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Brittney started her writing career in the world of science, putting her physics degree to good use. Her journey into finance started with building her personal credit, but soon grew into a borderline obsession with credit cards and travel rewards. For the last 7 years, she has enjoyed the ability to share her expertise with readers, as well as the opportunity to interview companies and individuals making an impact on our financial lives. She wholly believe most problems can be solved with the right research -- and a good spreadsheet -- and she specializes in translating complex financial topics into actionable advice to help educate and empower readers.
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APY = Annual Percentage Yield. APYs are subject to change at any time without notice.
Harborstone Credit Union may have a small footprint, but it has a lot to offer. The credit union has everything from checking accounts to credit cards and loans, as well as a variety of business services. See all it has to offer -- and how you can join -- in our full Harborstone Credit Union review.
If you're a Seattle local, Harborstone Credit Union could be a solid pick for your everyday banking. Overall low APYs make most of Harborstone's savings products a miss, however.
Pros
A lot of product variety
ATM reimbursements on checking accounts
Low or no monthly fee account options
Low minimum deposits
Cons
APYs are generally low
Credit union requires membership
Small footprint restricted to Seattle area
Harborstone Credit Union savings accounts review
This credit union has several savings options depending on your needs. While none of the accounts have a monthly fee, they all also have low APYs.
Harborstone Credit Union Savings
Every member of Harborstone Credit Union opens this basic savings account, which represents your "share" of the credit union. You'll need to pay a one-time $5 membership fee when you open the account. Other than that, there's no monthly account fee and you only need $5 to open.
Harborstone Credit Union Holiday Savings
A designated savings account meant just for holiday funds. You can save all year, then, on Nov. 1, Harborstone will automatically move the money to your checking account. The downside? If you withdraw before then, you'll be stuck with a $10 early-withdrawal fee.
Harborstone Credit Union Set-Aside Savings
This no-fee savings account is designed to work alongside your other savings accounts so you can save for specific goals. It has the same $5 minimum opening balance as other accounts, but no minimum balance to keep it open. You can transfer between savings accounts as much as you like.
Harborstone Credit Union Minor Savings
Folks 17 years and younger can use this account to start learning about savings. It includes an ATM card and the one-time membership fee is waived. There must be an adult joint account holder present to withdraw money until the minor is 18 years old.
Harborstone Credit Union Jet Set Savings
If you're joining Harborstone Credit Union for the first time and you're age 50 and up, you can get a Jet Set Savings account. The one-time membership fee is waived with this account, though you will need to pay a $12 annual fee. Benefits go beyond your savings account, however, as Jet Set Club perks include higher interest on certain CDs, free money orders, discounts on safe deposit boxes, and more.
Compare savings rates
Make sure you're getting the best account for you by comparing savings rates and promotions. Here are some of our favorite high-yield savings accounts to consider.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
up to 4.60%
Rate info
You can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Min. to earn: $0
New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
4.25%
Rate info
See Capital One website for most up-to-date rates. Advertised Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is variable and accurate as of April 11, 2024. Rates are subject to change at any time before or after account opening.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
4.25%
Rate info
4.25% annual percentage yield as of June 28, 2024
You have a variety of deposit types and lengths from which to choose.
Harborstone Credit Union Traditional CD accounts
These standard certificate of deposit (CD) accounts have terms that range from 6 to 60 months, though you'll get the best rates for 12- to 17-month CDs. You'll need a $500 minimum deposit.
Harborstone Credit Union Jumbo CD accounts
Jumbo CDs are similar to regular CDs, but with much larger balances. You'll need at least $50,000 for these accounts. Terms range from 6 to 23 months, with the best rates paying out for the 12- to 17-month Jumbo CDs.
Harborstone Credit Union Flexible CD accounts
A Flexible CD from Harborstone includes an add-on option (the ability to add more money after opening), as well as a once-per-term bump-up option (increase your rate). Terms range from 12 to 36 months, with shorter terms offering better starting rates.
Compare CD rates
Some of the shorter CDs from Harborstone come with respectable rates, but they're still not competitive with some of our top picks. Take a look at the rates from some of our favorite banks.
Harborstone has four different checking accounts to choose from, three of which have no monthly fees. They all require at least $25 to open.
Harborstone Credit Union BreakFree Checking
This simple checking account has no monthly fee and an (albeit very low) APY on your balances. You can unlock extra perks by meeting these qualifications:
Sign into online banking at least once a month
Set up a direct deposit or automatic ACH withdrawal
Make a minimum of 12 debit card transactions (of $3 or more) each month
If you qualify, you'll get a higher interest rate (which is remarkably competitive for a checking account), as well as $10 in ATM surcharge reimbursement each month. Higher rates apply only to balances up to $4,000.
Harborstone Credit Union Ultimate Value Checking
If you don't like the complexity of the BreakFree account, this may be a better pick. You pay no monthly fee, get up to 10 ATM surcharges reimbursed per month, and earn interest on your balance. Rates are based on your balance, with the highest applying to accounts with balances of $10,000 and up. (Even at the top tier, however, rates are very low, so definitely not the best place for your savings.)
Harborstone Credit Union Unlimited Potential Checking
If you've made some banking mistakes in the past, you may struggle to get a new checking account now thanks to your ChexSystems report (similar to a credit report, but for bank accounts). The Harborstone Credit Union Unlimited Potential Checking is designed to help people who need a fresh banking start. This account has a monthly fee, but you still get the first 10 ATM surcharges reimbursed.
Harborstone Credit Union Teen Checking
Having their own bank account can help teach teens how to manage money responsibly. This account is designed for 13- to 17-year-olds and has no monthly fee. You have an option to get a debit card, and the first 10 ATM surcharges a month are reimbursed.
Compare checking accounts
We recommend comparing checking accounts to make sure you're getting the best fit for you. Here's a list of our favorite accounts.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
0%
Min. to earn: N/A
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see details when you click 'Open Account')
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
up to 1.10%
Min. to earn: $1
High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
0.40% (up to 3.30%)
Rate info
To earn the full APY, account holders must do all of the following: Receive monthly direct deposits totaling more than $1,500; make 10 transactions a month with your Axos debit card, or sign up for Axos's Personal Finance Manager; maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account; and use your Rewards Checking account to make your full monthly Axos Bank consumer mortgage, personal, or auto loan payment.
Min. to earn: Monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500
Cash in on up to a $500 bonus† and up to 3.30% APY* with a new Rewards Checking account. Just use promo code RC500 before July 31.
Harborstone Credit Union customer service and experience
Opinions on Harborstone Credit Union seem to vary depending on which part of the internet you ask. Harborstone has an A+ from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The credit union offers a lot of customer service options, including email, social media, phone, and in-person support. The Harborstone Credit Union mobile app seems very popular, and it has 4.8-star and 4.6-star out of 5-star ratings from the App Store and Android Store, respectively.
Harborstone Credit Union relationship benefits
Harborstone Credit Union offers a Benefits Plus program, which unlocks a variety of deals on partner services like travel, entertainment, and even prescription discounts. Benefits Plus requires enrollment to activate. The service is free if you have an Ultimate Value Checking account, but it will cost you $2.50 a month otherwise.
Alternatives to Harborstone Credit Union
There's a lot to be said for the community feel of a local credit union. But there are a lot of services and amenities that are just better at bigger banks -- like, say, a competitive APY on your savings. If you're in the market for something a bit, well, more, try out some of our alternative picks.
Discover® Bank
If you want a bank that's known for customer service, Discover® Bank could be the right pick. It's an online-only bank -- so no branches -- but Discover still consistently ranks high for customer satisfaction year after year. Savings and CD rates are mostly competitive, and many accounts have no monthly fees.
Quontic Bank
Folks who want to get a high APY across the board may want to look into Quontic Bank. It offers a variety of accounts, including competitive-rate checking and savings accounts. (As with Harborstone, you'll get the best rate from the checking account if you use your debit card frequently.) An online bank, Quontic doesn't have any physical branches, but it offers multiple means of contact for customer service.
Is Harborstone Credit Union right for you?
Harborstone Credit Union could be a good choice if:
You live in Washington state (and better, you live in the Seattle/Tacoma metro area)
You value a community-minded credit union over the highest APYs
Other products by Harborstone Credit Union
For such a small credit union, Harbostone has a huge variety of products on offer to its members.
Harborstone Credit Union credit cards
Harborstone Credit Union Everyday Rewards+ Card
Harborstone Credit Union Platinum Card
Harborstone Credit Union Max Cash Preferred Card
Harborstone Credit Union Travel Rewards Card
Harborstone Credit Union Reserve Rewards+ Card
Harborstone Credit Union College Real Rewards Card
Harborstone Credit Union Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM)
Harborstone Credit Union FHA Mortgage
Harborstone Credit Union Fixed Rate Mortgage
Freddie Mac Home Possible®
Fannie Mae HomeReady®
Harborstone Credit Union Jumbo Mortgage
Harborstone Credit Union USDA/RD Mortgage
Harborstone Credit Union Super Conforming Mortgage
Harborstone Credit Union VA (Veterans Administration) Mortgage
Harborstone Credit Union Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
Other products from Harborstone Credit Union
Accumulator IRA Certificates
IRA Savings
Personal Loan
Personal Line of Credit
Auto Loan
Auto Refinance Loan
Motorcycle, boat, RV, and Toy Loans
Basic Business Checking
Business Interest Checking
Business Money Market
Business Line of Credit
Commercial Real Estate Loan
Equipment Loan
SBA (Small Business Administration) Loan
Business Savings Account
Business Certificate of Deposit
Our bank and credit union methodology
Our methodology for scoring banks and credit unions revolves around evaluating key aspects such as annual percentage yield (APY), brand reputation, fees and minimum requirements, and additional perks.
These criteria are weighted differently across various account types, ensuring a comprehensive assessment that reflects the competitive landscape and economic conditions.
We strictly feature products that offer federal insurance and high customer satisfaction, keeping our recommendations unbiased by advertiser influence. This robust evaluation process helps us generate balanced, reliable best-of lists that guide consumers to top financial products.
All of Harborstone's 13 branches are located in the greater Seattle/Tacoma metro area.
Any resident of Washington State may join Harborstone.
Yes, Harborstone Credit Union accounts can utilize Zelle through the mobile app.
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Ally is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Charles Schwab is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. SLM is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Synchrony Financial is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Brittney Myers has positions in American Express. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Axos Financial, Charles Schwab, Goldman Sachs Group, PNC Financial Services, and Target. The Motley Fool recommends Barclays Plc and Discover Financial Services and recommends the following options: short June 2024 $65 puts on Charles Schwab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Eric McWhinnie
