APY is lower than what AlumniFi offers, but it offer more products. In addition to no-fee checking and savings accounts, it offers a family of rewards credit cards, retirement investments, including self-directed trading, loans, and mortgages. If you're looking for a full-service online bank, it's probably a better fit than AlumniFi Credit Union. 

Acorns is an online banking and investment platform well known for its roundup savings feature. It offers a competitive APY on both its checking and Emergency Fund accounts, and its investment accounts include automatic contributions, rebalancing, and dividend reinvesting. Unfortunately, you must sign up for a Bronze membership ($3 month) if you wish to open a checking account. 

How Do I Open An Account?

AlumniFi Credit Union membership is limited to the following groups: Staff, alumni, and donors of the University of Olivet, Michigan State University, and Oakland University, and all Michigan residents. If you don't belong to one of these groups, you can become a member by making a $10 donation to the Desk Drawer Foundation. 

To open an account, select the "Get Started" button in the top right-hand corner of the AlumniFi Credit Union homepage. You will need to provide your Social Security number and valid ID. 

Once you've selected the account(s) you wish to open and created a password, you'll have an opportunity to connect an external bank account and fund your AlumniFi account. 

Is It Safe And Secure?

AlumniFi Credit Union is a division of Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, which is an NCUA member. This means that your deposits are insured up to $250,000. The credit union uses bank-level security protocols for its online and mobile banking apps, so you can be confident your money is secure.

Contact

You can contact AlumniFi by telephone at (855) 955-2965. Member support is also available via email at support@alumnifi.org. 

Is It Worth It?

If you're an eligible college or university graduate saving money while repaying your student loans, AlumniFi Credit Union is a great option. You'll have access to a free checking account, a competitive savings APY, and tools to help you automate your student loan payments. And with 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide, AlumniFi makes accessing your money easy.  

That said, if you're not a resident of Michigan, not a staff member, alumni, or donor of an eligible school, don't have student loans to repay, or need an online bank with a more comprehensive product lineup, you may be better off looking elsewhere. 

Check out AlumniFi here >>

Features

FloatMe is a fintech app that offers $50 cash advances between paychecks. While there is a monthly fee, there are no interest charges and no credit check is required for approval. 

FloatMe is one of a growing number of cash advance apps that are designed to cover small loans.

Cash advance apps like FloatMe can help you out small emergencies. But can you access more than $50, and is FloatMe worth the fees? We answer those questions and more in this full review. 

What Is FloatMe?

FloatMe is a fintech app that enables users to receive small cash advances to cover minor expenses between pay days. In addition to cash advances, FloatMe offers some basic financial management tools to help you monitor your bank account transactions, and forecast your balances. 

What Does It Offer?

FloatMe offers two primary services: Cash advances, known as Floats, and Personal Financial Management Services. Here's a closer look at what's included 

Floats

Users eligible for Floats can receive cash advances of up to $50 at no cost, transferred into a linked bank account via ACH deposit. Transfers take between 1 and 3 business days for processing; however, you can also request an "Instant Deposit" for an additional fee through your debit card. Instant deposits can be received within minutes. 

FloatMe does not charge any interest, but there is a monthly fee of $3.99, whether you use the cash advance service or not. You can only take out one cash advance at a time, and you must repay your current advance in full before you can qualify for another one. 

You can be eligible for Floats if you are 18 years of age, are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a valid SSN or TIN, and have a physical address anywhere in the U.S. besides Maryland, Connecticut, Washington D.C., or a U.S. territory. 

Financial Forecast

FloatMe's Financial Forecast feature predicts your account balance seven days into the future by analyzing your deposit and spending habits. You'll receive a notification if the data indicates that you may be in danger of overdrawing your account (nonsufficient funds). While you should not rely solely on FloatMe's analysis, it can be a helpful money management tool. 

Are There Any Fees?

There is a $3.99 monthly fee to use FloatMe's cash advance service. There is also an additional fee if you request an Instant Transfer. This fee ranges between $3 and $7 depending on the cash advance amount. 

How Does FloatMe Compare?

Earnin is similar to FloatMe in that it offers cash advances that are repaid from your linked account. However, Earnin doesn't charge any mandatory fees, and you can draw up to $750 per pay day, much higher than FloatMe. Earnin will accept tips, but you can tip $0. There are also no monthly fees. Like FloatMe, if you want to receive your advance quickly, you can pay extra for an instant transfer. 

Brigit is similar to FloatMe in that it offers cash advances based on subscription pricing. There is a free version that provides access to budgeting and account monitoring tools, however, if you want access to cash advances, you'll have to pay at least $9.99 per month. Brigit has a higher cash advance limit than FloatMe ($250) and more tools to offer, including Credit Score Monitoring, but it is significantly more expensive. 

How Do I Open An Account?

You can open a FloatMe account through the mobile app. Once you've downloaded the app, your first step will be to create a username and password. FloatMe will then as you to provide some personal information, including your name, mailing address, email address, phone number. Note that to access cash advances, you will have to link your bank account to FloatMe

Is It Safe And Secure?

Yes, FloatMe is safe to use. The company uses the same levels of security that banks and other financial institutions use for their online banking platforms. Additionally, FloatMe partners with Plaid to access your bank account information, and transfer funds back and forth. Plaid is a third party that securely links your bank account to various fintech apps. 

How Do I Contact FloatMe?

FloatMe does not offer telephone or live chat support. The FloatMe Support page has a Help Center where you can get answers to many common questions. There is also an FAQ section on the website. If you still need help, you can submit a question via the online contact form or by emailing support@floatme.com. 

Is It Worth It?

While it's nice that FloatMe does not charge interest on cash advances, you can only borrow $50 at a time, and you have to pay a $3.99 monthly subscription. Earnin has no mandatory fees, allows you to borrow up to $750 per cash advance, and offers more tools, including credit score monitoring. If you don't mind paying the monthly fee, and only forsee requiring small cash advance amounts, then FloatMe might be worth it. After all, the monthly fee beats getting a $35 NSF charge. Otherwise, we recommend you look elsewhere. 

Check out FloatMe here >>

FloatMe Features

Alliant Credit Union is an online credit union based in Illinois. It offers an array of deposit accounts and share certificates, as well as loans and mortgages, to its members. 

We consistently have highlighted Alliant Credit Union as one of the best credit unions nationwide.

In this Alliant Credit Union review, we explain who is eligible to join, and take a closer look at what this credit union has to offer to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your situation.

What Is Alliant Credit Union?

Alliant is a well-established online credit union with over $19 billion in assets. Over 800,000 members enjoy the services offered by Alliant Credit Union across the country. 

What Does It Offer?

For the purposes of this review, we're focusing on Alliant's deposit products, but Alliant also offers loan products, including mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. 

Savings Accounts

Alliant Credit Union offers three different savings account options. Here’s a closer look at each:

• High-Rate Savings Account. With a minimum balance of $100, you can currently earn 3.10% APY through this account. If you opt for e-statements, you won’t face a monthly fee. 
• Kids Savings Account. Kids ages 12 and under can sign up for a joint account with their parents, grandparents, or legal guardians. Alliant will cover an initial $5 deposit to get your kid started and they won’t face monthly fees if they opt for e-statements. Currently, this account offers 3.10% APY. 
• Supplemental Savings Account. If you are saving for a particular goal, this is a helpful account. You can open many of these accounts to divy up your savings for different goals. Currently, this account also offers 3.10% APY. 

Checking Accounts

Alliant Credit Union offers two checking account options. The first is the High-Rate Checking account with a 0.25% APY. The account doesn’t have any monthly service fees, overdraft fees, or minimum balance requirements. If you use an out-of-network ATM, you can access up to $20 in ATM fee rebates per month.

Another option is the Teen Checking account, available for teens aged 13 to 17 who can be a joint account holder with their parents. You won’t face any minimum balance requirements or monthly service fees through this account.

Share Certificates

Alliant Credit Union offers a wide range of share certificates (certificates of deposit). 

These CDs come with a $1,000 minimum deposit. If you are able to tuck away at least $75,000, you might be able to earn a slightly higher rate through Alliant’s jumbo CD options. 

Are There Any Fees?

Alliant's fees vary based on the types of accounts you choose and the services you use. For example, most of the checking accounts don’t have a monthly fee. But if you opt for physical statements over e-statements for your savings account, you may face a monthly fee. 

Also, withdrawing funds from your share certificate early will lead to a penalty. Below is a look at those fees:

• A fee equal to the number of days the CD is open, up to 90 days, for terms of 17 months or less. 
• A fee equal to the number of days the CD is open, up to 120 days, for terms of 18 to 23 months.
• A fee equal to the number of days the CD is open, up to 180 days, for terms of 24 to 60 months.

How Does Alliant Credit Union Compare?

Alliant Credit Union isn’t the only option for savers. Here’s how the credit union stacks up.

Navy Federal Credit Union is another popular financial institution. While membership is limited to those with an appropriate affiliation to the Department of Defense, the credit union offers a range of certificates with attractive rates and deposit accounts with limited fees.

If you don’t want to jump through any membership hoops, then you might prefer a bank to a credit union. Ally Bank is one option for savers seeking high rates and ample account types available. One of its stand-out accounts is its online savings account, with a 3.85% APY on all balances.

How Do I Open An Account?

The process of working with Alliant Credit Union starts by becoming a member of the credit union. If you meet one or more of the following criteria, you are eligible to apply: 

• Current or retired employees from an Alliant-partner business
• Domestic partner or immediate family member of a current Alliant member
• Live or work in a community close to Alliant's Chicago corporate headquarters. Here is a list of eligible communities.
• You can also become a member by becoming an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate

When you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for membership in the credit union. Be prepared to provide a Social Security number or unexpired ITIN, a government-issued ID, and a document to prove your address. Be prepared to open both a High-Rate Checking and High-Rate Savings account to get started. 

Is It Safe And Secure?

Alliant deposit accounts are NCUA-insured, which means your funds are protected against loss for up to $250,000. Additionally, Alliant Credit Union implements a range of security measures, like fraud monitoring, to protect your information. 

How Do I Contact Alliant Credit Union?

If you need to get in touch, you can call 800-328-1935 for immediate support. Alliant has negative feedback on Trustpilot (1.8 out of 5 stars). But the positive ratings of the mobile app in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store indicate many customers have a positive experience. 

Is It Worth It?

Alliant Credit Union offers competitive checking accounts and attractive share certificate APYs. Unfortunately, its savings account interest rates are lacklustre at best. For savers seeking the highest rates, scope out our list of the best high-yield savings accounts and top CD rates before moving forward.

Check out Alliant Credit Union here >>

Alliant Credit Union Features

Forbright Bank is a mission-driven bank offering digital and branch banking services in Maryland and Virginia. Online customers can open a high-yield savings account and certificates of deposit (CDs) with terms ranging from 9 to 60 months.

What sets Forbright Bank apart from most financial institutions is it's focus on sustainability. For example, it finances projects that fight climate change. This includes solar residential loans, wind turbine repairs, and affordable housing.

For the purpose of this Forbright Bank review, we'll focus on its online deposit products, and let you know how it stacks up.  

What Is Forbright Bank?

Maryland-based Forbright Bank was founded in 2003. It offers a full product lineup through its four full-serve branches, including checking, money market, savings, and retirement accounts, credit cards, and lending products. Online customers can open high-yield savings and CD accounts.

What Does It Offer?

Forbright Bank offers several personal and busineess banking products through its full-serve branches (four in total), including checking, money market, savings, and retirement accounts, credit cards, and lending products. Online customers can open high-yield savings and CD accounts. 

Growth Savings Account

Forbright Bank offers a high-yield savings account, called Growth Savings. It's current 5.00% APY is very competitive with leading online banks, and there are no monthly maintenance or withdrawal fees, and no minimum opening deposit. 

You cannot access the account with a debit card, which means no ATM withdrawals. However, you can make unlimited monthly transfers to a checking account of your choice. Note that while the account doesn't have a opening balance requirement, if you have a zero balance for 21 days, it will be closed for security reasons.  

Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

Forbright offers five CDs with terms ranging from 9 months to 5 years. You can open a CD in person at a Forbright branch or on the bank website. The minimum deposit amount for all CDs is $1000. Current APYs and terms are as follows: 

To open a CD account, you must be 18 years of age or older and provide the following information: A valid ID, an SSN, your current residential and email address, and funding bank details. 

Are There Any Fees?

Forbright Bank does not charge any monthly maintenance fees on its Growth Savings account. There are also no fees to open a CD; however, if you withdraw your CD funds early, the following penalties will apply: 

• A 3-month interest charge applies to terms less than 24 months. 
• A 6-month interest charge applies to terms of 24 months or longer. 

How Does Forbright Compare?

Forbright's 5.00% APY is comparable with other leading online banks, and it's much higher than the average bank. It's CD yields, while not class leading, are respectable. BrioDirect is an online only bank offering the same 4.85% APY, but it's CD terms are limited. 

Ally Bank is a full-service online bank that offers far more products (online) than both Forbright or BrioDirect. If you're looking for accounts beyond savings and CDs, it's an excellent choice, although it's savings APY is only 4.20%. 

How Do I Open An Account?

You can apply for a Forbright Bank Growth Savings Account within a few minutes online. Start by selecting "Apply Now" from the Savings Account landing page. Once your account has been approved, you can deposit funds via Forbright's secure third-party transfer system. 

Is It Safe And Secure?

Forbright Bank is an FDIC-member institution (Cert #57614). This means that eligible deposits are insured up to FDIC limits. Additionally, the bank has a 4 out of 5 star rating from Bauer Financial, an independent bank rating service.

However, the bank received a Consent Order from the FDIC as recently as May 2024. According to this Banking Dive article, the FDIC was concerned about the bank's reliance on "non-core funding", and expressed concerns about liquidity risk. 

How Do I Contact Forbright Bank?

You can contact Forbright Bank by telephone, email, or by visiting a branch in-person. If you require support for its Growth Savings Account, you can call 1-800-550-0159 during business hours (Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. EST). You can also email customersupport@forbrightbank.com. 

Is It Worth It?

If you are an existing Forbright Bank branch customer, its Growth Savings Account is a solid choice as you can manage the account online and earn a high APY without having to deal with another bank. It's 5.00% APY is one of the highest available, and there are no fees to worry about. 

That said, the FDIC has expressed concern (recently) about Forbright's liquidity risk, which has to be a consideration when shopping around for a place to store your hard earned money. Other online banks have more to offer, so if you have any concerns surrounding risk, you're better off looking elsewhere. 

Check out Forbright Bank here >>

Forbright Bank Features