
Saving money can be tough, but with the right tools, you can achieve your goals. With an Affinity Credit Union savings account, you can earn a competitive interest rate of 2.50% APY on balances up to $25,000.
You can start saving with as little as $5, making it easy to get started. Plus, there's no minimum balance requirement to avoid fees.
Affinity Credit Union offers a range of benefits, including free online banking and mobile banking, so you can manage your account from anywhere.
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Our Verdict
The Affinity Credit Union savings account is a great option for those seeking high APYs, but it's essential to consider the limitations. You can earn one of the highest APYs around, but the qualifying balance stops at $10,000.
The account is ideal for individuals with smaller savings balances, as the APY tiers reward lower balances more. You'll earn the most interest if your balance is below $10,001.
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However, the account's biggest drawback is its eligibility restrictions. Only people affiliated with certain organizations qualify for the account.
Additionally, the APY drops as your balance grows, which might not be ideal for those with larger savings. If you have a substantial amount in savings, you could consider the Affinity FCU MoreSavings account for a higher APY across all of your savings.
Ultimately, it's crucial to weigh the benefits against the drawbacks and consider alternative options. You can earn more interest across all your savings with a competitor's high-yield account.
Pros and Benefits
The Affinity credit union savings account has some amazing benefits that make it a top choice for many people. You can earn a high initial APY on your balance of less than $10,000, which is 9.52x higher than the national average for savings accounts.
One of the standout features of this account is its competitive tiered APYs. Even the lowest APY tier is higher than the national average for savings accounts. You can earn up to 4% APY with this account.
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Another great thing about the Affinity credit union savings account is that there is no minimum opening deposit. You don't have to worry about depositing a certain amount to open an account.
You also won't have to worry about paying any monthly fees or keeping your balance topped to a certain level. This account has no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.
The Affinity credit union savings account has a global ATM network, giving you access to 50,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide. You can also access your money online or visit one of its 4,100 physical branches or network banks.
Here are the key benefits of the Affinity credit union savings account at a glance:
- High initial APY on balances under $10,000
- Competitive tiered APYs, including up to 4% APY
- No minimum opening deposit
- No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
- Global ATM network with 50,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide
This account is also federally insured by the NCUA up to $250,000, giving you peace of mind that your money is safe.
Account Features
The Affinity credit union savings account is a great option for those looking for a reliable and high-yielding savings solution. This account's standout feature is its high initial APY on balances of less than $10,000, which is 9.52x higher than the national average for savings accounts.
The account also offers competitive tiered APYs, with even its lowest APY tier being higher than the national average. This means you can earn a higher interest rate on your savings, even if you don't have a large balance.
One of the best things about this account is that there's no minimum opening deposit required. This makes it easy to get started and start saving right away.
You won't have to worry about monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, either. This can help you save even more money and avoid unnecessary charges.
The account also offers a global ATM network, giving you access to 50,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide. This means you can withdraw cash or deposit funds from ATMs wherever you are, without incurring additional fees.
Here are the account features in a nutshell:
- High initial APY on balances of less than $10,000
- Competitive tiered APYs
- No minimum opening deposit required
- No monthly fees or minimum balance requirements
- Global ATM network with 50,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide
Membership and Requirements
To become a member of the affinity credit union, you'll need to have a simple savings account, which is required for each member. This membership savings account has a minimum balance of $10, which is your membership share.
There's no required term for this account, so you can keep your money in it for as long or as short a time as you like.
If you don't meet the qualifications for a higher rate, you'll still earn the base rate on the Performance Savings account.
Opening a Smartstart Account
To open a SmartStart Savings account, you'll need to start by joining Affinity Federal Credit Union. You can do this by going to their website and following the steps to apply.
First, go to the provider's site and follow the steps to apply. This will lead you to a page where you can choose to join Affinity.
You'll then need to choose which scenario is applicable for you: Open My First Account, Add New Accounts, or Continue an Application.
To open a SmartStart Savings account specifically, select Savings Account and check the box that says SmartStart Savings.
Next, fill out the required fields and Continue. You'll then need to select your eligibility and Confirm your information.
Finally, answer the question: “Have you been notified by the IRS that you’re subject to backup withholding?” and read the terms and conditions, then check the box to accept them.
Here are the 8 steps to open a SmartStart Savings account:
- Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
- Choose Join Affinity on the Affinity Federal Credit Union website, then Join Now.
- Choose which scenario is applicable for you: Open My First Account, Add New Accounts or Continue an Application.
- Select Savings Account and check the box that says SmartStart Savings.
- Fill out the required fields and Continue.
- Select your eligibility, then Continue and Confirm your information.
- Answer the question: “Have you been notified by the IRS that you’re subject to backup withholding?”
- Read the terms and conditions, then check the box to accept them.
Membership
To become a member of the credit union, you'll need to open a Membership Savings account, which is required for each member. This account represents your share in the credit union and is a simple savings account with no required term.
A $10 minimum balance is required to open the Membership Savings account, which is also your membership share. This is a relatively low barrier to entry, making it accessible to a wide range of people.
To give you a better idea of the Membership Savings account requirements, here are the key details:
- $10 minimum balance (your membership share)
- No required term
Not Meeting Qualifications
If you don't meet the qualifications, you'll still earn the base rate on the Performance Savings.
You can start earning the highest rates again in the next cycle as soon as you qualify, so it's worth keeping an eye on your progress.
Rates and Performance
The Affinity credit union savings account is a great option for those looking to earn high interest on their savings. You can earn 2.96% dividend rate on balances up to $250,000.
The account also offers a competitive APY of 3.00% on balances up to $250,000. This is a great way to grow your savings automatically while earning high interest.
One of the standout features of this account is its high initial APY on balances of less than $10,000, which is 9.52x higher than the national average for savings accounts.
Here are the key APYs associated with the account:
There are no minimum opening deposit or monthly fees to worry about, making it easy to get started with your savings.
Saving and Budgeting
Having a strong emergency savings or rainy-day fund is a crucial step on the journey to financial stability. You can earn higher rates for higher account balances at each successive tier with Affinity's MoreSavings account.
The MoreSavings account requires an initial opening deposit of just $5.00, and there's no minimum balance requirement to keep your account open. This means you can start building your savings right away without worrying about any minimum balance hurdles.
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APY, or Annual Percentage Yield, is the rate you can earn on an account over a year, and it's a great way to grow your savings over time. You can earn dividends on your MoreSavings account, which is a reward for keeping your money in the account.
You can set up recurring direct deposits into your MoreSavings account, making it easy to save a fixed amount regularly. Just provide your MoreSavings account number and Affinity's routing number (221283512) to your Payroll Department.
There's no minimum balance to earn the stated APY on your MoreSavings account, and you can earn higher rates for higher account balances at each successive tier. This means you can earn more interest on your savings without having to worry about meeting a minimum balance requirement.
Our MoreSavings account has $0 monthly maintenance fees with eStatements, which is a great way to save even more money. Otherwise, there is a monthly fee of $2 for paper statements, so it's a good idea to switch to eStatements to avoid this fee.
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Comparison and Advice
The Affinity credit union savings account is a great option for those looking for a high-yield savings account. Its high initial APY on balances under $10,000 is 9.52x higher than the national average.
One of the standout features of this account is its competitive tiered APYs. Even the lowest APY tier is higher than the national average for savings accounts.
You won't have to worry about paying monthly fees or keeping a minimum balance, which is a big plus. The account also has a no minimum opening deposit requirement.
The Affinity credit union savings account has a global ATM network, giving you access to 50,000 fee-free ATMs worldwide. You can access your money online, or visit one of its 4,100 physical branches or network banks.
If you're considering other savings accounts, it's worth comparing the Affinity FCU SmartStart Savings to other options. Some popular alternatives include the Discover Online Savings Account and the Ally Bank Online Savings Account.
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Here's a quick comparison of some popular savings accounts:
Ultimately, the best savings account for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. Be sure to do your research and compare features and fees before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Affinity have a high yield savings account?
Yes, Affinity offers a High-Yield Savings Account that can help your savings grow over time. Learn how much you could save in 5 years with our calculator.
Where can I get 5% interest on my savings?
You can earn 5% interest on your savings with accounts from LendingClub LevelUp Savings, Poppy Bank Premier Online Savings Account, Ivy Bank High-Yield Savings Account, or Varo Bank High-Yield Savings Account. Consider exploring these options to boost your savings.
Sources
- https://www.finder.com/savings-accounts/smartstart-savings
- https://www.affinityplus.org/personal/bank/savings
- https://www.affinityfcu.com/personal-banking/banking/savings/more-savings
- https://www.affinityfcu.com/personal-banking/banking/savings/performance-savings
- https://www.affinityfcu.com/personal-banking/banking/savings/ira-savings-accounts
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