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Axos Bank review 2025: High APY options for checking and savings but subpar CD rates

Glen Luke FlanaganBy Glen Luke FlanaganStaff Editor, Personal Finance
Glen Luke FlanaganStaff Editor, Personal Finance

Glen is an editor on the Fortune personal finance team covering housing, mortgages, and credit. He’s been immersed in the world of personal finance since 2019, holding editor and writer roles at USA TODAY Blueprint, Forbes Advisor, and LendingTree before he joined Fortune. Glen loves getting a chance to dig into complicated topics and break them down into manageable pieces of information that folks can easily digest and use in their daily lives.

The Axos Bank logo on a layered frame.
Illustration by Fortune; original logo from Axos Bank

San Diego-based Axos Bank is an online bank offering numerous account options for individual and business customers. In addition to multiple checking accounts designed to suit various life stages and financial needs, including a rewards checking account, the bank provides money market, high-yield savings, lending, and investment account services. 

Founded in 2000, Axos Bank highlights its tech-driven platform and well-developed mobile app that allows for banking around the clock, 24/7 chat support, analyzing spending patterns, and ability to synci your  financial accounts—even those outside of Axos Bank. Although several of its accounts offer highly competitive APYs, they require a lot of steps in order to qualify for those rates.

Rates are current as of Aug. 26, 2025, and are subject to change.

Axos Bank

Axos Bank

Checking accounts Starting at $0 per month
Savings accounts Open with no minimum deposit
CD rates Earn up to 0.20% annual percentage yield (APY)
View offer

at Axos

  • Year Founded: 1999
  • Company Headquarters: San Diego, CA
  • CEO: Greg Garrabrants
View offer

at Axos

Who is Axos Bank good for?

With a variety of account types, Axos Bank can be a good choice for people with various banking needs, from rewards checking to options designed specifically for teens and seniors.

Who shouldn’t use Axos Bank?

The APYs on most of this bank’s savings products are not competitive compared to some others in the space, so if you’re looking for high APYs on CDs, money market accounts (MMAs), or a standalone high-yield savings account, you may need to go elsewhere. 

You’ll also need to meet various requirements to earn checking account rewards or the bank’s top APYs—so if simplicity is your aim while still getting rewards, this may not be the institution for you.

Pros

  • Offers cash-back rewards with a checking account, which many banks do not
  • Offers checking accounts designed for every phase in life, whether you’re starting out or are near retirement
  • The mobile app includes helpful features such as a broad overview of your financial picture, allowing you to manage your money more easily

Cons

  • To earn the highest yield on a savings account you have to meet quite a few requirements
  • The money market account APY is lackluster at 0.25% 
  • Axos CDs require a $1,000 minimum deposit and the Private Client account requires a $250,000 opening deposit.


Axos Bank rates and products

Axos Bank offers a diverse array of banking products. In addition to six types of checking accounts, there is also a paired Axos One checking and savings account that offers high yields for meeting certain requirements, plus Premier accounts for those who can make more substantial deposits. 

Checking accountsUp to 3.30% APY
Savings accountsUp to 4.00% APY (up to 4.46% with the Axos One bundle)
MMAsUp to 0.25% APY
CDsUp to 0.20% APY
Bank details checked Aug. 26, 2025.

Checking accounts

Axos Bank offers seven separate checking account options depending on customer needs and wants—everything from rewards checking with an earn rate of up to 3.30% APY to a Private Client checking for high-net worth individuals. 

Bank details checked Aug. 26 2025.

Essential Checking

As the bank’s most basic checking account offering, the Essential accounts do not provide interest. However, these accounts do feature early direct deposit, which allows for receiving a paycheck up to two days in advance.

Axos Bank Essential Checking account features

Account opening bonus$0
Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APYNone
Monthly balance requirement$0
ATM reimbursementUnlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements

Rewards Checking

The Rewards account features an APY of up to 3.30% APY. However, the entry-level APY is 0.40% and several requirements must be met to earn the highest rate. 

To earn the initial 0.40% customers must set up monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more. From there, you’ll need to use the Axos Visa debit card for at least 10 transactions (worth $3 or more each) per month or sign up for Personal Finance Manager in the Axos Bank banking app, which aggregates all your accounts, to get an additional 0.30% APY. 

To reach 3.30% APY, customers must also link an Axos Bank bank loan payment (0.60%), a self-directed trading account (0.99%), and an Axos Bank investment account (0.99%) to their Rewards checking. The linked investment account must also have an average daily balance (ADB) of $2,500 per month. 

That’s a lot of hoops to jump through and may not be attainable for everyone.

Axos Bank Rewards Checking account features

Account opening bonus$0
Minimum opening deposit$50
Monthly fees$0
Top APYUp to 3.30%
Monthly balance requirement$0
ATM reimbursementUnlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements

First Checking

First checking accounts are available to those between 13 and 17 years old (as well as up to 18 years old in Alabama) and an adult co-signer is required. A free debit card is provided with the account. There are no check writing privileges with this account and there are daily transaction limits of $100 in cash or $500 in debit spending.

Axos Bank First Checking account features

Account opening bonus$0
Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APY0.10%
Monthly balance requirement$0
ATM reimbursementUp to $12 in domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Daily transaction limits$100 cash and $500 debit

CashBack Checking

While this account does offer cash back, customers are required to maintain a $1,500 average daily balance or higher to earn the highest tier of 1% cash back. For those whose balance falls below that threshold, the cash back earned drops to 0.50% for the month.

In addition, the cash back calculation is based only on signature-based transactions, and cash-back rewards can only be deposited into your Axos Bank checking account with no other cash-out options. Also, note that cash back is capped at $2,000 earned per month.

A free starter kit of checks is provided with this account if you request it at account opening.

Axos Bank CashBack Checking account features

Account opening bonus$0
RewardsUp to 1% cash back
Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APY0%
Monthly balance requirement$1,500 to earn 1% cash back
ATM reimbursementUnlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements

Golden Checking

To open the Golden Checking account, customers must be age 55 or older. The account comes with a free debit card and one free box of checks every six months.

Axos Bank Golden Checking account features

Account opening bonus$0
Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APY0.10%
ATM reimbursementUp to $8 in domestic ATM fee reimbursements

Axos ONE Checking

The Axos One Checking account is bundled with an Axos One Savings account. Both accounts earn interest with the checking earning up to 0.51% APY when you meet the following requirements: receive at least $1,500 in total monthly qualifying direct deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.

The checking account also offers early payday access (up to two days early) and no monthly maintenance, minimum balance, account opening, or overdraft fees.

Axos ONE Checking account features

Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APY0.51%
ATM reimbursementUp to $10 domestic ATM fee reimbursements per month

Private Client Checking

While the Private Client checking offers an APY as high as 2%, there are various requirements to attain that level of interest-earning power. Direct deposits of at least $1,500 monthly are required to be eligible for 0.20% APY. Then, direct deposits totalling $5,000 or more will earn an additional 0.60% APY. 

Earning a higher rate  requires extra steps. By adding a Managed Portfolio or Self-Directed Trading account with at least $50,000 invested, customers earn another 0.40% in interest. An additional 0.40% can be gained by linking a small business basic checking account and maintaining an average daily balance in that account of $50,000. Finally, those who use a Private Client checking to make an Axos Bank consumer loan payment earn another 0.40%.

These accounts also offer VIP access to more than 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, plus travel and emergency assistance.

Axos Bank Private Client Checking account features

Account opening bonus$0
Minimum opening deposit$250,000 aggregate opening deposit between Private Client checking and Private Client savings
Monthly fees$0
Top APY2.00% (from obligatory savings account opened at the same time)
ATM reimbursementUnlimited reimbursement of domestic and foreign transaction fees.


Savings accounts

Axos Bank offers a high-yield savings account, called Summit savings with an APY of up to 4.00%. Their Private Client accounts also come with a savings option (paired with the checking account outlined listed above).

Bank details checked Aug. 26, 2025.

Summit Savings account 

The high-yield savings earns 4.00% APY with no balance requirements.

High-yield savings account features

Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APY4.00%

Axos ONE Savings account 

The Axos One Savings account is bundled with an Axos One Checking account. 

Both accounts earn interest at attractive rates, with the savings account earning up to 4.46% APY when you meet the following requirements with your bundled checking: receive at least $1,500 in total monthly qualifying direct deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $1,500, or receive at least $5,000 in total monthly qualifying deposits and maintain an average daily balance of more than $5,000.

Axos One Savings account features

Minimum opening deposit$0
Monthly fees$0
Top APY4.46%

Private Client savings account 

The Private Client savings account is the companion to the Private Client checking account.

Private Client savings account features

Minimum opening deposit$250,000—this is an aggregate balance for the Private Client checking and Private Client savings accounts
Monthly fees$0
Top APYUp to 2.00%

MMAs 

Customers can automate their bills, pay their friends, and access their money market funds with a debit card. While this account may be a convenient option, its APY is well below some of the best MMAs on the market right now.

Bank details checked Aug. 26, 2025.

Axos Bank MMA features

Minimum opening depositNone
Monthly fees$0
Top APY0.25%
Minimum balance to receive APYNone

CDs

Whether the CD term is three or 60 months, Axos Bank offers the same 0.20%APY and requires a $1,000 minimum opening deposit.

Bank details checked Aug. 26, 2025.

Axos Bank CD features

Minimum opening deposit$1,000
Available term lengths3 months to 5 years
Top APY (or) APY range0.20%

Other services Axos Bank offers 

Axos Bank offers a variety of banking products beyond checking, savings, CDs, and money market accounts: 

  • Mortgages: Axos Bank offers an array of mortgage products for all types of home buyers including first-time buyers and those looking to refinance. Its mortgage products include conforming loans, non-conforming loans, portfolio loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans, jumbo loans, super jumbo loans, real-estate investment loans and interest-only mortgages.
  • Home equity loans: Axos Bank also offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit (HELOC).
  • Personal loans: Personal loan products available from Axos Bank include debt consolidation, home improvement, and major purchase loans.
  • Auto loans: In addition to standard auto loans, Axos Bank also offers auto refinance loans.
  • Investing: Axos Bank’s services extend to managed portfolio investing and self-directed trading.
  • Commercial lending: Axos Bank offers a diverse range of commercial products including commercial lines of credit, commercial loans, and more.

Check Out Our Daily Rates Reports

The Axos Bank platform and customer support 

Axos offers a well-developed online and mobile banking platform. The mobile app includes a variety of user-friendly features, including the ability to link all to your external accounts to get an overview of your entire financial picture, and analyze your spending patterns, pay bills, and deposit checks. The mobile app is rated 4.4 stars on Google Play and 4.7 on the Apple App Store. 

There are several ways to get in touch with Axos Bank. The mobile app provides 24/7 chatting with Evo, a virtual financial assistant that’s designed to provide answers to nearly all financial questions. Customers can also send secure messages to the bank through the mobile app. 

Personal banking customers can call Axos Bank 24/7 at 888-502-2967. For questions about personal loans, customers can call the bank between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m at 866-923-3625. Pacific time Monday through Friday. Those with questions about home loans can reach Axos Bank Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. PT and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT on Saturday. 

Representatives are also available to discuss auto refinancing questions via phone from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday at 844-517-5556.

Is Axos Bank secure?

Axos Bank is Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-insured, meaning your money is safe in the rare case of a bank failure—up to $250,000 per individual, per account. They also use secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption to create a secure connection when you bank online, plus they employ consistent fraud monitoring.

Axos Bank user reviews

User reviews for Axos are mixed, with many customers on Trustpilot commenting that customer service leaves something to be desired. The most common complaints appeared to be of accounts not functioning properly, whether it was a customer unable to transfer funds or a debit card not  working or other issues.

Compare Axos Bank alternatives

Two institutions with accounts that could be a better fit, if Axos doesn’t quite work for your situation, are SoFi (an online bank) and Alliant Credit Union—which has very accessible membership requirements for a credit union. 


Axos Bank
SoFi logo
SoFi®
Member FDIC
Alliant Bank logo
Alliant Credit Union
Top savings APYTop savings APYTop savings APY
Up to 4.00% APY (up to 4.46% with the Axos One bundle)Up to up to 3.80%%.1 Get a 0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.50% for up to 6 months on new accounts with eligible Direct Deposit. Terms apply.23.1%
Top checking APYTop checking APYTop checking APY
Up to 3.30% APY0.50%0.25%
Top CD APYTop CD APYTop CD APY
0.20%N/A4.10% on a six-month CD
Learn moreLearn moreLearn more
View offer
at Axos
View offer
at SoFi
View offer
at MoneyLion

Bank details checked Aug. 26, 2025.

Is Axos Bank right for you?

Axos offers convenient online checking and savings products. In particular, Axos Bank’s One bundle or the Private Client accounts (for those with the funds to qualify) could be a good fit if you’re looking for high-interest options. But, there are quite a few hoops to jump through to qualify for the top rates. And, if you want a high APY on CDs or a money market account you will likely prefer to look elsewhere.



Frequently asked questions

Is Axos Bank a legitimate bank?

Yes, Axos Bank is an FDIC-insured bank.

Does Axos Bank use Zelle?

No, Axos does not use Zelle. However, it offers its own peer-to-peer payment system with the Essentials Checking account. 

Does Axos Bank have ATMs?

Axos Bank customers can make free withdrawals at about 91,000 ATMs across the country.

Are Axos Bank and UFB Direct connected?

Yes, UFB Direct is a division of Axos Bank.


SoFi disclaimer

1:

SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus.

2: 0.70% Savings APY Boost

Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at sofi.com/banking#2. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

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