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Generations Bank Review: A Good Choice for High-Yield CDs

Review Updated
Matt Frankel, CFP®
Nathan Alderman
Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. APY = Annual Percentage Yield.

Generations Bank has served customers in Arkansas and Missouri for more than 100 years. However, Generations offers excellent online banking products to customers throughout the United States, and you might want to put them on your radar. In this expert review, we'll take a look at the products and services Generations Bank offers so you can determine if it might be a good fit for you.

Offer image for
Member FDIC.

Generations Bank

Bottom Line

Generations Bank is a solid institution for those who live near one of its branches, but for online customers, its biggest draw is its competitive CDs offered direct through the bank.

Pros
  • Great CD interest rates
  • Several checking account options
  • Low minimum deposits
Cons
  • Few products beyond deposit accounts
  • Branches only in two states
  • Low APYs on checking and savings accounts

Generations Bank savings accounts review

Generations Bank offers two types of savings accounts that can be opened online. Here are the details.

Generations Bank Personal Savings

Generations Bank's Personal Savings account isn't terribly competitive with most online savings accounts. It has a $100 minimum opening balance, which account holders must maintain to avoid fees and earn interest. However, with a 0.25% APY at a time when many online bank accounts are paying close to 20 times that rate, it isn't a great option for people looking for yield.

Ratings Methodology
Rates as of Apr 17, 2025

Generations Bank Personal Savings

Member FDIC.
APY
0.25%
Min. To Earn APY
$100
  • Low opening deposit
  • Easy to avoid fees
  • APY isn't competitive
  • $5 monthly fee if minimum balance isn't met

The Generations Bank Personal Savings account has a low minimum balance requirement to earn interest and avoid fees. But its low APY isn't very attractive compared with other savings accounts you can open online.

Generations Bank Money Market Savings Account

Generations Bank Money Market Savings Account is the more competitive of the bank's savings accounts. It has a $1,000 minimum balance to open and a $2,500 minimum daily balance to avoid a $10 monthly service charge, but if you have enough cash to meet these requirements, it pays competitive interest rates, especially considering money market accounts typically have check writing and ATM access privileges. Depending on the account balance, the Money Market Savings Account has a tiered APY structure depending on your balance, with APY of Up to 1.71%.

Ratings Methodology
Rates as of Apr 17, 2025

Generations Bank Money Market Savings Account

Member FDIC.
Monthly Fee
$10, if $2,5000 min. daily balance not met
Min. Balance
$2,500 to avoid $10 monthly service charge
APY
Up to 1.71% Rate info Circle with letter I in it. Balance of $0 to $2,499.99 earns 1.01%, balance of $2,500-$49,999.99 earns 1.21%, balance of $50,000-$99,999.99 earns 1.26%, balance of $100,000-$499,999.99 earns 1.36%, balance of $500,000-$999,999.99 earns 1.50%, balance of $1,000,000-$2,499,999.99 earns 1.56%, balances greater than $2,500,000 earn 1.71%
Min. To Earn APY
N/A
  • Competitive APYs
  • Some conveniences of checking accounts
  • APYs lower than some online-only competitors

The Generations Bank Money Market Savings Account combines some of the most desirable features of checking and savings accounts. While its APY isn't likely to rival some of the top online banks, it is rather competitive in the context of more traditional financial institutions.

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.

Account APY Promotion Next Steps
up to 3.80%²
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 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!¹
4.10% APY for balances of $5,000 or more
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 4.10% APY for balances of $5,000 or more; otherwise, 0.25% APY
Min. to earn: $100 to open account, $5,000+ for max APY
Earn a bonus of at least $225 after a one-time deposit of $25,000+. Circle with letter I in it. Transfer a one-time deposit of $25,000-$49,999.99 for a bonus of $225. Transfer a one-time deposit of $50,000+ for a bonus of $300. Account must be opened with code PS2025 while this promotion lasts, and funded within 30 days. Bonus will be fulfilled within 60 days from the funding date. There is no period of time where the customer will be required to maintain the funds. Account must be open when bonus is credited. One bonus per account and primary customer. Bonus will be credited into the Platinum Savings Account that fulfills the funding requirement. Funding can be deposited all at once or incrementally.
3.70%
Rate info Circle with letter I in it. 3.70% annual percentage yield as of April 17, 2025. Terms apply.
Min. to earn: $0
N/A
Open Account for American Express® High Yield Savings

On American Express's Secure Website.

Disclaimers



SoFi disclosure:

¹ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at sofi.com/banking#1.

² SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or 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 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. Only SoFi Plus members are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. 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. 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.

³ We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/.

⁴ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.

Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms. See list of participating banks at SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks.

We’ve partnered with Allpoint to provide you with ATM access at any of the 55,000+ ATMs within the Allpoint network. You will not be charged a fee when using an in-network ATM, however, third-party fees incurred when using out-of-network ATMs are not subject to reimbursement. SoFi’s ATM policies are subject to change at our discretion at any time.

Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.

Overdraft Coverage is limited to $50 on debit card purchases only and is an account benefit available to customers with direct deposits of $1,000 or more during the current 30-day Evaluation Period as determined by SoFi Bank, N.A. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the“30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Members with a prior history of non-repayment of negative balances are ineligible for Overdraft Coverage.

Generations Bank CD accounts

Certificate of deposit, or CD accounts, is the biggest area where Generations Bank shines. It offers a few different CD terms with highly competitive yields.

Generations Bank CDs

Generations Bank offers some highly competitive CDs. It offers high-yield CDs with terms of six, 12, and 24 months. Its offerings aren't the highest rates on the market, but they are competitive with even the top online banks.

CDs opened directly through Generations Bank require a $1,000 deposit to open.

Compare CD rates

Before you choose a CD, it's important to shop around. You're not just looking for the absolute best yield, but a bank whose policies, fees, deposit requirements, and other features are a good fit for you.

Rates as of March 6, 2025
Bank & CD Offer APY Term Min. Deposit Next Steps
Discover® Bank CD
Member FDIC.
Open Account for Discover® Bank CD

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

APY:
4.00%
Term:
1 Year
Min. Deposit:
$0
Open Account for Discover® Bank CD

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

LendingClub CD
Member FDIC.
Open Account for LendingClub CD

On LendingClub's Secure Website.

APY:
4.00%
Term:
10 Months
Min. Deposit:
$500
Open Account for LendingClub CD

On LendingClub's Secure Website.

Western Alliance Bank CD
Open Account for

On Secure Website.

APY:
4.30%
Term:
6 Months
Min. Deposit:
$1
Open Account for

On Secure Website.

Generations Bank checking accounts review

Generations Bank offers three different types of checking accounts: Club Checking, G Checking, and Opportunity Checking.

Generations Bank Club Checking

Club Checking is Generations Bank's interest-bearing checking account product, and has a $100 minimum balance to open but is designed for customers who keep significantly more money than that in their checking accounts. The Club Checking product has a $10 monthly fee, which can only be avoided by maintaining a $1,000 minimum daily balance. And while this is an interest-bearing checking account, you'll need to keep $1,000 in it if you want to earn interest.

Ratings Methodology
Rates as of Apr 17, 2025

Generations Bank Club Checking

Member FDIC.
APY
0.25%
Min. To Earn APY
$1,000
  • Earns interest
  • Monthly fee can be avoided
  • $100 opening deposit
  • Need $1,000 to earn interest and avoid fee
  • APY is lower than some peers

The Generations Bank Club Checking account is a solid online checking account for customers who typically keep more than $1,000 in their checking accounts. It pays interest, but its APY isn't the highest among online checking accounts.

Generations Bank G Checking

The G Checking account is Generations Bank's free checking product. It has a $100 minimum deposit to open and has no monthly service fee or minimum ongoing balance requirement, assuming you want e-statements. There is a $6 monthly charge if you want paper statements, but if not, this is a solid free checking account product.

Ratings Methodology
Rates as of Apr 17, 2025

Generations Bank G Checking

Member FDIC.
APY
N/A
Min. To Earn APY
$100 to open
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • No monthly fee
  • Doesn't pay interest
  • Paper statements aren't free

The Generations Bank G Checking account doesn't pay interest, but it has no minimum balance requirement. And if you're ok with receiving statements electronically, there are no monthly fees to worry about.

Generations Bank Opportunity Checking

The Generations Bank Opportunity Checking account is a "checkless" checking account, meaning it has all of the typical checking account features, such as debit card access and online banking, but without a physical checkbook. It has a $20 minimum opening deposit and no ongoing minimum balance requirement, but also has a $5 monthly fee.

Ratings Methodology
Rates as of Apr 17, 2025

Generations Bank Opportunity Checking

Member FDIC.
APY
N/A
Min. To Earn APY
$20 to open
  • Low opening deposit
  • No minimum balance
  • No overdraft fees
  • No checks
  • $5 monthly fee

The Generations Bank Opportunity Checking account has a low minimum deposit and is designed to prevent overdrafts. But it has a $5 monthly fee that can't be waived and doesn't offer physical checks.

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.

Account APY Promotion Next Steps
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')
Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit

On Discover Bank's Secure Website.

up to 1.10%
Min. to earn: $1
High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month
Disclaimers

10 debit card point of sale transactions of $10 or more per statement cycle required to earn the maximum APY. If the qualifying activity requirement is not fulfilled, the interest rate paid on the entire balance will be 0.01% APY.

Generations Bank customer service and experience

Generations Bank customer service is available by phone Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. CST. It offers an online and mobile banking platform, but these are generally for people who live near a Generations Bank branch.

Generations Bank relationship benefits

Generations Bank doesn't offer relationship discounts for customers who have multiple accounts with the institution. However, some of its interest rates, especially on CDs, are already highly competitive.

Alternatives to Generations Bank

Generations Bank has solid CD products, but if you're looking for more of a well-rounded banking experience, you may want to consider one of these alternatives.

SoFi®

Short for Social Finance, SoFi® (Member FDIC) offers a variety of banking products, many of which are highly competitive. It has a high-yield savings account and interest-bearing checking account combination that is among our top-rated products, and it also offers brokerage accounts, personal loans, and more. SoFi® does not offer CDs, so if that's what you're looking for, you may want to look elsewhere.

Discover® Bank

Discover® Bank has highly competitive savings accounts, checking accounts, and CDs, all of which can be opened online. Its CDs are highly competitive with the top online banks, but the major downside is that they have $2,500 minimum deposit requirements.

Is Generations Bank right for you?

Generations Bank is best for people who are looking to maximize their CD yields or who live near one of the bank's branches. Its savings and checking account products aren't particularly competitive with those available from our top online banks.

Other products by Generations Bank

Generations Bank has a few other products you may find useful. Here's a quick list of what else it offers.

  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Savings accounts for minors
  • Business checking and savings accounts
  • Personal loans
  • Auto loans
  • Boat loans
  • RV loans

Generations Bank mortgages

Generations Mortgage (formerly Simply Home Lending) is a relatively large mortgage lender. The bank offers a variety of loans for buying and refinancing, including:

  • Conventional loans
  • FHA loans
  • VA loans
  • USDA loans
  • Jumbo loans

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.

Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates bank accounts.

FAQs

  • Generations Bank is an FDIC-insured financial institution with a small branch network in Arkansas and Missouri, as well as an online presence throughout the U.S.

  • Yes, Generations Bank has a dozen physical branch locations in Arkansas and Missouri.