Pibank Savings Account 2024 Review
Pibank, a brand of Miami-based Intercredit Bank, offers an online savings account that earns an outstanding APY. There are no fees or minimum balance requirements and you get the convenience of online and mobile banking.
The Pibank Savings account is one of the best online savings accounts if you want to take advantage of a high APY and low fees. You can open an account online in minutes and this high-yield savings account is available to residents of all 50 states.
You might consider saving with Pibank if you:
- Are ready to try an online savings option
- Want to earn a superior APY on savings balances without monthly maintenance fees
- Don't need an ATM card or debit card to access your money
- Prefer a savings account with no opening deposit or minimum balance requirements
Pibank doesn't offer other banking products currently. But that may not be a hurdle if you're only interested in opening a savings account, versus checking or CD accounts.
Pibank Savings Account Pros & Cons
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Compared to Other Online Savings Accounts
Primis Bank Personal Savings Account
The Primis Bank Personal Savings account offers a competitive APY and you can open this account online with just $1. The rate isn't as high as what you could get with Pibank but still well above what traditional banks offer. There are no minimum balances, no service fees, and no cap on transactions.
Read our full editorial review of the Primis Bank Personal Savings account
ableBanking High Yield Savings Account
ableBanking's high-yield savings accounts are actually CD accounts, meaning you're locking your money in for a set period. You can choose from four terms: 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years. All CDs earn competitive rates but you'll get the best APY with the 6-month CD; a $5,000 minimum deposit is required.
Read our full editorial review of the ableBanking High Yield Savings account
Rising Bank High-Yield Savings Account
Rising Bank's high-yield savings option earns an impressive APY, which ranks it among the best online savings accounts. There are no monthly fees and you'll have access to online and mobile banking for convenience. The opening deposit requirement for this account is on the higher side; you'll need $1,000 to get started.
Read our full editorial review of the Rising Bank High-Yield Savings account
Newtek Bank Personal High Yield Savings Account
Newtek Bank's Personal High Yield Savings account has plenty of benefits: no monthly fees or service fees; a great rate; and no opening deposit requirement. You can manage your account online or through mobile banking. Deposits are FDIC-insured.
Read our full editorial review of the Newtek Bank Personal High Yield Savings account
Interest Rates
Pibank is head and shoulders above the crowd where savings rates are concerned. The APY is one of the best you'll find for any online savings option.
You can earn the same APY across all balances. That's a plus compared to other banks that apply interest based on your balance tier.
You don't need to meet any specific requirements to earn interest. Again, that's an advantage as some banks may expect you to meet minimum balance or direct deposit requirements.
Are interest rates the only thing to consider when looking for a new savings account? No, but it's important to know how much potential your money has to grow based on the APY you could earn.
Fees
Online banks have a reputation for being fee-friendly and Pibank is no exception. When they say no fees, they mean no fees.
Here's how the fee schedule breaks down.
Other Service Fees - Pibank Savings Account
Type | Fee |
---|---|
Monthly maintenance fee | $0.00 |
Excess transactions | $0.00 |
Stop payment | $0 |
Legal order processing | $0.00 |
Dormant account | $0.00 |
Redeposit item | $0.00 |
Account research | $0 |
Wire transfers | $0 |
As you can see, there are virtually no fees at all. That means you get to hang on to all of the interest you earn.
ATM Access
Some banks offer an ATM card with a savings account. Pibank isn't one of them, unfortunately.
If you need to withdraw cash you'll need to move money from your Pibank savings account to an external account first. You can then withdraw cash from the external account using your debit card or ATM card.
If you'd prefer a savings account that includes an ATM card, take time to consider:
- The size of the bank's ATM network and how many ATMs are fee-free
- Where ATMs are located near you
- What type of transactions you can complete (e.g., withdrawals, cash or check deposits, etc.)
It's also a good idea to consider whether the bank charges you to use another bank's ATM or reimburses foreign ATM surcharges that other banks charge you.
Account Management
Pibank offers online and mobile banking access so you can manage your money safely and securely online. You can log in to:
- View account history and transactions
- View your statements
- Link external accounts
- Schedule ACH or wire transfers
Pibank's mobile app isn't set up for mobile check deposits. You can't access Zelle transfers or bill pay services either.
You can still link your account to the Zelle app for transfers. Zelle's standard transfer limits apply to payments you send or receive with friends and family.
FDIC Insurance
FDIC insurance covers depositors at member banks in case the bank fails. Bank failures are rare but it's reassuring to know that the FDIC has your back if the unexpected happens.
Pibank is FDIC-insured through Intercredit Bank so your deposits are secure, up to the standard coverage limit. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per account owner.
That limit applies at every FDIC-member bank you have accounts with.
What to Look for in a Savings Account
When you're ready to compare savings accounts it helps to ask the right questions. Here are some of the most important points to consider as you shop around for the right bank.
- Would you prefer a traditional bank or an online bank?
- What APY can you earn?
- Is the APY tiered or does it apply to all balances?
- Are there minimum balance requirements?
- What's the opening deposit required?
- Is there a monthly fee?
- What other fees does the bank charge?
- Will you get an ATM card?
- Which ATMs can you use and are they fee-free?
- Does the bank reimburse foreign ATM fees?
- What do you need to open an account?
- Are there any limits on deposits or withdrawals?
- Will you get online and mobile banking access?
- Does the bank offer mobile check deposits?
- Is customer service available 24/7?
- What other kinds of accounts does the bank offer?
- Does the bank have positive/negative reviews?
You might start your search for a savings account with your current bank then branch out to check online banks. The most important thing is to find a savings account that offers the best combination of features, access, and interest to meet your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pibank a legitimate bank?
Pibank is a legitimate bank and a division of Intercredit Bank. Pibank offers FDIC-insured high-yield savings accounts online.
Are online savings accounts good?
Online savings accounts can offer some advantages, including higher rates and lower fees. Some online savings accounts also offer ATM access so you can easily withdraw cash on the go. You may not get branch banking access but you could grow your money faster while shelling out less for fees.
How to open an online savings account?
If you want to open a savings account online you'll first need to choose a bank, then complete the application. You'll need to be 18 or 19 to open a savings account in your name, depending on where you live, and you'll need a valid government-issued ID. You'll also have to make a minimum opening deposit if one is required. You can do that by linking an external bank account using your account number and bank routing number.