Sign up & start saving!
Get our weekly newsletter for the latest in money news, credit card offers + more ways to save
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser Disclosure
Umpqua Embark Checking account review
No maintenance fees and free savings come standard, but you must live on the West Coast.
finder.com’s rating: 3.5 / 5.0
★★★★★
If you’re looking for a no-frills checking account with no monthly fees, ATM rebates, mobile banking and automatic bill pay, the Umpqua Embark Checking account could be a good fit. That is, if you live in this bank’s limited service area of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California or Nevada.
$0 per month
Fee
N/A
APY
$25
Minimum deposit to open
Details
| APY | N/A |
|---|---|
| Fee | $0 per month |
| Minimum deposit to open | $25 |
| ATMs | Surcharge-free Umpqua ATMs in all of the network's 5 states, plus up to $10 per month in ATM fee rebates |
| ATM transaction fee | $0 |
| ATM fee rebates | Up to $10 in fee rebates if you maintain a monthly account balance of at least $2,500 |
| Out-of-network ATM fee | $2.50 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 2% |
| Overdraft fee | $35 |
| Nonsufficient funds fee | $35 |
Review by
Shannon Terrell
shannon.terrell@finder.comShannon Terrell is an editor for Finder who has written over 400 personal finance guides. With a focus on investments and personal finance, she breaks down jargon-laden topics to help others make informed financial decisions. She studied communications and English literature at the University of Toronto.
Expert review
The Umpqua Embark Checking account has no monthly maintenance fees, but it’s only available to residents of California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Nevada.
If you plan to travel outside of these five states and you want to bank with Umpqua, you’ll want to consider opening Umpqua’s Access Checking account.
How do I open a Umpqua Embark Checking account?
- Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
- From the Umpqua website, find Embark Checking. Click Open Now.
- Review the information you’ll need to provide to complete your application. Click Continue.
- Enter your name, date of birth, Social Security number, phone number and email address. Click Continue.
- Enter your address. Click Continue.
- Review Umpqua’s overdraft options, indicating whether you’d like to add overdraft protection to your checking account. Click Continue.
- Select two security questions you’ll use to protect your online account, and enter the answers you’ll remember. Click Continue.
- Review your information for accuracy and carefully review Umpqua’s account disclosures. E-sign your authorization, and click Continue.
Finalize your application by funding your account with a deposit of at least $25. You can fund your new account from an existing Umpqua account, from an external account or with a credit or debit card.
After approval, you’ll receive your checking account’s debit card by mail.
Eligibility
For Umpqua Embark Checking approval, the bank requires:
- US citizenship.
- A residential address California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho or Nevada.
- Proof that you’re at least 18 years old.
- A Social Security number.
- A valid bank account.
Required information
- Primary home address
- Valid email address and phone number
- Social Security number
- Government-issued ID
- Banking details for the account to fund your checking account
What are the benefits of an Umpqua Embark Checking account?
As with most checking accounts, your balance is FDIC-insured for up to $250,000. And you can simplify your life with automatic bill pay on utilities and more.
- No monthly fee. Avoid the maintenance fees that can mount with other checking accounts.
- Low starting deposit. Open an Umpqua Embark Checking account with as little as $25.
- Free savings account. When you sign on for Umpqua Embark Checking, you also qualify for an Umpqua savings account.
- No balance minimum. Keep as much or as little in your Umpqua Embark Checking account without penalties.
- $10 monthly ATM rebates. If you maintain a monthly balance of at least $2,500, you’re refunded up to $10 a month for fees resulting from transactions outside of Umpqua’s ATM network.
- Mobile app. Download Umpqua’s free mobile banking app for Android and iOS to review your account balance, transfer funds and deposit checks.
- Support. Get the help you need 24/7 by phone or email.
Umpqua’s ATM network and fees
You won’t pay fees to use ATMs in Umpqua network across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Nevada. In addition to withdrawing up to $500 in cash from an ATM, you can conveniently check your balance, review transactions, transfer money and change your PIN.
The bank charges $2.50 for each transaction at ATMs outside its network. But if you keep at least $2,500 in your checking account, you qualify for up to $10 in rebates to soften the blow of up to four non-network transactions.
What should I look out for?
Umpqua offers a strong checking product, though in few states and with many potential fees.
- Limited service area. Umpqua supports customers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Nevada only.
- High overdraft fees. Umpqua charges $35 for any transaction that overdraws your checking account.
- Paper statement fee. If you prefer to receive paper statements, you’ll pay $3 a month for the convenience.
- High wire transfer fees. Expect to pay $15 for each incoming wire transfer and $30 to $50 for outgoing wire transfers.
- Other fees. ATMs outside Umpqua’s network cost $2.50 for each transaction. And if you plan to use your card outside the US, expect an extra 2% on top of your purchase.
If you’re looking for an account that’s available in more states, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when choosing a checking account.
Compare with other checking accounts
How much do I need to open an account?
Unlike other banks that require $100 or more to take advantage of a strong checking account, you can open Umpqua Embark Checking in person or online with a mere $25 opening deposit.
What other checking options does Umpqua offer?
In addition to its Umpqua Embark Checking account, Umpqua offers flexible checking options designed to meet specific banking needs:
- Access Checking. With an opening deposit of $25, you receive up to four non-Umpqua ATM fee rebates and one free incoming wire transfer each billing cycle.
- Attain Checking. This top-tier personal checking account requires a $200 opening deposit but offers free incoming wire transfers, free checks and bonus interest on Umpqua CDs.
- Community Business Checking. Open this business checking account with a $100 deposit to get 200 free checks monthly. Maintain a $1,000 minimum daily balance, and the bank waives your $10 monthly fee.
- Marketplace Checking. Open your account with a $100 minimum deposit to get 500 free checks each month. Maintain a $25,000 minimum daily balance, and the bank waives your $25 monthly fee.
- Business Analyzed Checking. A full-service account requiring a $100 minimum deposit offering earnings credits that can offset the $18 monthly maintenance fee.
Frequently asked questions
Checking account ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We analyze top checking accounts and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: monthly fees, the ease at which monthly fees can be waived, the breadth of ATM access, ATM and overdraft fees, and customer service.