Banking » Reviews » American Express National Bank Review – Is It The Right Choice?
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American Express National Bank Review – Is It The Right Choice?

American Express is a top choice for savings accounts. You can earn interest quickly with a higher rate than competing online banking systems.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: October 20, 2024
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)
Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
Interest Rates Last Update: October 20, 2024

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

American Express National Bank

American Express
American Express

American Express National Bank

Fees

$0

Our Rating

4.5
4.5/5

Current Promotion

None

APY Savings

4.10%

American Express is one of the most recognized brand names if the world for credit cards.  American Express National bank is a personal banking solution for customers with their online savings and CD options.  Both CDs and savings account offer high rates on deposits.

Recently, Amex launched its rewards checking account. The checking account is an interest-bearing account with no monthly fees and powerful benefits.

You can link any major United States bank account to an American Express Personal Savings account using your account or routing numbers.  There are no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements to avoid a charge.  Because there is no debit or ATM card, there are also no ATM or overdraft fees.  The only fee you can accumulate is a five-dollar fee for a returned deposit. 

American Express can be a perfect fit if:

  • You are looking for good savings rates
  • You want access to far more credit card options to better tailor your choice to your spending preferences.
  • You want incentives for taking on a longer term CD
  • You alreay carry Amex credit cards 
  • Combine Rewards Points
  • Transfer Points to Travel Partners
  • Mobile Check Deposit
  • Purchase Protection
  • Large ATM Network
  • No Promotion
  • No Incentive for Higher Balances
  • No Cash Deposit
  • Queries About Debit Card Acceptance

How can I get Membership Rewards points?

One Amex Membership Rewards point can be earned with Amex Rewards Checking for every $2 spent with an approved Debit Card. There is no cap on the number of points you can earn when redeeming them for deposits into your Amex Rewards Checking account.

Can anyone open a checking account with American Express Rewards?

To open an American Express Rewards Checking account, you must be an American Express® Card Member with a Consumer Card.

Prior to applying, you must be the principal cardholder and have had your card for at least three months. Amex Rewards Checking accounts can currently only be set up for individual account holders.

It takes only a few minutes to apply for an American Express Rewards Checking account.

Can a check be deposited into an Amex checking account?

Yes, that's possible! Use your smartphone to capture images to make mobile deposits easy with the Amex® App.

How quickly should I make a transfer and how to do it?

You must fund your account within 60 days after account creation in order to keep it open. You have the following choices:

  • Online Transfer: Online transfer into your Amex Rewards Checking account is possible once you've connected one of your other bank accounts.
  • Direct deposit setup: To set up direct deposit into your checking account, use the routing and account numbers provided on the home page of your Amex Rewards Checking account.
  • Mobile check deposit: By utilizing the American Express App, you can easily deposit a check from your mobile device. only accessible on iOS and Android. Rates for mobile data may apply.

American Express National Bank Review

Banking Services
Credit Options
Savings Accounts
Mortgage
Checking Accounts
Government Mortgage
CDs
Credit Cards
Money Market Account
Debit Card
Investing Capabilities
Personal Loans

Customer Experience

American Express provides 24/7 customer service online or by phone, so you can easily contact the customer service team if you have a question or require assistance. The AMEX app is available for iOS and Android, with ratings of 4.9/5 and 4.5/5 on the Apple Store and Google Play, respectively.

The AMEX app gives you more control over your account, allowing you to manage your transactions, make transfers, lock your card, and receive notifications 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. retail banking satisfaction study, American Express bank customer satisfaction is one of the highest in, ranked in 4th place from 13 different banks, with 731 points, while the average is 718 points.

American Express website is very useful and improve the digital experience of customers. If you're not sure which option is best for you, you can browse the available products and compare them.

American Express
App Rating (iOS)
4.9
App Rating (Android)
4.2
BBB Rating (A-F)
A+
Contect Options
phone/social
Availability
24/7

American Express Savings Account

APY Savings

4.10%

Minimum Deposit

$0

Promotion

None

Fees

$0

American Express Savings Account

APY Savings

4.10%

Minimum Deposit

$0

Promotion

None

Fees

$0

The High Yield Savings Accounts offered through American Express National Bank include competitive interest rates, no minimum balance, or monthly fees.  This is easy-to-access savings account that you can monitor and link with any other banking account. 

The benefit of having a savings account through American Express is a simple way to open and maintain your savings account.  It is easy to navigate and organize your savings plans that offer a high-end rate that is one of the highest available from online banks.

Another great benefit of opening a savings account with American Express is accessibility.  You can access your account 24 hours a day, seven days a week through online access or by calling customer service.  American Express personal savings accounts are a great place to keep or open an emergency fund or grow your financial portfolio.  

Before committing yourself long-term to American Express National Bank you should compare the interest rates by evaluating the higher rates that may be found at competing banks.  It is important to remember that savings account interest rates fluctuate (but CD rates remain the same).

American Express Checking Account

Fees

$0

Minimum Deposit

$0

Promotion

None

APY Checking

1.00%

American Express Checking Account

Fees

$0

Minimum Deposit

$0

Promotion

None

APY Checking

1.00%

After listening to input from its current cardholders about qualities of the ideal checking account, American Express has launched its Rewards Checking account.

The Rewards Checking account aims to deliver more value for Amex members with the “powerful and trusted” backing of the American Express brand. This account is a great example of an innovative digital banking product. There are no monthly fees and you can manage your account using an app and your debit card.

However, unlike other online checking accounts, you can earn American Express rewards that you can redeem for travel, gift cards or experiences.

The Rewards Checking account is not currently available to everyone. To qualify, you need to have held an American Express personal credit card for a minimum of three months. Once your Rewards Checking account is opened, you’ll not only earn interest on your balance, but each time you make eligible purchases using your debit card, you’ll earn one Amex Membership Reward points for each $2.

There is no cap on the rewards you can earn using your debit card and your purchases are covered with 90 days of purchase protection against theft or damage.

Amex Checking Account Pros & Cons

Pros
Cons
Competitive Rates
No Incentive for Higher Balances
Large ATM Network
No Banking Promotions
Purchase Protection
No Cash Deposit
Mobile Check Deposit
Queries About Debit Card Acceptance
Combine Rewards Points
Transfer Points to Travel Partners

While the reward points you can earn with your Rewards Checking debit card are less than many Amex credit cards, one interesting feature is that you can combine the rewards points you earn across all your American Express products.

Although you can redeem your reward points for gift cards, one of the best ways to use your points is on travel. 

You can transfer your points to Amex travel partners, as you can with your Amex credit card to get the best value rewards.

As with some of the leading checking accounts, Rewards Checking supports mobile check deposit. If you’re using the app, you can simply click “Deposit Check” and enter the amount. 

The app will prompt you to take photos of the check and then click submit. This is a really nice feature since many online banks do not support banking checks.

When you pay for eligible items using your debit card, your purchases will have 90 days of protection against theft or accidental damage. There is a coverage cap of $1,000 per claim and up to $50,000 per calendar year.

As a Rewards Checking account holder, you can use the MoneyPass network, which has over 37,000 machines. You can find your nearest fee free ATM using the app, with its ATM locator. Just be sure to engage the MoneyPass ATM filter, as the app will automatically display all nearby ATMs.

While you can earn interest on your balance, there is no incentive for keeping a higher balance in the account. Whether you have $10 or $10,000 in your account, you’ll earn the same rate.

Many other banks offers promotions and bonuses for new customers, but this is not offered with the new Amex Rewards Checking account.

Although Rewards Checking does support check deposits, it is not possible to deposit cash. 

If you do have cash you want to put into your account, you’ll need to pay it into another bank account and either issue a check or initiate a transfer.

Since the account is so new, there is no way to predict how widespread the acceptance will be of the Amex debit card.

If the Amex debit card is only accepted in locations that accept the Amex credit card, you may struggle to find merchants, particularly outside of the US.

American Express CDs

APY Range

Up to 4.00%

Minimum Deposit

$0

Terms

12 – 60 months

Fees

$0

American Express CDs

APY Range

Up to 4.00%

Minimum Deposit

$0

Terms

12 – 60 months

Fees

$0

A certificate of deposits or CDs offer terms that range from six months and finish out at five years.  There is no minimum deposit requirement or transaction fees, making this a great option if you are looking to expand your financial portfolio for the short or long term.  

Opening an American Express National Bank CDs requires no minimum amount to participate and no monthly fees.  There is also a wide selection of terms you can select from.  You can either begin with a short-term six-month CD or a longer-term 60-month CD.

Both plans earn a significant high-yielding APY with no minimum deposit required or maintenance fee, which is a great way to save money and grow your finances.  

American Express CDs are automatically renewed on the maturity date, although you can opt out of automatic renewal by calling customer service.  There are penalties for early withdrawal of principal funds before maturity dates.  Penalties are a certain number of days' interest earnings based on the term lengths of your CD.

The difference will be deducted from your principal funds if the penalty exceeds your total interest earned.

CD Term
APY
Early Withdrawal Penalty
12 Months
3.85%
270 days interest
18 Months
3.35%
270 days interest
24 Months
3.50%
270 days interest
36 Months
3.00%
270 days interest
48 Months
3.00%
365 days interest
60 Months
3.00%
540 days interest

Does Amex Offer Money Market Account?

There are no money market accounts with this banking system.  

There are other beneficial features you can use American Express National Bank for.  You can easily access this banking system through their web-based system or phone support.  

Both are available at all times of the day where you can access your funds and monitor your growth and savings. 

Amex Credit Card Options

American Express established its reputation as a credit card provider, so the bank continues to provide an impressive range of Amex card options.

There are several reward card options.  The premiums cards are Platinum, Gold, and green. The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best travel cards available including exclusive benefits for cardmembers. If you spend more on day-to-day products, the American Express® Gold Card benefits may be relevant for you. for example, offers 4X points at restaurants (including Uber Eats purchases in the U.S.) and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X points), 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com, 2X points on rental cars through amextravel.com and 1X points on all other purchases. Terms Apply. 

The second tier of cards includes other reward card options, such as Amex EveryDay or the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, which offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases . 

The Blue Cash Everyday from American Express is a very good option among rewards cards for individuals that rank up spending at the grocery checkout and gas pump. The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets / U.S. online retail purchases/ U.S. gas stations on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.

The bank also offers hotels and a series of Delta SkyMiles cards for frequent flyers.  Lastly, Amex also offers a prepaid Serve card is ideal for those with less-than-perfect credit. 

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Savings Rate: 4.30% APY
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Savings Rate: 4.50% APY

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How to Open a Bank Account on Amex Website

Step 1: 

Visit the American Express National Bank homepage and click “Open a new account.”

American Express National Bank_Create a new account

Step 2: 

Next, fill in your personal and contact info and then click “Continue.” On the next page, fill in your home address, zip code, city and state.

American Express National Bank_Create a new account

Step 3: 

After this, indicate if it’s going to be a joint account.

American Express National Bank_Create a new account

Step 4: 

Next, go through all the terms and conditions, and then click “Accept all and continue.”

American Express National Bank_Create a new account

Lastly, fund your account and your account is set up.

FAQs

At this moment, there are no special banking promotions for personal accounts. However, American Express promotions are mainly focused on credit cards – where you can different levels of welcome bonuses, depending on your new Amex card.

American Express National Bank is owned by the famous credit card company and it offers savings accounts with no minimums and high rates.

In addition to this stellar reputation, all accounts through American Express National Bank have FDIC insurance for up to $250,000.

American Express National Bank is an online bank that offers both checking and savings accounts with no balance requirements or monthly fees in addition to competitive rates on its savings products. 

Additionally, the online platform is easy to use and allows you to access functionality for your account management. So, if you’re looking for a solid online banking platform, American Express is worth considering, but make sure to compare bank accounts before apply.

American Express has a history dating back to 1850 and it is considered a household name for credit cards. As a national bank, this online-only platform offers some great features.

You can earn competitive rates on your savings with no minimum deposit requirements or monthly fees. Also, Amex checking account has no fees and an impressive rate on your balance. Overall, American Express National Bank is a good choice.

Capital One 360 offers various banking services, including checking accounts and accounts for teens and kids. This makes it more accessible than American Express, which only offers savings and some investment accounts.

However, to access the highest rates with Capital One 360, you will need more significant fund amounts, while American Express does offer competitive rates across the board. Just be aware that you need to link another bank account with American Express, and transfers are a little slow.

SoFi hybrid account is less premium than American Express but offers higher rates on some products. SoFi combines all your funds into one account, and you’ll receive up to 4.30% on all your funds. This means you don’t need to mess around transferring funds from your savings to checking and back again.

So, if you’re looking for a convenient and easy-to-use account, SoFi does have the edge over American Express.

Alternatives For Savings Accounts

ally bank

American_Express

Marcus logo
APY Savings The annual percentage yield (APY) is a percentage that represents the amount of money or interest earned on your savings account over the course of a year. The APY factored in compound interest. A savings calculator can help you quickly determine how much you'll earn with a given APY.
4.00%
4.10%
4.10%
Checking Account Fee The monthly fee on checking account
$0
$0
Not Available
Checking Minimum Deposit
$0
$0
Not Available
Mobile App Rating
4.7/5 on iOS, 4.1/5 on Android
4.9/5 on iOS, 4.2/5 on Android
4.9/5 on iOS, 4.3/5 on Android
BBB Rating
C
A+
A+

How We Rated Amex Bank: Review Methodology

The Smart Investor team extensively reviewed hundreds of banks and credit unions. We assessed them based on four main categories, each with specific features:

  • Diversity of Products and Their Attractiveness (40%): We extensively analyzed the breadth and appeal of each bank's product offerings, including savings accounts, checking accounts, loans, investment options, and more. Higher ratings were assigned to banks with a diverse range of products that are attractive in terms of interest rates, fees, terms, and additional features. This category provides insights into the variety and value of the bank's offerings, crucial for meeting customers' diverse financial needs.

  • Account Features (30%): This category delves into the features and benefits accompanying each bank's accounts. We scrutinized factors such as promotions, deposit and withdrawal options, ATM accessibility, online and mobile banking functionalities, as well as additional perks like overdraft protection and rewards programs. Banks offering comprehensive and convenient features received higher ratings, reflecting the overall value of their accounts to customers.

  • Customer Experience (20%): A positive customer experience is paramount in banking, so we evaluated each bank's performance in this area. This included assessing the ease of account opening, quality of customer service, availability of support channels, and overall user satisfaction. Ratings were based on factors such as responsiveness, efficiency, and the bank's commitment to meeting customer needs, ensuring a seamless and satisfactory banking experience.

  • Bank Reputation (10%): The reputation of a bank is a critical consideration for customers. We examined factors such as financial stability, regulatory compliance, and public perception to determine each institution's overall trustworthiness and reliability. Higher ratings were awarded to banks with strong reputations, reflecting their credibility and ability to inspire confidence among customers.

  •  

By considering these categories, individuals can make informed decisions that align with their financial needs and preferences, ensuring they choose a bank that offers competitive products, excellent features, a positive customer experience, and a solid reputation.

Compare American Express Bank

Discover Bank is a full-service online bank as well as a provider of payment services. Discover can be used for banking and retirement planning by individuals. Discover is best known for its credit cards with rewards, but it also provides personal, student, and home equity loans.

American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. They do not, however, provide as many products as Discover Bank does.

Read Full Comparison: Discover vs American Express: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Capital One is a premium online banking service that offers convenient, dependable service and physical locations to anyone looking for them. Capitol One 360, in addition to providing a trustworthy and dependable service, has no hidden fees or minimums, allowing you to continue earning interest on your daily money. There are over 38,000 fee-free ATMs and over 2,000 Capital One ATMs to meet your money access needs.

American Express is one of the world's most well-known credit card brand names. Customers can get a personal banking solution from American Express National Bank, which offers online savings and CD options. Personal savings accounts have a high potential yield. American Express National Bank is a respectable, secure banking option that does not offer any extra features but does offer the most important one.

Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Capital One: Which Bank Is Better For You?

Although Chase Bank has a modern, trendy image, it is one of the oldest banks in the United States. JP Morgan Chase's consumer division, Chase Bank, is one of the largest banks in the United States. Even though its interest rates aren't particularly competitive when compared to online banks and credit unions, loyal Chase customers who keep a significant amount of money with the bank can earn slightly better rates.

American Express is best known for its credit card business. The financial services firm, on the other hand, has a banking subsidiary that offers high-yield savings and CD accounts. For those looking to save money with a well-known financial institution, the American Express High Yield Savings Account is a popular option.

Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Chase Bank

The Citi checking account is a fairly standard product. The account does have a $12 monthly fee, but it is waived if you make a qualifying deposit or make a qualifying bill payment. Overdraft protection is also available, which automatically transfers funds from your savings account to avoid overdraft fees.

Because the American Express savings account has a high yield, the number of withdrawals or transfers you can make each month is limited to nine. It's also a nice touch that American Express allows you to choose paper statements if you prefer the old-fashioned way.

Read Full Comparison: American Express vs Citi: Where to Save Your Money?

While CIT Bank lacks a credit card option, it does have a decent eChecking account, mortgages, and home loans. However, American Express has personal loans and an impressive choice of credit card options.

CIT Bank vs American Express: Which Bank Account Is Better For You?

While Amex has a decent checking account and better credit card options, Ally's CD and lending options are superior. Here's our comparison: American Express Bank vs. Ally Bank

For most consumers, Bank of America may be a better option. American Express is a solid option for customers with higher wealth. Here's why.

American Express Bank vs. Bank of America: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Chase Bank is our winner, while Amex and Chase offer great banking services and credit card portfolios. Here's our side-by-side comparison: American Express Bank vs. Chase Bank

While PNC Bank is a brick-and-mortar bank, American Express Bank's is an online bank. Let's compare their banking products side by side: American Express Bank vs. PNC Bank

U.S. Bank is one of the largest brick-and-mortar banks in the US, while Amex Bank is among the best online banks. Let's compare them: U.S. Bank vs. American Express Bank

Our preferred choice is American Express, which provides a comprehensive banking package that outshines Truist Bank. Here's how they compare: Truist Bank vs. American Express Bank

While TD offers a better selection of checking accounts and lending options, Amex is a great option for online banking. How do they compare? American Express Bank vs. TD Bank

American Express and HSBC focus on serving wealthier customers by providing services and features beyond the standard. How do they compare? American Express Bank vs. HSBC Bank (USA)

Amex comes out on top with a solid checking option (which Barclays doesn't have), an excellent savings account, and great credit cards.

Barclays Bank vs. American Express Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

American Express is our winner with a decent checking account, an impressive savings account, and a great selection of credit cards.

Synchrony Bank vs. American Express Bank: Which Bank Account Is Better?

Compare Amex Savings Account

Compare CIT Bank Savings Connect and Amex Savings account rates, features, benefits, and limitations to determine which is the best for you.

CIT Bank Platinum Savings vs. American Express HYSA: Which Is Best?

Discover and American Express offer competitive savings rates and no monthly fees. Compare account features, benefits, and drawbacks.

Discover Online Savings Account vs. American Express HYSA

Ally and Amex savings offers lucrative savings rates and many other benefits for savers. Here's our side by side savings account comparison.

Ally Bank Savings Account vs American Express High Yield Savings Account (HYSA)

Capital One and Amex savings rates are quite similar. However, each of them has its own benefits, features and tools. Here's our comparison: Capital One 360 Performance Savings vs. American Express HYSA

Compare Amex CDs

American Express and Marcus offer competitive rates on savings with no monthly fees. However, a mobile check deposit is not available.

CD Rate Battle: Comparing Amex CDs And Bread Savings CDs

American Express and bread savings offer highly competitive CD rates. But there are drawbacks and differences between them: Amex High Yield Savings vs Marcus Savings Account

Banking Reviews

Picture of Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Silvermann is a financial expert, experienced analyst, and founder of The Smart Investor.  Silvermann has contributed to Yahoo Finance and cited as an authoritative source in financial outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, CNBC Select, CNET, Bankrate, Fox Business, The Street, and more.
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