The post CIT Bank Review 2020: High-Yield Savings Accounts, Money Markets, and CDs appeared first on Club Thrifty.
In this CIT Bank review, we discuss the bank’s high yield savings accounts, money market, and CD products. We’ll also consider the best ways to use them, and determine whether opening an account with CIT Bank is right for you. All rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. It is the sole responsibility of the reader to verify any information with CIT Bank prior to taking action.
– Earn up to 1.75% APY with a CIT Bank Savings Builder account! And for a limited time, get up to $200 when you open an account. Get started here.
CIT Bank is a publicly-traded, FDIC insured financial institution offering high-yield savings accounts and other online banking services throughout the United States. Over the past several years, their interest rates have stayed extremely competitive, even while other more popular bank chains have lagged.
Most impressively, CIT Bank recently released their new Savings Builder account. Offering a hefty 1.75% APY to customers making a monthly deposit of at least $100, the Savings Builder account is our pick for the best online saving account available.
CIT Bank’s 18-Month CD is also a strong product. This account currently earns 1.85% APY on all balances. The minimum to open is just $100, making this option competitive with other term CDs you’ll find.
Obviously, it pays to consider moving (at least) some of your money to CIT Bank. We certainly have. Before you do, though, let’s take a closer look at what they have to offer.
Our Top Picks
Savings Builder [Editor’s Choice] – This is easily our favorite savings account on the market right now. Get up to $200 when you open a new account and earn a whopping 1.75% APY when you make a monthly deposit of $100 or more! CIT’s Savings Builder is a perfect place to build your vacation fund, emergency fund, or save for any large purchase. We use it, we love it, and we think you will too. Read the review | Open an account
Certificate of Deposit (18-Month) – The CIT Bank 18-Month CD offers a nice 1.85% APY, making it very competitive with other CDs on the market. This account requires a $1,000 minimum to open. Open an account
CIT Bank at a Glance
- Traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CIT)
- Approximately $50 Billion in assets (June 30th, 2019)
- Internet banking available throughout U.S.
- Sister branches located throughout Southern California (operating as OneWest Bank)
CIT Bank Products
- Savings Builder Account – Up to 1.75% APY*
- Money Market Account – 1.80% APY*
- Premier High Yield Savings Account – Up to 1.55% APY*
- Multiple CD Options – Up to 1.86% APY*
- Small business and home loans available
(*Rates current as of March 15, 2020)
CIT Bank: Pros and Cons
Who Is CIT Bank?
Although the name CIT Bank may not ring a bell, they’ve definitely been around the block. The company currently trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CIT), operates online banking services throughout the United States, and is also associated with several brick and mortar locations. Residents of Southern California may recognize the name OneWest Bank, which is a subsidiary of its parent company CIT Bank, N.A.
As of March 2019, CIT Bank claims financial assets of approximately $50 billion. As with most banks, CIT has the backing of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Although this CIT Bank review focuses primarily on the company’s online personal banking options, specifically the different savings vehicles they offer, the company can also meet other banking needs customers may have. CIT Banks offers a host of loans for homeowners and small businesses, allowing them to fulfill your needs there as well.
CIT Bank Review: Savings Products
Think CIT Bank may be for you? Let’s take a closer look at their different savings options, including their high yield savings accounts, money market account, and CD rates.
Savings Builder Account
The new Savings Builder account from CIT Bank is our favorite savings account on the market right now, period.
With two tiers of interest rates, this account encourages savings by offering an interest rate of up to 1.75% APY for those making a monthly deposit of at least $100. That’s a stupid simple bar to cross and an excellent goal to shoot for if you’re struggling to save. You can also get up to $200 when you open a new account. Plus, the top-tier rate is over 200x more than you’ll find at many larger competitors.
While this won’t apply to most customers, those who keep a balance above $25,000 are also eligible to receive the top rate regardless of their monthly deposits.
Personally, we think this is an excellent spot to set money aside for any type of short-term savings goal – like a travel fund, emergency fund, new car fund, etc. Not only does it earn a great rate, it also keeps your money separate from your other cash so you don’t accidentally spend it somewhere else.
We use it ourselves and we think you’ll love it too!
>> Earn Up to 1.75% APY with the Savings Builder Account
CIT Bank Certificates of Deposit (CDs)
CIT Bank offers a handful of CDs, each with their own pros and cons.
For traditional Term CDs, CIT Bank offers a variety of options from 6 months to 5 years in length. All Term CDs come without account opening or maintenance fees and require a minimum opening deposit of $1,000.
With the Term CDs, the best deals fall right in the middle range of the bank’s offerings. The 1-Year CD offers a rate of 1.86% APY, the 13-Month comes in at 1.82% APY, and the 18-Month CD offers 1.85% APY. Rates for all other Term CDs go down from there.
CIT Bank also offers a Jumbo CD for large deposits. With a required minimum deposit of $100,000, these aren’t going to be available to most readers. However, the 1.40%-1.75% APY rate is lower than many of the short-term CDs, so I’m not sure why you’d lock up your money for at least 2 years at a lower rate.
I’m also impressed with the flexible nature of the CIT Bank No-Penalty CD. This 11-month CD allows you to withdraw your original deposit – plus interest – before the maturation date without facing any early withdrawal penalties. As far as I can tell, the only stipulation is that you cannot withdraw your funds within 7 days of funding. After that, you’re golden.
What you might not expect, however, is that the No-Penalty CD also offers one of the highest interest rates of the bunch – up to 1.70% APY! Like the Term CDs, it requires a minimum opening deposit of $1,000 and comes with zero account opening or maintenance fees.
Like their savings accounts, all CIT Bank CDs are FDIC-insured, and interest is compounded daily.
Personally, I think either the No-Penalty CD or the 18-Month Term CD are the best options, but I’ve listed the current rates in the table below to help you decide.
| Product | Rates* | Term | Minimum Opening Deposit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Current as of 3/15/20 | ||||
| Term CDs | Up to 1.86% APY* | Up to 5 Years | $1,000 | Low minimum balance, various term lengths |
| No-Penalty CD | Up to 1.70% APY* | 11 Months | $1,000 | No penalties on early withdrawals (7 days after funding) |
| Jumbo CDs | Up to 1.75% APY* | Up to 5 Years | $100,000 | For large deposits |
>> Earn Up to 1.86% APY with CIT Bank CDs
Money Market Account
CIT Bank offers a money market account that is one of the most competitive you’ll find in the online market.
This account offers a rate of 1.80% APY and only requires a $100 deposit to open. There are no opening or monthly service fees, and interest compounds daily so you can make the most on your money. It is also insured by the FDIC up to the standard $250,000.
Like most money market accounts, you are limited in the number of monthly transactions you can make. In this case, you’re allowed to make up to 6 transfers or withdrawals during a statement cycle.
While you wouldn’t want to use this as an account for your regular bill pay, CIT Bank’s money market account is another decent spot to keep your emergency fund or travel savings. With that said, why not opted for the higher rate with the Savings Builder account instead?
>> Earn 1.80% APY with a CIT Bank Money Market Account
CIT Bank Premier High Yield Savings Account
Over the past year or so, I’ve been a bit disappointed by the CIT Bank Premier High Yield Savings Account. As savings account interest rates increased at other online banks, this account has failed to keep up. Of course, this was likely due to the fact that CIT was preparing to roll out the Savings Builder account, which I think is a better overall product.
To be completely honest, the only reason to choose this account over the Savings Builder would be if you don’t plan to make the $100 monthly deposits (or don’t have at least $25,000 in the Savings Builder account). If that’s the case, the Premier High Yield Savings Account may be a decent option for you.
Here’s the nitty gritty: This account offers a 1.55% APY interest rate on all balances. While it’s no longer at the top of our best savings accounts list, that’s still considerably higher than the national average – particularly when compared to the measly rates at popular national chains like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Interest on all accounts is compounded on a daily basis and paid out monthly.
In addition to the great rates, online banking with CIT Bank is completely free. There are zero fees to open and maintain your account, and deposits are insured by the FDIC to the usual $250,000 limit. A minimum opening deposit of $100 is required, however there is just a $1 minimum daily balance going forward.
Here’s another look at the current rates and conditions for CIT Bank’s Premier High Yield Savings Account:
| Account Type | APY* | Minimum Balance* |
|---|---|---|
| *Current as of 1/2/20 | ||
| Premier High Yield Savings (balance<$250,000) | 1.55% | To Open: $100 |
| Premier High Yield Savings (balance>$250,000) | 1.55% | To Open: $100 |
How to Use a Savings Builder, Money Market, or High Yield Savings Account
Wondering why you might want to open the a CIT Bank Savings Builder, money market, or Premier High Yield Savings Account? Here are a few ideas on how to use it:
Travel Fund / Savings Goals – Keeping a separate savings account to meet specific savings goals – like travel, a new car, etc. – is always a good idea. A special account keeps this money separate from your general funds, helping you to avoid spending it on items it was never meant for.
Emergency Fund – An emergency fund is one of the main pillars of financial health. A fully-furnished emergency fund should hold 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses that can – and should only – be used in case of a financial emergency. Like saving for a goal, an online high yield savings account is a great way to keep your e-fund safe and separate from your general accounts.
Savings Protection – Spreading your money around to a few different banks is never a bad idea. This is especially true if you keep more than $250,000 in savings. By keeping accounts at multiple banks, more of your money is insured by the FDIC in the event that one (or multiple) banks go under.
Benefits of Using CIT Bank
- Excellent Savings Builder Rate – As we’ve discussed, the top-tier of the new Savings Builder account offers a superb 1.75% APY on all balances. This is well above the national average and over 100x better than rates at some of CIT Bank’s more well-known national competitors. Plus, it encourages you to save by offering the rate to anybody who makes a deposit of just $100 a month. You can also earn up to $200 when you open a new account. Quite simply, it is our favorite savings account on the market right now.
- Money Market Account – The new money market account is also something to consider. At 1.80% APY, this is a great spot to stash your long-term savings.
- Low Minimum Deposit Requirements – At CIT Bank, you can open a money market or high yield savings account with as little as $100. Minimum deposits on CDs start at just $1,000.
- No Fees – Online Banking with CIT Bank is free. There are no account opening or management fees and just a $1 minimum balance requirement on the high yield savings accounts. (Penalties may apply for withdrawing funds early on certain CD products.)
- Flexible CD Options – Interest rates on the 12 to 18-month Term CDs are now competitive, plus CIT Bank offers a very flexible No-Penalty CD that may be worth a look.
- FDIC-Insured – All deposits with CIT Bank are FDIC-insured to the usual $250,000.
Where CIT Bank Falls Short
While I believe their Savings Builder and money market accounts are some of the best you’ll find, there are still a few things to be desired.
The biggest issue I have is that CIT Bank does not offer an online checking account. This seems like it would be fairly standard practice, and I’m a bit surprised that they make this option available to customers.
Additionally, although the new Savings Builder product is awesome, their other savings account has suffered. The Premier High Yield Savings Account has failed to keep up with rate increases at other institutions. At 1.55% APY, it’s still not a bad rate…it’s just not great.
Moving on, in the past, I wasn’t huge on CIT Bank’s offering of CDs. With some recent increases in their interest rates, particularly on the 12 to 18-month Term CDs, they are now competitive.
Additionally, the No-Penalty CD is an interesting option. The 1.70% APY could definitely be a motivator, especially since there is no penalty to withdraw your money (including interest) after 7 days.
When it comes to the rest of the CD rates, however, they aren’t anything to get overly excited about. If you look closely, you’ll also notice that many of the rates are actually lower than that of the 1.55% APY offered on the High Yield Savings Account and far less than the 1.80% APY earned on the Money Market. Since these accounts provide far greater access to your money, I’d opt for one of these over most of the CDs at this time.
Finally, I can see where some people may be scared off by the fact that CIT Bank isn’t necessarily a recognizable name in banking. Keep in mind, though, that the bank has been around since 1908. If you’re worried about the financial stability of the bank, you may wish to keep your deposit totals below the $250,000 that are insured by the FDIC.
Is CIT Bank Right for You?
Online banking is more popular than ever, and it’s clear that consumers are moving more and more toward banking online rather than visiting brick and mortar branch locations. That’s a huge shift from even just a few years ago, but it goes to show you that the times have changed.
When interest rates plummeted at traditional banking establishments, online banks picked up the slack. Although some brick and mortar banks have slowly increased their interest rates over the last several years, in many cases, the best savings and CD rates can still be found at online banks like CIT Bank.
If you need a place to store your emergency fund while still earning a decent interest rate, CIT Bank seems to be a good option. Likewise, stashing your cash with CIT Bank is a good idea for things like a travel fund or other savings goals.
With a top-tier rate of 1.75% APY on their new Savings Builder account and 1.80% APY for money market accounts, CIT Bank is highly competitive with other online savings products. So, if you’re looking for a place where you can still make a little bit of money off of your savings, CIT Bank may be it.
How to Open a CIT Bank Account
Opening an account at CIT Bank is super simple and takes roughly 10 minutes. Be sure to have your driver’s license and Social Security number handy. Here’s how to get started:
- Open a Savings Builder account, money market account, high yield savings account, or a new CD here.
- Complete the application.
- Fund your new account.
To fund your account, you’ll also need to provide information for the financial institution from which you are transferring the funds. You can fund your new account in one of three ways:
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) – free of charge
- Personal Check – free of charge
- Wire Transfer – free of charge
CIT Bank FAQs
Yes. Deposits at CIT Bank are insured by the FDIC to the typical $250,000 per depositor.
CIT Bank offers a whole host of personal and business banking options to meet customers needs – including savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, mortgages, and more.
CIT Bank does not charge opening or monthly fees on savings, money market, or CD accounts.
To access your money, you can request an electronic funds transfer (ACH) or paper check free of charge. Wire transfers are also available for a small fee. Keep in mind that, due to federal regulations, certain accounts may be limited to only six transactions per month. Additionally, early withdrawal from CD accounts may result in fees.
CIT Bank Review: The Bottom Line
Overall, I think CIT Bank is an excellent choice for online banking customers.
The CIT Bank Savings Builder Account is simply our favorite savings account on the market right now. Boasting an impressive top-tier rate of 1.75% APY and a bonus up to $200 when you open a new account, this savings account is hard to beat. Plus, the rate is super easy to obtain. Just make a monthly deposit of $100, and you’re good to go. This makes it the perfect place to store your emergency fund, travel fund, and other specialty savings goals.
CIT Bank’s Money Market Account is another great spot for storing your efund or travel fund. Again, the account offers a rate of 1.80% APY and requires just $100 to open. Sure, transactions are limited, but – when used for long-term savings – that really shouldn’t matter.
With the exception of the extremely flexible No-Penalty CD and the 12 to 18-month Term CDs, I still find the CD rates somewhat underwhelming. Personally, I still plan to avoid CDs for the foreseeable future…unless I just run into a bundle of money that needs to be stashed somewhere.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks so much for reading our CIT Bank review! Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
The post CIT Bank Review 2020: High-Yield Savings Accounts, Money Markets, and CDs appeared first on Club Thrifty.