Live Oak Bank Review: Savings and CDs
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- Savings
- Certificates of deposit
- Customer experience
Overall institution rating
3.9
Live Oak Bank has primarily online services and offers an above-average savings interest rate, along with personal CDs, a business savings account and business CDs. The bank doesn’t charge monthly maintenance fees.
Pros
- No monthly fees.
- Competitive rates on savings account and some CDs.
- No minimum opening deposit on savings account.
Cons
- Low rates on some CDs.
- High minimum opening deposit for CDs.
- No cash deposit.
- Limited branch access.
Full review
Live Oak Bank
Savings
Savings
Member FDIC
4.5
/5 NerdWallet ratingLive Oak Bank’s savings account has a 4.30% interest rate that is higher than at most traditional brick-and-mortar banks; the national average is just 0.43%. This account also has no monthly fee or minimum opening deposit, and customers can use mobile check deposit or link external bank accounts to fund their account.
Live Oak Bank also has a business savings account that pays interest.
Certificates of deposit
CD
Member FDIC
2.8
/5 NerdWallet ratingOne-year CDs at Live Oak Bank tend to have competitive rates, but not longer-term CDs, when compared to other online banks. However, there’s a fairly large minimum opening deposit of $2,500.
Live Oak Bank offers CDs for businesses as well.
» See more options: Best CD rates
Customer experience
3.7
NerdWallet ratingLive Oak Bank has an easy-to-navigate website with helpful lists of FAQs throughout. If you need more specialized help, you’ll have to call the bank’s customer service reps during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Many financial institutions offer phone support on weekends. Live Oak Bank’s Twitter page shares many resources with customers, but it’s not a main source of customer support. The bank’s iPhone and Android app ratings range from below average to average.
Live Oak Bank has one physical location only, in North Carolina, so nonlocal customers will have to be comfortable with using online services.
» COMPARE: Best online banks
How does Live Oak Bank compare?
 Member FDIC |  Member FDIC |
|---|---|
NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating 4.5 /5 |
APY 4.20% With $0 min. balance for APY | APY 4.55% With $5,000 min. balance for APY |
Bonus $300 Earn up to $300 with direct deposit. Terms apply. | Bonus N/A |
Learn more at SoFi Bank, N.A. | Learn more at CIT Bank |
Methodology
NerdWallet’s overall ratings for banks and credit unions are weighted averages of several categories: checking, savings, certificates of deposit or credit union share certificates, banking experience and overdraft fees. Factors we consider, depending on the category, include rates and fees, ATM and branch access, account features and limits, user-facing technology, customer service and innovation. The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.
