Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Savings and CDs
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Overall institution rating
4.5
If you’re simply looking to increase your savings, this online bank by the Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs can be a good choice. Rates are competitive and there are no monthly fees, plus savings accounts have same-day online transfers of relatively high amounts. But the bank doesn’t offer checking accounts and lacks other features that most other online banks have, such as mobile check deposit and a free ATM network.
Best for: Customers who want to earn competitive savings rates, don’t mind banking online and have another bank account for checking.
Pros
- Competitive rates on savings account and CDs.
- No monthly fees.
- 24/7 customer service by phone.
Cons
- No cash deposit.
- No branch access.
- No checking account offered.
Full review
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Certificates of deposit
CD
Member FDIC
5.0
/5 NerdWallet ratingat Goldman Sachs Bank USA
High rates, low minimum. Some of Marcus’ CD rates are among the best on the market, and it has more term lengths than some of its competitors: You can deposit your money for up to six years. There's a $500 minimum deposit, and the bank's CD guarantee lets you receive the highest rate offered within 10 days of opening your CD.
» COMPARE: See our list of best CD rates
No-penalty CDs. Just be sure to withdraw your money once it matures because Marcus’ CDs automatically renew after a 10-day grace period, once the term expires. Or, if you want flexibility in withdrawing early without it costing you, Marcus has three no-penalty CDs. (See the best no-penalty CDs.)
Bump-up CD. Marcus’ third type of CD, what it calls a “Rate Bump CD,” lets you raise the rate once during the CD term, as long as the bank has raised rates on its new Rate Bump CDs since you opened your account.
» Learn more details about Marcus CD rates
Savings
Savings
Member FDIC
4.5
/5 NerdWallet ratingMarcus’ savings rate is 4.25%, which is much higher than the national average APY of 0.46%. There's no minimum deposit to open the account, and there are no monthly fees, but the bank has fewer options than others for withdrawing money — you can’t make a cash withdrawal from an ATM, for example. But you can transfer money to an external bank account, wire transfer it or request a check. Marcus offers same-day online transfers up to $125,000 but the external account must be a personal account owned by the Marcus account holder. For same-day transfers of larger amounts, you’ll need to go through a Marcus agent. To deposit money into the account, you can set up direct deposits or transfers, send a check by mail or send a domestic wire transfer.
» Weigh your options with NerdWallet’s best high-yield savings accounts.
Customer experience
5.0
NerdWallet ratingAs an online bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs doesn’t have a branch network, so your options for accessing your accounts are online, by mobile app and over the phone. For questions, there’s a comprehensive FAQs section on the bank’s website, live chat for logged-in customers and a customer support phone line available 24/7.
The Marcus mobile apps for iOS and Android are highly rated and allow users to check balances and make transfers. But to deposit checks, you have to mail them.
How does Goldman Sachs Bank USA compare?
SoFi Checking and Savings Member FDIC | CIT Bank Platinum Savings Member FDIC |
---|---|
NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
APY 4.50% With $0 min. balance for APY | APY 4.70% With $5,000 min. balance for APY |
Bonus $300 Earn up to $300 with direct deposit. Terms apply. | Bonus N/A |
Learn more at SoFi Bank, N.A. | Learn more at CIT Bank |
Methodology
NerdWallet’s overall ratings for banks and credit unions are weighted averages of several categories: checking, savings, certificates of deposit or credit union share certificates, banking experience and overdraft fees. Factors we consider, depending on the category, include rates and fees, ATM and branch access, account features and limits, user-facing technology, customer service and innovation. The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Marcus is a legitimate set of banking products and services offered by Goldman Sachs. These services include savings accounts, certificates of deposit and personal loans.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs accounts are insured by the FDIC, and its apps have high ratings from both Apple and Google users.
The savings rate for Marcus’ savings account is 4.25% APY.
To withdraw money from the Marcus Online Savings Account, customers can transfer to an external bank account, wire transfer their funds or request a check.
No, Marcus is an online-only bank and does not have physical branches.
There is no minimum deposit requirement to open a Marcus Online Savings Account. However, if you don’t fund your account within 60 days of account opening, Marcus may close your account.