Cupertino, California – In a move that further diversifies its financial offerings, Apple has announced the launch of its own savings account. The tech giant has partnered with Green Dot Bank, a member of the FDIC, to offer a high-yield savings account with a competitive interest rate of 4.15%.
Access to Apple Savings is available exclusively through the Wallet app on iPhones and iPads. Customers can open an account in minutes and start earning interest on their savings immediately. There are no minimum balance requirements or fees associated with the account.
Apple is touting the security and privacy features of the savings account, which are in line with the company’s commitment to protecting user data. Account information is encrypted and stored on the user’s device, and transactions are authenticated using Touch ID or Face ID.
The move into banking is not new for Apple, which already offers credit cards through its partnership with Goldman Sachs. The company is also reportedly exploring the possibility of offering investment and retirement accounts in the future.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Green Dot Bank to offer our customers a new way to save and grow their money,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “With Apple Savings, we’re providing a secure and convenient option that makes it easy to manage your finances right from your iPhone.”
The launch of Apple Savings comes at a time when interest rates on savings accounts have been historically low. The move is likely to shake up the traditional banking industry and could prompt other tech companies to follow suit.