If you’re on the lookout for a full service online bank, you might come across CIT Bank. Founded in 2009, CIT Bank is now a division of First-Citizens Bank & Trust Company, which is a leading financial institution with more than $218 billion in assets.
The bank offers a range of products, including savings and checking accounts, CDs, custodial accounts, and home loans. It stands out for its competitive interest rates that you may not find at traditional banks, as well as no monthly maintenance fees or monthly service fees.
While there are no physical branches, live chat support on CIT’s website and mobile app as well as automated phone assistance is available 24/7. If you prefer to speak to a CIT representative directly, you can reach them during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
CIT Bank doesn’t have an ATM network, but it will reimburse you up to $30 per month if you incur out-of-network ATM fees. Rest assured that it’s insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $250,000 for an individual account or $500,000 for joint accounts, meaning your money will be safe, no matter what happens to the bank. Let’s take a closer look at CIT Bank so you can decide whether it makes sense for your unique situation.
CIT Bank Pros and Cons
Before you move forward and open an account with CIT Bank, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits and drawbacks.
Pros
- Competitive rates: Since CIT Bank has less overhead costs than brick and mortar financial institutions, its yields on deposit accounts and several CIT Bank CDs are competitive. It can allow you to make the most out of your hard-earned money.
- No fees: Unlike other bank accounts, CIT deposit accounts do not have any monthly maintenance fees, or other common fees. You can use the money you save on fees to meet your financial goals faster.
- ATM fee reimbursement: CIT Bank reimburses you up to $30 per month for out-of-network ATM fees. This means you can withdraw cash from any ATM without worrying about high costs.
- Small minimum deposit requirements: You don’t need a lot of cash to open up CIT Bank accounts. Many. of the accounts only require $100 to start.
- 24/7 customer service: CIT’s live chat and automated phone support is available round-the-clock. If you have a question or concern, you’ll be able to receive assistance right away.
Cons
- No physical branch locations: CIT is an online only bank, meaning there are no branches for an in-person banking experience. If you decide to bank with CIT, you should feel comfortable with online banking and mobile banking.
- Limited product selection: Compared to other financial institutions, CIT’s product line is slim as there are no credit cards, car loans, or IRAs. Fortunately, its lineup of checking accounts, savings accounts, custodial accounts, CDs, and mortgages is still impressive.
- Low rates on select CD accounts: Some CDs have lower rates than you may be able to find elsewhere. The good news is you can calculate your returns in advance and won’t have to worry about fluctuations in the market.
- No checkbooks: CIT’s eChecking accounts do not include checkbooks. However, you can use CIT to pay other individuals and businesses electronically via Zelle, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.
CIT Bank Products
CIT Bank offers various products to help you meet different financial goals. Here’s an overview of each of its current offerings.
Checking Accounts
You can open the CIT Bank eChecking account with as little as $100. It’s unique in that it offers interest on your balance. To earn as much interest as possible, you’ll need to keep at least $25,000 in your account.
As an online checking account holder, you’ll get a debit card with chip technology and 24/7 account access. Plus, you’ll be able to deposit checks and make unlimited withdrawals with the CIT Bank mobile app. In addition, you’ll have access to Zelle, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. Unfortunately, the eChecking account doesn’t come with paper checks.
Savings Accounts
CIT Bank offers a few CIT Bank savings accounts you might want to explore., including the CIT Bank Savings Connect, the Savings Builder account, and Platinum Savings account. The CIT Bank Platinum Savings account provides an interest rate of up to 12 times the national average.
There are no fees and interest compounds daily so that you can earn as much as possible. All you need is $100 to open this account. This account is ideal if you’d like to meet your savings goals quickly without a lot of effort.
With the CIT Savings Connect account, you can reap the benefits of a great interest rate and enjoy easy access to your funds. Several noteworthy perks of the Savings Connect include an interest rate of up to 11 times the national average, online banking and mobile banking, remote check deposit, and no monthly service fees.
The CIT Savings Builder is a two-tiered CIT savings account with an interest rate that’s twice the national average. As long as you make at least one $100 deposit per month or maintain a balance of $25,000 or more, you can earn a competitive rate on it. Since the Saving Builder account earns daily compounding interest, you’ll be able to maximize your earning potential. Just like the other CIT saving accounts, the Savings Builder doesn’t have any account opening or maintenance fees.
CIT Money Market Account
The CIT Bank money market account is the way to go if your ultimate goal is to grow your savings and stash your emergency fund. With a minimum opening deposit of $100, you can earn more than two times the national average.
In addition, there is no monthly service fee, and you can deposit checks and transfer money using the CIT Bank mobile app. In addition, you’ll be able to earn twice the national average. Just like with the other accounts, you may only make six transactions per statement cycle and can deposit checks and make transfers with the CIT mobile banking app.
CDs
Certificates of Deposit (CDs) might be worth exploring if you like the idea of guaranteed returns. CIT offers several types of CDs, including:
- Term CDs: Term CDs are traditional CDs that are widely seen at other banks and range from six months to 60 months. With a term CD, you can lock in an interest rate for a certain time period, regardless of what happens to the market. The longer term you choose, the more interest you’ll earn. You’ll need at least $1,000 to open a term CD.
- No-Penalty CDs: Most CDs require you to lock up your money for a set period of time. If you’d like to access it before, you’ll have to pay a penalty. A no-penalty CD is exactly what it sounds like: a CD that doesn’t charge a penalty if you withdraw funds before your term is up. It requires a $1,000 minimum opening deposit, and you may be able to access your money after seven days.
- Jumbo CDs: If you have a lot of cash saved up, a jumbo CD might make sense. It requires $100,000 to open and doesn’t come with any account opening or monthly maintenance fees. Its terms range from two to five years, and the longer you keep your money in one, the higher rate you can lock in.
- RampUp CDs: RampUp CDs are for current CIT Bank customers with CDs. With a RampUp CD, you can increase your rate one time during your term if CIT Bank raises rates after you have already opened your account. You’ll need to reach out to CIT Bank directly to learn more about what type of rate you might qualify for.
Custodial Accounts
Custodial accounts are opened under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA). If you have a child under 18, a CIT custodial account can help you save money for their future. You’ll serve as the custodian and have complete control of the account until your child turns 18 or a later age that you designate.
You can contribute as much money as you’d like and may not have to pay federal taxes on part of the earnings. With a custodial account, your child may enjoy money for college, a vehicle, home down payment, and other expenses that can steer them toward a bright future.
Home Loans
CIT Loans does offer mortgages, but you have to submit your contact information on its website to start the process and learn more about your options. You’ll need to state the value of the home you’re interested in, your desired loan amount, your zip code, and your credit score range. If you already bank with CIT, you may be eligible for two relationship discounts that lead to a lower rate.
Ten percent of your balance in a CIT bank account may give you 0.1% off your rate. If you keep 25% of your balance in a qualifying cit bank savings account, you might lock in a 0.2% discount. Since the CIT website has limited information about its mortgages online, it’s a good idea to fill out the form and request further details.
CIT Bank Fees
As we mentioned above, CIT Bank doesn’t charge any opening fees or monthly maintenance fees. Also, you can open most accounts with only $100. The bank won’t charge any domestic ATM fees and will reimburse you up to $30 per month for any fees you incur for using other ATMs. If you use an international ATM, however, CIT Bank will charge a monthly fee of 1% plus the fee imposed by the ATM provider. Other fees you should be aware of include:
- Debit card replacement fee: 100
- Overdraft fee: $30
- Returned deposit fee: $10
- Bill stop payment fee: $30
- Outgoing wire transfer fee: $10
CIT Mobile App
With the CIT mobile banking app, you can bank on the go from just about anywhere. The mobile app is versatile, so you can use it to log into our accounts via a password or fingerprint. You can also transfer funds between CIT accounts and an external bank account and take a photo to deposit checks.
Plus, the app allows you to check your balances and transaction history, send and receive money via Zelle, and make secure payments with Samsung Pay and Apple Pay. If you’d like, you can sign up for text banking, which will give you the chance to check your account balances and transactions through text. Many reviewers state that the CIT mobile app is very intuitive, so you shouldn’t have any trouble using it, even if you don’t consider yourself tech-savvy.
CIT Bank Reputation
Before you go ahead and open a CIT Bank account, you might want to know about its reputation. It has an A- rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). On TrustPilot, CIT earned 2.3 out of 5 stars due to negative customer reviews.
Most of the negative reviews have to do with poor customer service and difficulty opening deposit accounts. The majority of the five-star reviews praise CIT for a convenient banking experience and fast response times from the customer service team. You can always try out CIT Bank and move on to another financial institution if you’re unsatisfied for any reason.
How to Access Your Money
Even though there are no physical branches, CIT Bank makes it easy to fund your account and withdraw money.
Deposits
You can fund your account through these methods.
- Mobile app: With the mobile app, you can deposit checks and make transfers quickly and conveniently.
- ACH transfer: The simplest way to fund your account is to transfer funds electronically from your external bank accounts. Note that it may take up to two business days for the money to show up.
- Check: You can mail a physical check to CIT Bank.
- Wire transfer: CIT Bank accepts funds via wire transfer.
Withdrawals
Here’s how you can make withdrawals:
- CIT Savings Connect: The CIT Savings Connect allows you to make up to six withdrawals or transfers per statement cycle. Keep in mind that any withdrawal and transfer requests you submit via mail don’t count toward this limit. The same goes for telephone requested withdrawals and transfers.
- ACH transfer: Free ACH transfers between your account and an external bank account are available.
- Check: You can call CIT and ask them to mail you a check without paying a fee.
How to Get Started
To open an account with CIT Bank, visit their website and click the green “Open Account” button on the home page. You can complete the application in 5 minutes or less. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- Your home address
- Your phone number
- Your email address
- Your Social Security number
You’ll also need to fund your new account. You can transfer funds from an external checking or savings account, wire funds to your new account, or mail a check to the following address: CIT Bank, N.A. Attn: Deposit Services, P.O. Box 7056, Pasadena, CA 91109.
Lastly, CIT will make two test micro-deposit to your account. You’ll receive an email within three business days that asks you to verify them. The bank will process your transaction as soon as you do.
CIT Bank Alternatives
While CIT Bank offers numerous benefits, it’s not right for everyone. If you decide CIT isn’t the best choice for your unique needs and preferences, consider these alternative options. Some are online banks, while others are traditional financial institutions with brick and mortar locations.
Ally Bank
Like CIT Bank, Ally Bank is an online only bank that offers low fees and high rates. Its product lineup includes checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, credit cards, mortgages, car loans, personal loans, and retirement accounts. Perhaps the greatest benefit of Ally Bank is that it doesn’t charge any fees.
Capital One
Capital One has approximately 300 branches in select states and more than 50 Capital One Cafes that allow customers to open accounts, deposit cash and checks, and hang out. It also offers no-fee access to more than 70,000 ATMs and attractive rates on savings accounts and CDs. This bank might make sense if you want competitive rates but prefer the option of an in-person banking experience that is not available with CIT.
Chime
Chime isn’t a traditional bank or online bank like CIT. It’s a mobile banking app that provides banking services through Bancorp Bank, N.A. and Stride Bank. The Chime checking account comes with exciting perks like automated savings tools, early direct deposits and free access to over 60,000 fee free ATMs across the country. The Chime high yield savings account is also a solid choice thanks to its competitive interest rate and lack of monthly fees as well as minimum balance requirements.
Citibank
Citibank sounds like CIT Bank, but is one of the largest banks in the world. It has hundreds of locations in the U.S. and thousands overseas. If you frequently travel abroad for business or pleasure and want access to branches and ATMs, it should be on your radar. It offers a plethora of accounts, but they do come with fees. The good news is many of the fees can be waived if you meet certain balance or direct deposit requirements.
Discover Bank
When most people think of Discover, credit cards come to mind first. But Discover is actually an online bank that’s similar to CIT Bank. Its plethora of products include checking and savings accounts, personal loans, student loans, home equity loans, and mortgage refinancing. Discover also offers cash back on debit card purchases and, of course, credit cards with various rewards.
PNC Bank
PNC Bank is a traditional bank with brick and mortar locations. Some of its most popular products are the PNC Standard Savings account and Virtual Wallet, which combines a traditional checking and savings account. PNC also offers numerous CDs and free budgeting tools. It offers online banking, like CIT Bank, plus a robust mobile app.
Huntington Bank
Huntington Bank is a leading bank in the Midwest with branches in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. It provides checking and savings accounts, personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, credit cards, insurance, and investment options. Other perks include a 24-hour grace period, all day deposits, and online bill pay. You can download the Huntington app and bank on the go, like you’d be able to with CIT.
Bank of America
Known as one of the largest banks in the country, Bank of America has more than 6,000 locations throughout the U.S. Just like CIT Bank, it has a highly rated mobile banking app. In addition to checking and savings accounts, it has a Preferred Rewards program, which comes with perks like higher interest rates, waived fees, and cash back for certain transactions.
TD Bank
TD Bank has a strong presence in the Eastern part of the U.S. It offers many of the same products as CIT, such as personal checking accounts, personal savings accounts, and mortgages accounts. TD stands out for its generous bonuses and minimal fees. We can’t forget its intuitive mobile app, which makes it a breeze to bank on the go.
Citizens Bank
Citizens Bank is a national bank with locations in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Just like CIT Bank, it doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees as long as you meet specific criteria, like making one deposit per month.
Additionally, many accounts are free of minimum balance requirements. In addition, Citizen offers the Peace of Mind overdraft protection program, which will send you an alert if you overdraft your account. Other perks include an overdraft fee grace period and early paycheck deposit and early paycheck deposit.
Bottom Line
If you feel comfortable with online banking and would like to take advantage of the best annual percentage yield APY available, CIT Bank is a great choice. You’ll enjoy access to a plethora of products and watch your money work for you. While you won’t get to bank in-person, you can perform just about any banking task online or on your mobile phone via the CIT banking app.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of products does CIT Bank offer?
CIT Bank offers deposit accounts, like checking accounts, high yield savings accounts, and money market accounts. It also provides CDs and home loans.
Who is CIT Bank for?
CIT Bank is a good fit if you’re looking for an online bank with high interest rates and low fees. You’ll be able to open and manage CIT Bank’s savings accounts and checking accounts from the comfort of your own home. If you prefer a traditional bank with physical locations, you might want to explore other options, like Bank of America, PNC Bank, and Huntington Bank.
Is CIT Bank FDIC insured?
Yes, CIT Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. This means that if the bank fails for any reason, the federal government will protect your money up to $250,000 per depositor. The FDIC insurance can give you the peace of mind of knowing your money will be safe and sound, regardless of what happens to CIT.
Do I need a lot of money to open a CIT Bank account?
Each CIT account has its own requirements. However, many of its deposit accounts can be opened with as little as $100. This is great news if you’d like to start your savings journey but don’t have a lot of cash at your disposal.
Is it safe to bank with CIT?
CIT makes security a top priority. If you open an account with the bank, it will be protected with safety measures like antivirus protection, SSL encryption, firewalls, and account monitoring. With CIT, you don’t have to be skeptical about entering your personal information.
Is CIT Bank legitimate?
CIT Bank is a division of First Citizens Bank, which dates back to the 1800s. Plus it’s FDIC-insured.
Where can I go to find CIT Bank’s routing number?
Log into your online account to find your CIT Bank routing number. For online-only accounts, this number is 124084834.
Does CIT Bank have physical branches?
CIT Bank is a digital bank. This means there are no branches, and you must do all your banking on your laptop, computer, or mobile device. Many reviewers state that the CIT website and mobile app are easy to use, so you don’t have to worry about a learning curve.
Is CIT Bank compatible with Zelle?
Yes. You can use Zelle to quickly send and receive money through the CIT Bank mobile app. Fortunately, you won’t have to pay any fees to do so, as Zelle is free to use.
Should I open an account with CIT Bank?
You might benefit from a CIT Bank account if you’re looking for a financial institution that offers high interest rates and low fees. However, you should feel comfortable with online and mobile banking, as you won’t be able to step into a local branch to deposit a check or ask a question.
