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Switching banks can often help you evade pesky account charges and benefit from better interest rates. For those who don’t require access to a physical branch, online banks might be an ideal choice. CIT Bank stands out as a prominent online banking choice, boasting a variety of no-fee, interest-yielding banking solutions, and yes it’s FDIC-insured and reputable.
With a multitude of online banks available, what makes CIT Bank the right pick? Two significant factors are its minimal fees and low starting account requirements. This review of CIT Bank will guide you in determining if their checking, savings, and CIT CD rate offerings align with your financial requirements.
Jump ahead and learn more here about the CIT Bank Platinum Savings account.
First of all, is CIT Bank the same as Citibank? No, CIT and Citibank are different banks. Also, CIT Bank still exists and isn’t a part of First Citizens Bank anymore.
In Our CIT Bank Review, We’ll Discuss What CIT Bank Offers
Perhaps this is the first time you’ve heard about CIT Bank. However, CIT’s roots go back to 1908. CIT Bank is an online-only bank with corporate headquarters in Pasadena, California. They offer personal checking and savings accounts, as well as home loans. If you’re a business owner, CIT Bank also has small business and commercial banking solutions.
This CIT Bank review focuses on your personal banking options. CIT Bank currently offers these bank products:
These accounts are online only, but you can easily deposit cash with online transfers or mobile deposits. The checking and savings accounts only require a $100 initial deposit. Most new CIT Bank Certificate of Deposits (CD) require at least $1,000. Your first $250,000 in CIT Bank has FDIC Insurance.
CIT Bank Savings Accounts
You have two different savings account options through CIT Bank. The option depends on whether or not you plan to make recurring monthly deposits. Neither account charges a monthly service fee.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings
CIT’s newest savings product, CIT Bank Platinum Savings Account with CIT Member FDIC, gives customers the ability to earn a highly competitive interest rate. It’s a two-tiered savings product that gives customers the ability to earn up to 5.05% APY, though a minimum balance of $5K is required. You will need $100 to open an account. However, you must maintain a $5K daily balance to receive top-tier APY.
If a customer’s daily balance is at least $5,000 or more, the APY for the entire balance is 5.05%.
But, if the customer’s daily balance is below $5,000, the APY drops to 0.25%.
CIT measures the daily balance at the end of each day. There are no monthly fees with the CIT Bank Platinum Savings.
CIT Bank High Yield Savings Account
The information for Premier High Yield Savings Account has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The CIT Bank high-yield savings account is their Premier High Yield Savings Account and it doesn’t require recurring deposits or a minimum average daily balance. You only need to make a $100 minimum deposit, and your balance earns a competitive interest rate. As this is a high-yield bank account, you can only make up to six monthly withdrawals.
CIT Bank Savings Builder High Yield Savings Account
One of the most exciting online savings account options is a CIT Bank Savings Builder High Yield Savings Account account. Your entire deposit earns interest. But you earn a higher rate each month with a minimum $100 monthly deposit or keep a minimum $25,000 daily account balance.
There are no account opening fees or monthly service fees. Like other online banks, you can make up to six monthly withdrawals.
CIT Money Market Account
You might also consider opening a CIT Bank Money Market Account as it can earn a higher interest rate than the High Yield Savings or Savings Builder. An initial account deposit of at least $100 opens your account. There are no monthly service fees, but account overdrafts cost $25 each.
Unlike other bank money market accounts, this one doesn’t give you a debit card. But you can link this account to payment apps like Zelle® and PayPal. You can make up to six monthly withdrawals so a checking account can be the better option for paying bills and debit purchases.
There are also some external transfer limits to know about:
- PayPal: Up to $50 per transaction/$50 per day
- Zelle®: $300 per transaction/ $600 per day
- ACH electronic transfers: $2 million per transaction/ $2 million per day
As interest rates can fluctuate, you may consider opening a savings and money market account. Having dual accounts lets you transfer funds to the account with a better interest rate.
Learn more: CIT Bank Money Market Account
CIT Certificate of Deposits (CDs)
CIT Bank currently offers three different certificates of deposit. The CIT Bank Certificate of Deposits (CD) includes the following:
- 11-Month No Penalty CD
- Term CDs
- Jumbo CDs
The CIT Bank 11-Month No Penalty CD and the Term CDs are the most appealing options as the minimum initial deposit is only $1,000. Jumbo CDs require a $100,000 deposit with similar interest rates.
These CDs can be a good place to put the cash you won’t need for at least one year but don’t want to invest in stocks and bonds.
CIT CD Rates and No Penalty CD
You might consider the CIT Bank 11-Month No Penalty CD to earn a higher interest rate than a high-yield savings account without the early withdrawal penalties that standard Term CDs charge. CIT’s only no-penalty term is for 11 months. You only need to deposit at least $1,000 to open a CD.
You can withdraw your cash before the 11-month maturity date without forfeiting interest or paying a fee. However, this CD yield is lower than a standard term CD.
CIT Term CDs
A Term CD can earn a higher interest rate than CIT Bank’s other bank accounts. Here are your current term options:
- 6 months
- 13 months
- 18 months
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years
The minimum deposit for each term is $1,000.
Once again, only deposit cash you do not plan on needing until the CD term ends. You will forfeit a portion of your earned interest or principal if you make an early withdrawal.
CIT eChecking Banking Accounts
What is eChecking exactly? It’s CIT Bank’s free online checking account option.
An eChecking account has no monthly service fees and a $100 minimum initial deposit.
Some of the key account benefits include:
- The entire account balance earns interest
- No in-network ATM fees
- Up to $30 in monthly non-network ATM fee reimbursements
- Zelle® bank-to-bank instant money transfers
One difference from other online checking accounts is that eChecking is entirely paperless. CIT Bank doesn’t offer or permit you to order paper checks from another third party. You will need to pay your bills using online bill pay or a third-party payment app or using your debit card.
You may appreciate access to Zelle®, a money transfer platform for most large banks. It’s possible to transfer money in minutes to other friends whose bank is a Zelle® partner. These Zelle® transfers can be quicker than using third-party apps like Venmo or the Cash App.
The CIT Bank app offers mobile check deposits when your employer and friends cut you a check. You can also make unlimited withdrawals each month, but account overdrafts cost $30 per incident.
If you have a large stash of cash to deposit, check out the best checking account bonuses. You can earn bonuses as high as $500 while avoiding monthly service fees.
Is CIT Bank Legitimate?
Yes, CIT is a legitimate trustworthy online bank with multiple financial products offered to consumers. Here’s is a quick review of CIT Bank’s positives and negatives:
CIT Bank Pros
- No monthly service fees or account opening fees
- Initial $100 deposit ($1,000+ for term CDs)
- Up to $30 in monthly ATM fee reimbursements (checking account)
- Competitive interest rates for checking, savings, and money market accounts
- Zelle® instant money transfers
- FDIC Insurance up to $250,000
CIT Bank Cons
- eChecking account doesn’t permit you to write paper checks
- No local branch access
- Overdraft fees of up to $30 for an eChecking account ($25 for a Money Market Account)
- No signup bonus
Is CIT Bank Trustworthy?
Yes, CIT Bank is a trustworthy and attractive banking option as it has low initial deposit minimums, no monthly service fees, and competitive interest rates. Being able to have an online checking and savings account at the same bank is convenient. However, you may consider a brick-and-mortar bank if you need local branch access.
A List of CIT Bank Review Products:
- CIT Bank 11-Month No Penalty CD
- CIT Bank Certificate of Deposits (CD)
- Premier High Yield Savings Account
- The CIT Bank Money Market Account
- CIT Bank Savings Builder High Yield Savings Account
- Standard CIT Bank Platinum Savings
- CIT Bank Certificate of Deposits (CD)
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