6 benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account

Dan Stous works in financial planning and wealth management. Online savings accounts initially came on his radar when he saw their interest rates steadily rise.

“The whole reason I was looking for an online account was because deposit rates at traditional brick-and-mortar banks have continued to stay low despite rising interest rates,” says Stous, who is the director of financial planning at a financial planning and investment management firm in Lincoln, Nebraska.

He and his wife opted for an online savings account and started making monthly transfers into it to help save for a car. Whether you’re saving for a new set of wheels like Stous and his wife, a home down payment, an emergency fund or [enter your next big financial goal here], an online savings account could help you save for your next financial goal.

1. You can grow your savings with a high interest rate

Regardless of your financial goal, you’ll want your savings to earn interest (and then you’ll want that interest to earn even more interest). One of the benefits of a Discover^® Online Savings Account is that you can grow your money with a savings account interest rate over 5x the National Savings Average.¹

With online banks offering superior yields compared to traditional banks, Stous recommends online savings accounts to his clients as a financial strategy. “We have been steering people to online accounts because the rates have been so much better,” Stous says.

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2. You can save yourself the hassle of fees

A bank account fee here and there can really add up. And who wants sneaky fees to eat into your hard-earned savings? One of the top benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account is that you won’t be charged an account fee. Common fees that you won’t see with your Discover Online Savings Account include fees for:

• Monthly maintenance
• Official bank check (there’s also no fee if you need expedited delivery of your check)
• Deposited item returned
• Insufficient funds
• Stop payment order
• Account closure

Another thing to know about a Discover Online Savings Account is that the lack of maintenance or activity fees means you don’t have to stress about initiating certain account behavior (say, a regular direct deposit) to avoid a charge that could set your savings back.

3. There’s no balance requirement

When considering important things to know about a Discover Online Savings Account, add no minimum balance requirement to the list. If you are just getting started with your savings (way to go!), it can be challenging to set aside a large chunk of cash just to avoid a balance requirement fee. With the Discover Online Savings Account’s no minimum balance requirement, you can start small and continue to add to your savings as your budget allows.

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Getting ready to make a big withdrawal for an exciting big purchase? No problem. If you’ve reached a goal and need to put your savings to work, go right ahead. You won’t need to stress about getting charged for the lower balance that remains in your Discover Online Savings Account, and you can start building up your funds again for the next big thing.

4. You can manage your account online—and on the go

Your life is online and on the go—so your savings account should be right there with you. You can open a Discover Online Savings Account from the comfort of your couch (or when commuting in your rideshare) in three easy steps:

1. Enter the essentials (personal information like your address and Social Security number).
2. Fund the account with a starting balance of your choosing (or come back and do it later if you prefer).
3. Check your inbox for an email confirmation.

Once you are up and running, you can easily transfer funds between different accounts—Discover accounts as well as external ones—and set up automatic transfers into your savings account so you can grow your funds on autopilot.

If you’re on the move, the account’s mobile app is control in your hands via your smartphone or tablet. Whether you’re in line for a coffee or waiting for your child’s extracurricular activity to wrap up, you can easily transfer money between your Discover Online Savings Account and other accounts, view your account activity and electronically deposit checks. Only have a second but want to check in? Quick View is a benefit of a Discover Online Savings Account that allows you to view your savings account balance without having to log in.

“The mobile app is very user friendly,” says Rick Vazza, financial planner and president of a financial advisory firm. “It’s easy to use and easy to sync with a checking account. There’s a seamless flow.”

5. You can experience top-notch customer service

Customer service can be hard to evaluate, but the ability to quickly speak to a real person is certainly one sign of good customer relations.

“I’ve been seeing people particularly attracted to value-added services. The first being customer service,” Vazza explains.

Discover’s customer support is 100 percent U.S.-based and offers the ability to speak with a live person 24/7². Having knowledgeable and friendly customer service adds to the benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account.

6. You can easily access your funds

When and how you can withdraw money is important to know before you open a savings account. “How easy it is to get the money is a huge question, particularly with older generations,” Stous says. Having multiple ways to withdraw is a plus.

With a Discover Online Savings Account, your withdrawal options include:

• Setting up electronic transfers between your Discover Online Savings Account and other internal or external bank accounts.
• Requesting a no-fee official bank check.
• Initiating an outgoing wire transfer.*

On your mark, get set—save!

Understanding the things to know about a Discover Online Savings Account could help you make the decision to open an easy-to-use and high-yield financial solution for storing your cash. Whether you’re saving up for something special or creating a savings safety net, it’s tending to these areas of your financial plan that will better prepare you for what comes next.

Learn more about a Discover Online Savings Account today.

Articles may contain information from third parties. The inclusion of such information does not imply an affiliation with the bank or bank sponsorship, endorsement, or verification regarding the third party or information.

* Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge.

¹ The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Online Savings Account as of XX/XX/XXXX is more than five times the national average APY for interest bearing savings accounts with a balance of $500 as reported by Curinos as of XX/XX/XXXX. National average is based on information regarding the top 50 banks (by deposit size) and may not include information from variations in regional pricing at such banks or information from products that may not be widely available to their customers. Rates were obtained from Curinos, who relies on the data from the banks it tracks and such information cannot be guaranteed. APYs are subject to change at any time.

² You can reach a live agent any time by calling 1-800-347-7000. Certain specialized customer service agents may not be available 24/7.

The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover Bank or its affiliates.