Savings Accounts 101

By Mentor Staff | Edited By Mentor Staff

Updated On November 13, 2021

Editorial Note: This content is based solely on the author's opinions and is not provided, approved, endorsed or reviewed by any financial institution or partner.

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What Is a Savings Account?

An online savings account is a bank account where you can save money and earn interest. Assuming that your bank is federally-insured through the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), your online savings account also will be FDIC-insured up to $250,000.

The best savings account often is online and is a high yield savings account. A high yield savings account enables you to earn interest on your savings account balance at a higher rate than a typical savings account. Therefore, the best savings account means more money in your pocket.

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Fixed APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Fixed APR means that your interest rate will always stay the same. Even if interest rates change, your interest rate or monthly payment will not. Fixed APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.
Variable APR ?APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is the price you pay to borrow money. Variable APR means that your interest rate can fluctuate over time, which can increase or decrease your monthly student loan payment. Typically, a variable-rate loan has a lower introductory rate than a fixed-loan rate loan. Variable APR includes a 0.25% discount when you enroll in autopay.
APR
4.49% - 9.99%
5.99% - 9.99%
4.49% - 9.99%

View Details

on SoFi's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.99% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
4.49% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
650
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000 ($10,000 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
3.95% - 9.74%
5.89% - 9.74%
3.95% - 9.74%

View Details

on Earnest's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.89% - 9.74%
Fixed APR:
3.95% - 9.74%
Minimum Credit Score:
650
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5-20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States except NV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
No
5.19% - 9.74%
5.99% - 9.74%
5.19% - 9.74%

View Details

on NaviRefi's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.99% - 9.74%
Fixed APR:
5.19% - 9.74%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,001 ($10,001 in CA)

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5-20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States except NV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
No
4.88% - 8.44%
4.86% - 8.49%
4.86% - 8.49%

View Details

on ELFI's website

Overview

Variable APR:
4.86% - 8.49%
Fixed APR:
4.88% - 8.44%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
$35,000
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
4.84% - 9.99%
5.89% - 9.99%
4.84% - 9.99%

View Details

on Splash's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.89% - 9.99%
Fixed APR:
4.84% - 9.99%
Minimum Credit Score:
640
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5 – 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Varies
Co-signer Option:
No
5.89% - 10.98%
7.02% - 12.44%
5.89% - 12.44%

View Details

on Citizens' website

Overview

Variable APR:
7.02% - 12.44%
Fixed APR:
5.89% - 10.98%
Minimum Credit Score:
Not disclosed
Minimum Income:
$24,000
Fees:
No prepayment or origination fees
Minimum Loan Amount:
$10,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
4.99% - 8.90%
5.29% - 9.20%
4.99% - 9.20%

View Details

on Laurel Road's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.29% - 9.20%
Fixed APR:
4.99% - 8.90%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
None
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All States
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes
5.49% - 9.75%
5.53% - 12.18%
5.49% - 12.18%

View Details

on LendKey's website

Overview

Variable APR:
5.53% - 12.18%
Fixed APR:
5.49% - 9.75%
Minimum Credit Score:
680
Minimum Income:
$24,000
Fees:
None
Minimum Loan Amount:
$5,000

Details

Eligible Loans:
Private & Federal
Eligible Degrees:
Undergraduate & Graduate
Loan Terms:
5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
Borrower Residency:
All states, except ME, ND, NV, RI, WV
Hardship Deferment:
Yes
Co-signer Option:
Yes

Why Do You Need a Savings Account?

You need an online savings account for several reasons:

  1. Save for your future. The best online savings account can help you save funds for your future. You can deposit your paycheck in your online savings account, and invest in your future.
  2. Earn high yield interest. The best savings account helps you earn interest income that can be significantly higher than the national average for a traditional savings account. Most high yield, online savings accounts offer an annual percentage yield (APY) that is higher than 1%.
  3. Ease of use. An online savings account is mobile friendly and can help you manage your account and transfer money with ease.
  4. Limit on transfers. Under federal law, you can withdraw or transfer funds no more than six times per month. This can help instill discipline, since a high yield online savings account is intended to help you save so you shouldn’t transfer funds frequently.

What Is the Difference Between an Online Savings Account and Traditional Savings Account?

Traditional Savings Account: A traditional savings account is a default savings account offered by a brick-and-mortar bank. Typically, you can link your savings account to your checking account, and move money between the two accounts. Traditional savings accounts usually do not come with checks and also may require a higher minimum balance. The biggest downside of a traditional savings account is the interest rate. Compared to CDs and investing accounts, the interest rate on traditional savings accounts are very low.

Online Savings Account: An online savings account is almost exclusively online and offers a much higher interest rate. The best online savings account can offer higher annual percentage yield (APY) because the bank saves costs by not having additional or any physical branches to support online savings accounts. Most online savings accounts have excellent customer service, so you still have access by phone, email or chat to speak with customer service. An online savings account is a great option if you are comfortable with mobile and online banking. With the best online savings account, the good news is that you can earn a higher yield and typically do not need to maintain any minimum balance. Some online savings account may also pay you a higher yield if you have a higher balance. This is known as a tiered rate savings account.

How Do You Find the Best Online Savings Account?

You can find the best online savings account here on Mentor. Mentor’s list of the best online savings accounts includes banks that we believe offer the best online savings account rates, best customer service, savings account management tools and lowest fees.

You can compare these online savings accounts on Mentor, and choose the best savings account for you.

Then you can open an account directly through Mentor with one of our partners. You will need to provide basic information such as you name, Social Security Number, driver’s license and other contact information.

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