Bank of America’s Keep the Change program is an easy way to save money. Every time you use your debit card, the purchase is rounded up to the nearest whole dollar amount and the change is put into your savings account. For the first 90 days, Bank of America matches your deposits up to $100; thereafter, they match 5%.
Before signing up, I chatted with a Bank of America Account Specialist. My chat transcription is below:
Me: I’m thinking of signing up for B of A’s Keep the Change program. I don’t currently have a checking or savings account with B of A.
1. Does the Keep the Change program reward me for VISA purchases or debit purchases?2. Do I pay any fees for using my card (if not withdrawing money)?
3. Do I understand correctly that if I open a regular checking account online that I do not pay checking fees? (Any fees for original checks?)
4. Do I understand correctly that if I open a regular savings account and maintain a $300 balance that I pay no fees for that account either?
Melanie: When you have Keep the Change both PIN and PINless transactions will count toward the program. And there is no fee for making purchases with your debit card, even if you get cash back.
Melanie: And during our exclusive online-only promotion we have the MyAccess Checking account and Regular Savings, both with absolutely zero monthly fees when you enroll in Keep the Change! This offer does not require a minimum balance. It also comes included with free Online Banking with Bill Pay, unlimited check writing, teller transactions, a Visa ATM/Check Card, and earn up to $250 with the free Keep the Change program!
Me: What about the savings account options?
Melanie: With this offer the Regular Savings will have no monthly maintenance fee if you enroll in Keep the Change and you will not need a minimum balance or a transfer into the account.
Me: Sounds good. How do I initially add money to my new accounts?
Melanie: For your convenience, you can make your opening deposit with a transfer from a checking, savings or debit card account with us or another bank.
I signed up about a month ago and use my account mainly for Starbucks purchases. I have bought things at a couple other stores and asked them to put just a penny on this card, which they’ve done (and Bank of America has matched my $0.99), but I felt both times as if I needed to apologize to the sales clerk–not really worth it to me.
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