USAA Bank Review 2026: Checking, Savings and CDs
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Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Overview
USAA Bank offers accounts with savings and budgeting tools and no monthly fees. Through online banking options, mobile tools and broad ATM access — including ATM fee reimbursements — USAA Bank ensures that members can access their money from nearly anywhere.
You can bank with USAA if you're a current member of the military, you’ve served in the military, are a spouse of someone who has, or are a child of a USAA member.
No monthly fees.
Large, free, nationwide ATM network.
ATM fee rebates.
Offers automatic savings features.
Low rates on some savings and CDs.
Limited branch access.
Limited membership.
Product reviews
Savings
Helpful tools and no monthly fee, but low rate. The USAA savings account has no monthly fee, though you need $25 to open an account. The bank offers automatic savings transfers that put portions of direct deposits and other transactions into savings. USAA's tools can help visualize your spending. These features make it easier to save money. However, the 0.01% interest rate is about as low as you can go; you can find much better rates elsewhere.
» Want to see more options? Check out NerdWallet’s best high-yield online savings accounts
USAA Savings
Checking
No monthly fee. USAA’s Classic Checking Account has no monthly service fee and only requires $25 to open.
Big ATM network and fee refunds. USAA participates in a network of more than 100,000 fee-free preferred ATMs, including some USAA-branded ATMs that have the ability to take check and cash deposits. The bank also offers up to $10 monthly in reimbursements if the owner of a non-network ATM charges you a fee.
Fast transfers available. Payday is up to two days early with early direct deposit. USAA also belongs to the Zelle network which offers free same-day transfers between banks. See more about banks that use Zelle.
Low rate. While earning interest on a checking account can be a perk, USAA’s account pays only 0.01%, and balances must be at least $1,000 to earn interest.
USAA Bank Classic Checking
Certificates of deposit
USAA has broad CD options with fixed terms ranging from 30 days to seven years. Some other banks offer terms that go up to five years, but not seven. You can compare USAA’s CD rates with the best CD rates at other banks and credit unions.
Full List of CD Rates
| Term | APY | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 0.05% | $1,000 |
| 6 months | 3.45% | $1,000 |
| 1 year | 1.80% | $1,000 |
| 1.5 years | 2.80% | $1,000 |
| 2 years | 2.60% | $1,000 |
| 2.5 years | 2.55% | $1,000 |
| 3 years | 1.30% | $1,000 |
| 4 years | 2.50% | $1,000 |
| 5 years | 1.25% | $1,000 |
USAA Bank CD
Customer experience & overdraft fees
Customer experience
USAA has only a few branches, so it is best for those who prefer to do their banking online. You can use the bank’s mobile app to pay bills, deposit checks, transfer money and monitor your balances. The bank’s website also offers a financial advice section.
You can reach customer service representatives by phone every day except Sunday. Support is also available by chat.
Membership eligibility. To join USAA, you must be actively in the military, a veteran, an employee of certain federal agencies, or a spouse or child of a USAA member.
Overdraft fees
Free transfers and an overdraft buffer. USAA offers free overdraft transfers from a USAA checking or savings account as a backup. It also offers overdraft protection via credit card cash advance, subject to card fees and interest rates. There's no charge for accounts that get overdrawn by $100 or less.
Overdraft fee. Transactions that are paid when an account goes negative are charged $29 per transaction, but it is limited to one charge per day.
Rating methodology
How we rate banks and credit unions
Banking writers and editors use an objective methodology to rate banks, credit unions, and other providers, and to recommend the best products.
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
We took a close look at around 100 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
30+
Categories assessed
30+
Categories assessed
Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.
Star rating categories
The review team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who cover personal banking deposit accounts, such as checking, savings and certificates of deposit, as well as related banking services, such as overdraft programs and ATM networks. For providers without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, PayPal, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo, Venmo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zolve and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines.