If you are looking for a place to put your cash to work, high APYs are likely a top priority. After all, you want your savings to work hard for your long-term financial future.

While you may associate the name Sallie Mae with student loans, it’s also a bank with some pretty competitive interest rates. Sallie Mae Bank offers customers a suite of products featuring high APYs. Plus, the streamlined online experience is the cherry on top. 

Ready to make the most of your savings? Let’s explore what Sallie Mae Bank has to offer. 

What Is Sallie Mae Bank?

While Sallie Mae started as a government-sponsored enterprise, it’s been an entirely private company since 2004. 

In addition to offering student loans, the bank also offers a wide selection of banking products. Specifically, the online bank offers customers worthwhile high-yield savings and penalty-free CD options. 

What Does It Offer?

When it comes to Sallie Mae’s offerings, there’s plenty to choose from. But for the purposes of this review, we’ll focus on the banking products Sallie Mae brings to the table. 

SmartyPig

When it comes to personal finance, goal-setting is key. If you can stick to the right goals, you’ll be propelled to the financial future you desire. But sometimes, sticking to your money goals is easier said than done. 

The SmartyPig account is specifically designed to help you create, track, and reach your savings goals. In many ways, you can think of this account as a virtual piggy bank ready to help you meet your savings goals. 

Within the account, you can set up multiple savings goals, which are treated like sub-accounts. With that, you can track your progress to multiple goals at once. 

As of August 2022, you can earn 1.80% APY on balances below $10,000 and 1.70% on balances between $10,000 and $50,000. And you won’t encounter any fees along the way. 

High-Yield Savings Account

The high-yield savings account offered by Sallie Mae offers a straightforward way to put your savings to work. With the high APYs currently being offered, you can move towards your savings goals faster. 

When using this account, you won’t encounter any monthly fees or minimum balance requirements. Keep in mind there aren’t any goal-setting features. 

Certificates Of Deposit

In terms of certificates of deposit (CDs), Sallie Mae offers terms ranging from 6 months to 60 months. To get started, you’ll have to meet a minimum deposit of $2,500. But the rates offered could be worth it. 

Their most popular CDs are their No-Penalty CDs. Right now you can get:

• Sallie Mae 14-Mo No Penalty CD: 2.70% APY
• Sallie Mae 10-Mo No Penalty CD: 2.50% APY

With an automatic renewal option, you can let your savings continue to grow over time with minimal effort. 

Money Market Account

In addition to the high-yield accounts above, Sallie Mae also offers a money market account. A money market account allows you to grow your money with interest rates that are similar to a high-yield savings account. Money markets are great for people who prefer to keep their cash easily accessible.

As of September 2022, the account offers a 1.85% APY, which compounds daily and is paid out monthly. 

There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees to contend with. Plus, you’ll even have the ability to write checks or make free transfers from your account.

Are There Any Fees?

Neither the high-yield savings account nor the SmartyPig account comes with a monthly fee. 

When opting to open a CD with Sallie Mae, be aware of the early withdrawal penalties. If you pull your funds out of the CD before the maturity date, you’ll face a penalty fee. But that’s fairly normal for most institutions that offer CDs. 

How Do I Contact Sallie Mae Bank?

If you need to get in touch with Sallie Mae Bank, the live chat feature on their website is a helpful place to start. 

But if you prefer a phone call, you still have options. For questions about the CDs or high-yield savings accounts, call 877-346-2756. 

If you have questions about the SmartyPig account, call 877-751-6884. Both of the lines are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m/EST on weekdays. 

The bank has earned 1.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. But keep in mind the bulk of the reviews are based on the bank’s student loan options. 

How Does Sallie Mae Bank Compare?

If you are looking for a painless way to grow your savings, Sallie Mae isn’t alone in providing great rates through a high-yield savings account. 

For example, Liberty Savings Bank is offering a savings account with a 1.50% APY while UFB Direct is offering a 2.21% APY on its savings account. 

But neither offers the goal-setting features available through the SmartyPig account.