Written by Ali Cybulski, Published on July 19, 2024
CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, is an online bank serving customers nationwide. This institution offers certificates of deposit (CDs) and savings accounts as well as an eChecking account that relies on online and mobile banking rather than paper checks.
If your balance is at least $5,000, the Platinum Savings account offers an annual percentage yield (APY) of 4.00%. The minimum initial deposit is $100, with no account opening or maintenance fees. Deposit checks remotely and make transfers with the CIT Bank mobile app.
Savings Connect has an APY of 3.90% and no minimum balance requirement. The Savings Builder account, on the other hand, aims to reward you with a higher interest rate as you develop a consistent savings habit. Earn up to 1.00% APY by maintaining a balance of at least $25,000 or making at least one monthly deposit of $100 or more.
CIT Bank’s money market account gets an APY of 1.55% and provides quick and easy access to funds as needed. You can use Zelle to send and receive money, plus you can deposit checks remotely and make transfers with the bank’s mobile app.
Open an eChecking account with a deposit of at least $100 and earn up to 0.25% APY, depending on your balance. CIT Bank does not charge ATM fees and reimburses up to $30 for other banks’ ATM fees monthly.
The bank also offers term and jumbo CDs as well as a no-penalty 11-month CD. Terms range from six months to five years, and the minimum opening deposit for all term CDs is $1,000. Both the no-penalty and 13-month CDs earn 3.50% APY.
Unless you choose the no-penalty CD, a fee may apply if you cash out your term CD early. The no-penalty CD allows you to withdraw your money without penalty starting seven days after the bank has received your funds.
Jumbo CDs call for a minimum deposit of $100,000, and terms vary from two to five years. Two- and three-year CDs earn 0.40% APY. Four- and five-year CDs earn 0.50% APY. You may face penalties for early withdrawal of principal.
If you require CIT Bank customer service for a deposit product, you can reach live help Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Service is unavailable on Sunday. Alternatively, you can sign in to your account online and send a secure email or access mobile banking 24/7.
CIT Bank pros and cons
Pros:
• Minimal account fees
• Checking account earns interest
• ATM fee rebates
Cons:
• Low rates on some CDs
• Customer support unavailable seven days a week
• No ATM network or branches
Not Sure About All The Negative Reviews
A few months ago, I opened savings accounts with CIT Bank, Marcus, UFB Direct and Capital One. Most of these banks have lower reviews and I'm glad I did not rely on those reviews. First off, most of these online banks are regularly featured on sites that share with you the offerings of different banks. Do your own research and look at the bank stat or their parent organization's health. I made transfers for my initial deposits with all these banks and did not have any issues. I have since done a few more transfers and everything went smoothly and each time rates go up a bit, it's reflected in my account. When I had questions, they were promptly addressed.
I'm not sure if I've just had the best of luck with the four accounts I opened with the four different banks but I just don't understand all the negative reviews. Some just silly like the transfer limits, transfer times, etc. Most info are available online or if not, ask before opening your account. Also, online banking does not mean faster banking. And if you want a live person and constant/immediate access to your money, go to a Chase branch and earn 0.1% on your money.
CIT Bank has provided and delivered what was promised to me. Can service be better? Sure, but what outfit nowadays have large headcounts? Hopefully, they are being proactive and have been addressing some of the valid consumer complaints. The great thing for consumers is that there's a large number of banks to choose from. I'm glad I found CIT Bank and will keep my account with them.
Your Wait Time Will Be 190 Minutes
Currently have very good savings rates but phone customer support is abysmal. Wait time message has ranged from 2 hours to a record setting 3 hours wait. So if you need to get something accomplished quickly or can't sit by a phone pending a call back 3 hours later, forget it.
In case it needs to be stated -- when any company's CS recording states "due to unexpected high call volumes you may experience longer than usual call wait times", it really means: this company has chosen not to pay CS reps enough to attract a reasonable number of employees. So customers will have to put up with unreasonable hold times.
Has Any One Received This Whats The Catch?
One of the many benefits of being a CIT Bank customer, age 18 or older, is that you are eligible to receive this $1,000 no-cost, accidental death and dismemberment insurance provided by Minnesota Life Insurance Company.
You can receive this coverage without having to pay, print, or mail in anything. Visit our AD&D page for more details.
Savings Rate
We asked them for a better rate. A bank nearby has a 4.5% APY savings rate. CIT offered 4.75% APY for one year.
Data as of Q1 2025
Health Grade Components
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| FDIC Certificate # | 11063 |
| Year Established | 1898 |
| Employees | 17376 |
| Primary Regulator | FDIC |
| Profit Margin | |
|---|---|
| Return on Assets - YTD | 0.88% |
| Return on Equity - YTD | 9.09% |
| Annual Interest Income | $2.9B |
| Assets and Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $228.6B$217.7B |
| Loans | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $139.9B$133.8B |
| Deposits | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $160.1B$149.9B |
| Equity Capital | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $22B$21.72B |
| Loan Loss Allowance | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $1.68B$1.74B |
| Unbacked Noncurrent Loans | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $1.34B$1.21B |
| Real Estate Owned | Q1 2025vs Q1 2024 | $97MM$56MM |