AcceleRate Financial review

What is AcceleRate Financial?

AcceleRate Financial is a digital bank that was launched in 2010 as a division of the Crosstown Civic Credit Union, which is a well-established financial institution in Manitoba. This means that AcceleRate Financial isn’t a standalone company but instead acts as the “virtual deposits” arm of Crosstown Civic Credit Union.

Crosstown Civic is one of the top five credit unions in Manitoba, with more than 30,000 members and over $2.3 billion in assets. This means you can rest assured that any money you invest will be protected by a number of security measures. Your physical funds will also be 100% guaranteed by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba.

How does AcceleRate Financial work?

AcceleRate Financial functions like a regular savings account except it’s managed entirely online. This means that you can’t go into a branch to manage your account, but you will save money on overhead costs that your bank would typically pass on to you.

An added benefit of AcceleRate Financial in comparison to some other online banks is that it lets you access your money instantly using a debit card. Just be aware that using your card to withdraw money from your account will cost you $1 each time.

What financial products does AcceleRate Financial offer?

You can take out a number of different types of financial products with AcceleRate Financial. These include registered and non-registered savings accounts. You can also tap into a comprehensive suite of GICs if you want to invest your money over a longer term.

AcceleRate Financial savings accounts

You’ll get a 3.6% interest rate on any savings account you open up with AcceleRate Financial. You won’t need to pay monthly fees and there are no minimum balance requirements to keep your account open. It’s also easy to make withdrawals from your account when you need quick access to cash using your debit card.

You can choose to hold your AcceleRate Financial savings account as a registered or non-registered account. If you choose a registered account (such as an RRSP, TFSA or RRIF), you won’t have to claim any interest you make on your taxes.

Is AcceleRate Financial safe?

AcceleRate Financial is very safe because it’s the virtual banking arm of the long-established Crosstown Civic Credit Union. This means any money you deposit will be held with a certified financial institution that adheres to a number of strict privacy and security measures. Your physical deposits and the interest they accrue will also be protected without limit by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Easy application. You can open an account in a couple of minutes using AcceleRate Financial‘s quick and easy online application.
• No monthly fees. Unlike the big banks, you won’t have to pay any monthly fees to keep your account open.
• Decent interest rates. You’ll get decent interest rates on all of your accounts, though GIC rates are a bit lower than those on offer with other digital banks.
• No minimum balances. You won’t have to keep a certain balance or “float” in your account to take advantage of member benefits.
• Deposit insurance. Any deposits you make will be protected without limit by the Deposit Guarantee Corporation of Manitoba.
• Easy withdrawals. You can easily withdraw cash from your account with your AcceleRate Financial debit card, though you may have to pay an additional fee.

Cons

• No mobile app. You can only access your account online, which makes it difficult to manage your balance when you’re away from your computer.
• Fees for debits. You’ll have to pay a $1 fee every time you withdraw money from an ATM, send an Interac transfer or pay bills from your account.
• Additional fees. There’s a long list of list of additional fees you’ll be required to pay for a number of AcceleRate Financial‘s services.
• Minimum deposit requirement for GICs. You’ll have to make a minimum deposit of $1,000 if you want to put money into a GIC.
• No physical locations. It won’t be possible to go into a branch to speak to an agent if you’re having trouble with your account.

How can I open an account?

Eligibility requirements

To open an account with AcceleRate Financial, you’ll need to meet a couple of requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a bank account at another Canadian financial institution
• Have a valid social insurance number (SIN)

How can I apply?

You can apply for a savings account with AcceleRate Financial using its easy online application. Just follow these steps to get started:

1. Navigate to the AcceleRate Financial website to start your application.
2. Complete the application, which includes providing your name, email address, social insurance number and birth date.
3. Send a personalized cheque to AcceleRate Financial by mail to verify your financial institution and personal information.

How can I get in touch with customer service?

AcceleRate Financial has a top-notch customer service team that can help you with your account. You can get in touch with a customer service representative at 1-888-954-9543. You can also send an email to info@acceleratefinancial.ca.

Bottom line

AcceleRate Financial is a digital bank that offers a number of high-interest savings accounts and GICs. You won’t have to worry about paying monthly account fees and you’ll be able to manage all of your savings through the company’s easy-to-use online portal. Learn what you need to do to become a member of AcceleRate Financial, and apply online today to get started.

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Frequently asked questions

• Is there an introductory interest rate with AcceleRate Financial?

  There isn’t an intro rate or promo offer that you can take advantage of when you sign up. This is because you’ll already be getting a 3.6% interest rate on your savings, which is relatively high by industry standards.

• Will I get free withdrawals with my account?

  Unfortunately, no. You’ll have to pay $1 every time you take money out of an ATM and every time any debit comes out of your account. This includes when you transfer money to friends, cash cheques or pay bills from your account. However, you’ll get one free debit per month that you can use for any of the above activities.

• Do I need to buy a share to become a member?

  Unlike other credit unions that operate virtual banks, Crosstown Civic Credit Union doesn’t require you to buy a share. This is because AcceleRate Financial provides all of its members with a complimentary $5 share (which gets forfeited when you close your account).

• What other digital banks are similar to AcceleRate Financial?

  There are a number of other digital banks that are similar to AcceleRate Financial in Canada. These include Tangerine, EQ Bank and Wealthsimple. You can check out a more comprehensive list by comparing digital banks here.