Impressive assortment of options from crab to caviar
Customers can order individual portions to reduce potential food waste
Packaging was efficient and organized
The company prides itself on its sustainability efforts
Generous rewards program and flexible subscription options
Cons
Can be quite pricey
Avoid the precooked stuff
High shipping costs for live seafood, especially in certain regions
Fresh fish may not be the easiest entree to track down for tonight’s dinner, but it’s certainly some of the healthiest. Varieties like salmon, sea bass and ahi tuna provide an abundance of lean protein, vitamins and nutrients and can be spun into quick weeknight meals or a dinner party showstopper. But a good seafood selection isn’t always easy to come by, which is why online fish markets and seafood subscriptions have become popular.
There are plenty of fish in the sea, and most of them are available to order online.
Joey Skladany/CNET
I know this as well as anyone. I crave seafood on the regular, but finding the perfect fish typically requires a trip to the grocery store or market, only to find fish that’s overpriced and underwhelming, and that’s never a good use of anyone’s precious time. So we rely on companies like Fulton Fish Market to do the work for us and hand-select what we assume to be the best of the best.
After testing the trendy fish and seafood delivery service myself, here’s everything you need to know.
How Fulton Fish Market works: Choose a la carte or subscription
Fulton Fish Market specializes in the shipment of freshly frozen, live, and prepared seafood. Customers can either create a subscription or shop a la carte.
Screenshot by David Watsky/CNET
The process for subscriptions is simple: Add your favorite seafood to your cart, select “Upgrade to Subscription” on the cart page where you’ll then choose the delivery frequency, and get up to 20% off in savings on your purchase and every purchase moving forward. You will also have the option to skip or update upcoming orders.
Fulton Fish Market’s inventory is sourced from the country’s largest fish market, located In New York City. Fulton gets first dibs on some of the best catches in the world, which means the quality and selection are unparalleled.
The fish isn’t cheap
One filet of ahi tuna will run you close to $30. Ouch.
Fulton Fish Market
I found the seafood delivery service easy, and it delivers on its promise but don’t expect deals or bargains. A single 7-ounce filet of quality farmed salmon will cost you about $13. A six-pack of wild Alaskan salmon filets is more like $84, which breaks down to $14 per filet. Other fish, including tuna and swordfish, is even pricier, much of it on par with a higher-end market such as Whole Foods or Wegman’s.
Rewards program makes the pricey fish market feel more affordable
Customers can also take part in a generous rewards program that allows customers to accrue five points per $1 spent. You can also earn points by creating a Fulton Finsider account, signing up for their mailing list, and following the market on Instagram. Points can be redeemed for $10 or $15 coupons after reaching 1,000 and 1,500 points, respectively.
Fulton Fish Market prides itself on selling sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood. More information on the company’s meticulous selection and vetting process can be found here. The sustainability profile explains the difference between farmed and wild seafood and the nuanced impact they have on the environment and underwater ecosystems.
Shipping and delivery
My haul from Fulton Fish Market.
Joey Skladany/CNET
Orders ship within one to three business days of purchase and deliver within one to two business days of shipment, excluding Sundays and Mondays. Everything in my order was packaged neatly with no noticeable spillage, drips or defrosting.
All frozen orders over $125 qualify for free shipping. Products arrive on dry ice and need to be stored in a refrigerator or freezer immediately upon arrival, though you don’t need to be present to accept the package. Any frozen order under $125 will incur a $20 nationwide shipping charge.
The delivery fee for live fish and seafood orders depends on where you are located. For a detailed map of zones, click here.
What Fulton Fish Market seafood is like
To diversify my a la carte selection, I opted for three different fish filets, as well as precooked king crab legs. Here is how they fared:
King salmon
A generous serving of wild Alaska salmon.
Joey Skladany/CNET
This wild salmon filet had enough rich color already that I didn’t do much in the way of seasoning. Instead, it went straight into the air fryer with salt, pepper, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, per my usual routine. I was impressed by how much fresher it tasted in comparison to my typical grocery store salmon. It cooked perfectly and had a tenderness that I don’t normally get from supermarket fish.
Chilean sea bass
The filet of sea bass was particularly tasty.
Joey Skladany/CNET
This was my favorite filet of the bunch — sweet, succulent, and buttery with delicate flakes that melted in my mouth. If you have an appreciation for the subtle umami flavors that some fish varieties offer, Fulton’s sea bass is an excellent pick.
Ahi tuna steak
The tuna filet was thick and most delicious, aside from one fishy bite.
Joey Skladany/CNET
I appreciated the size of this ahi tuna steak right off the bat. It wasn’t too thick and, as a result, easy to cut into slices to make a perfect poke bowl topper. That said, there was one fatty and fishy bite that was slightly off-putting. It didn’t ruin the meal, but I dramatically spit the bite in question into a garbage can.
Wild king crab legs
Joey Skladany/CNET
While the rich and lobster-esque taste was spot on, some of the meat was a bit rubbery and sinewy. This tends to happen when seafood is cooked, frozen and then reheated, but it wasn’t a deterrent from melting some butter and dipping my way through wild king crab leg bliss.
Who is Fulton Fish Market good for?
If you’re a creature of habit and consistently eat the same things, Fulton Fish Market’s subscription program is a wonderful option. There is so much flexibility around modifying orders and delivery times, as well, so you’re not locked into a plan that you’ll tire from in only a few months. (And if you do, you can pause it!)
This is also a great option for the customer who likes to entertain. Themed boxes take out any of the guesswork when it comes to portion sizes and variety, so all you have to do is cook and serve.
Joey Skladany/CNET
Who is Fulton Fish Market not so good for?
While most fish and seafood aren’t difficult to prepare, it’s quite expensive. So if you’re an amateur chef who is prone to destroying food in the kitchen, there is a chance you may ruin an expensive piece of fish and completely regret your purchase.
If said amateur chef is you, I recommend starting with one of their prepared/ready-to-eat options like crab cakes, shrimp burgers, or smoked salmon. These are great for the guy or gal on the go who doesn’t have time or interest to look up recipes or cooking techniques.
Fulton Fish Market is also not great for those on a budget. While the business’s products are arguably of a higher quality, the price can be difficult to justify outside of a special occasion.
Final verdict on Fulton Fish Market
Fulton Fish Market
For someone like me whose palate bores easily, I was thoroughly impressed by the wide assortment of Fulton Fish Market’s offerings. Everything I sampled tasted fresh (for the most part) and a step up from the quality of typical grocery store finds.
While there were a couple of critiques regarding inconsistent texture and moments of fishiness, that is simply the reality of shipping seafood across the country and not consuming it straight from the source. I would recommend the company to anyone who wants to change up or upgrade their current routine.
Finding a large home security system can feel frustrating if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars and risk getting locked into a contract. Using this hefty discount, this SimpliSafe system is available for less than $300 — and while a monitoring subscription is available, you can choose to self-monitor and waive the monthly fees.
Included in this kit is a base station, keypad, pack of entry sensors, motion sensor, key fob, siren and smoke detector. That makes it an effective DIY way to outfit a new home or apartment that’s never had security tech before.
Home equity represents the portion of your home that you own based on your down payment and the mortgage payments you’ve already made. In other words, home equity is the difference between your home’s appraised value and the mortgage balance that you still owe to your lender.
Once you have enough equity in your home, lenders and banks will allow you to borrow against it to get access to financing, which can be used to pay for upgrades or repairs, consolidate debt or cover a major expense. But before taking on debt against your home, you’ll have to calculate how much equity you have.
Key takeaways
Home equity is the difference between the amount you still owe on your mortgage and the current value of your home.
Calculating your home’s equity is the first step to borrowing money through a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit.
When you tap into your home equity for financing, you risk losing your property if you can’t make payments.
What is home equity?
Home equity is the market value of your home minus your outstanding mortgage loan balance. When you tap into the equity in your home, it can be an effective tool to build wealth.
You can start with a good chunk of equity when you buy your home by making a large down payment. Then, the longer you’re in your home and the more monthly mortgage payments you make over time, your equity will increase. Your equity can also go up if property values increase or if you make improvements to increase your home’s value.
Calculating home equity
A bit of math is involved in figuring this out, but it’s fairly simple. Here’s how to calculate your home equity in four steps.
1. Get an appraised value of your home
If you want to get a rough calculation of your home equity, you can look up your home’s market value by contacting a county assessor who sets an amount annually for property tax purposes. There are also online calculators that use an algorithm to determine your home’s current market value based on the prices in your area.
When you need to formally determine how much equity you have in order to get a loan or a refinance, most lenders require you to get an on-site appraisal conducted by a licensed appraiser.
2. Determine your home loan balance
Your monthly mortgage statement will show your current loan balance. Take note of how much you still owe your lender on your mortgage.
3. Calculate your home’s equity
Here’s where the math comes in. Use this equation:
Appraised home value – current home loan balance = your home equity
For example, if your home is valued at $500,000, and you owe $300,000 on your mortgage, you have $200,000 in home equity.
4. Calculate your home equity percentage
Next, determine what percentage of your home you’ve already paid off. Divide your home equity amount ($200,000 from the example above) by your home’s value ($500,000). Take the result (0.4) and multiply it by 100. Your home equity is 40%.
Can I borrow money with my home equity?
Many homeowners are cashing in on their home equity, leveraging the ownership stake in their property for types of financing that are more affordable than using a credit card or a personal loan.
If you’re going to tap the value of your home and go into debt, make sure the money will improve your financial position over the long term. Also, always pay attention to the risks when your home is used as collateral to secure a loan. Falling behind in payments means you could lose your property.
Home equity loan
A home equity loan, also considered a second mortgage, gives you access to a set amount of funds at a fixed interest rate, with your home as collateral. You can use the loan for any reason, such as paying off high-interest credit card debt. The amount you qualify for depends on the amount of equity you’ve built in your home. A home equity loan comes with a predictable monthly repayment schedule, and if you use it for certain home improvement projects, you could be eligible for a tax deduction.
HELOC
Like a home equity loan, a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, also uses your home as collateral. Unlike a home equity loan, however, a HELOC gives you access to a revolving credit line at a variable (not a fixed) interest rate. A HELOC allows you to withdraw as much money as you need during the draw period, usually 10 years, where you make payments only on interest. When the draw period ends, the repayment period starts: That’s when you’re responsible for paying back the principal balance (the original amount you took out) along with the remaining interest you owe.
Cash-out refinance
A cash-out refinance is when you replace your primary mortgage with a new mortgage loan that’s for a bigger amount. The new loan includes the balance you owe on your current mortgage as well as the equity you’ve already built, which you can withdraw as cash. That lump sum of money can be used for anything, such as paying down high-interest credit card debt or making renovations to your home.
How much can I borrow with my home equity?
Once you know how much home equity you have, you can figure out how to borrow against it. Lenders use a loan-to-value ratio, or LTV, to determine your eligibility for a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Here’s how to calculate your LTV:
Current mortgage balance / current home value = your loan-to-value ratio
There are several ways to increase your home equity:
Make a larger down payment.
Decrease your mortgage balance by making extra payments over the course of a year.
Increase the value of your home with a renovation project or enhance its exterior or interior.
Get a new appraisal to see if your home’s value has gone up.
Pros and cons of using home equity
Pros
You can secure a lower interest rate to finance home renovations or big-ticket expenses.
You might be able to deduct the interest on the loan on your taxes if your funds were used to substantially improve your home.
You can use the money for anything you want, though it’s best to use the funds to improve your financial situation.
Cons
Since your home is used as collateral, there’s a risk of losing your property if you miss payments or default on the loan.
If the value of your home decreases, you may not be able to borrow much against it.
Some home equity loans have lengthy terms, so you’ll be paying quite a bit of interest over time.
The bottom line
Calculating your home equity can give you a ballpark idea of how much equity you have so you can tap into it for financing a project or paying for a major expense. Leveraging your home equity can be a great resource, especially when interest rates are lower than personal loans or credit cards or when home values are rising. Always remember, however, that you’ll be taking on more debt and risking your home in the process.
The all-electric 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona made its official debut today, with a 400-volt system and a 100.5kWh battery capable of putting out up to 670 horsepower.
The electric muscle car, which will go on sale later this year at a still unknown price, can gallop from 0–60mph in 3.3 seconds and cover a quarter mile in just over 11 seconds. And gone will be the rumbling V8 engines of the past, replaced with dual electric motors and a bit of gimmickry, like external speakers making a fake “vroom vroom” noise. (Not literally, but we’ll get to that in a bit.)
It’s been almost two years since Dodge offered the first glimpse of its electrified future in the form of its concept Charger Daytona SRT, and three years since Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis said the brand would cease production of its gas-powered Charger and Challenger muscle cars to make way for an electric lineup. Now, even as EV sales cool off and some automakers pull back from their investments in electrification, Dodge says it’s charging ahead (yep, I said it) with its transformation.
The electric Charger will come in two trims: R/T and Scat Pack, both scheduled to start deliveries later this year. There’s a two-door coupe version of each, as well as a four-door sedan. And next year, Dodge will release a refreshed internal-combustion engine Charger, powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six Hurricane engine, as well as a Banshee performance version of the electric Charger Daytona.
In other words, the company is hedging its bets — as I’m sure its customers would expect. Unwilling to bid farewell to the era of gas-slurping street-legal dragsters? No problem! Dodge still has a muscle car for you.
When designing the first electric Charger, Kuniskis said the company prioritized power over going the distance. “It’s not designed to get you 500 miles of range,” Kuniskis said in a briefing with reporters. “This is designed to be the ultimate performance muscle car — until we come out with the Banshee, of course.”
What kind of power are we talking? The R/T will put out 456 horsepower (496 with a Power Shot), 404lb-ft of torque, with 0–60mph in 4.7 seconds. By comparison, the Scat Pack will churn out 630 horsepower (670 with the Power Shot), 627lb-ft of torque, and sprint to 60mph in 3.3 seconds. But all that extra power will cost you some range, as the Scat Pack will only get 260 miles of EPA estimated distance, while the R/T should travel up to 317 miles.
The electric Charger will be built on the STLA Large platform, which is the automaker’s top-of-the-line electric architecture mostly geared toward SUVs and larger vehicles. But Dodge wanted a bigger battery and more power for its first electric dragster, so it went with the plus-sized model.
The 100.5kWh battery will only have a usable 93.9kWh but should still be plenty of capacity for all your on-street antics. That puts the Charger EV in the same category as the Cadillac Lyriq and BMW i7, but it’s tuned to put out more ponies than similar sized EVs.
The 400V propulsion system will enable DC fast charging at a maximum rate of 183kW for both variants. When plugged into a 175kW fast charger, the Charger EV’s battery will go from 5 to 80 percent in 52.4 minutes. At a 350kW charger, that charging speed drops to 32.5 minutes.
Dodge said the new Chargers will come standard with Direct Connection stage kits, which is where you can get extra power if the factory settings aren’t enough for you. The R/T has access to the Stage 1 upgrade kit that adds 40 horsepower to reach a total of 496 horsepower, while the Scat Pack is delivered with a Stage 2 kit that offers 80 additional horsepower, taking total output to 670 horsepower.
All that power will require better-than-average stopping performance courtesy of the massive 16-inch Brembo brakes and red six-piston front / four-piston rear fixed calipers. It’s the largest brake package offered on a Dodge vehicle. Moreover, a “Brake by Wire” intelligent braking system purports to use a central module to control vehicle deceleration for “optimum braking force and pedal feedback.” Mind your neck.
Like all EVs, the Charger Daytona will emit a low-speed hum to alert pedestrians and others on the road. But when the RPMs increase, the vehicle’s “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust System” kicks in. “Sound intensity is tied to higher performance,” Dodge says, meaning the fake engine growl increases in volume — and ferocity — as the vehicle accelerates. And yes, there are speakers.
Kuniskis insists the company cleared the faux exhaust with a select group of customers before signing off on the final design. But no doubt the faux growl will remain controversial with some diehards, even as electric performance becomes more commonplace.
There are plenty of drive modes, including the standard Auto, Eco, Sport, and Wet / Snow. For the Scat Pack trim, drivers will get two additional drive modes: Track and Drag. Track mode produces “maximum vehicle performance capability on smooth, dry surfaces, while Drag Mode, intended for use on an enclosed dragstrip, provides optimal dragstrip launch and straight-line acceleration.”
The release of the first electric Dodge muscle cars is a momentous occasion, especially considering how cagey the company has been about the shift to EVs. During a 2021 event by parent company Stellantis, Kuniskis proclaimed that Dodge would not “sell electric cars — it will sell eMuscle,” which is apparently Dodge branding for its future EVs. And last week in a briefing with reporters, he called the present moment “schizophrenic,” with companies needing to sell more ICE cars in order to fund the transition to EVs.
Dodge also screened a somewhat entertaining video for reporters of Kuniskis traveling back in time in the electric Charger to 1900 to give the original Dodge brothers, Horace and John, a tour of the company’s electrification efforts. The video is amusing — Kuniskis goes on an extended rant against “kale smoothies” for some reason — but it also lays bare the tension between Dodge’s 124-year-old legacy and its place in a more uncertain, less polluting future.
“The car we designed doesn’t look like a typical battery electric melted jelly bean,” Kuniskis boasts, as CGI-generated versions of Horace and John nod in admiration.
Online banks typically provide the same services as traditional brick-and-mortar banks but with greater convenience. You can pay your bills, deposit checks and transfer money directly from your online account. Because online banks have fewer overhead costs than those with physical branches, they usually offer more competitive savings rates on high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit.
Banking entirely online is far more common than it used to be. If cash is your primary form of income, the major downside is that many online banks don’t accept cash deposits. However, you can always open multiple accounts at separate institutions to reach your financial goals.
Compare the best online banks
CNET’s list of the best online banks includes some of the most popular financial institutions nationwide. However, there are also great banks that aren’t household names to consider.
Bank
Savings Account
CDs
Checking Account
Money Market
Accepts cash deposits?
ATM fee rebates
Alliant Credit Union
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Up to $20/month
Ally
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Up to $10/statement cycle
Bask Bank
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
N/A
Discover Bank
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
N/A
Laurel Road
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
N/A
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
N/A
My Banking Direct
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
N/A
SoFi
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
N/A
Synchrony
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Up to $5/statement cycle
TAB Bank
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Up to $15/month
Zynlo Bank
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
N/A
Products offered:
Savings: 3.10% APY
Checking: 0.25% APY
1-year certificate (CD): 5.40% APY
Monthly fees: None
Alliant Credit Union is an NCUA-insured online credit union offering members competitive deposit account rates and minimal fees. Most accounts don’t charge maintenance fees, or they can be waived if you sign up for e-statements. Membership is open to current or former employees of Alliant’s US partner businesses. You can also become an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate to become eligible for membership. It costs $5 to sign up, but Alliant will pay the one-time fee on your behalf.
Alliant’s certificates earn some of the highest APYs available, with terms ranging from three months to five years. Its savings account earns a competitive yield, but higher-yielding accounts are available with rates up to 5.35% APY. We also like that its High-Rate Checking account pays a better yield than other checking accounts and doesn’t require a minimum balance or charge service fees.
Ally Bank is an ideal alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar banks. Founded in 2009, Ally is a full-service bank offering consistently competitive rates on all deposit accounts. The highest rates are available for all balances, regardless of tier.
High APYs, minimal fees and 24/7 customer support help make Ally an attractive banking solution for the 21st century retail banking customer.
Bask Bank is an online-only bank that offers competitive APYs on savings accounts and CDs. Bask doesn’t offer checking or money market accounts, but you’ll have two savings accounts to choose from: the Bask Interest Savings Account and the Bask Mileage Savings Account, which allows you to earn American Airlines miles. There are no monthly fees and no minimum balances required to open or maintain a savings account. Bask also offers competitive yields on all of its CD terms, ranging from six months to two years.
Pros
High APY on savings and CDs
Low minimum deposit requirements for savings account
Low fees
Variety of CD terms available
Cons
No checking account
High minimum deposit requirement for CDs
Limited number of products available
Products offered:
Savings: 4.30% APY
Checking: 0% APY
1-year CD: 4.80% APY
Money Market: 4.15% APY – 4.20% APY
Monthly fees: None
Discover Bank has deposit accounts, credit cards, personal loans and student loans. We like that Discover offers deposit accounts, such as CDs, savings and a money market account, at competitive rates with no fees. While its $2,500 minimum deposit requirement for its CDs and MMA is steep, there is no required minimum deposit to open and maintain a savings or a checking account. The Discover Cashback Debit account is a free checking account that pays 1% cash back on debit card purchases up to $3,000 per month. Discover is a solid choice for anyone looking to manage their everyday banking and credit card accounts in one place.
Pros
Competitive APYs on savings accounts
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
No minimum deposit requirements to open accounts
Fee-free network of 60,000 ATMs
Direct deposits accessible two days early
Cash-back rewards on checking
Cons
High minimum deposit to open a CD
No cash deposits accepted
Products offered:
Savings: 5.00% APY
Checking: 0.01% APY
Monthly fees: None
Laurel Road, the digital arm of KeyBank, offers a high-yield savings and rewards checking account with no minimum deposit or balance requirements to earn its competitive APY. Like many online banks, Laurel Road doesn’t accept cash deposits, so you’ll need to transfer money electronically to fund your account.
If you open a rewards checking account by April 4, 2024, and direct deposit at least $2,500 within the first 60 days, you’ll qualify for a $100 welcome bonus. You can add $20 per month to that bonus, for a combined bonus total of $340 in the first year, if you maintain $2,500 in qualified direct deposits each month for the first 12 months. After that, you’ll receive $10 whenever you have $2,500 or more in qualifying direct deposits in a month.
Laurel Road began as a student loan originator in 2013. In 2019, it was acquired by KeyBank and, in addition to the deposit accounts, it offers credit card and loan products primarily geared toward health care and business professionals nationwide. Its digital platform merges technology with banking services to offer a high-yield rate that applies to the entire balance.
Pros
Competitive APYs on savings accounts
Generous welcome bonus and checking account rewards
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
Low minimum deposit requirements to open a checking and savings account
Support for peer-to-peer payment tools
Mobile check deposit
Fee-free network of 40,000 ATMs
Cons
Limited deposit accounts offered
No cash deposits accepted
Products offered:
Savings: 4.50% APY
1-year CD:5.05% APY
Monthly fees: None
Launched in 2016, Marcus is the online-only banking arm of Goldman Sachs, one of the 10 largest banks in the US. The bank’s savings accounts and CDs offer competitive yields and no monthly maintenance fees. Marcus has three types of CDs with competitive APYs and terms ranging from six months to six years. While some online banks offer no minimum deposit requirement to open an account, Marcus requires a $500 deposit to get started with a CD. However, there’s no minimum deposit requirement for its high-yield savings account. Marcus doesn’t offer a checking account or money market account.
My Banking Direct is the online-only arm of Flagstar Bank, N.A., which is owned by New York Community Bancorp. The bank is a lean financial service that only provides savings, checking and five-month CD accounts. However, the APYs offered on the savings account and CD are among the best available today.
Beyond great rates, the bank doesn’t charge monthly or overdraft fees and provides surcharge-free ATM access through a network of 55,000 Allpoint and Presto! ATMs. To open a savings account, you must deposit $500, and a CD requires a $2,500 initial deposit. Checking accounts can be opened with just $1. However, you’ll need to deposit at least $2,500 to open a CD. During the week, you have access to extended customer service hours, until 8 p.m. ET and 2 p.m. ET on Sundays.
Pros
Competitive APYs on savings accounts and its lone CD offering
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
Low minimum deposit requirements to open a checking and savings account
Fee-free network of 55,000 ATMs
Support for peer-to-peer payment tools
Mobile check deposit
Cons
Limited terms for CDs
High minimum deposit required for CDs
No interest offered on checking accounts
No cash deposits accepted
Products offered:
Savings: Up to 4.60% APY
Checking: 0.50% APY
Monthly fees: None
SoFi (short for Social Finance) was the brainchild of Stanford Business School graduates who created an alumni-funded lending source that initially focused on refinancing student loans. Since then, SoFi has expanded into a variety of loan categories and now offers online checking and savings accounts. You automatically get a savings account when you open a SoFi checking account. The checking account doesn’t require a minimum deposit or charge monthly maintenance fees or overdraft fees. Its high-yield savings account has a competitive APY and doesn’t have a minimum deposit requirement or monthly fees. Some applicants may qualify for a new account bonus of up to $300.
Low deposits required to open savings and CD account
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
Fee-free network of 55,000 Allpoint ATMs
Direct deposits accessible two days early
Cons
Fee charged for depositing cash
Products offered:
Savings: 4.75% APY
1-year CD: 4.90% APY
Money Market: 2.25% APY
Monthly fees: None
Synchrony takes advantage of its limited overhead to offer competitive rates on deposit accounts. In addition to a wide variety of financial products such as IRA CDs and IRA money market accounts, Synchrony offers niche types of CDs, including a bump-up (which automatically adjusts to a higher APY when available) and no-penalty varieties.
TAB Bank is an online-only bank that originally catered to professionals in the transportation industry. It offers highly competitive APYs for its high-yield savings and CD accounts. There are no monthly fees and its savings, checking and money market accounts have no or low initial deposit requirements to open an account.
We also like that you can receive mobile alerts and text messages for withdrawals when your account falls below a certain dollar amount. Another benefit is that TAB has extended customer service hours: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. MT and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. MT, excluding federal holidays.
Pros
Competitive APYs on savings, money market and CD accounts
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
No minimum deposit required to open a savings account
Low minimum deposit requirements to open a checking and money market account
Mobile check deposit
Cons
High minimum deposit required for CDs
No cash deposits accepted
Products offered:
Savings: 5.00% APY
Checking: 2.00% APY
Money Market: 5.00% APY
Monthly fees: None
Zynlo Bank is a relative newcomer to online banking, launching in 2020 as the digital-only arm of PeoplesBank. It offers competitive rates on savings, checking and money market accounts. In addition to high yields, this bank offers tools to assist you in reaching your savings goals. For example, it has savings folders that help you label your savings goals in separate accounts, and Zyng, an automated roundup savings service with a bank match for every debit card purchase.
Zynlo accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, per depositor, per type of account, in case of bank failure. The bank also covers deposits beyond the allotted FDIC limit through the Depositor Insurance Fund.
Pros
Competitive APYs on savings, checking and money market accounts
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
Low minimum deposit requirements to open accounts
24/7 access to live customer service
Extended FDIC insurance
Fee-free network of 55,000 ATMs
Early payday feature available with direct deposit
Cons
No cash deposits accepted
Note: APYs shown are as of March 1, 2024. CNET’s editorial team updates this information regularly. APYs may have changed since they were last updated and may vary by region for some products.
What is an online bank?
An online bank, credit union or financial services firm lets you fully manage your money and accounts online via a website, mobile device or app. Most banking services can also be handled online, including transferring funds and depositing checks.
Though technology makes everything we do more accessible from a smartphone, there are some drawbacks to online banks. Online-only banks lack in-person assistance, and some might not accept cash deposits, making it tricky to bank there if you’re often paid in cash. On the other hand, if you’re comfortable managing your money online, digital banks are a convenient, low-cost option.
“Just make sure the bank meets your needs and it’s not going to cost you a ton of money to keep your money there,” Sokunbi said.
Online banks typically offer higher interest rates than traditional banks, Sokunbi said. And one major advantage is that some let you earn interest on your checking account, a feature most big banks don’t offer.
Although online accounts generally have fewer fees, you can save a lot of money by taking note of any additional fees, Sokunbi said. An online checking account, for example, might charge an ATM withdrawal fee. And an online savings account might charge you an excessive withdrawal fee if you go beyond six transfers or withdrawals per statement cycle, said Shang Saavedra, founder and CEO of Save My Cents and CNET expert review board member.
Transferring money out of an online account can also take time. Make sure you feel comfortable with how you can access your money — including withdrawing or transferring funds and making deposits. If you need assistance, you’ll need to navigate the bank’s customer service line, email support or chat.
How do I deposit and withdraw money from an online bank account?
The way in which you deposit and withdraw money, and the transfer time, will depend on the specific bank you choose.
Bank transfer
A bank transfer is one of the most common and seamless ways to transfer money online from one bank account to another. You can transfer money to or from an existing account using the account and routing numbers through your online account or mobile app. Some banks also let you transfer money through banking platforms like Plaid or Zelle. While some banks may transfer your money instantly or within two business days, some can take as long as seven — which can make a big difference, Sokunbi said.
Mail or wire transfer
Even if the only bank you choose doesn’t have a physical branch you can visit, you may still be able to mail a paper check or wire transfer with the funds to deposit into your account. However, this route will likely take longer for your money to hit your account compared with other options.
ATM deposit and withdrawal
Many online banks offer an ATM network for fee-free deposits and withdrawals, and you may be reimbursed for out-of-network ATMs. Some online banks partner with brick-and-mortar financial institutions or offer ATM deposit access if you prefer to make transfers in person. Cash deposits are usually available instantly, but checks may take a few days. Not all online banks allow you to deposit cash at an ATM. And not all online accounts come with ATM access to withdraw your money.
Mobile check deposit
If your online bank offers mobile account access, you can deposit a paper check using the mobile app and your smartphone camera. Usually, there’s no fee, and the money is available in one to two business days, depending on the bank.
Pros and cons of online banks
Cons
Limited banking services
No in-person physical assistance
May not accept cash deposits
Limited ATM availability without fees
Are online banks safe?
Like traditional banks, money stored at an online bank is safe as long as it is FDIC- or NCUA-insured to protect your deposits up to $250,000 per individual, per bank.
But keeping your financial and personal data secure when banking online is also important. Choose an online bank with robust safety and security features to protect your account. Some essential features to look for include two-factor or biometric authentication, end-to-end encryption and no liability for unauthorized transactions. This can help keep your account more secure and protect it from data breaches and hackers. Before opening an account at an online bank, ask customer service about any safety features and be sure to enable them for your safety.
How to open an account with an online bank
Opening an account with an online bank is usually straightforward. Once you’ve compared different bank options and are ready to open an account, follow these steps:
Go to the bank’s official website.
Narrow down which account(s) you want to open and review any requirements and fees.
Complete the application with any required personal information and verification.
Fund your account using the bank’s approved deposit methods.
From there, you can download the bank’s official mobile app and request a debit card (if available).
Methodology
CNET reviews online banks based on the latest APY information, fees charged and services offered from issuer websites. We evaluated online banks from among more than 50 banks, credit unions and financial companies. We selected the banks with the highest APYs that were insured up to $250,000 by the FDIC or NCUA.
Banks surveyed include: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank of the West, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, BMO, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, Capital One, CFG Community Bank, Citizens Access, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Credit One Bank, Discover Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Merrick Bank, Nationwide (by Axos), Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, OneUnited Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Popular Direct, PurePoint Financial, Quontic Bank, Rising Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, TIAA Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Union Bank, USAA Bank, Vio Bank and Wells Fargo.
This article includes some material that was previously published on NextAdvisor, a CNET Money sister site that was also owned by Red Ventures and that has merged with CNET Money. It has been edited and updated by CNET Money editors.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
Facebook and Instagram users are experiencing widespread outages on Tuesday morning. Over 215,000 Facebook users are experiencing an outage according to Down Detector. Instagram’s app was also having issues on Tuesday, with over 47,000 users reporting outages. The outage started just after 10:00 a.m. ET, and appears to be ongoing.
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Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads all showed spikes in user-reported issues on Tuesday morning. Many users are reported being logged out of their Facebook accounts, with no ability to sign back in. It’s unclear at this time what is causing the outage. Meta is not actively reporting any issues with their services, despite the widespread reports from users.
Gizmodo reached out to Meta for comment and will update the story when the company gets back to us.
If you’ve ever wondered what quantum computers actually do, you’re not alone. The truth is, no one knows what modern problems this technology can solve. Google launched a multi-year, global competition on Monday to find real-world use cases for quantum computing, and the finalists will split $5 million.
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“While there are many reasons to be optimistic about the potential of quantum computing, we’re still somewhat in the dark about the full scope of how, when, and for which real-world problems this technology will prove most transformative,” said Google in a blog post. “We hope launching this prize will help to shed light on these questions.”
Google launched this competition, XPRIZE Quantum Applications, alongside the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA). Twenty finalists will share a $1 million prize and advance to the finals. Finalists must then provide technical specifications and prove that quantum computing is faster or more accurate than traditional computer solutions. The grand prize winners will receive $3 million, while runner-ups will split another $1 million prize.
That’s no reason to get discouraged. In 1950, computers were the size of pickup trucks and had very few practical uses at all. Quantum computers are still in that early stage of development, and they still could revolutionize the world. The real question is how.
Google’s competition does not necessarily mean we will have use cases for quantum computing in three years, but it’s a step in the right direction. Researchers can submit near-term applications for today’s quantum computers, Noisy Intermediate Scale Quantum (NISQ) processors, and applications for the quantum computers of the future.
The quantum computing competition will be judged by researchers from Google, Amazon, and some of the best universities around the world. Hopefully, the competition will produce real-world use cases for the next generation of computing, and put this powerful technology to work.
Mobile gaming is a great way to kill some time while you’re on a break at work or just standing in line at the market, but who wants to carry a Nintendo Switch or Valve Steam Deck with them all the time? If you have your iPhone, you already have a great gaming machine. But you’re going to need something like the Backbone One to get the most out of it. The iPhone gaming controller is perfect for cloud gaming and more, and now you can pick one up for just $70.
This deal is available on both the black and white variants of the controller, but note that it’s only offered on the versions with a Lightning connector. That means that most iPhones will work with these controllers, but those who have the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro devices will need to look elsewhere or pay full price for the USB-C models.
The Backbone One features responsive analog triggers and great, tactile buttons as well as clickable thumbsticks. All of this means that the controller is a great way to play cloud-based gaming as well as remotely playing Xbox and PlayStation games. Just want to play the games installed on your iPhone instead? No problem, this controller works great with those as well.
The controller comes with a Lightning port so you can charge your iPhone while you’re playing and the free Backbone app makes quickly accessing your games and friends list super-easy. You’ll be enjoying the latest must-play titles in no time.
Need to upgrade your iPhone to get the best gaming experience? Be sure to check out our collection of the best iPhone deals before you place your order anywhere else.
Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are all experiencing issues. The three Meta-owned platforms aren’t working for many users, with the widespread outage seeming to start around 10AM ET.
Facebook is logging users out of their accounts, leaving them unable to get back in. Meanwhile, over on Instagram, some users, including several of my colleagues at The Verge, can’t refresh their feeds. While I can still refresh my feed on Instagram, stories and comments aren’t loading.
Threads also appears to be completely down. When opening the app, it displays an error message that says “Sorry, something went wrong. Try again.” WhatsApp, which is also owned by Meta, still appears to be working.
Reports on DownDetector rapidly spiked for allthreeplatforms this morning, and Meta has yet to acknowledge the issue The Verge reached out to Meta to see if it’s working on a fix but didn’t immediately hear back.
Having a really good monitor can make a major difference in the way you work or play. If you haven’t updated yours in a while, it may be time to consider picking one up, especially since the tech and prices have continued to improve over the years. Right now, Amazon has slashed up to 44% off a wide range of Samsung monitors, with options ranging from great office and design-specific monitors to high-end gaming monitors that are, quite frankly, eye-wateringly expensive, there’s bound to be a great fit, whatever your needs may be.
To start us off, one great option for those who want to do graphic design or other creative work can save 44% on the 27-inch ViewFinity S9 Series with 5K resolution. While it lists for $1,600, it’s been discounted to $900 during this sale, making it a good time to splurge. However, if you’re instead looking for a cheaper option with more screen real estate, consider snagging the 34-inch ViewFinity S50GC Series ultrawide monitor while it’s just $240 — a $110 discount.
If you’re looking for a gaming monitor, this 27-inch Odyssey G3 is a solid option since it runs at full HD and can hit a 144Hz refresh rate, making it a good choice for entry- to midtier gaming. It’s going for $180 right now. On the other hand, if you want something more high-end, this 32-inch Odyssey Neo G8 has a 4K resolution and can hit a whopping 240Hz refresh rate, which is impressive for that resolution. It typically will run you an astounding $1,500, but it’s discounted by a considerable $600 right now, which brings it down to $900.
Another interesting way to go is with an ultrawide curved monitor, such as this massive 49-inch Odyssey G93SC. Its OLED panel runs at 5,120×1,440-pixel resolution with an impressive 240Hz refresh rate, and is going for $1,100 rather than the usual $1,600. Finally, if you just want the best of the best and have the money to burn, then you can’t get better than the second-gen 55-inch Odyssey Ark, which is quite possibly the best gaming monitor from any brand that you can buy, and it’s going for a whopping $1,933, although that’s down from $3,000, so you can get an idea of how high-end it is.
There are a ton more options, so be sure to check out the complete sale while you’re at it. And, if nothing tickles your fancy, there are some other great monitor deals you can take a look at.
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