Banking Bank Reviews

Discover® Bank Review [2026]: Practical Credit Cards + Some Loans

Discover's product suite has changed, but the company still offers worthwhile credit cards and loans. Explore those, and the products and services that have been discontinued, here.

Updated Feb. 18, 2026
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Whether you are looking at a new credit card, a high-yield savings account, or how to get a loan, finding the right option is imperative. You want to work with a company you can trust that won't nickel-and-dime you every step of the way.

Discover is one company we recommend considering. While this company may be best known for its credit cards, it also offers other financial products and services (though fewer than it used to).

Keep reading to learn more about what Discover has to offer and if it's the right bank for you.

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Discover overview

For many people, Discover is known for its credit cards, which were introduced in 1986 by Dean Witter Financial Services Group, a subsidiary of Sears, Roebuck, and Co. However, the company has evolved — and evolved again — to become one of the most recognized financial services brands in the U.S.

Capital One, founded in 1994, acquired Discover in 2025 and has since done away with some Discover products, including banking. It's expected to absorb others, and existing Discover customers will be the first to hear about any changes to their accounts.

Credit cards from Discover

There are many different types of Discover cards to choose from, so you are likely to find a credit card that meets your needs. Discover offers the following cards: 

This page includes information about the NHL® Discover it® that is not currently available on FinanceBuzz and the offer details may be out of date.

Typically, these cards are good choices for customers interested in everyday products with simple cash back redemption. If you plan to use points toward travel — especially if you enjoy transferring to partner airlines and hotels for better redemption rates — Discover might not be the best option.

Additionally, while the issuer's travel product (Discover it® Miles) does offer some benefits for travelers, it's important to note that Discover still isn't accepted everywhere worldwide. So before you travel, ensure that your destination country will accept this issuer's cards.

All Discover cards offer 100% U.S.-based customer service, fraud monitoring, and a free Credit Scorecard each month. Of course, there are certain eligibility criteria for each card, and these requirements vary from one product to the next. Typically, though, you will need to have a good-to-excellent credit score in order to qualify.

Who Discover credit cards are best suited for:
Everyday spenders who prefer no-annual-fee cards with simple cash back redemptions, aren't worried about worldwide card acceptance, and/or don't plan to transfer earned points or miles to travel partners for redemption.

Banking with Discover

As stated, Discover no longer offers banking. But the following account information was accurate until these products were discontinued.

Discover Bank's account options included:

  • A unique cash back checking account
  • High-yield savings accounts
  • Money market accounts (MMAs)
  • Certificates of deposits (CDs)

These products were a good option for banking online with few fees and few restrictions, such as minimum deposit or balance requirements.

To learn more about Capital One products, check out our Capital One 360 review.

Discover® Cashback Debit

Account APY Minimum deposit requirement Monthly maintenance fees ATM access
Discover® Cashback Debit 1.00% cash back on up to $3,000 in qualifying debit card transactions each month $0 $0 Yes

Discover's sole checking account allowed you to earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in qualifying debit card purchases every month. So that would be $30 in your pocket just for spending money on things you usually buy.

This account was among the most popular of its kind. Cash back debit cards are hard to come by, and this one had an edge because you didn't have to jump through any hoops (like direct deposit or activity requirements) to qualify for that cash back. It offered other features that rewards checking accounts don't always have, including the option to make cash deposits and receive early direct deposits.

If you already have this account, you can keep using it until you hear from Capital One otherwise.

Discover® Online Savings Account

Annual percentage yield (APY) 3.40%
Minimum deposit requirement $0
Monthly maintenance fees $0
ATM access No

Discover offered a high-yield savings account with no monthly fee or minimum opening deposit. The account earned 3.40% APY, until it was discontinued, and was often competitive with the best high-yield savings accounts.

However, it didn't offer ATM access for withdrawing funds directly from savings, and it didn't have the automated savings features you can find in savings accounts from other online banks.

Other Discover banking products

Account APY Minimum deposit requirement Monthly maintenance fees ATM access FDIC insured
Discover® Money Market Account* Up to 3.30-3.35% (as of 10/29/25), depending on your balance $2,500 $0 Yes Yes
Discover® CDs 2.00%-4.05% (as of 11/04/25) depending on the term None $0 No Yes

Discover also offered interest-bearing money market accounts (MMAs) and CDs. The Discover money market account offered ATM access but had a high minimum deposit requirement relative to other MMAs.

You could open a Discover CD with terms ranging from three months to 10 years, with APYs ranging from 2.00%-4.05% (as of 11/04/25). Discover's CD rates were close to or on par with many of the best CD rates offered.

Personal loans from Discover

Discover also offers personal loans, which can be used to cover a variety of expenses, from emergency home repairs and unexpected medical bills to consolidating high-interest credit card debt.

Regardless of how you plan to use a personal loan, Discover is there to offer the funding that meets your needs. Here is what you can expect when taking out a Discover personal loan:

  • Loans up to $40,000
  • No processing or origination fees
  • No late fees
  • Flexible repayment terms between 36-84 months
  • Fixed interest rates ranging from 7.99% - 24.99% (as of 11/07/25) APR

You'll enjoy customer service that is entirely based in the U.S. in case you ever have questions about your loan or need help managing your account. Discover also offers same-day decisions on personal loans in many cases, helping you get the funding you need fast.

Plus, if you change your mind about your personal loan, you have the option to return the funds within 30 days — and you won't be subject to any interest charges.

In order to qualify for a Discover personal loan, you'll need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a physical address, be at least 18 years old, and have a household income of $25,000 or more. Your interest rate and approved loan amount will be determined according to factors such as your creditworthiness and ability to repay.

Who Discover personal loans are best suited for:
Consumers who are shopping around for personal loans that are quick, origination fee-free, and offer flexible repayment terms would be wise to give Discover a look.

What we like about Discover

  • Solid credit cards, both for beginners and people with more credit card experience
  • Good customer support
  • Highly rated mobile app and digital tools

Where Discover falls short

  • No banking options available anymore (but they were good while they lasted)
  • Uncertainty about the future of existing Discover banking products
  • Capital One doesn't offer equivalent alternatives to all discontinued Discover products

Alternatives to Discover

SoFi® and Chase Bank are two Discover banking alternatives you may want to consider.

SoFi Checking and Savings

If you want an interest-bearing checking account, SoFi® is a good option. While Discover's checking account didn't earn interest, SoFi® offers 0.50% APY with direct deposit on its checking accounts, which is well above the national average. SoFi's savings accounts also earn an impressive up to 3.30% APY (with direct deposit)6. SoFi is a Member, FDIC.5

Visit SoFi

…or read our full SoFi Checking and Savings review.

Chase Bank

Chase Bank may be an option if you need a savings account with ATM access. Both Chase Savings and Premier Savings accounts offer access through Chase's network of more than 15,000 ATMs nationwide. Chase also offers interest-bearing checking accounts. However, the APY on these accounts is pretty low compared to other competitors.

Visit Chase Bank

…or read our full Chase Bank review.

What Discover customers are saying

If there's one thing that's clear about Discover, it's that its customers are generally pretty happy. JD Power & Associates have ranked Discover as either number one or two in credit card customer satisfaction for nearly ten years. Discover Financial Services also currently has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been accredited since 1989.

Of course, some consumer rating sites paint a slightly different picture. It's important to remember that consumers aren't as quick to post online when they are happy with their financial establishments, so online reviews are often disproportionately negative.

With that said, their customer-submitted rating is only 1.18 stars out of 5 on BBB.org. Common complaints include things like accounts closed unexpectedly due to inactivity, issues with aggressive fraud monitoring, concerns about disputed charges, and misunderstandings regarding certain banking fees (such as those for cash advances).

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FAQs

Which Discover card is best?

The best Discover card for you will depend on many personal factors, such as where you typically spend the most money, how you plan to use your earned rewards, and what your current credit score will allow you to qualify for. With a variety of card options, however, you're sure to find the product that suits your needs.

Is a Discover loan a good option?

A Discover loan is a great option if you're looking for a loan that doesn't charge origination fees, has flexible repayment options, and can offer a same-day decision for most applicants. Additionally, you'll enjoy U.S.-based customer service and can even return your loan within 30 days and pay no interest if needed.

Can I pay off a Discover loan early?

Yes. There are no penalties or fees involved with paying off your Discover personal loan early. If you want to contribute a little extra to your principal balance or simply pay off the entire loan ahead of schedule, you can do so without worry.

What credit score do you need for a Discover personal loan?

There is no specified minimum credit score that you will need to qualify for a personal loan through Discover. However, your credit history and score will be considered when determining eligibility. Additionally, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a minimum household income of $25,000, and be at least 18 years old.

Bottom line

While Discover is primarily known for its credit cards, the financial services company has some other products and services, though this no longer includes banking products. Discover offers competitive loans with fee-free options, quick approvals, and flexible repayment terms. 

Before committing to a bank, it is important to thoroughly research the available account options. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the fees, disclosures, and requirements associated with each account.

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