Fitness Bank Savings Review
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Fitness Bank’s savings account option
Fitness Savings Account
| APY Tiers* | Minimum Balance to Earn APY | Steps Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00% | $100 | 0-4,999 |
| 1.25% | $100 | 5,000-7,499 |
| 1.75% | $100 | 7,500-9,999 |
| 2.00% | $100 | 10,000-12,499 |
| 2.30% | $100 | 12,500+ |
If you are a US citizen age 65 or older, you qualify for a different rate schedule:
| APY Tiers* | Minimum Balance to Earn APY | Steps Required |
|---|---|---|
| 1.25% | $100 | 0-4,999 |
| 1.75% | $100 | 5,000-7,499 |
| 2.00% | $100 | 7,500-9,999 |
| 2.30% | $100 | 10,000+ |
- Minimum opening deposit: $100
- Minimum daily balance to earn APY: $100
- Monthly account maintenance fee: $10, waived by maintaining the minimum daily balance.
- ATM fee: N/A
- ATM fee refund: N/A
- Overdraft fee: $40
These rates truly are outstanding if you live an active lifestyle. The first month, everyone gets highest APY regardless of number of steps they take. After that, your APY will be assigned based on your daily average number of steps over the course of the prior month. Needless to say, if you don’t live a very active lifestyle, or if you have a health condition that would prevent you from meeting the step requirements, this may not be the best account for you.
This bank charges a $10 monthly maintenance fee if you don’t maintain a minimum average daily balance of $100. If you’re not confident you can maintain this minimum, you may want to look at a checking account rather than a savings account — keep in mind, however, that Fitness Bank only offers a savings account. If you meet the minimum balance requirement, the monthly maintenance fee will be waived.
This savings account does not come with an ATM card or checks. You are limited to six certain withdrawals and/or transactions per month, per Regulation D, which is enforced by the federal government, although banks do have some flexibility in allowing more than six per month in certain cases. At Fitness Bank, if you make more than six withdrawals per month you will be charged a $10 fee for each additional withdrawal.
If you want to go above and beyond achieving the highest APY available from this account, you can join one of Fitness Bank’s challenges. Every month, there is a step challenge where you can compete with all other participating Fitness Bank members to get the highest number of average daily steps. Top competitors will be awarded with prizes at the end of the month. You can also set up challenges just for your family or friend group, or for a group of employees participating in a workplace challenge.
How to get Fitness Bank’s savings account
Opening a savings account at Fitness Bank is a straightforward process. The bank boasts account setup will take you less than two minutes.
You’ll fill out a quick online application, supplying basic information like your name, address and Social Security number, along with documentation of your driver’s license or passport. Then you’ll need to provide funding information, namely your bank account number, credit card or debit card.
How Fitness Bank’s savings account compares
This bank offers phenomenal rates. At the time of writing, they offer the highest savings account rate in the market — if you can rack up the steps needed to earn it. In addition, you will have to be comfortable doing your banking 100% online with this savings account. You will not receive a checkbook or ATM card – all of your withdrawals and deposits will be completed via electronic transfer. If you’d prefer ATM access or the ability to visit a physical branch, Fitness Bank is not the right match for you.
The minimum deposit required to open and maintain an account without incurring a monthly maintenance fee isn’t outrageous. But you can find savings accounts offering somewhat competitive rates without these requirements. And to repeat, you’ll have to meet the step requirements; if that challenge goes unfulfilled, the advantages of saving with Fitness Bank wane. Its rates get progressively less competitive the fewer steps you take.
Overall review of Fitness Bank’s banking products
This bank offers a unique financial product aimed at promoting wellness. Its minimum balance and deposit requirements are fairly average for the industry, as are its fees. While its offerings are fair and get more generous as you take more steps, you will likely find better rates elsewhere if you cannot realistically meet these specific fitness standards. If you can, though, you’re in for some of the best rates on the market.
