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Salem Five Direct Review

FDIC Insured Institution

Salem Five Direct stands out with its savings account that packs a punch at 3.71% APY—well above the market average of 2.34%. What's particularly appealing is the low barrier to entry: you only need $10 to get started. That's less than the cost of lunch! This makes it an ideal option for savers just starting their financial journey or those wanting to dip their toes into higher-yield banking.

Their CD lineup shines brightest with their 9-month option, boasting a 4.01% APY that tops the market average of 2.60%. If you've got $10,000 to park for less than a year, this could be your sweet spot. Their shorter-term 6-month CD requires just $2,500 to open and still delivers a solid 3.01% rate.

One thing to note is Salem Five Direct's longer-term CDs don't quite match the appeal of their shorter options. Their 48-month and 60-month CDs both offer 2.25% APY, which falls below the market average. If you're planning to lock away funds for several years, you might want to shop around or stick with their excellent savings account instead.

Salem Five Direct Bank Rates

These rates were last updated on November 22nd, 2025.

Savings

Savings

APY 3.71%
Rate 3.65%
Min to Open $10
Min to Earn $0

CD

9 Month CD

APY 4.01%
Rate 4.01%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

1 Year CD

APY 3.50%
Rate 3.50%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

2 Year CD

APY 3.50%
Rate 3.50%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

1.5 Year CD

APY 3.50%
Rate 3.50%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

6 Month CD

APY 3.01%
Rate 3.01%
Min to Open $2,500
Min to Earn $0

4 Year CD

APY 2.25%
Rate 2.25%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

5 Year CD

APY 2.25%
Rate 2.25%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

2.5 Year CD

APY 2.00%
Rate 2.00%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

3 Year CD

APY 2.00%
Rate 2.00%
Min to Open $10,000
Min to Earn $0

Compared Against Other Banks

To help you see how Salem Five Direct's rates compare to other banks, we have gathered their rates here. These are rated highly for competitive rates, fees, and minimums. All offers are FDIC or NCUA insured.


LendingClub

Savings

APY 4.20%
Rate 4.12%
To Open $0
To Earn APY $0
To Avoid Fees $0
Monthly Fee $0

Openbank

Savings

APY 4.20%
Rate 4.12%
To Open $500
To Earn APY $0
To Avoid Fees $0
Monthly Fee $0

Peak Bank

Savings

APY 4.20%
Rate 4.11%
To Open $100
To Earn APY $0
To Avoid Fees $0
Monthly Fee $0

Vio Bank

Savings

APY 4.16%
Rate 4.07%
To Open $100
To Earn APY $0
To Avoid Fees $0
Monthly Fee $0

EverBank

Savings

APY 4.05%
Rate 3.97%
To Open $0
To Earn APY $0
To Avoid Fees $0
Monthly Fee $0

Essential Banking Features & Services

Bank Features

Our team manually evaluates each bank across 52 essential features, giving you a comprehensive view of what really matters.

Updated on November 4th, 2025

Full Support
Partial Support
Unavailable
Unknown Support

Cost Benefits

No monthly maintenance fees are charged.
Keep any amount in your account without penalties.
Make foreign transactions without additional fees.
Use any ATM without additional charges.
Account includes overdraft protection options.
Fees apply for wire transfers.

Banking shouldn't cost you money, and that's exactly the philosophy behind this refreshingly fee-free approach to managing your finances. Kiss those pesky monthly maintenance fees goodbye, and don't worry about keeping a specific balance in your account. Your money is truly yours to use as needed!

Travel enthusiasts will appreciate the absence of foreign transaction fees when shopping abroad or making purchases in other currencies. Plus, you can use any ATM without fretting about those annoying out-of-network charges eating into your balance. Need to withdraw cash while visiting family across the country? Go right ahead!

Overdraft protection comes standard, giving you peace of mind that an accidental overspend won't result in embarrassing declined transactions or surprise fees. While wire transfers still come with standard charges, the overall cost savings make this an attractive option for anyone tired of watching their hard-earned money disappear to banking fees rather than enriching their own lives.


Security

Account access is protected by two-factor authentication.
Receive instant notifications for suspicious account activity.
Salem Five Direct takes measures to protect your identity, but has no specific service available.
Instantly freeze and unfreeze your cards as needed.
Set travel alerts to ensure uninterrupted card access.

Keeping your money safe shouldn't be complicated. With two-factor authentication and instant card lock capabilities, you can breathe easier knowing there are multiple barriers between potential fraudsters and your hard-earned cash. Imagine being able to freeze your card with a single tap when that moment of panic hits after realizing you can't find your wallet!

Stay one step ahead of suspicious activity through real-time fraud alerts that ping your phone the moment something seems off. Planning a trip? Simply set up travel notifications to ensure your coffee purchase in Paris doesn't trigger security flags. While full identity theft protection services aren't completely built-in, Salem Five Direct does implement various safeguards to help protect your personal information.

These security features work together like a vigilant financial bodyguard—always on duty, quick to respond, and designed to let you live your life without constant worry. Whether you're shopping online from your couch or traveling across the globe, your accounts remain protected by multiple layers of security that are both powerful and user-friendly.


Mobile

4.7/5
4.4/5
Deposit checks through mobile app.
Find ATMs and branches via mobile app.
Customizable account alerts available.
Push notifications supported.

Banking on the go has never been more convenient with highly-rated mobile apps for both iOS (4.7/5) and Android (4.4/5) users. Whether you're team Apple or Android, you'll enjoy seamless account management, transfers, and the time-saving magic of mobile check deposits—just snap a photo and your money's on its way!

Staying connected to your finances is a breeze with customizable account alerts that keep you informed about everything from deposits to low balances. Push notifications deliver real-time updates directly to your phone, perfect for when you need to know about that paycheck deposit or an unexpected transaction right away.

When you're out and about, the built-in ATM locator becomes your financial GPS, guiding you to fee-free ATMs wherever your adventures take you. It's like having a banking assistant in your pocket, ready to help whether you're across town or exploring a new city.


Transfers & Deposits

Accept automatic deposits from employers and others.
Access direct deposits up to 2 days early.
Send and receive domestic wire transfers.
Send wire transfers to international destinations.
Link and manage external bank accounts.
Move money between banks at no cost.

Salem Five Direct takes the hassle out of moving your money with a full suite of transfer options. Set up direct deposit and wave goodbye to paper checks while gaining immediate access to your funds. Even better, their early direct deposit feature puts your paycheck in your hands up to two days sooner – perfect for tackling bills before they're due or handling surprise expenses without the payday wait.

Need to move money quickly? Salem Five Direct has you covered with both domestic and international wire transfers. While these same-day options might cost more than other methods, they're invaluable when time matters. For less urgent transfers, you can link external accounts from other banks and use free ACH transfers to move money within 1-3 business days – ideal for regular transfers between your accounts at different institutions.

Whether you're receiving government benefits, sending money to family abroad, or just managing your finances across multiple banks, Salem Five Direct makes the process seamless and straightforward. Their transfer capabilities give you the flexibility to handle your money exactly how you need to, when you need to.


Money Management

Built-in tools for creating and tracking budgets.
View detailed analysis of spending patterns.
Round-up savings feature not offered.
Create custom rules for automatic savings.
Sub-accounts not available.
Schedule and manage bill payments online.

Taking control of your finances becomes surprisingly simple with intuitive budgeting tools that track spending by category and visual breakdowns of where your money goes. Whether you're saving for a vacation or trying to cut back on dining out, these features paint a clear picture of your financial habits and help keep you on target.

The sophisticated spending analytics go beyond basic tracking by automatically categorizing transactions and revealing patterns over time. Notice you're spending more on coffee this month? Or that your grocery bills spike mid-month? These insights transform vague financial awareness into actionable intelligence you can use to make smarter decisions.

Setting and forgetting your savings becomes effortless with automated savings rules that work silently in the background. You might set up a transfer of $50 every payday or automatically move 5% of each deposit into savings—whatever works for your lifestyle. Paired with convenient bill pay services that help you avoid those dreaded late fees, these tools create a financial ecosystem where good habits happen automatically rather than through constant effort.


Integrations

Send and receive money instantly with Zelle.
Make payments with Apple Pay.
Make payments with Google Pay.
Wise transfers not available.
QuickBooks integration not available.

Need to send money to your roommate for utilities or split the dinner bill? You can do it in minutes with Zelle, a fast and free service that connects directly to your bank account. The days of waiting for checks to clear are long gone – your transfers complete almost instantly between virtually any U.S. bank accounts.

Leave your physical wallet at home! Your banking experience gets a digital upgrade with both Apple Pay and Google Pay fully supported. Whether you're tapping your iPhone at the grocery store or using your Android phone for online shopping, these secure contactless options make everyday transactions simpler and safer.

While the digital payment options shine for domestic use, international money transfers through Wise aren't currently supported. Similarly, small business owners won't find direct QuickBooks integration for automatic transaction syncing. These limitations might matter if you frequently send money abroad or need seamless accounting connections for your business.


Customer Support

Phone support limited to business hours.
Chat is AI only.
Get assistance through email support.
Bill negotiation services not available.
Salem Five Direct is allowed to use Salem Five Bank for services.

Need banking help at 3 AM? While you won't find 24/7 phone support here, you can still get assistance through other channels when questions pop up. The live chat option connects you with AI support—perfect for those times when you need quick answers without picking up the phone.

For more detailed inquiries, email support provides a reliable paper trail of your conversations. This comes in handy when you're dealing with complex account questions or need to reference previous communications. No bill negotiation services are available, so you'll still need to haggle with your cable company on your own.

Where Salem Five Direct truly shines is with its financial advisor access. Through its connection with Salem Five Bank, you can tap into professional guidance for life's big money moments—whether you're mapping out retirement plans, figuring out how to afford that dream home, or simply trying to make your savings work harder for you.


Physical Services

Salem Five Direct is allowed to use Salem Five Bank for services.
Deposit cash directly into your account.
Withdraw large amounts of cash when needed.
Get cashier's checks when needed.
Access notary services at branches.
Rent safe deposit boxes for valuables.
Only some of Salem Five Bank branches have currency exchange.
Access extensive network of ATMs.
Use ATMs worldwide for cash access.

Need the personal touch of face-to-face banking? While primarily an online bank, you can still pop into any Salem Five Bank location when you need in-person assistance with complex transactions or financial guidance. This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds—digital convenience with human support when you need it.

From depositing cash tips to withdrawing large sums for that dream vacation, Salem Five Direct has you covered. The bank provides all the practical essentials you'd expect: cashier's checks for your home purchase, notary services for important documents, and secure safe deposit boxes for your irreplaceable valuables.

Traveling abroad? No worries! Your debit card works at international ATMs, giving you easy access to local currency wherever your adventures take you. While currency exchange is available at select branches (not all locations offer this service), the bank's robust ATM network ensures you're never far from your money whether at home or exploring new horizons.


Additional Services

Access integrated investment accounts.
Cryptocurrency services not available.
Credit monitoring not included.
Earn cashback on qualifying purchases.
Cannot hold foreign currencies.

Salem Five Direct strikes a balance between essential investing tools and everyday perks. Their investment accounts seamlessly connect with your banking services, giving you one convenient hub to manage stocks, bonds, and mutual funds alongside your regular finances. No more juggling multiple platforms or passwords just to get a complete picture of your money!

The bank also rewards your loyalty through a robust cashback program on debit card purchases. Every swipe puts money back in your pocket—turning routine expenses like groceries and gas into tiny opportunities to save. While Salem Five Direct doesn't currently support cryptocurrency trading, foreign currency accounts, or credit monitoring, their focus on core investment services and cashback rewards creates a straightforward banking experience for those who value simplicity and tangible benefits.

Compare & Choose

Compare Options

See how Salem Five Direct stacks up against other top banks. Compare features, rates, and services to find your perfect fit.

Contact Information

Get in Touch

Whether you're interested in opening an account or just want to learn more, you'll find Salem Five Direct's official contact information and website details here.

Headquarters Location

Salem Five Direct

210 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970