Table Of Content
When Marcus Wins?
On the other hand, Marcus is part of the Goldman Sachs group and this is reflected in its products. The bank offers high yield savings products including CDs, and a savings account. You can also access personal loans, home improvement loans and debt consolidation loans.
Where Marcus stands apart is its investment options. You can explore account types and portfolios with numerous IRA options. So, if you want the convenience of having your funds in a high yield savings account or are just getting into investing, Marcus may appeal to you.
Marcus can be a better choice than Synchrony Bank if:
You’re interested in investment products
You may need a personal loan
When Synchrony Bank Wins?
Both Marcus and Synchrony are more specialized providers, so neither offers a full variety of banking products. Synchrony has a focus on accounts that help you save.
So, there is a high yield savings account, CDs, and a money market account. You can also access IRAs. However, Synchrony does also have a selection of credit cards.
Synchrony Bank can be a better choice than Marcus Money if:
You need an access to IRA CDs or IRA money market
You want a credit card
Marcus | Synchrony | |
|---|---|---|
Savings Accounts | ||
Checking Accounts | ||
CDs | ||
Money Market Account | ||
Debit Card | ||
Credit Cards | ||
Personal Loans | ||
Mortgage | ||
Government Mortgage | ||
Business Loans | ||
Investing Capabilities |
Savings Account
There is not much comparison in this area. Both Marcus and Synchrony offer a high yield savings account. There are minimal account features or perks, but this is an impressive rate that overshadows the typical interest offered with a high street savings account.
Also, there is no comparison here as neither bank has a checking account option.
Marcus | Synchrony Bank | |
|---|---|---|
APY | 4.40% | 4.75% |
Fees | $0 | $0 |
Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
Checking Needed? | No | Yes |
Main Benefits |
|
|
CDs
This is one area where it is possible to make a straight comparison. In this regard, Synchrony certainly has the edge.
In addition to having no minimum deposit, while Marcus requires $500, apart from the one year CD, where the rates are the same, Synchrony’s rates are significantly higher.
Marcus | Synchrony Bank | |
|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | $500 | $0 |
APY Range | 4.00% – 5.20% | 2.25% – 5.50% |
Loan Options
Here, Marcus has the edge. While Synchrony does not offer loans, Marcus has several options. You can access personal loans of up to $40,000 with rates of 6.99% to 19.99% APR. There are no late fees, sign up fees or prepayment fees, but you can enjoy a 0.25% rate discount if you sign up with auto pay.
Additionally, Marcus has a payment holiday scheme. If you make full payments on time every month for a year, you can skip a month with no penalty. Marcus also has debt consolidation and home improvement loans.
Credit Cards
Synchrony currently has some options. The Premier World card offers 2% cash back with no annual fee. Together with HomeAdvisor, Synchrony clients can get access to Synchrony HOME credit card, that give you the option to pay over time with 6 months special financing on purchases of $299 or more.
However, the bank is promoting a couple of other Mastercard credit cards, which are “coming soon”. These new cards will also have no annual fee, but will offer fewer rewards. For example, the Plus World card will offer 1% cash back.
In recent years, loans were the only additional product Marcus offered, but the bank has recently launched a selection of credit card options. There are three credit cards currently which offer rewards that you can redeem for eligible GM vehicles.
- GM Rewards: This is a great card if you enjoy GM vehicles and unlimited rewards.
- GM Extended Family: This card allows you to use your employee and supplier discounts.
- GM Business: As the name suggests, this card is open to business users who want to work towards a new GM vehicle.
Customer Service
Marcus has a number of toll free numbers, according to your query area, but none of them are 24/7. Most of the lines are open from 8 am or 9 am to 10 pm ET.
Synchrony does have a 24/7 automated telephone service, but if you want to speak to an agent, the lines are only open 8 am to 10 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm on the weekend.
However, when you look at the ratings on consumer review platforms, both banks score poorly. While Marcus has a low 2.6 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, Synchrony has a terrible 1.2 out of 5.
Online/Digital Experience
Both Marcus and Synchrony have an easy to use website to explore products and access support with various finance topics. This ensures a great user experience, especially if you are unsure what banking services and products are the best options for you.
Both the banks also have highly rated apps. The Marcus app is rated 4.9/5 on the Apple Store and 4 out of 5 on Google. Synchrony’s app is rated 4.8 out of 5 for both Apple and Google.
These apps allow you to not only transfer funds and manage your transactions, but you can access support and manage your card.
Which Bank is The Winner?
These banks offer different products and services, but does this mean one is a better bank? We’ll need to look a little closer to make that determination.
There is little to separate Marcus and Synchrony in terms of their savings accounts, but Synchrony has the edge in the CD comparison. However, while Synchrony offers a credit card option, Marcus offers personal loans. So, it will really depend on what you are looking for in your new bank.
FAQs
Does Marcus or Synchrony offer a promotion?
Currently, Marcus don't have a promotion for new banking accounts. However, if you choose to use one of Marcus credit cards after opening an account, you'll enjoy a sign up bonus, based on the specific card you selected.
Synchrony bank doesn't offer a welcome bonus or promotion on its savings account.
Can I open an account on Marcus if I have bad credit?
Marcus offers a great savings account for anyone, but if you want a lending product, you may need to work on your credit score. Marcus does not disclose the minimum credit score requirements, but a score of 660 or higher is likely to be required to qualify for a loan.
Is Marcus a lender for car loans?
While it does not provide car loans, the bank does provide personal loans. These are fixed-rate, no-fee loans ranging from 6.99% – 24.99% that can be used for any purpose. With a term of up to six years, the specific rate will be determined by your creditworthiness.
Can you buy gold via Synchrony Bank ?
Synchrony does not have an investment arm that allows its customers to access shares, bonds, and stocks including gold products. So, if you are interested in becoming a Synchrony customer and want to purchase gold stocks, you will need to consider a third party investment platform to make your trades.
Can you invest in Crypto via Synchrony Bank ?
Synchrony has shown no interest in entering the cryptocurrency market, but the bank does have resources and articles to help you understand crypto and whether it would be a good investment strategy for you.
The bank has articles that explore Bitcoin and where you can purchase coins, but these are third party platforms, as there is no direct way to buy crypto through Synchrony.
Compare More
Marcus vs Axos
Marcus, on the other hand, made Goldman Sachs banking more accessible to the general public when it debuted in 2016. Our in-depth Marcus review can help you decide if this online bank is right for you. Goldman Sachs is one of the world's largest investment banks, with offices in every major financial center and a client list that includes other banks as well as the state of New Jersey. With Marcus, however, you could be next on the list.
Axos online bank, which provides checking, savings, CDs, investing, and other services, has a lot to offer. A variety of checking account options allow customers to earn interest or cash back. The APY on Axos Bank's Rewards Checking account isn't the highest among online banks, but it's sufficient to justify opening an account as part of a larger online banking strategy, and there are almost no fees.
Read Full Comparison: Axos vs Marcus: Which Online Bank is Better?
Marcus vs Chime
Marcus, a Goldman Sachs Bank division, provides online savings accounts, CDs, and personal loans. Marcus has no physical locations, so you can only access your accounts through the Marcus website, mobile app, or phone-based customer service.
In addition to assisting you in avoiding typical bank fees, Chime includes useful new features such as early direct deposits and automatic saving. While Chime does not provide credit cards or loans, its savings options and competitive interest rates make it an excellent choice, especially for younger people.
Read Full Comparison: Chime vs Marcus: Which Online Bank Wins?
Marcus vs Ally
Marcus' banking product offering is more specialized. Marcus' product line reflects its investment pedigree as part of the Goldman Sachs Group. CDs, high-yield savings, investment options, and a variety of loans are available.
Ally has a banking product line that competes with traditional, high-street banks. A checking account, savings account, CDs, mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, retirement products, and investments are among the numerous products available.
Read Full Comparison: Ally vs Marcus: Which Online Bank Is Better?
Marcus vs SoFi
Marcus is a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, which is reflected in its banking products. Marcus provides high-yielding savings and CDs, as well as investment options and a variety of loans. This does not, however, include a checking account.
SoFi's banking products are more akin to those of traditional banks. While there are no checking or savings accounts available, rather a hybrid account, you can access loans, mortgages, and investment products. SoFi also offers insurance. CDs and traditional savings accounts, on the other hand, are not available in the SoFi catalog.
Read Full Comparison: Marcus vs SoFi Money: Which Banking Service Is Better?
