February 10, 2024

USAA High Yield Savings

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USAA Bank boasts a savings account with an adequate rate and no fees. But you may not be eligible to get it. Read on to find out.

5-point scale (the higher, the better)

Pros and Cons

  • $0 monthly fees
  • Free bank card
  • Low APY
  • Not available for all

Bottom Line

Savings account with low rate and limited availability

USAA Bank has two main savings options. Their high-yield savings account, USAA Performance First®, has a decent APY on certain balances and $0 monthly fees.

However, not everyone is eligible to open an account. Continue reading on to learn more about it.

What Is Performance First®?

USAA Performance First® is a premium savings account offering up to 1.45% APY on balances of $500,000 or more.

While its highest rate is still low compared to some high-yield savings accounts, it is above the average national savings rate.

A minimum initial deposit of $10,000 is required to open an account. But at least you won't have to worry about recurring service charges because there are no monthly maintenance fees. [1]

Balances below $500,000 unfortunately get lower rates. Below are the balance tiers applicable for USAA Performance First®:

Daily Collected BalanceAPY
Less than $10,0000.05%
$10,000 to $49,999.990.10%
$50,000 to $99,999.990.85%
$100,000 to $249,999.990.95%
$250,000 to $499,999.991.04%
$500,000 and more1.45%

How Much Can You Earn?

Here's a calculator you can use to see how much your money can grow with a USAA Performance First® account.

Savings Calculator

Who Is Eligible to Open an Account?

You must be a member of the USAA to open a Performance First® savings account. To be eligible for membership, you must be part of or be affiliated with the military such as the following:

  • Active duty
  • National Guard
  • Reserves
  • Veterans who served honorably
  • Cadets or Midshipmen
  • Spouses and children of USAA members

Are you currently a member of USAA or affiliated with USAA?

USAA Performance First Features

Apart from helping you build your savings gradually, the USAA Performance First® account offers additional benefits:

  • Easily and securely manage your banking online from anywhere using USAA's online system.

  • An optional ATM card for convenient access to your funds.

  • Access financial management tools by linking your USAA checking account. These tools include Text savings, Recurring transfers, ATM rebates, and Tax refunds.

Fees to Look Out For

With a USAA Performance First® account, you won't have to worry about paying any monthly service fees. However, an excessive transaction fee may be imposed if you go over the limit of 6 withdrawals per month.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • $0 monthly service fees
  • Option to link a checking account
  • Access to online budgeting tools
  • Free ATM card upon request
  • Access to USAA or preferred ATMs
  • Refunds up to $10 per statement cycle in non-USAA ATM surcharges

Cons

  • Relatively low APY
  • $10,000 opening deposit
  • High balance required to earn APY

What's the most important feature you look for in a high-yield savings account?

Is USAA Bank Safe?

Yes, it is. USAA Federal Savings Bank is a member of the FDIC (Cert #32188), which means deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category.

Thus, should the bank fail in the future, your funds are guaranteed up to the maximum amount allowed by law.

Who Is It Best For?

USAA Bank's Performance First® account is best for those who are affiliated with the military. It can be a good choice for active or retired military personnel and their families.

And because you need at least $500,000 to earn the highest APY, it would be ideal for those who have large balances available. It's a decent option for those who want to slowly grow their funds.

What would most likely deter you from opening a USAA high-yield savings account?

How USAA Performance First Compares

Other USAA Bank Offers


Bottom Line

USAA Bank's Performance First® savings account offers a decent APY on balances over $500,000. Though it boasts $0 monthly fees, there is an opening deposit requirement of at least $10,000.

But, it is only available for people involved in the military community and is designed for those with large cash reserves.

Regardless, if you can't meet the requirements there are other banks that could offer better rates with little to no requirements that might be a better fit for you.

References

Chase
Member FDIC

Chase Total Checking® - $300 Bonus

Expires 1/22/2025
  • New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities
  • With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.
  • Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
  • JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC
  • Open your account online now
  • Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
  • Chase Overdraft Assist℠ - no overdraft fees if you're overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day or if you're overdrawn by more than $50 and bring your account balance to overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the next business day*
Bank of America
Member FDIC

Bank of America Advantage Banking - $300 Bonus Offer

Expires 1/31/2025
  • The $300 bonus offer is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
  • The offer is for new checking customers only.
  • Offer expires 01/31/2025.
  • To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* totaling $2,000 or more into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
  • Once all requirements are met, Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
  • *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
  • Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
US Bank
Member FDIC

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking - Up to $400 Bonus

Expires Tomorrow
Earn up to $400 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through October 31, 2024. Member FDIC.

Earn up to $400 with a new Bank Smartly Checking account. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:

  • Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
  • Make two or more direct deposit(s) totaling $3,000 to $4,999.99 to earn $200 or $5,000 or more to earn $400

Fund your new account within 30 days to start qualifying activities. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.

Discover Bank
Member FDIC

Discover® Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus

Expires 3/13/2025

To qualify for Bonus: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, enter Offer Code CY924 at application, deposit into your Account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Qualifying deposit(s) may consist of multiple deposits and must post to Account within 45 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.

What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers, including co-branded, or affinity accounts. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is subject to tax reporting. Offer ends 03/13/2025, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice. Due to new customer funding limits, you may wish to initiate fund transfers at your other institution. For information on funding your Account, see FAQs on Discover.com/Bank. See advertiser website for full details.

CIT Bank
Member FDIC

CIT Bank Platinum Savings - 4.70% APY

  • 4.70% APY with a balance of $5,000 or more
  • 0.25% APY with a balance of less than $5,000
  • $100 minimum opening deposit
  • No monthly maintenance fee
  • Member FDIC

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Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

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