Earn up to 6% APY on Tellus Boost Account

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Pros and cons

Tellus may be a good option if you’re strictly looking for competitive interest rates on an account. The Tellus Boost Account is a high-yield cash account with a base rate of 3% APY. In comparison, a traditional savings account currently earns an average of only 0.08% APY, according to the FDIC. 

The most notable perk to the 3% APY is the account’s Boosts feature, which can temporarily increase your account’s interest rate as high as 6% APY. Boosts are available every 24 hours. To earn the temporary rate increase, you’ll have to answer a daily quiz question or participate in a Tellus promotion.

You’ll want to consider other savings options if you’re searching for an account that makes it easy to deposit cash or has a lower minimum deposit.

Boost Account features

Tellus has several sub-accounts, which are accounts that stem from your Boost Account. These accounts are designed to set aside some money for a specific purpose.

• Tellus Reserve Account: The Reserve Accounts pay 4.50% APY on up to $2,500, so it might be worthwhile if you’d like to set some money aside while earning a flat rate. Keep in mind this account doesn’t allow you to add any Boosts. 
• Stack Accounts: Stacks allow you to save for personal goals, like vacations or rent. You may customize Stacks with descriptions and set targets to track your goals over time. Stack Accounts require a minimum balance of at least $125. You may apply Boosts to Stack Accounts.

How Tellus works

Tellus is an online fintech company with a high-yield cash account. A high-yield cash account has similar features to a high-yield savings or checking account because you’ll be able to earn a high interest rate on your savings. However, it isn’t considered a bank account.

Tellus is not a bank, and it is not FDIC insured. However, banking services are provided by Chase Bank, Member FDIC. 

Tellus is able to offer a high interest rate because it earns money through real estate investments which get passed down to Tellus member accounts.

The company also has rental property management tools. For instance, you can get a screening report on tenant applicants, receive rental payments through online rent collection, or communicate with tenants and employees through landlord-tenant chat.

Tellus has limited customer support. If you have questions about new accounts, you’ll have to go through the website’s FAQ section or send a message and wait for a response through email.

The fintech’s mobile app is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store and 4.3 out of 5 stars in the Apple Store.

Tellus trustworthiness and BBB rating

We use ratings from the Better Business Bureau to help determine how a business deals with customer issues. Tellus hasn’t been rated by the Better Business Bureau or been involved in any recent public scandals.

Since banking services are provided by Chase Bank, we’re also including Chase’s BBB rating and recent public settlements. 

JP Morgan Chase & Co. (Chase’s parent company) received a A- rating because government action was taken against the business.

In 2020, JP Morgan Chase & Co. paid the Department of Justice $920 million when charged with wrongful trading. 

In 2020, JP Morgan Chase & Co. also paid $800,000 in back wages in a settlement with the US Department of Labor that accused the company of underpaying women. The US Department of Labor also required the bank to provide a total of $9 million for compensation adjustments over five years.

You’ll also want to talk to customers or read online customer reviews to get a better idea of whether Tellus may be suitable. 

Tellus vs. Chime

Chime is another popular online banking platform. See how the two compare below.

Tellus pays a higher flat interest rate on its Tellus Boost Account than Chime does on its Chime Savings Account. You’ll also be eligible to earn a temporary rate increase on your Tellus Boost Account if you participate in daily Boosts.

If you’d like to open a checking account or have easy ATM access, you might prefer banking with Chime. Chime has separate checking and savings account, and you must open a checking account to qualify for the savings account. Tellus only has a high-yield cash account with sub-accounts.

Tellus vs. Ally

See how Tellus stacks up to Ally, an online-only bank with high-yield bank accounts.

If you’re strictly prioritizing high interest rates, Tellus might be more appealing than Ally. The Tellus Boost Account currently offers a higher interest rate than any of Ally’s accounts.

Ally will likely be a better option if you’re looking for a variety of savings options. For example, if you’d like to open an interest-earning account with a debit card, you might consider getting the Ally Money Market Account or Ally Interest Checking Account.

Ally will also stand out to you if would rather have more traditional banking features, like telephone customer support. Ally has 24/7 customer service available through live chat or by phone.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Tellus FDIC insured? 

No. Tellus is an online fintech platform, not a bank. Tellus is not FDIC insured. 

FDIC insurance protects money in your bank account and can be an important factor in determining whether an unfamiliar financial institution is safe and trustworthy. If a bank fails, the FDIC will make sure that your money will be returned you. Up to $250,000 is secure in a bank account. 

The Tellus Boost Account is not a savings or checking account, and it not FDIC insured. According to a disclosure on the Tellus website, your money will still be returned to you if Tellus goes bankrupt. Banking services are also provided by Chase Bank, Member FDIC.

Is Tellus free?

Yes, you may sign up for Tellus for free. The Boost Account and Reserve Account do not have monthly service  fees or app fees. 

Something to keep in mind is if you withdraw less than $50 from a Boost Account, there’s a $5 withdrawal fee.

How does Tellus Boost work?

Boosts are a special feature on Tellus Boost Accounts that temporarily increases your account’s interest rate. For example, you could earn an additional 0.5% on your Boost Account for a day and 12 hours.

You’ll be able to get a free Boost every 24 hours. To earn the bonus rate, you’ll have to answer a daily quiz question or participate in a Tellus promotion.

Sophia Acevedo, CEPF

Junior Banking Reporter