Nationwide Interest Checking: Earn Interest With No Monthly Fees

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Nationwide Interest Checking, powered by Axos Bank, allows you to earn interest on your checking account balance and potentially access your paycheck two days early without worrying about monthly fees or a minimum balance. The account features tiered interest rates that offer several APY options and up to $30 in reimbursements per month for domestic ATM fees.

Introducing Nationwide Interest Checking

You’ve probably heard of Nationwide Insurance. Yet you might not realize that the Nationwide brand also offers its members access to online banking services through a partnership with Axos Bank (Member FDIC).

Nationwide Interest Checking is an FDIC-insured, interest-earning checking account with no monthly service fee. The amount of interest you can earn on your funds is tiered and based on the size of your account balance. As you deposit (and keep) more money in your checking account, the annual percentage yield (APY) you earn may increase.

At this time, the account doesn’t feature a sign-up bonus for new customers. And while you can earn interest on your balance, you can likely find a higher APY offering elsewhere. Yet the account’s simplicity, along with its other benefits, still makes Nationwide Interest Checking an attractive online bank account worth your consideration.

Nationwide Interest Checking Account: Features

When you’re shopping for a new checking account, the first thing you will want to do is review its features and benefits. With the Nationwide Interest Checking account, there are a number of valuable perks customers can enjoy.

Mid-Tier APY

As the name suggests, Nationwide Interest Checking is an interest-bearing checking account. So, you have an opportunity to receive interest off the funds you deposit into your account.

The annual percentage yield, or APY, you can earn from your account balance varies based on a tier system.

The APY this account offers isn't that remarkable. It certainly beats the earnings you may be eligible to receive with a number of other financial institutions—especially many bricks-and-mortar brands. Yet by no means are these the highest interest rates available on an interest-bearing checking account.

No Monthly Maintenance Fees

Another notable perk that the Nationwide Interest Checking account offers is the lack of a monthly fee. You don’t have to jump through hoops to avoid this cost either, like you might have to with another financial institution.

There is no minimum balance requirement, nor any other actions you need to take to qualify for this feature. The checking account simply has no maintenance fees for every single customer.

ATM Fee Reimbursements

When you open a Nationwide Interest Checking account, you have access to a network of around 91,000 ATMs across the country. You can use any in-network ATM to withdraw funds from your account, free of charge.

Of course, Axos Bank cannot promise you surcharge-free ATM usage since transactions could be subject to a fee from the terminal owner. But if you do incur such fees, the bank will pay you back—up to a point. The Nationwide Interest Checking account comes with up to $30 in reimbursement per month for domestic ATM fees.

You can also use your account’s Visa® Debit card outside of the United States (anywhere Visa is accepted). But you will pay a foreign currency conversion fee for any ATM withdrawals you make.

Direct Deposit Express

The account also comes with a convenient perk called Direct Deposit Express. Through this free service, customers can access the funds from an upcoming paycheck up to two days before their direct deposit hits the account.

Whether or not you can take advantage of this feature depends on two factors:

• The payer’s support (or lack thereof)
• The timing of the payer’s funding

Digital Banking Tools

As a Nationwide Interest Checking customer, you have access to several user-friendly online tools powered by Axos Bank (Member FDIC). These tools include:

• Mobile Banking App: Download the Axos Bank for Nationwide mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.
• Free Mobile Deposit: You can use your computer or mobile device to deposit checks into your account 24/7—free of charge.
• Online Bill Pay: Schedule single or recurring payments from your checking account to third parties (credit card issuers, utility providers, etc). You can set up these payments via your online banking dashboard.
• No-Hassle Switch Kit: Use the bank’s step-by-step list to walk you through the process of changing from your current bank to a Nationwide Interest Checking account.

Cash Deposits

Some online banks do not accept cash deposits from their customers. But Nationwide gives you the option to make cash deposits at any of the following locations:

• ACE Cash Express
• CVS/Pharmacy
• Dollar General
• Kmart
• Rite Aid
• 7-Eleven
• Walgreens

Make sure you have your Axos Bank for Nationwide debit card with you. Then, you can ask the cashier to load cash onto your account at any of the above locations.

Security

With online banking, security is of the utmost importance. The Axos Bank powered account comes with the following robust security features.

• 128-Bit SSL Encryption
• Anti-Virus Protection
• Malware Protection
• Two-Step Authentication Process
• Fraud Monitoring
• Automatic Logout

Complimentary Starter Checks

Your new account also comes with complimentary starter checks at the time of account opening. However, the number of free checks you’ll receive is unspecified.

The bank’s website also notes that the free starter checks are available “upon request.” So, be sure to ask for this perk when you open your account or you could miss out. Also, although the starter checks themselves may be free, you need to be prepared to pay for shipping and handling fees out of your own pocket.

24/7 Customer Support

As an account holder, you have access to customer support services 24 hours a day, seven days per week. (The customer service center is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.)

To reach a customer support representative, you can:

• Send a secure message through your online account
• Call 888-502-2967

Branches

You can access your account online 24/7. But Nationwide Interest Checking probably isn’t a good fit if you are looking for a financial institution you can visit in person. While it’s not quite an internet-only account, Axos Bank (powers Nationwide checking) has only one brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Columbus, Ohio:

Three Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, Ohio 43215

You can visit the Columbus branch during its normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. ET.

Fees

One of the best features of the Nationwide Interest Checking account is its lack of a monthly service fee. But since there are some other potential fees you might incur, calling the account fee-free isn't quite accurate.

Non-Sufficient Funds

NSF fees on the Nationwide Interest Checking account run $25.00 per occurrence (up to a maximum of $75.00 per day). These same fees may apply in the event of:

• Uncollected Funds
• Paid or Returned Items (e.g., Checks, ACH, and Bill Payments)

However, you can sign up for the Overdraft Protection Transfer feature. If you opt-in to use this feature, the bank can transfer funds from a linked account (at no cost to you) in the event of an overdraft.

Stop Payment

You can request a stop payment online for a cost of $10.00. If you prefer to have assistance with your stop payment request, the fee increases to $35.00.

Paper Statement Fee

You can receive electronic account statements at no charge. But if you prefer paper statements, there's a $5.00 fee for this service.

Debit Card or ATM Card Replacement

Free

Debit Card or ATM Card Replacement (Rush Delivery)

$50.00

New Account Requirements

Credit Review

Axos Bank may review your credit history (TransUnion) and your past banking relationships when you fill out a new account application. This is standard procedure for many financial institutions.

If you have a security freeze on your TransUnion credit report, you’ll need to temporarily lift it before you apply for a new account. You can unfreeze your report online, via the TransUnion website, or by calling the credit bureau at 888-909-8872.

The bank recommends that you wait a minimum of 30 minutes after you lift your security freeze before you submit a new account application.

Minimum Deposit

You will need to provide a minimum deposit of at least $100 to open a Nationwide Interest Checking account. You must agree to fund your account within 30 days of account opening or the bank may close your account. Once customers fund their accounts, however, no ongoing minimum balances are required.

Personal Information

In order to comply with the USA Patriot Act, Axos bank will ask you for the following personal details when you apply for a Nationwide Interest Checking account.

• Legal Name
• Residential Address
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number

Additionally, you'll need to provide at least one form of unexpired photo identification. If the bank cannot verify your identity, it will deny your application or may close your previously funded account.

How to Apply for a Nationwide Interest Checking Account

Once you’ve completed your research and decided to open a Nationwide Interest Checking account, the online application is an easy process.

If you’re an existing customer, you can login to your account. The online application will pre-populate much of your personal information to save you time.

As a new customer, however, you will need to provide the following details when you apply:

• Social Security Number
• Valid U.S. Address (P.O. boxes will not be accepted)

You’ll also need to upload a copy of a valid U.S. ID, such as a driver license or State ID.

The bank requires you to be 18 years of age or older to apply for an account. And you must be either a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.

Other Nationwide Deposit Accounts

In addition to Nationwide Interest Checking, the bank offers several other types of deposit accounts. Some options, like a Nationwide savings account, may pair nicely with a Nationwide Interest Checking account. Or you might want to consider one of the bank’s alternative checking accounts.

Nationwide Checking Accounts

Nationwide banking services offer three additional checking accounts. Below is a side-by-side comparison of all four Nationwide checking accounts.

Nationwide Savings Accounts

Nationwide banking services also offers four different savings options that might supplement your checking account nicely. Below is a list of the accounts and some of their key features and benefits.

• Regular Savings: Above average APY (variable), no minimum balance requirement, up to $10 in domestic ATM fee reimbursements per month, $3 monthly maintenance fee waived with a minimum daily balance of $300 or monthly direct deposit
• My Savings: Tiered-interest earning account with high-yield APY potential, no monthly fees
• Money Market Plus: Tiered-interest earning account with competitive APY potential (compared to other money market account offerings), up to $10 in ATM fee reimbursements (domestic) per month, check writing privileges, free starter checks (upon request at account opening), $8 monthly maintenance fee waived with a minimum daily balance of $1,000
• Certificates of Deposit (CDs): 3-5 year term, $500 minimum deposit required, lower CD rates compared with numerous other financial institutions

How Nationwide and Axos Bank Work Together

Nationwide points out that the company itself isn’t a bank or lender. (There’s no such entity as Nationwide Bank.) Rather, the company has a limited marketing relationship with Axos Bank (Member FDIC).

Axos Bank, not Nationwide, is the financial institution that's responsible for the actual account and all banking services you receive. As a Nationwide customer, you may also receive special offers from Axos courtesy of this relationship.

Is Nationwide Interest Checking Right for You?

Nationwide Interest Checking is a solid deposit account with easy-to-understand perks. Not only does the account give you the opportunity to earn interest on your checking account balance, it also features no monthly maintenance fees and requires no minimum balance. The bank will reimburse you for up to $30 per month in domestic ATM fees, making it easy and often free to access your funds whenever you need them.

Direct Deposit Express is another feature that could benefit you if you find yourself in a financial bind. The option to access your paycheck up to two days early might help you avoid tapping into your emergency fund (or searching for financing options) in the event of a financial emergency.

If these features appeal to you and you’re comfortable with online banking as a whole, there’s little downside to opening a Nationwide Interest Checking account. No, you won’t earn a new customer sign-up bonus with this account like you might elsewhere. But you don’t have to worry about incurring the fees that come standard with many other checking accounts either.

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