This Account Could Help You Save $1,000 Faster
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Between bills, groceries, and everything else life throws at you, it's tough to set money aside -- let alone build up an emergency fund or save for something big.
But sometimes all it takes is a simple system. One that quietly builds your savings in the background while you go about your day.
I've helped thousands of Americans get their finances on track, and here's the first account I point people to for helping save their first $1,000.
How LendingClub LevelUp Savings helps you save more
The LendingClub LevelUp Savings account is built to do one thing really well: help you grow your savings without needing to think about it every day.
At its core, it's a high-yield savings account that rewards you with one of the top APYs available.
But there's a smart twist to unlock the highest rate. You need to set up direct deposits of $250 or more per month.
That might sound like a pain, but that's the beauty of it. It's the beginning of a system that forces you to save every month. Sending just $250 off to a separate bank account means the money is out of sight and out of mind, while also earning high interest.
It won't make you rich overnight. But it will help you hit that first $1,000 goal faster than just trying to build up your checking account balance.
If you've struggled to save consistently in the past, LendingClub LevelUp Savings removes some of the friction. You don't have to manually transfer funds or remember to save -- it's all built in.
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LendingClub LevelUp Savings
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- Competitive APY
- No fees
- Easy ATM access
- Unlimited number of external transfers (up to daily transaction limits)
- Requires you to make monthly deposits to earn the best APY
- ACH outbound transfers limited to $10,000 per day for some accounts
- No branch access; online only
The LendingClub LevelUp Savings account has a lot to offer. At the top of the list is its high APY, though you must deposit monthly to earn the best rate. Next is zero account fees, a strong and straightforward perk. Finally, you get a free ATM card, which you can use to withdraw from thousands of ATMs nationwide. Interested? You can open an account with $0.
Access your cash without fees or headaches
One of the coolest features of LendingClub LevelUp Savings is that it comes with a debit card -- something most high-yield savings accounts don't offer.
So if you need money in a pinch, you can head straight to an ATM and grab some. This doesn't mean you should start tapping into this account for cash (the goal is to build up your balance and not touch that money). But it's nice to know that your cash is easily accessible.
Even better, LendingClub has no monthly maintenance fees, and it'll reimburse ATM fees when you use an out-of-network machine.
That's better than what most big banks offer for checking and savings accounts.
More perks that support your saving journey
Here's a quick rundown of some extra benefits that make the LendingClub LevelUp Savings account stand out:
- No minimum balance or monthly fees, so you won't get penalized just for having low savings
- Built in budgeting tools inside the mobile app to help track progress
- FDIC insurance up to the legal limits
- Earn interest daily, even if you only deposit once a month
These small details matter when you're just starting out. A smooth user experience and smart features can make or break your savings habit.
What saving $1,000 can actually look like
Let's say you start auto-depositing $250 a month into your LendingClub LevelUp Savings account. Here's what that looks like:
- After four months, you've got $1,000 saved
- With a competitive APY (around 4.20% or higher depending on the current rate), you'll earn interest while you save
- You build a money habit without thinking about it
- You avoid unnecessary fees and can access your cash when needed
Even if you're not ready to save $250 right away, you can still open the account and start a small monthly deposit. You can always increase it later when the momentum builds.
If you've struggled to save in the past, you're not broken. You just might not have the right system in place yet.
The LendingClub LevelUp Savings account gives your money a job and takes the guesswork out of saving. It builds the habit for you, one month at a time.
Ready to get started? Read our full review of LendingClub LevelUp Savings and get started on that $1,000 goal.
Our Research Expert
Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.