Vio Bank is an online-only bank offering one of the best savings accounts on the market. It’s a division of MidFirst Bank, the largest bank privately held in the US. As such, we can safely say that Vio bank is both legit and secure.
As they are an online-only account, they have no brick-and-mortar branches. Even so, they are an FDIC member, which means their accounts are fully insured.
They offer a limited range of savings accounts, including MMA (Money Market Account), CDs (Certificates of Deposit), and a High Yield Savings Account.
Vio Bank Products
Vio Bank offers a range of Vio Bank savings accounts.
Online Savings Account – 1.10% APY
Vio Bank is offering a High Yield Online Savings Account with an APY (Annual Percentage Yield) interest rate of 1.10%. That is quite a high rate compared to what most of the competition offers and is available on all balances with no tier structure in place.
The minimum deposit requirement for savers to open this account is $100, and interest is compounded daily so that you can make the most out of the provided rate.
There’s no minimum balance, and no monthly fee, and you get six free withdrawals per month, which makes things a bit easier.
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Money Market Account – 4.17% APY
The Cornerstone Money Market Savings Account offers an even higher APY than the High Yield Savings Account. At the moment, the interest rate on offer stands at 2.15%.
Like the savings account, the minimum deposit requirement is $100, and interest is compounded daily.
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Certificate of Deposit – 4.25% to 2.75% APY
The Vio Bank High Yield Online Certificate of Deposit, offers several terms and different APYs, making it that much easier to choose the right CD for you.
Terms start at just six months. The longest term available is for 120 months (10 years).
The minimum opening deposit requirement is $500, which makes them reasonably accessible.
The bank states that they regularly monitor what their competition is offering to ensure they provide reasonable rates, but this all depends on how much money you’re looking to put in a CD and for how long.
| Product | APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Vio Bank 1 Year CD | 4.50% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 6 Month CD | 4.25% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 9 Month CD | 4.25% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 18 Month CD | 4.00% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 2 Year CD | 3.50% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 3 Year CD | 3.50% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 4 Year CD | 2.75% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 5 Year CD | 2.75% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 7 Year CD | 2.75% APY | $500 |
| Vio Bank 10 Year CD | 2.75% APY | $500 |
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Fees
- Excessive Transaction Fee: $10
- Paper Statement Fee: $5
With Vio Bank being an online bank, fees are pretty low, as one would expect. You’ll pay no monthly maintenance fees on Vio’s Money Market and Savings account.
These accounts also have no overdraft fees – which is understandable since you cannot overdraw the account.
Vio Bank still follows Regulation D, limiting certain transactions, including withdrawals, to six per month. If you go over this limit, the bank may charge you a $10.00 Excessive Transaction Fee and may even choose to close your account – so do be careful.
If you’re looking to take out a CD, bear in mind that these come with early withdrawal penalties, which can wipe out all of the interest earned and, in some cases, a portion of the invested capital. If this is your first time opening a CD, consider starting with a lower-term CD or a CD ladder first.
The bank will also charge a monthly fee of $5 for paper statements if you opt for that; however, electronic statements are entirely free of charge.
Getting Started
Getting started with Vio Bank is easy. The entire sign-up process takes less than five minutes and can be completed online from start to finish.
All you need to set up your account is your SSN (Social Security Number), a driver’s license, and mailing address.
Promotions
Vio Bank is not offering any promotions or bonuses at the moment. Even so, you might still want to check their website before opening an account since these kinds of offers are set up from time to time and are always worth checking for.
Security
Vio Bank uses certificates and encryption to keep its customers’ data safe. Their servers are monitored continuously and updated regularly. Furthermore, they use a combination of anti-virus software, firewalls, and IDSs (Intrusion Detection Systems) to ensure their networks on your data are safe at all times.
Their software systems also undergo validation processes such as audits to ensure that systems are kept secure.
If you’re looking to keep your account as safe as possible, Vio bank also offers several security tips that can help you take precautions when using their software.
These tips follow industry best practices and are well worth reading if you want to enjoy a safe online experience – while using Vio or anything else for that matter.
Customer Service
When it comes to customer service and support, Vio offers a few different options.
- Learning Center: A learning center is freely available on its website with information about different accounts, tools, and tips to help you make the most out of your money.
- FAQ Section: There’s also an FAQ section that answers a long list of commonly asked questions, which is worth checking out if you have a question and need a fast answer.
- Chat: If you can’t find what you are looking for in the FAQ section you have the option to “Click to Chat” which will sync you with a customer service rep to handle your issue.
- Online Form: If you don’t find what you’re looking for in the FAQ section, you can get in touch with a bank representative using the online contact us form or by reaching out to their customer service department over the phone. They’re open from 7:00 AM until 9:00 PM on business days. On the weekends, they work shorter hours which are 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM on Saturdays and 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Sundays.
- Physical Correspondence: If you prefer to send an actual physical letter, you will also find their PO Box mailing address.
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 76149, Oklahoma City, OK 73147
- Phone Number: 888-999-9170
Pros & Cons
Choosing the best savings account or bank is not always easy. There is a lot to consider, so here are some pros and cons of Vio Bank worth highlighting.
Pros:
- FDIC insured
- No monthly fee
Cons:
- No debit card
- Regulation D is still in effect
- Limited financial products and services
Alternatives to Vio Bank
While Vio Bank is an excellent financial institution that offers a substantial (though limited) range of products, they are not the only one operating in this space.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Like Vio, Marcus’ primary focus is on savings accounts; however, they also offer investments and loans, giving you more options for managing your finances. Their high-yield savings CD goes up to 3.70% APY for a 6-year term CD.
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Ally
You can’t talk about online banks without mentioning Ally – an online bank that consistently ranks among the best online banks. Ally offers a more comprehensive range of financial products and services than most competition offers, including checking accounts, loans, and investment accounts.
- High Yield CDs goes up to 4.25% APY for a 3 or 5-year term
- Money Market Account is 3.40%APY for all terms
- Online Savings accounts 3.40%APY for all terms
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American Express
While American Express is mainly known for its cards, they also offer Savings Accounts and personal loans.
- High Yield Savings Account offers an APY of 3.75%
- Certificate of Deposits goes up to 3.25% APY with a 5-year CD
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Is Vio Bank Best For You?
While Vio Bank does not offer a wide range of bank accounts, the deposit accounts they offer are well-thought-out and pretty solid. This bank will not be for everyone, especially if you’re looking for a one-stop-shop solution.
In that case, you might want to look at some of the alternatives we listed, or you might even want to consider a credit union. Even so, you should not dismiss Vio Bank’s value proposition without due consideration.
If you’re looking to stash away some money, diversify your portfolio, or de-risk, you should give them some due consideration – and perhaps you’ll find out they’re just the thing you were looking for to reach your personal finance goals and dreams.
