American Express National Bank is an online-only bank with 24/7 customer support.
American Express; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
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The bottom line: American Express National Bank (Member FDIC) offers competitive interest rates on all of its bank accounts. The American Express® Rewards Checking Account is a great option for earning rewards on debit card purchases, but it’s currently only available to Consumer Card Members who have had a card account for at least three months.
Overall bank rating
FeatureInsider rating (out of 5)Savings4Checking4CD3.5Trustworthiness5Total score4
Pros and cons
ProsCons
Strong digital banking platform
High interest rate on savings, checking account, and CDs
Earn rewards on debit card purchases through the bank’s checking account
Low minimum deposit
24/7 customer service over the phone
No mobile appChecking account is only available to Consumer Card Members who have had a card account for at least three months
American Express® High Yield Savings Account
The American Express® High Yield Savings Account pays American Express® High Yield Savings Account, which is much higher than the average savings account. There’s no required opening deposit or minimum account balance, but you must make a deposit within the first 60 days or the bank will close your account.
American Express® Rewards Checking Account
If you’re eligible to open an American Express® Rewards Checking Account, it’s a good online option worth considering. The account doesn’t charge monthly service fees or overdraft fees. You also may earn rewards on eligible debit card purchases, which may be used to book travel, obtain gift cards, or donate.
American Express® Certificate of Deposit
Many banks require hundreds or thousands of dollars to open a CD, but American Express doesn’t require an opening deposit. You’ll earn a pretty competitive interest rate, regardless of the term.
How American Express National Bank works
American Express is an online-only bank that doesn’t require an opening deposit or minimum account balance for any of its accounts. American Express also doesn’t charge monthly service fees.
The American Express website is easy to use, but the bank doesn’t have a mobile app; the American Express app is just for credit card customers.
American Express offers 24/7 customer support by phone, but unlike many competing banks, it doesn’t have live chat online with representatives.
Your American Express accounts are FDIC insured for up to $250,000, or $500,000 for a joint account.
American Express trustworthiness and BBB rating
The Better Business Bureau gives American Express an A+ rating. The BBB grades businesses based on factors like how they respond to customer complaints, honesty in advertising, and transparency about business practices.
American Express doesn’t have any recent public scandals. Between its strong BBB score and clear history, you may decide you’re comfortable banking with American Express.
How American Express National Bank compares
We’ve compared American Express with two other online banks with no minimum opening deposits: Ally and Capital One 360.
American Express Savings logo
American Express
Ally
Capital One 360
Savings APY
0.60% APY
Savings APY
0.60% APY
Savings APY
0.50% APY
CD APY
0.25% – 0.85% APY (for 6 – 60 month terms)
CD APY
0.20% to 1.00% APY
CD APY
0.20% to 0.60% APY
American Express American Express® Personal SavingsAlly Ally High Yield Savings AccountCapital One Capital One 360 Performance Savings™
Your decision between the three institutions may come down to your preferences in banking features and services.
Ally currently pays the highest interest rate on a savings account, while Capital One pays the most competitive rates on CDs. Keep in mind rates can fluctuate, so this may change in the future.
Although Capital One 360 is an online bank, it does have branches in several states. You may find this useful if you ever want to speak with a banker in person. With Ally or American Express Bank, you’ll have to be comfortable with an online-only banking experience.
If you’d like a bank with a mobile app, you’ll prefer Capital One or Ally over American Express. American Express only has a mobile app for credit card customers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does American Express do checking accounts?
Yes. American Express National Bank now has the American Express® Rewards Checking Account. The checking account is currently available to Consumer Card Members who have had a card account for at least three months.
Does American Express have physical banks?
American Express National Bank is an online-only bank. It doesn’t have any physical branch locations.