When considering banks, millennials are looking for convenient solutions that match their lifestyle. That’s why fintech companies like Current are becoming so popular.
Current is technically not a bank (not in the traditional sense). Rather, they are a financial technology company, which bundles online banking services with a premium rewards program, tailored to the user’s lifestyle.
We’ve included all the details below in this Current review to see if it’s a good fit for your personal financial situation.
or, skip straight to the section on how to sign up for Current.
About Current
Current is part of a new class of online-only banks, which operate without any brick-and-mortar locations. You can access Current over an Android or iOS device or through a browser.
As it turns out, Current isn’t technically a bank. It’s a financial technology or fintech provider. The company is backed by Choice Financial Group, which is an FDIC-insured financial institution.
To date, Current has racked up roughly $402 million in funding, and it operates out of New York.
Top Features of Current Banking
Here are the top features of banking with Current:
Savings Pods – Earn 4.00% APY
Current’s savings pods can help you put money aside for rainy-day emergency funds or your next vacation.
The feature offers a round-up component, which rounds up all payments to the nearest dollar and puts the remaining balance toward the savings goal of your choice. The best part, you earn 4.00% APY on your savings which is 25x the national average of 0.13%!
Overdraft Protection
Overdrive is Current’s version of overdraft protection. To access it, you need to enroll in a Premium account and receive at least $500 via direct deposit each month.
You’ll start with $25 of overdraft protection. If you want more, you’ll have to ask the bank for a review. Once your financial profile is strong enough, it’s possible to receive up to $200 of coverage. If you go over this amount, your purchase will decline.
Get Paid up to 2 Days Early
Current delivers paychecks up to two days faster than traditional banks. When you sign up for direct deposit with your Current account, and your employer process your pay, Current will not hold the funds, they will pay them out early.
Current Visa Debit Card
Not all online banks issue debit cards, so it’s significant that Current does. So if you go out to a restaurant or a ballgame, you’ll be able to use your Current debit card the same as you would when using a Bank of America or Wells Fargo card.
Teen and Child Banking
Looking for a debit card for your kids? Current has a solution for that, with debit cards for children and teenagers.
As the parent or caregiver, you remain in full control of the account. For example, you can place spending limits, block certain merchants, and receive notifications about when and where your child’s card is being used.
Debit Card Rewards
Current offers a unique points system for cardholders. You can earn up to 15x points on standard debit card purchases and get cash back at more than 14,000 merchants.
Current makes it easy to find offers around town. All you have to do is look at the company’s mobile map and find a nearby deal. After that, simply buy something at the participating retailer and you’ll receive points.
To get to $1, you need to rack up 100 points. So, it’s not the most lucrative system. If you’re looking for real rewards, you’re better off finding a top cash back credit card.
Virtual Cards
In addition to a physical debit card, Current also provides a virtual card. You can add this card to Google Pay or Apple Pay.
A virtual card is convenient because it lets you move money back and forth between physical and digital spending. You can also pause the card at any time if you need a gut check on your finances.
Cash Deposits
Depositing cash and checks can be tricky when online banking. Most online banks make you deposit money into a third-party checking account and transfer the money into your account. This is inconvenient and takes extra time.
Current offers a workaround. The company partners with more than 60,000 stores — including popular destinations like 7-Eleven and CVS. So you can deposit a paycheck or make a cash transaction right into your bank account.
Current lets you deposit up to $500 per transaction and $1,000 per day, up to $10,000 per month. To make a deposit, simply tell the cashier your intentions. Then pull up a barcode in the app, have the cashier scan it, and collect a receipt. Quick and convenient savings!
ATM Access
Current offers access to more than 55,000 ATMs through the Allpoint network with no ATM fee. That being the case, locating one shouldn’t be an issue. All you have to do is pull up the app, click on the ATM locator, and head over to the nearest one.
Online Only
Hate going into banks to complete transactions? That won’t be an issue at Current because the experience is entirely mobile. All you need is an Android or iOS device and you can download and use the Current app to manage your mobile banking needs.
Budgeting Tools
Current offers a useful budgeting tool that shows where your money is going and how much you have left to spend (depending on the budget limits you set). That being said, if you’re looking for the best budgeting apps that can track all of your accounts and spending, we’ve reviewed them all and recommend YNAB or Goodbudget.
Pricing & Fees
It’s completely free to sign up for a Current account, and there’s no minimum opening deposit or minimum balance requirement. As for fees, the good news is that there are no monthly maintenance fees, which many traditional banks charge.
Current Basic vs. Current Premium
UPDATE: Current no longer charges a monthly fee of $4.99 to access Premium account features. All users now have the extra perks that the Premium account offered.
Basic Current account (Free)
- Free current visa debit card
- 1 savings pod
- Single budget category
- Spending insights
- Instant purchase notifications
- No overdraft fees
- No monthly fee
- Direct deposit
- ATM withdrawals
Premium Current account ($4.99 per month) Free
- Premium debit card
- Three savings pods
- Early direct deposit access — two days early
- Spending insights
- Instant refund for gas station holds
- No overdraft fees
- Expanded budgeting with three categories
- ATM withdrawals
As you can see, the two accounts are pretty similar.
Early deposit is a nice feature due to the time value of money. In other words, money is worth more today than its equal sum tomorrow. But since the Premium plan costs $4.99 per month, that basically negates its value.
It’s also hard to justify the paid model, considering there are free budgeting apps that can work with Current — like Mint and Personal Capital. And again, you can avoid gas station holds by paying in cash or with a credit card.
So in my opinion, you should probably stick with the free plan.
Always remember: It’s the small purchases that often lead to overspending. At first glance, $4.99 doesn’t seem like a lot. But it can add up over time.
Getting Started
Since Current is a mobile app, you’ll need a smartphone to use it. You can use this app with an Android or iOS device, and the phone needs to be able to receive text messages.
In addition, you’ll need some basic information including a Social Security number and a residential address in the United States.
To start, download the app and go through the signup process. Once you’re in, you’ll have access to a thirty-day trial that enables you to gauge whether you like the service for free.
Current Promotions for 2023
Here are the top promotions for Current:
Referral Bonus
Refer someone to Current, and the company will give you a $1 bonus. This referral fee is on the lower side compared to other banks. Your personal network, and your advice, have a lot of value. If you sign someone up for a banking service, you should receive adequate compensation. Look around and explore your options before recommending someone.
Current Signup Bonus
Current now has a $50 bonus when you receive a payroll direct deposit of $200 or more within forty-five days of opening the account. Use the code WELCOME50 to access this promotion. This is only for new Premium members.
Security
Feeling unsure about mobile banking? That’s understandable. But rest assured, Current is an app that you can trust.
Here’s a breakdown of some of Current’s security features:
- Secure Bank Connections: The company offers private and secure bank connections to third-party institutions. In other words, you can safely transfer money from companies like Wells Fargo and Chase.
- Secure Transactions: Current provides EMV chips for its debit cards to prevent data skimming at terminals and ATMs. With Current, you can bank with peace of mind.
- Fingerprint and face ID: Want to use biometric features to protect your account? Current supports fingerprint and face ID for extra security.
- Pause and resume transactions: We all lose our wallets or debit cards from time to time. It happens to the best of us, and Current has you covered. Simply sign into the app and lock your card. You can resume at any time without penalty.
Customer Support
Current does not have a customer service phone number on its website that you can contact. If you prefer phone support as I do, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Instead, the company asks you to submit tickets through its support center. There’s also a live chat feature on the website. Thankfully, chat agents are available 24/7, and the customer service has great reviews as far as we can see.
Pros and Cons
Lets cover some of the advantages and disadvantages of Current banking:
Pros:
- Well-rated mobile app
- Fee-free cash withdrawals at more than 55,000 ATMs
- No monthly fee or minimum deposit requirements
- Teen banking option is a solid choice for kids
Cons:
- Fees to deposit cash
- No mobile check deposit
- $500 maximum daily ATM withdrawal limit
- No physical branches
- No customer support phone number
Alternatives to Current
Here are some alternatives to Current banking:
Aspiration
Aspiration also offers no ATM fees through its Allpoint affiliation, and you can receive your paycheck two days early through direct deposit. The company has a hybrid cash account offering 10% cashback on some purchases and up to 1% APY through an Aspiration Plus subscription. Right now, there is a welcome bonus of $200.
One thing to note about Aspiration is the company’s commitment to sustainability. According to the company, savings and debit card purchases won’t be used to fund the oil or coal industries. The company also offers a “Plant Your Change” feature to offset carbon emissions.
Learn More: Read our full Aspiration Review
Ally Bank
Ally Bank is a popular online bank offering industry-leading rates for checking, savings, CDs, and IRAs. The company provides a user-friendly app with no account minimums or monthly maintenance fees.
Chime
Chime is a popular mobile banking app. This service provides early payments through direct deposit and fee-free overdraft protection up to $200.
Chime has no hidden fees and offers a high-yield savings account with a 2.00% APY. The company has a smaller ATM network than Current, with over 38,000 ATMs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Current banking.
Is Current trustworthy?
Yes. Current is safe and trustworthy. The company has a user base of 3 million customers and high ratings in the Google Play and App Stores. It’s a trustworthy online bank, and it has FDIC insurance from its backers (Metropolitan Commercial Bank and Choice Financial Group).
Is Current a real bank?
Current is technically not a bank (not in the traditional sense). Rather, they are a financial technology company, which bundles online banking services with a premium rewards program, tailored to the user’s lifestyle.
What bank does Current use?
Current is backed by Choice Financial Group, which is an FDIC-insured financial institution.
Does Current let you deposit cash through an ATM?
Unfortunately, you can only make withdrawals through Current’s ATM network. If you want to make a deposit, you have to visit an in-network retailer. You also can’t deposit checks.
Is Current a good bank?
Current ranks very highly in the Google Play and App Store with a rating of 4.5 stars and 4.7 stars, respectively. Props to the company, because it’s not easy to earn such a high rating — especially for a financial services company.
Does Current offer interest?
Yes. Current offers interest when you transfer money to your savings pods. The current rate is 4.00% APY which is a great deal at 25x the national average.
Is Current Banking Best for You?
Current is an interesting newcomer in the competitive online bank landscape. With low to no fees and a slick mobile app, it should serve as a solid checking solution for many.
However, if you frequently need to deposit cash or checks or like to call your bank for customer support, you should probably think twice before opening a Current account.
At the end of the day, the world is your oyster. We keep a running list of the best online banks people should try, and Current is just one of them.
Look around and select the best bank for your needs. You’re bound to find one that fits and starts you on the path to prosperity.
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