U.S. Bank Review 2022 | The College Investor

When it comes to finding the right bank, there is no shortage of options to sift through. As you do your research for the best checking accounts, U.S. Bank might make its way to the top of the list. 

A combination of low fees and accessible digital features makes opening an account with this bank a worthwhile option. Plus, if you have a side hustle or small business, they have great business banking options as well.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from U.S. Bank. 

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U.S. Bank can trace its roots back to the First National Bank of Cincinnati, which was founded in 1863. Since its humble beginnings, it has grown to be one of the top five largest banks in the country. In fact, it just received approval to acquire Union Bank, which will continue to make U.S. Bank a banking powerhouse.

As a consumer, you’ll have access to over 2,000 physical branch locations. The physical locations are spread out across 26 states. U.S. Bank headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

What Does It Offer?

Here’s a closer look at what U.S. Bank has to offer. 

U.S. Bank Smartly™ Checking Account 

Although U.S. Bank offers more than one checking account, the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Checking account stands apart from the crowd as a viable option for adults and students alike. 

This account includes a U.S. Bank Visa Debit Card, mobile and online banking, mobile check deposit, online bill pay, and more! You also get access to fast payments with Zelle, and access to U.S. Bank Smart Rewards™ to reap additional benefits.

U.S. Bank Smartly™ Checking has a $6.95 per month maintenance fee that’s easily waived if you simply do ONE of the following:

• Are age 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military, OR
• Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more, OR
• Average account balance of $1,500 ore more, OR
• Hold an eligible U.S. Bank credit card, OR
• Qualify for one of the four Smart Rewards™ tiers (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle).

If you attend a college that participates in the U.S. Bank Campus, there are several extra perks. This program issues you a campus card that links your student ID with your debit card, opens the door to a university-branded debit card, and gives you access to on-campus or near-campus advisory centers. 

Savings Accounts: The Standard Savings or Elite Money Market 

While you are in school or just starting out, creating a habit of saving money is critical. The Standard Savings Account and the Elite Money Market Account are both worthwhile options. 

The Standard Savings Account is a useful place to start stashing your savings if you have at least $25 to get started. Although this account is very basic, you can link it to your U.S. Bank Smartly™ account. 

The Elite Money Market Account is another place to store savings. But interest rates are lackluster. Although it’s convenient to have all of your banking needs in one place, you’ll get the most out of your savings by putting them in a high yield savings account at another bank. 

CDs

Certificates of Deposit, or CDs, offer a low-risk way to grow your savings. But in exchange for a higher interest rate, you’ll give up liquidity, or easy access, that comes with a savings account. 

You can also opt for their Trade up CD with a minimum deposit of $1,000. This CD allows you to take advantage of rising rates once per term.

Before tucking your funds into a CD, make sure you are comfortable with the lack of liquidity.

You can see how U.S. Bank compares on our list of the Best Bank CDs here.

Business Banking

U.S. Bank has a full suite of business banking options – including business checking, business savings, lending, and merchant services.

Their main business checking products include Silver Business Checking, Gold Business Checking, and Platinum business checking. The big differentiator between the levels is the number of transactions your business does each month.

U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking

The U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking account is is a solid basic business checking account with all the features you need in a bank.

This account is designed for business with limited transaction activity, and has a $0 monthly maintenance fee.

This account includes a U.S. Bank Visa Debit Card, mobile and online banking, mobile check deposit, online bill pay, and more! It also includes 125 free transactions per month with a $0.50 fee for each additional transaction.

This account continually appears on our list of the best business checking accounts.

Are There Any Fees?

Yes, U.S. Bank does have monthly fees for most of its products, but these fees can typically be waived by meeting certain requirements.

For example, the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Checking has a $6.95 per month maintenance fee that’s easily waived if you simply do ONE of the following:

• Are age 24 and under, 65 and over, or a member of the military, OR
• Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more, OR
• Average account balance of $1,500 ore more, OR
• Hold an eligible U.S. Bank credit card, OR
• Qualify for one of the four Smart Rewards™ tiers (Primary, Plus, Premium, or Pinnacle).

The Standard Savings account comes with a $4 monthly fee, which can be waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $300, keep an average monthly balance of $1,000, or are under 18. 

The Elite Money Market Account comes with a $10 monthly fee, which can be waived if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $10,000. 

How Do I Contact U.S. Bank?

If you need to get in touch with U.S. Bank, you can call 800-USBANKS. Another option is to resolve your issue at a physical branch location. 

For a bank of such a large size, it might not be surprising that the bank has only earned 1.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Also, it has earned a B+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Unfortunately, the bulk of the complaints center around bad customer service experiences. 

How Does U.S. Bank Compare?

U.S. Bank is one of the biggest banks in the country. Its biggest competitors include other major banks like Chase Bank and Wells Fargo. 

In terms of physical branches, its roughly 2,000 branches pale in comparison to Chase Bank’s 5,300 branches. But many of the account types are relatively similar. Chase also offers a student checking account with helpful fee waivers. 

But what if you are looking for a banking experience that makes up for a lack of physical branches with stellar online account offerings? In that case, you might want to check out Chime. 

Chime is a financial technology company that offers banking services through The Bancorp Bank or Stride Bank. You’ll find a fee-free experience and a streamlined mobile app for painless money management. 

How Do I Open An Account?

If you want to open a Bank Smartly account at U.S. Bank, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old to proceed on your own. If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, a parent will need to apply for the account with you. 

Be prepared to provide your full name, email, phone number, date of birth, and more. Also, the bank will likely ask for your driver’s license before finalizing the account. 

Is It Safe And Secure?

U.S. Bank is a member of the FDIC. With that, your deposits are FDIC insured for up to $250,000. Even if the U.S. Bank closed its doors, you could get up to $250,000 of your money bank. 

Additionally, the bank employs several levels of fraud prevention and offers security alerts through its mobile app. 

Is It Worth It?

The U.S. Bank Smartly™ account offered by U.S. Bank is a compelling option for college students and young adults. It’s especially helpful for students attending a college that participates in the campus banking program. 

The interest rates offered by the interest-bearing savings accounts aren’t very impressive. If you are looking to put your savings to work for you, then it’s worth it to seek out another place to stash your funds. 

If you’re a side hustler or small business, the U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking is a compelling choice.