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Current Review
Current Review
December 26, 2023 / Ioana Andrei
Current Review
December 26, 2023 / Ioana Andrei
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Current
Editorial Score 8.4
Security and fraud protection
Fingerprint and Face ID lock, FDIC insurance, card control features, such as blocking transactions and pausing/unpausing the card
8.0
Account management features
Solid range of features including EFT and bill payments, but lacks advanced options like multi-currency accounts
8.0
Fees
No annual sign up fees, fee-free overdraft, no minimum balance fees, no ATM fees
10
Inclusivity and accessibility
No mention online of the inclusivity standards, but they do offer features that benefit those with less financial knowledge
7.0
Customer service
24/7 customer support through mobile app and email, though no phone support
9.0

Current Overview

Current is a financial services provider offering checking and savings accounts with no monthly charge or minimum deposits. You benefit from a generous APY and fee-free overdrafts when you set up direct deposits. Plus, you can withdraw for free at 40,000+ ATMs and deposit cash at common retailers. You can also get a Build Card that helps you bolster your credit history. Current is a great choice for online customers starting to work on their savings and credit goals.

Pros:

  • No monthly fees or minimum opening deposit
  • Fee-free overdraft up to $200
  • Budgeting and spending insights
  • 4% APY on savings up to $6,000
  • Get direct deposits up to 2 days early

Cons:

  • Free withdrawals only on Allpoint ATMs
  • Cash deposits capped at $1,000 a day
  • Limit of $6,000 per saving pod

Current at a Glance

Fees?

No annual fees. No minimum deposit. No overdraft fees with $500 direct deposits.

Security

FDIC-insured up to $250,000 through Choice Financial Group. Industry-standard encryption. 2-factor authentication.

Online Experience

Website is easy to navigate. Extensive knowledge center. Transparent services and rates.

Mobile App

Available on Android and iOS. Includes transfers, check deposits, spending insights, and budgeting.

Customer Support

24/7 in-app chat support. Calls Mon-Fri 9am-6pm ET. Inquiries through web form and email.

Suitable For?

Current is most suited to tech-savvy customers who want a fee-free checking account and overdraft while getting a generous APY on savings up to $6,000. You manage your account on a smartphone while being able to make free withdrawals from more than 40,000 ATMs.

It may also be for you if you’re starting to build your credit history, as Current offers a secured credit card that’s linked to your checking account.

Features/Highlights

Advantages over traditional banks

With Current, you don’t pay any annual fees or in-network ATM fees. You don’t have a minimum balance or opening deposit, and you get direct deposits up to 2 days faster.

On top of the checking account, you have savings pods with 4% APY up to $2,000 per pod, plus a credit-building secured credit card. You also benefit from unlimited transfers of up to $5,000 a day. Card spending is capped at $2,000 a day.

Finally, you enjoy a fee-free overdraft (called Overdrive) of up to $200 when receiving direct deposits of $500+ over a 30-day period.

Extra perks include:

  • Removing gas station holds
  • Setting up teen bank accounts that include debit card payments and merchant blocking
  • Earning points when swiping at 14,000+ merchants—redeemable for cashback

Cutting-edge banking services

Current lets you pay bills and make transfers in just a few taps, and receive money from digital wallets like Venmo and PayPal. You see cash deposits instantly in your app. Plus, you can easily deposit checks of up to $2,000 on your mobile app. Just take a picture and add details, such as the check amount.

When you open a savings pod, you can use the round-up feature. The app automatically rounds your transactions up to the nearest dollar amount, adding between $0.01 and $0.99 per transaction to your savings pod. For instance, if you spend $1.90 on an item, your round-up amount is $0.10.

Meanwhile, spending insights are there to help you track your expenditures across different categories. Set budget limits for each category and get notified when you’re approaching them. Don’t worry, transactions aren’t declined if you go over.

Traditional banking services

Current’s traditional services include withdrawing cash for free at 40,000+ Allpoint ATMs and depositing cash with partners like CVS and Walmart. The latter costs $3.50 per transaction and you can deposit cash up to $1,000 per day. Using out-of-network ATMs costs $2.50 per transaction.

You can open up to 3 saving pods alongside your checking account—handy if you’re saving toward different goals, like college, a house, and a car. You can get 4% APY between $0 and $2,000, but it’s 0% APY above $2,000. You can deposit up to $6,000 per saving pod—that’s $18,000 in total when filling up all 3 pods.

To add to that, you can request a Build Card, which is a secured credit card that doesn’t have a credit limit but does allow you to set up a direct deposit from your Current account. Current reports your activity to credit bureaus, helping you build your credit history.

Interest rates and fees

Current doesn’t charge annual maintenance or in-network ATM fees, and there’s no minimum deposit requirement. However, you pay $2.50 per transaction on out-of-network ATMs. Plus, there’s a 3% foreign transaction fee, with a minimum payment of $0.50.

Annual fee

$0

Minimum deposit

$0

Allpoint network ATM fee

$0

Out-of-network ATM fee

$2.50 per transaction

Foreign transaction fee

3% of transaction amount (minimum $0.50)

In addition, you pay a $5 fee for replacement cards and $30 for express mail. If your Current account is inactive for 12 consecutive months, the inactivity fee is $5 a month, and closing your account permanently costs $10.

Replacement card fee

$5

Express mail fee

$30

Inactivity fee

$5 per month (after 12 consecutive months of inactivity)

Account closure fee

$10

Saving pods are free, requiring no minimum deposit. To get 4% APY, you must have a payroll direct deposit of $200—otherwise, the APY is 0.25%. You only get interest on your savings up to $2,000. So, when using all 3 savings pods, you get a positive APY on a maximum of $6,000.

Annual fee

$0

Minimum deposit

$0

APY (between $0.01-$2,000)

4% with a payroll direct deposit of $200 / 0.25% otherwise

APY (between $2,001-$6000)

0%

Maximum balance per saving pod

$6K per pod

Customer service and online experience

You can contact Current customer support through the website inquiry form, by email, or by chatting through the mobile app. You can also call the team Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm ET.

The official website is incredibly easy to navigate and Current customers praise the mobile app’s straightforward user experience. You can find lots of info about Current services in its extensive knowledge base—which comes equipped with a handy search bar.

Mobile app

The Current mobile app is available on Android and iOS and has stellar user reviews. It scores an average of 4.6/5 on Google Play and 4.7/5 on the App Store. Customers have said they’re happy with being able to send money in a few taps and the convenience of having checking and savings services under one account.

The app lets you:

  • Manage your checking, credit, and savings products
  • Make transfers
  • Manage your overdraft
  • Deposit checks
  • Get your paycheck up to 2 days faster with direct deposit
  • Set budgets and view spending insights
  • Get gas hold removals
  • Manage your teens’ accounts
  • Block and unblock your card
  • Access 24/7 support and chat

Security

Current protects your data by using industry-standard encryption in transit and at rest. Current has a dedicated fraud team to deal with suspicious activity as well. On login, 2-factor authentication is enabled so you receive a verification code on your phone.

Current is FDIC insured up to $250,000 through its partner bank, Choice Financial Group.

Application Process

  • Click “Get started” on the Current official website.
  • Enter your mobile number and click “Sign up.”
  • Click the link you receive through SMS to download the Current app.
  • Fill in personal info including your name, date of birth, residential address, contact details, and social security number.
  • Choose which Current account you want to open.
  • Confirm the mailing address where your card will be delivered.
  • Set up a direct deposit if you wish.

Current Summary

Current offers an attractive combination of checking, savings, and credit products. Checking accounts and savings pods don’t have annual fees or minimum deposits, and the overdraft of up to $200 is cost-free with a $500 direct deposit. Also, the Build Card lets you develop your credit history without a credit limit since it’s tied to your current account.

Savings pods boast a 4% APY with direct deposits over $200 on balances of up to $6,000 across all pods. Thus, Current is ideal for tech-savvy customers starting their savings and credit journeys. And with free withdrawals at more than 40,000 ATMs, 24/7 in-app chat support, and a smooth application process, it’s a worthwhile offer.

Physical Address

Finco Services, Inc. d/b/a Current

217 Centre Street #180

New York, NY 10013

Disclaimer

Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. Cryptocurrency services are not provided by Choice Financial Group or Cross River Bank, and cryptocurrency is not insured by or subject to the protections of the FDIC. The Current Visa Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required

Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.

1. Debit card: Fees may apply, including out of network cash withdrawal fees, third-party fees, cash load fees, inactivity fees, account closure fees, international transaction fees, replacement card fees, express mail fees and escheatment fees.

Build Card: Some fees may apply, including out of network ATM fees of $2.50 per transaction, late payment fees of 3% of any total due balance outstanding and past due for two or more billing cycles, foreign transaction fees of 3% of the full transaction amount (minimum $0.50), card replacement fees per card of $5 for regular delivery and $30 for expedited delivery, cash deposit fees of $3.50 per deposit, and third party processing fees.

2. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct deposit and earlier availability of funds is subject to timing of payer's submission of deposits.

3. Actual overdraft amount may vary and is subject to change at any time, at Current’s sole discretion. In order to qualify and enroll in the Fee-Free Overdraft feature, you must receive $500 or more in Qualifying Deposits into your Current Account over the preceding 30-day period. For more information, please refer to Fee-free Overdraft Terms and Conditions (https://current.com/overdraft_protection_terms_of_service/).

Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC.

Get started now, visit Current
By Ioana Andrei
Ioana holds a BSc in Business Management from King's College London and has worked for 4+ years as a management consultant in the technology, media and telecoms industries. Ioana is also a successful entrepreneur, having launched several social enterprises. No stranger to IT and an enthusiastic hackathoner, Ioana is also an accomplished fintech, SaaS and B2B tech writer.