Our quick take: The UFB Secure Savings account is one of the highest-earning high-yield savings accounts thanks to its 5.25% APY. The account is ideal for those who wish to grow their savings while still having immediate access to cash.
Pros:
- Earn up to 5.25% APY
- No maintenance or service fees
- There is no minimum deposit requirement
- Complimentary ATM card
- Online banking, including mobile deposits
Cons:
- Only one physical branch
- Out-of-network ATM fees are not reimbursed
- Doesn’t offer a checking account for fast transfers
- Wire transfer and paper statement fees
Best for: Those seeking one of the best annual percentage yields (APY) on the market, as well as a complimentary ATM card and no maintenance costs.
What is the UFB Secure Savings account?
Savings accounts let you grow your money with very little risk, but they come with a catch: You often have limited access to your funds. Thankfully, that’s not the case with the UFB Secure Savings account, which comes with a free ATM card and access to a nationwide network of fee-free ATMs.
Aside from the ease of accessing your money, the UFB Secure Savings account offers one of the best yields available from a high-yield savings account, of up to 5.25% APY on your balance. Additionally, there are no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.
Further, the UFB Direct mobile app allows account holders to make mobile check deposits, keep track of transaction history and transfer money between eligible accounts. Plus, UFB bank customers can call the bank’s customer support line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also get in touch with someone by using the UFB Direct mobile app or on their website.
Advantages of the UFB Secure Savings account
The most evident advantage of the UFB Secure Savings account is the APY of up to 5.25%. This is one of the market’s highest interest rates at the time of this writing. So if you want to grow your money without risk while still having access to it effortlessly, this is one of the best savings accounts you can open.
The account also comes with a free ATM card that allows you to withdraw funds domestically from 91,000 partner ATMs without incurring any fees. This is a big plus, as there aren’t many savings accounts on the market that include an ATM card.
If you prefer another method of accessing your cash, your UFB Secure Savings account also lets you make free transfers between external direct deposit accounts (such as checking or savings accounts). You can initiate funds transfers online as well as deposit checks via the UFB mobile app.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) through Axos Bank insures your UFB Secure Savings account up to $250,000 in total. This should give you peace of mind during times of uncertainty in the banking sector, as you can be sure your funds are insured in the case of a bank failure.
Finally, there is no minimum deposit required to open an account, no minimum balance requirement to earn interest on your funds and no monthly maintenance fees to worry about.
Disadvantages of the UFB Secure Savings account
Despite its many advantages, the UFB Secure Savings account does have some limitations.
Most banking and customer service operations are performed digitally, through the website or the UFB app. UFB’s sole physical location is in San Diego, so if you like to do your banking in person, this may not be the account for you.
And while there are more than 90,000 ATMs in the United States where you can access your money without incurring any fees, not all of them allow deposits. As a result, you have to depend on depositing checks through the UFB mobile app.
What’s more, the UFB Secure Savings account has a few fees worth knowing about. This includes a $35 fee for local wire transfers, $45 for international wire transfers and $5 for printed statements. If you’re planning on making several wire transfers, you may want to consider other savings accounts that don’t charge for these services.
Should you open a UFB Secure Savings account?
The UFB Secure Savings account offers one of the highest available APYs on the market. With a competitive yield of 5.25% APY, this account is a great option for those wanting a low-risk way to compound their cash savings. And if you need immediate access to your funds, you can use the optional ATM card to withdraw cash at more than 90,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.
If you’re accustomed to digital banking, you’ll appreciate the UFB mobile banking app’s popular digital features. However, with just one physical location, you’ll need to feel comfortable handling your finances online and getting in touch with customer assistance either by phone, online chat or email.
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