UFB Direct Reviews

UFB Direct shines for savers who prioritize high interest rates. At the time of publishing, its 5.25% annual percentage yield (APY) on both savings and money market accounts puts it well ahead of many competitors. But the lack of checking accounts or CDs might be a dealbreaker if you want a one-stop place to bank. The fees for overdrafts and wire transfers are also something to keep in mind, as they can add up.

UFB Direct is an online division of Axos Bank that offers high-yield savings and money market accounts and mortgages directly to consumers through its website and mobile apps. The branchless model allows UFB Direct to pass savings on to customers through higher interest rates and lower fees.

Although UFB Direct is an online bank, you can visit its San Diego headquarters for in-person service on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. Otherwise, customer service is available these ways:

• Call 877-472-9200 (24/7)
• Live chat (weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT)
• Send a secure message through your account portal

You’ll find savings and money market accounts at UFB Direct, along with a few mortgage options. With UFB Direct InsureGuard+, you can expand your FDIC insurance coverage up to $225 million through IntraFi Network Deposits.

Savings accounts

You have two savings account choices at UFB Direct:

• UFB Direct's Secure Savings account offers an excellent rate up to  5.25% APY with no minimum deposit or monthly fees. This is UFB Direct’s best product for everyday savers. It comes with an ATM card, so you can withdraw cash when you need it from 91,000 in-network ATMs across the nation.
• UFB’s Secure Money Market account has the same rate up to 5.25% APY, but you can also write checks from the account. It’s a bit more convenient for accessing your money regularly, but there is a $10 monthly fee unless you maintain a $5,000 minimum balance.

Both savings accounts allow for unlimited withdrawals and deposits. So if you don’t need the check-writing capabilities, you may be better off with the Direct Secure Savings account.

Mortgages

UFB Direct provides low-cost mortgages through Axos Bank. Its mortgage loans come with $0 lender fees, which can potentially save you thousands upfront.

Both of UFB Direct’s savings accounts earn a 5.25% APY. This is over 11 times higher than the current national average APY of 0.47% for savings accounts and over eight times higher than the 0.65% average for money market accounts, according to FDIC data.

If you’re a saver looking to grow your money, UFB Direct's rates are tough to beat. The 5.25% APY applies to all balance tiers in both accounts, so you earn a high yield no matter how much you deposit.

UFB Direct has fewer fees than traditional banks, but compared to online banks, it could be better. For instance, online institutions like Ally Bank and Synchrony Bank don’t charge monthly, overdraft or excessive withdrawal fees, but you’ll find these fees at UFB Direct.

Also, the Secure Money Market account has a $10 monthly fee that’s waived with a $5,000 minimum daily balance. Beyond this, UFB Direct has these fees:

• $35 for outgoing domestic wires
• $45 for outgoing international wires
• $10 for excessive withdrawals
• $25 per item for overdrafts, up to $75 daily max.
• $10 for stop payments initiated online
• $45 for stop payment fees assisted by a bank teller
• $10 for official bank checks

UFB Direct’s high-yield savings account interest rates are better than those from competing banks like Ally and Synchrony. You also get an ATM card, which Synchrony provides but Ally does not. Still, both Ally and Synchrony have several products not offered by UFB Direct, including CDs, credit cards and some checking account options. You’ll have to watch out for overdraft fees with UFB Direct, which Ally and Synchrony don't charge.

UFB Direct may be ideal if you want to earn a higher APY, but explore these other institutions if you want more savings features or account options.

UFB Direct is a banking division of Axos Bank and Axos Financial, Inc., which opened its doors in 2000 and currently holds around $21.6 billion in assets. Your deposits at UFB Direct are FDIC-insured through Axos Bank, which protects your money up to $250,000 per depositor or $500,000 per joint account. UFB Direct also offers InsureGuard+, which can increase coverage to $225 million.