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Aspiration Reviews

7.3

bestfor-icon Straightforward Online Banking Facilities

lauren
Written by Lauren Le-Hair

About Aspiration | Read More

7

LS Score

8

Credibility

6

Support

8

Accessibility

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Opening Hours Opening Hours drop-down-btn
Mon - Fri 6 AM - 6 PM
Sat - Sun 8 AM - 3 PM
Contact Information Contact Information drop-down-btn
  • support@aspiration.com
  • (800) 683-8529
  • Headquarters: 4551 Glencoe Ave, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Social Media Social Media drop-down-btn
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Aspiration Online Banking Review

Aspiration offers cash management account (CMA) facilities to its users. Also known as “Spend and Save” accounts, Aspiration offers two types. The basic offering is simply called ‘Aspiration’ while the enhanced offering is called ‘Aspiration Plus’. The key features of both accounts are as follows:

Bank Account Types Cash Management Account
Minimum Deposit

Aspiration – $10

Aspiration Plus – $10
Minimum Balance None
APY Saving (Annual Percentage Yield)

Aspiration – Up to 1%

Aspiration Plus – Up to 3%
ATM Network Over 55,000 fee-free ATMs
Min. Credit Score None
Features, Benefits, and Rewards

Aspiration – Up to 5% cashback on Conscience Coalition purchases

Aspiration Plus – Up to 10% cashback on Conscience Coalition purchase
Overdraft Fees N/A – overdraft not available
Maintenance Fee

Aspiration – ‘Pay what is fair’. You choose your monthly fee

Aspiration Plus – $5.99 – $7.99 per month
Other Fees None

Aspiration Online Banking Highlight

Over 55,000

ATM Network

Yes

Other Fees

Online Banking Savings

$10

Min Deposit

$10

Min Balance

1-3%

Min APY Savings

Pros & Cons

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  • con-icon Cashback at socially conscious businesses
  • con-icon Large fee-free ATM network
  • con-icon Fossil fuel-free deposits
  • con-icon No CD rates

Account types

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  • Savings
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Opening an Account With Aspiration

We decided to open an account with Aspiration as we were impressed by its green credentials and high APY. To start the process, we had to enter our email address on Aspiration’s homepage.

Screen 1

enter your email address

Screen 2

choose what plan you're interested in

After entering our email address, the site prompted us to enter a password, and then we could start the application process. The first screen asked us which CMA we wanted. We wanted to access the higher APY and cashback levels, so we chose the Aspiration Plus account.

We then had to enter our personal details, including name, address, SSN, address details, and phone number. After having our address verified by Aspiration, we had to confirm our address. Additionally, we had to verify ourselves via a code sent to our phone for security reasons.

Aspiration then gave us the option to round up all purchases to the nearest whole dollar. All funds raised by this go towards planting trees.

We linked an existing account with a different bank to the Aspiration Plus account we were setting up. After going through numerous security procedures, we merged the two accounts, confirming our existing account’s routing and account number. This linked our existing account to the Aspiration Plus account. We chose the amount of money we wanted to transfer to Aspiration and selected that we wanted to make a monthly recurring deposit.

Doing so finalized the process, and we were able to submit our application. The whole process took just under 15 minutes, including linking the accounts and going through the security protocols.

Finally, we were asked to verify our identity using our driving license and by uploading a selfie. Following this, we heard back later that day that our application for an Aspiration Plus account had been successful.

The process wasn’t the quickest we’ve encountered, but part of this is because of the security procedures, which are very important. While not fast, the sign-up process was straightforward.

State Availability

- Available in all states

lauren
Written by Lauren Le-Hair linkedin-icon

As an experienced content writer, Lauren's passion for the finance sector is only exceeded by her love of writing. With years of experience writing for financial websites, she has honed her expertise and developed a deep understanding of the industry. Lauren specializes in delivering top-quality, specialized content with an expert tone of voice and a unique flair, leveraging her extensive knowledge and expertise. In addition, she holds a First Class Bachelor's degree from Staffordshire University.

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FAQ’s

Is Aspiration a bank?

No, Aspiration provides cash management accounts like a bank, but Aspiration is not a bank itself. Aspiration partners with eight banks. All these banks are FDIC-insured, so all money held with Aspiration is as safe as it would be in a bank.

Can I open an Aspiration account from anywhere in the US?

Of course, you can. An Aspiration account is available in all 50 states of the US.

Can I withdraw money from my Aspiration account at an ATM?

Yes, cash can be withdrawn from an Aspiration account without a fee at over 55,000 locations across the country.

Customer Support

You can contact the Aspiration customer service team via email, phone, or social media. We emailed customer support and received a response within an hour, which we consider an excellent response time for an online query. The reply was helpful and to the point. Aspiration also has a detailed FAQ section on the website with most customer questions answered.

Privacy & Security

Aspiration takes its privacy and security responsibilities seriously. The company has an extensive privacy and security section on its website. These sections explain in detail how your personal data is stored and what safeguards are in place to ensure that information is kept securely. Aspiration has a form available on its website to complete if you do not want the company to sell your data to third parties. Notably, there are no adverse online claims of privacy and security being breached by Aspiration.

In Conclusion

Aspiration may be a good choice for people who want simple banking facilities from a company run in an ethical and environmentally friendly manner. Aspiration has built a solid reputation since its establishment almost a decade ago and is worth considering if you are looking for a cash management account without the need for a checking or savings account.

Brand Disclaimer

The Aspiration Spend & Save Accounts are cash management accounts offered through Aspiration Financial, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, and Member FINRA/SIPC.

An affiliate, Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC, is an SEC-registered investment adviser. An affiliate, Aspiration Card Services LLC offers credit services. An affiliate, Aspiration Insurance Agency LLC offers insurance products. An affiliate, Make Earth Green Again LLC, offers a standalone Plant Your Change service. An affiliate, Aspiration Sustainability Impact Services LLC offers business-to-business services.

Aspiration Financial LLC, Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC, Make Earth Green Again LLC, Aspiration Card Services LLC, Aspiration Insurance Agency LLC, and Aspiration Sustainability Impact Services LLC are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Aspiration Partners Inc. (collectively “Aspiration”). Aspiration is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

Aspiration pledges to donate to charities 10% of the fees customers choose to pay us. Indemnity Agreement. Aspiration Partners Inc and its subsidiaries, including Aspiration Card Services LLC (collectively, “Aspiration”), value offering socially conscious and sustainable financial products. As such, the company does not use any portion of its customer’s money (fees, deposits, etc.) to fund specific activities misaligned with its social mission. Aspiration is not a bank.