Union Bank Review: Checking, Savings and CDs

Margarette Burnette
By Margarette Burnette  
Edited by Carolyn Kimball  

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Union Bank

    Overall institution rating

    3.5

    NerdWallet rating 
    The bottom line:

    Editor’s note, Feb. 14, 2023: Union Bank was acquired in December 2022 by U.S. Bancorp, the parent company of U.S. Bank. Union Bank customers are now part of U.S. Bank but will continue to be serviced at Union Bank branches and through the Union Bank website and mobile apps until the banks’ systems are integrated and all accounts are transitioned. According to U.S. Bank, checking and savings accounts are expected to be fully transitioned by Memorial Day weekend 2023.

    Union Bank is a regional bank with a full lineup of checking and savings accounts. Although the branch network may be convenient if you live on the West Coast, rates on savings and certificates of deposit are low, and there aren’t free checking or savings options for most customers. If you want competitive savings and CD rates and some branch access, check out Union Bank’s online division, PurePoint Financial.

    Best if: You want branch access and live on the West Coast.

    » Want more options? See NerdWallet’s list of best banks for checking and savings

    Pros

    • Over 300 branches and 540 ATMs in California, Oregon and Washington.
    • Easy to waive monthly fees for basic accounts.
    • Extended customer service hours, including Saturdays.

    Cons

    • $10 monthly fee ($8 in OR and WA) on basic checking and $4 on savings.
    • Low rates across the board.
    • $33 overdraft fee that can be charged up to five times per day.

    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.

    How we rate banks, credit unions and other financial service providers