The Kinly Account comes with a Kinly Visa Debit Card.
Kinly; Rachel Mendelson/Insider
Personal Finance Insider writes about products, strategies, and tips to help you make smart decisions with your money. We may receive a small commission from our partners, like American Express, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective. Terms apply to offers listed on this page. Read our editorial standards.
The bottom line: Kinly Account could be a great fit if you’re looking for a banking platform that supports Black Americans. You’ll want to look elsewhere for earning interest on an account or a traditional banking experience, though.
Pros and cons
ProsConsServes Black American communitiesNo monthly service feesNo minimum opening depositEarly direct depositOnline-only banking experienceNo joint bank accountNo interest-earning bank accountsMay not be easy to deposit cash (Cash deposits at Green Dot locations)
Kinly Account
The Kinly Account is a bank account with a debit card. To manage the account, you’ll use the Kinly app.
You might like the Kinly Account if you’re looking for a fee-free banking option — there are zero monthly service fees and zero overdraft fees. The Kinly Account also has a few notable perks, like early direct deposit and free overdraft protection for up to $100 if you qualify.
How Kinly works
Kinly is a fintech company that supports Black American communities.
Kinly has a mobile banking app where you can open a Kinly Account and Kinly Visa Debit Card. The app has financial education resources, including educational videos and podcasts on personal finance topics. The platform also helps individuals avoid common bank fees, which disproportionately affect Black Americans.
Customers have access to over 55,000 free ATMs through the AllPoint ATM network. Speak with a customer service representative by phone or email anytime from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT on Sundays.
Kinly’s mobile app is rated 3.7 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store and 3.9 out of 5 stars in the Apple store.
It’s important to note Kinly is a mobile banking platform, not a bank. However, banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC. Funds in your Kinly Account are FDIC insured through the Bancorp Bank. Up to $250,000 is secure in an individual bank account.
Kinly trustworthiness and BBB score
The Bancorp Bank — through which the Kinly Account is federally insured — hasn’t been involved in any recent public scandals.
We also include ratings from the Better Business Bureau, which sees how companies respond to customer issues.
The BBB gave the Bancorp Bank a B+ rating because it hasn’t responded to a customer complaint.
BBB ratings do not guarantee a perfect relationship with a business. To see if Kinly is a good match, you can reach out to current customers or read online customer reviews.
Kinly vs. OneUnited
OneUnited is a Black-owned bank. Branches are located in California, Florida, and Massachusetts, but you may open an account online if you don’t live in one of these states.
Below we’ve reviewed OneUnited and Kinly, so you can determine which one might be better for you.
Kinly
OneUnited Bank
Banking experience
Online-only account
Banking experience
Online and in-person bank accounts
Standout feature
No minimum opening deposit
Standout feature
Variety of bank accounts
Kinly AccountOneUnited Bank BankBlack Checking Account
You might lean more toward Kinly if you want to open an account with a lower minimum opening deposit. The Kinly account requires no minimum opening deposit. Meanwhile, OneUnited Bank accounts typically require a minimum opening deposit between $25 and $500.
OneUnited Bank may be a more compelling choice if you would like to open a savings account or multiple bank accounts. Kinly only offers the Kinly Account, which doesn’t earn any interest.
Kinly vs. Liberty Bank
Liberty Bank is a Black-owned bank with branches in the Southern region of the US. The bank also has online accounts that can be opened from anywhere in the US.
See how Liberty Bank matches up with Kinly.
Kinly
Liberty Bank
Banking experience
Online-only account
Banking experience
Online and in-person bank accounts
Standout feature
No minimum opening deposit
Standout feature
Solid interest rates on CDs
Kinly AccountLiberty Bank Personal Checking Account
If you’re searching for a bank account with minimal bank fees, you’ll likely prefer the Kinly Account to the Liberty Bank Personal Checking Account. The Kinly Account doesn’t charge monthly service fees or monthly services. The Liberty Bank Personal Checking Account has a minimum balance requirement to avoid a $10 monthly service fee.
You might favor Liberty Bank if you’d like to earn interest on a bank account, though. The bank’s CDs earn a solid interest rate compared to other CDs at brick-and-mortar banks.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kinly?
Kinly is a mobile banking platform that serves Black American communities by helping build generational wealth. Through the app, you can open and manage a Kinly Account and Kinly Visa Debit Card.
Who can use Kinly?
You may use Kinly if you’re over the age of 18, and have a Social Security number or ITIN number.
How are the funds in my Kinly Account protected?
Money in your Kinly Account is FDIC insured through The Bancorp Bank, Member FDIC.
Does the Kinly account have overdraft protection?
Yes, the Kinly Account has free overdraft protection called Kinly Overdraft. Kinly Overdraft allows you to overdraw up to $100 from your account. To qualify for Kinly Overdraft, you must receive $1,000 or more in direct deposits during 35 days.