BBVA Compass VS TotalDirectBank

Which bank is better for you?

  • Financial Rates: 1.5 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 4.5 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 3.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
Advertiser Disclosure
Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

Pros:

  • Low required opening deposit amounts
  • Small business and commercial accounts
  • Easy Checking to start or rebuild finances
  • Simple Cash Back program

Cons:

  • Only four transactions allowed per cycle
  • High overdraft fees
  • Low-interest rates
  • Only four different CD options
  • Financial Rates: 4.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 2.0 Star Icon
  • Website Experience: 2.5 Star Icon
  • Bank Fees: 5.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
Advertiser Disclosure
Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon Star Icon

Pros:

  • Competitive interest rates on accounts
  • Application completely online
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • Interest rates are not tiered

Cons:

  • High opening required amounts
  • Limited accounts available
  • Not available in all 50 states
  • Application response not immediate
BBVA Compass Review

BBVA Compass has low opening balances for their accounts. The minimum opening deposit for all checking and saving accounts is $25. The opening required amount for CDs is $500.

Small business and commercial business accounts are available from BBVA Compass. Checking accounts, savings accounts, loans, and credit cards are available. Commercial business opportunities also include ways to increase your working capital.

If you do not qualify for a checking account, BBVA Compass offers the Easy Checking account. This account helps you rebuild your finances. If the account is active with a positive balance after 12 months, you can upgrade to a different checking account. The fee for this account is $13.95 a month. The opening amount required is $25. This account offers a debit card and unlimited check writing. Online or mobile banking and text alerts are available. You have the option to enroll in the Simple Cash Back program.

Simple Cash Back is a program that allows you to earn cash-back rewards. This program is available if you have a debit or credit card with BBVA Compass. Your purchase history determines what offers you receive. You can select the offers that you want. The money is then deposited into your account.

Federal regulations allow for six transactions from a savings account each billing cycle. BBVA Compass savings accounts only allow four. Each extra transaction has a $3 fee.

Most banks have a fee if you spend more than you have in your account. BBVA Compass fees are higher than other banks. For every transaction over $1.01 of insufficient funds, the fee is $38. You can link your checking account to a BBVA Compass savings or money market account. This could help cover the insufficient amount. However, the fee to transfer money from a savings or money market into your checking for insufficient funds is $12 a day.

Only a few of BBVA Compass accounts have good interest rates. The money market account earns a competitive rate, but the rates are promotional. They may change. The other accounts have lower interest rates. The rates are higher than typical banks but lower than online-only bank accounts.

Only four of BBVA Compass CD accounts are available online. The terms are 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 36 months. The 12 months CD offers a good interest rate, but it is only a promotional rate. It may change. The other three CD terms are much lower than the 12-month term.

Read the full BBVA Compass review.

TotalDirectBank Review

The interest rates for TotalDirectBank accounts offer competitive interest rates. The interest rates are much higher than typical brick-and-mortar bank rates. Their interest rates are competitive with other online accounts.

The application for TotalDirectBank accounts is entirely online. To open a money market or CD account with TotalDirectBank, visit their website. There are no branch locations. You cannot mail in your application.

There are no monthly fees for the TotalDirectBank money market account. You do not have to keep a set balance in the account to avoid a monthly fee. The money market account is free. The CD has a fee if you withdraw money before the CD matures.

Interest rates for TotalDirectBank are not tiered. Account balances over the opening required amount earn the most competitive interest rates.

Opening an account with TotalDirectBank requires a significant amount. The money market account requires $5,000 to open. The CD requires $25,000 to open. You must keep at least these amounts in the account to earn interest.

TotalDirectBank only offers a money market account and CDs. The CD terms range from 3-60 months. There are six terms available. Those include 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 60-month CD terms.

The TotalDirectBank accounts are not available in all 50 states. If you live in California, Florida, or Puerto Rico, you cannot apply for an account. You could be eligible if you live in other states across the United States.

Opening a money market account or CD with TotalDirectBank is entirely online. When you apply for an account, you receive an approval within two business days. You then must fund your account within 30 days. If you fail to fund it by then, the account could close.

Read the full TotalDirectBank review.

Sponsored Offers

Advertiser Disclosure
Featured Offers
BMO Alto
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 5.10%
Rate 4.96%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC
Next >
Jenius Bank
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 5.25%
Rate 5.25%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC. No fees. Easy deposits and quick withdrawals.
Next >
American Express
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 4.30%
Rate 4.21%
For APY $1
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC
Next >
LendingClub
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 5.00%
Rate 5.00%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC Plus, no monthly fees and unlimited free external transfers
Next >
Capital One
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 4.25%
Rate 4.25%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC It only takes about 5 minutes to open a fee-free account.
Next >
EverBank
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 5.15%
Rate 5.02%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC
Next >
CIT Bank
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 5.05%
Rate 4.93%
For APY $5,000
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens, 125+ years of experience.
Next >
Barclays
Savings (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 4.35%
Rate 4.35%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook No
Member FDIC
Next >
Sallie Mae
MMA (Rate as of 4/16/2024)
APY 4.65%
Rate 4.54%
For APY $0
Monthly Fee $0.00
Checkbook Yes
Member FDIC
Next >