Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (2024)

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Why You Can Trust the MarketWatch Guides Team

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated top banks and credit unions

130

Institutions MonitoredOur team reviewed more than 100 of the country’s largest and most prominent financial institutions, from big banks like Chase and Bank of America to credit unions like Navy Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union.

688

Products StudiedTotal number of checking, saving, CDs, and money-market accounts that inform our review ratings.

719

Rates TrackedThe accounts with an annual percentage yield (APY) several times the national average rate receive the highest scores. Accounts with the lowest APY offering (under 1%) earn the least points.

10

Professionals ConsultedBefore we began our research process, we consulted with financial advisors and industry experts to ensure our evaluations covered the banking product aspects that matter most to potential customers.

Our Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Ratings

We give Marcus by Goldman Sachs 4.4 out of 5 stars after evaluating factors including its branch availability, account fees, interest rates and customer support. The bank’s CD offerings earn its highest rating, followed closely by its savings account. Although it doesn’t offer checking or money market accounts, Marcus’ overall bank experience also scores well.

Here’s how the company scores in each of our review categories:

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (1) Flip Card Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Rating 4.4 / out of 5 stars

Rating breakdown

Banking Experience and Access 4.1 / 5

Savings 4.4 / 5

CDs 4.6 / 5

*Ratings are determined by our editorial review team. Learn more about our scoring methodology.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs vs. Other Top Banks

While online banking is available 24/7, Marcus lacks the in-person banking options that Bank of America, Chase Bank and Wells Fargo give customers. Those top banks feature between 3,800 and 4,700 branches and 12,000 and 15,000 ATMs nationwide. This allows you to do cash transactions or get face-to-face help opening accounts and solving problems. Plus, unlike Marcus, these top banks support mobile check deposits.

The other top banks offer more banking services than Marcus, including checking accounts with waivable monthly fees and various loans and credit cards. However, their savings accounts usually have monthly fees.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs BankChaseWells FargoBank of America
Our rating4.443.84
Number of branch locationsOnline only4,7004,6003,800
Number of ATM locations015,00011,00015,000
Available deposit productsSavings, CDsChecking, savings, CDsChecking, savings, CDsChecking, savings, CDs
No-fee checking account option?*N/AYesYesYes

Overview of Marcus by Goldman Sachs: Pros and Cons

While its parent company dates back to 1869, Marcus by Goldman Sachs began in 2016. Its goal was to be an all-digital bank with easy-to-understand financial products. Initially, Marcus focused on personal loans before expanding to include deposit accounts. The online bank now has U.S. and U.K. platforms with an estimated 4 million people using its products.

This financial institution stands out for minimizing fees, paying competitive savings rates and providing around-the-clock support. Its drawbacks mostly involve the limitations of online-only banks, including limited product and transaction options and no in-person banking options.

Pros

Higher APYs: All Marcus accounts have annual percentage yields (APY) that are several times higher than the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)’s national average rates.

CD options: Marcus offers numerous CD options, including a no-penalty CD and a bump-up CD.

No fees: There are no monthly service fees for deposit accounts.

Customer service: Marcus has 24/7 phone and online chat options.

Cons

Access issues: Marcus has no physical branches or ATM network.

Funding limitations: Account holders can’t use cash or mobile checks for deposits.

Limited accounts: Marcus doesn’t have as many banking products available as some other financial institutions, including a checking account.

Who Is Marcus by Goldman Sachs Best For?

Because it is not a full-service bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs is best for someone who wants to take advantage of its rates on savings products, whether that be its high-yield savings account or one of its many CDs.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Accounts

Marcus by Goldman Sachs specializes in a small selection of deposit accounts for saving money. It offers a high-yield savings account for everyday use with no restrictions on withdrawing funds. The bank also features three types of CDs, including standard, bump-up and no-penalty options. Marcus does not offer a debit card on an.

All of its bank accounts are FDIC insured up to the legal limit of $250,000 per depositor, bank and account category.

Marcus specializes in investment bank accounts as well. Designed to let you get started with just $5, these accounts are ideal for planning for retirement or saving toward another life goal.

Its online and mobile banking experience includes many helpful features. You can keep track of all loans and deposit accounts and set up payments and transfers. The Marcus Insights feature in the mobile app helps track how you’re using your money, including your spending categories.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs AccountStandard APY*Minimum Opening DepositMinimum Account Balance
Online Savings Account4.40%$0$0
High-Yield CD3.90% to 5.10%$500$500
No-Penalty CD4.70%$500$500
Rate Bump CD4.40%$500$500

*APY accurate as of May 21, 2024

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Savings Account

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (2)

4.4

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Savings AccountMinimum Opening DepositMinimum Account BalanceMonthly Service FeeAPY*
Online Savings Account$0$0$04.40%

*APY accurate as of May 21, 2024

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Savings Account Overview

We give Marcus by Goldman Sachs 4.4 stars for its high-yield onlinesavings account. It’s a great choice if you want to earn an above-average interest rate on your money without the inflexibility and time commitment that comes with a CD.

Pros and Cons

Pros Competitive APY: This savings account offers a competitive APY that’s more than nine times the national average savings rate. No fees: This account has no monthly maintenance fees. No minimums: There are no minimum deposit or minimum balance requirements. Cons No ATM access: Marcus doesn’t offer an ATM card for this account nor ATM access. No cash deposits: Marcus doesn’t accept cash deposits via ATM, mail or certified retailer. No in-person access: As an online bank, Marcus doesn’t offer ways to manage your savings account in person.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Savings Account Information

Online Savings Account

The biggest perk of thisMarcus online savings account is its APY, which is more than nine times the national average rate of 0.45% for savings accounts. This is a variable rate, meaning that Marcus can raise or lower it depending on the overall interest rate environment and economy.

You can make ongoing deposits and withdrawals with some limitations. You’ll use electronic transfers or wire transfers for withdrawals, or you can request checks since you don’t get an ATM card. For deposits, you can alsomail checksor usedirect deposit, but you’ll need a workaround for cash. Once you link an external account, Marcus supports same-day transfers of up to $100,000 before the noon cut-off time on business days.

The account doesn’t have a minimum deposit or minimum balance requirement. You won’t pay a monthly fee, though Marcus mentions checking for any fees another bank may charge for certain transactions.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank CDs

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (3)

4.5

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank CDMinimum Opening DepositAPY*CD TypeEarly Withdrawal Penalty
High-Yield CD$5003.90% to 5.10%Standard90 days’ simple interest for terms less than or equal to1 year
180 days’ simple interest for terms more than 1 year to5 years
270 days’ simple interest for terms more than 5 years
No-Penalty CD$5004.70%SpecialtyNone
Rate Bump CD$5004.40%Specialty180 days’ simple interest for terms more than 1 year to 5 years

*APY accurate as of May 21, 2024

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank CD Overview

Standing out for their options and competitive interest rates, the Marcus CDs receive 4.6 stars. They all earn a fixed rate and feature a 10-day rate guarantee, which means Marcus will raise your APY if its term rate increases within the 10-day period after you open the account. The minimum deposit requirement is $500. For most of the Marcus CDs, withdrawing money before the maturity date requires losing between 90 to 270 days of earned interest.

Pros and Cons

Pros CD variety: Marcus offers standard and specialty CDs, including rate-bump and no-penalty CDs. High rates: Most Marcus CDs offer over 4.00% APY. Cons Low minimum: CDs require a $500 minimum deposit and balance to earn interest. No branch access: There are no branch locations you can use to access or manage your CD account.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs CD Options

High-Yield CD

Marcus’ high-yield CDsare ideal for those who want to earn the best CD rates and get the biggest term selection. It offers CD terms ranging fromsix monthsto six years.

Thistype of CDhas less flexibility since you can’t make penalty-free early withdrawals. Plus, the fixed rate could become a con if CD rates go up later, as Marcus won’t raise your rate after the 10-day guarantee period.

When you open a high-yield CD, Marcus lets you add funds for 30 days. You’ll then need to wait until the maturity date if you want to add more.

No-Penalty CD

The Marcus no-penalty CDs are a great choice if you’re unsure about being able to leave your money deposited until maturity. The early withdrawal penalty is waived as long as you wait until at least seven days after funding the account. Note the bank only allows full withdrawals, so the high-yield savings account is still the most flexible option.

The bank stops letting you add funds to this CD after you’ve met the $500 minimum requirement. Additionally, you won’t be able to take advantage of interest rate increases after the 10-day guarantee period.

Currently, Marcus’ no-penalty CDs are offered in seven-, 11- and 13-month terms.

Rate Bump CD

The Marcus rate-bump CD is designed for savers who don’t want to miss a potential interest rate increase later in the CD term. You can request a rate increase one time if the bank raises rates.

You can only choose a 20-month term option, which earns a competitive APY. This CD has some flexibility for adding further funds since Marcus says you get 10 days after a rate bump request to do so. However, Marcus will charge an early withdrawal penalty if you need to remove funds early.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Reputation and Customer Satisfaction

Marcus by Goldman Sachs has earned a positive reputation as an online bank. In the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Direct Banking Satisfaction Study focusing on online banks, the Marcus savings account came in second for overall satisfaction, behind Discover’s savings account.

The bank is known for being a stable and safe place to put your money. Bauer Financial, which assesses financial stability, recommends Marcus and lists a 5-star (superior) rating for the institution. Additionally, Marcus has been a Better Business Bureau-accredited bank since 2018 and has an A+ rating.

Plus, the Marcus by Goldman Sachs app has 4.9 out of 5 stars on the App Store and 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Play. Customers often mentioned liking the straightforward app layout and multiple log-in options for security. However, some users mentioned issues getting account alerts and experiencing lags while browsing the app.

The Bottom Line: Is Marcus by Goldman Sachs Right for You?

If you’re looking for savings account options through an online bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers competitive rates and a sleek mobile banking experience. It’s also a good fit if you like having multiple CD options and being able to get 24/7 customer support.

Just make sure you’re comfortable with not having ATMs or branches. The bank’s limited options for deposits and withdrawals, including no options for cash or mobile deposits, may become inconvenient. However, Marcus is a great option to use as a secondary account for customers interested in earning a high APY on their savings.

Learn More About Marcus by Goldman Sachs

See how Marcus stands out in our roundups of the best financial institutions and deposit products available today:

  • Best CD Rates
  • Best 6-Month CDs
  • Best 1-Year CDs

FAQ: Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Reviews

The main disadvantages of Marcus by Goldman Sachs are that you can’t visit a branch or ATM, deposit cash or make a mobile check deposit. The bank also has limited financial services and products, including no checking accounts, money market accounts or loans.

While Marcus by Goldman Sachs has decided to exit the personal loan business, it hasn’t announced any plans to close entirely. Its GM credit cards, deposit accounts and investment products remain available on the website, and you can still submit applications.

The Marcus by Goldman Sachs CDs and online savings account don’t have transfer fees or monthly account fees. An early withdrawal fee could apply to CDs, but you can avoid this fee with a no-penalty CD.

Methodology

Our team researched more than 100 of the country’s largest and most prominent financial institutions, collecting information on each provider’s account options, fees, rates, terms and customer experience. We then scored each firm based on the data points and metrics that matter most to potential customers. Read our full methodology.

*Data accurate at time of publication

If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team ateditors@marketwatchguides.com.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (4)

Ashley DonohoeContributor

Ashley Donohoe is a personal finance writer based in Cincinnati. She has written for several personal finance websites such as GoBanking Rates, The Balance and PocketSense.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (5)

Jared MacarinEditor

Jared is an editorial veteran who joined Home Solutions after more than 20 years in the newspaper industry. He has written, edited or designed more than 50 newspapers across the country, winning numerous awards. Jared has also edited and wrote for Forbes Advisor, Lending Tree, The Streamable and Lonely Planet. When he isn’t working, Jared enjoys spending time with his wife on outdoor adventures, watching sports and reading.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024) (2024)

FAQs

Marcus by Goldman Sachs Bank Review: Services, Pros and Cons (June 2024)? ›

Pros and Cons

What are the downsides of Marcus by Goldman Sachs? ›

No checking accounts: As Marcus does not offer any checking accounts, you will not be able to handle all of your banking needs with it. The lack of checking accounts also means you will need to connect your Marcus account to another institution for many banking options, such as deposits and withdrawals.

Is it safe to put money in Marcus? ›

Are my Marcus deposit accounts FDIC-insured? Yes.

Is it safe to bank with Goldman Sachs? ›

Goldman Sachs Bank USA is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures deposits up to certain limits (see FDIC).

Is Marcus by Goldman stable? ›

Marcus by Goldman Sachs has the longevity and financial stability of The Goldman Sachs Group behind it, offering CDs and no-fee online savings accounts with competitive interest rates.

Is Goldman going to shut down Marcus? ›

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is closing down its automated-investing business for the masses after clinching a deal with Betterment.

Why is Marcus failing? ›

Investment Thesis

Marcus has struggled to integrate Goldman's Wall Street culture with consumer banking norms, leading to internal conflicts and high turnover. Additionally, the decision to develop consumer banking technology in-house, instead of through acquisitions, introduced operational challenges.

Can I take money out of my Marcus account? ›

You can withdraw your money after an initial waiting period (usually 7 days after funding) without having to pay a penalty. Withdrawals may be limited to 6 per month, depending on your bank and the type of withdrawal you make.

How long does it take to transfer money out of Marcus? ›

How do I take money out of my account? To move money out of your Marcus account, just log in and make a bank transfer to your linked account or call us. Payments from your Marcus account to your linked account are usually made within two hours and at the latest by the end of the following business day.

How stable is Goldman Sachs bank? ›

Fitch Ratings - New York - 31 May 2024: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.'s (GS) Long- and Short-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) at 'A' and 'F1', respectively, and has affirmed the firm's Viability Rating (VR) at 'a'. The Rating Outlook is Stable.

Is Capital One better than Marcus? ›

The Marcus by Goldman Sachs Online Savings Account has a slightly higher APY -- 4.40% versus the 4.25% offered by Capital One. For its part, the Capital One 360 Performance Savings allows you to deposit checks through its app, while Marcus does not currently support this feature.

How much money do you need to keep in Marcus? ›

We don't require a minimum deposit or a credit check. Link your checking or savings accounts at other banks and transfer money into your Marcus savings account.

Who is a competitor to Marcus? ›

Top 10 Marcus competitors
  • Best Egg.
  • Happy Money.
  • Achieve.
  • Quilo.
  • Upside.
  • Clarity Money.
  • Additiv.
  • F.N.B.

What are the weaknesses of Goldman Sachs? ›

Weaknesses. The landscape of high finance is notoriously volatile, and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) is significantly exposed to market fluctuations that sway their earnings. This inherent vulnerability materially impacts their financial stability.

How many withdrawals from Marcus savings account? ›

6 per month

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