Marcus by Goldman Sachs Review 2026

Marcus Overview: Goldman Sachs Goes Consumer

Marcus launched in 2016 as Goldman Sachs' first foray into consumer banking. Named after Marcus Goldman, one of the firm's founders, it represented Wall Street's attempt to capture the high-yield savings market that online banks had been dominating.

The pitch is simple: get Goldman Sachs' financial expertise and stability combined with the high APYs typically offered by online-only banks. No frills, no gimmicks, just solid savings.

Interest Rate: 3.65% APY

Marcus currently offers 3.65% APY on all balances, with no tiers or requirements. You get the same rate whether you have $100 or $1 million in the account.

This rate is competitive but not market-leading. Banks like Pibank (4.60%) and SoFi (4.00% with direct deposit) offer higher rates. However, Marcus's rate is "clean"—no direct deposit requirements, no minimum balances, no hoops to jump through.

Historically, Marcus has maintained rates within 0.10-0.25% of the top competitors. They're rarely the highest, but they're always competitive.

Key Features

Same-Day Transfers

Marcus offers same-day ACH transfers to external accounts if initiated before 10 AM ET. This is faster than most high-yield savings accounts, which typically take 1-3 business days. If you need quick access to your savings, Marcus delivers.

No-Penalty CD

Marcus's no-penalty CD lets you lock in a rate (currently similar to savings) while retaining the ability to withdraw your money penalty-free after 7 days. It's a nice option when you think rates might drop and want to lock in today's rate.

24/7 Customer Service

Unlike many online banks that limit support hours, Marcus offers round-the-clock phone support. Representatives are generally knowledgeable and helpful, though complex issues may require escalation.

Daily Compounding

Interest compounds daily and is credited monthly, maximizing your earning potential.

What Marcus Is Missing

No ATM Access

Marcus is savings-only. There's no debit card, no ATM access, and no way to get physical cash from your account. You must transfer funds to an external account first.

No Checking Account

Goldman Sachs does not offer consumer checking accounts through Marcus. If you want checking, you'll need a separate bank relationship.

No Savings Goals/Buckets

Unlike Ally's savings buckets feature, Marcus doesn't let you organize your savings into separate goals within one account. It's one balance, one account.

Limited Joint Account Setup

You cannot open a joint account online. You'll need to call customer service, which adds friction to the process.

Mobile App Experience

The Marcus app is clean and straightforward. You can check balances, transfer money, manage CDs, and contact support—all the basics. It lacks advanced features like budgeting tools or spending insights, but that's by design. Marcus is focused on savings, not full-service banking.

App store ratings are strong: 4.7 stars on iOS and 4.6 on Android. Users praise the simplicity but occasionally note that features are limited.

Security and Trust

Marcus is backed by Goldman Sachs, a 155-year-old financial institution with a $550+ billion market cap. Your deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor.

Goldman Sachs survived the 2008 financial crisis and has consistently maintained strong capital reserves. If financial stability is a priority, few banks inspire more confidence than Goldman.

Who Should Choose Marcus?

Marcus is ideal for:

• Simplicity seekers: You want a no-frills savings account that just works
• Brand-conscious savers: The Goldman Sachs name gives you confidence
• Transfer speed prioritizers: Same-day ACH is important to you
• CD-curious savers: You want the no-penalty CD option

Marcus is NOT ideal for:

• Rate chasers: Higher APYs are available elsewhere
• All-in-one bankers: You want checking and savings together
• Cash access needers: You want ATM or debit card access
• Goal organizers: You want savings buckets or sub-accounts

Marcus vs. Competitors

Marcus vs. Ally: Ally offers a higher APY (3.70%), savings buckets, ATM access, and a full banking ecosystem. Marcus wins on transfer speed and brand prestige. For most people, Ally is the better choice. Read our full comparison →

Marcus vs. SoFi: SoFi offers 4.00% APY (with direct deposit) and up to a $300 bonus. However, that rate requires direct deposit. Without it, SoFi drops to 1.00%. If you can't set up direct deposit, Marcus is better.

Marcus vs. Wealthfront: Wealthfront offers $8M FDIC coverage through their partner bank network. If you have large balances exceeding $250K, Wealthfront's extended insurance is valuable. For typical savers, Marcus's rate and brand edge out Wealthfront's 3.25% APY.

The Bottom Line

Marcus delivers exactly what it promises: a solid, competitive high-yield savings account backed by one of Wall Street's most established names. It's not the highest rate, and it lacks some features offered by competitors, but it's reliable, trustworthy, and simple.

If you value the Goldman Sachs brand and want a straightforward savings account without any gimmicks, Marcus is an excellent choice. If you want the highest possible rate or more features, look at Ally, SoFi, or Pibank.