There are no monthly services fees, overdraft fees or NSF fees. Plus no credit checks are required. Please refer to the fee schedule below for additional details. All fees Amount Details Get started Card purchase $0 There is no card purchase fee. Monthly usage Monthly fee $0 There is no monthly fee. Add money Direct deposit $0 There is no fee for Direct Deposits. Cash reload N/A Cash reloads are not permitted. Spend money Bill payment (regular delivery) $0 Bill pay is available when you log in to your account or using the NEA Smart Money Account mobile app. Regular bill pay transactions will be completed within 3 Business Days for electronic payments and within approximately 7 days if we have to mail a paper check to your bill. Get cash ATM withdrawal (in-network) $0 “In-network” refers to the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. Locations can be found here . Click on “Find an ATM,” and then enter your location and filter for “Plus Alliance ATMs” to show surcharge-free machines. ATM withdrawal (out-of-network) $2.50 “Out-of-network” refers to all the ATMs outside of the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator, even if you do not complete a transaction. Information Customer service (automated) $0 No fee for calling our automated customer service line, including for balance inquiries. Customer service (live agent) $0 No fee for calling a live agent. ATM balance inquiry (in-network) $0 “In-network” refers to the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. Locations can be found here . Click on “Find an ATM,” and then enter your location and filter for “Plus Alliance ATMs” to show surcharge-free machines. ATM balance inquiry (out-of-network) $0 “Out-of-network” refers to all the ATMs outside of the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator. Teller Cash Withdrawal $3 Teller cash refers to cash withdrawals done at a teller at a bank branch. Using your card outside the U.S. International transaction 3% Of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction. International ATM withdrawal $3.50 You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator, even if you do not complete a transaction. International ATM balance $0 You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator. Other Inactivity $0 There is no inactivity fee for the card. Lost/Stolen card replacement fee $10 If your card is lost or stolen, please contact us at 1 (844) 333-3102 and we will reissue your card. A card replacement fee will be debited from your account. Expedited delivery of lost/stolen card replacement $25 This fee is in addition to the Lost/Stolen card replacement fee.

Please note: Effective December 9, 2022, the NEA Smart Money Account program will be closed. We apologize for any disruption and inconvenience this may cause.

If you have linked a bank account to your cash management account, we request that you please transfer the available funds in your cash management account to your linked bank account as soon as possible—and no later than the program termination date of December 9, 2022. If you take no action by December 9th, you will receive a check in the full amount of your outstanding balances.

If you are receiving direct deposit or have set up automated bill payments, please ensure that these are redirected to another bank account to ensure that you receive your December paycheck without disruption and your automated bill payments continue to post on time.

NEA Smart Money Account

A smarter way to bank and save.

NEA members can now get effortless banking and investing with a Cash Management Account that won’t penalize you with fees for accessing your money.¹

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In partnership with

overview

A better home for your savings

The NEA Smart Money Account is a Federally-insured mobile bank account that pays up to 0.55% APY. Plus, you have the option to connect your bank account with two simple, low-risk investment options that offer an even higher return.

Unlike other cash management products, you can seamlessly move money between banking and investing, instantly and with no fees, so you always have access to all of your cash.

how it helps

All your financial needs in one place

Simply use the NEA Smart Money Account as your new everyday bank account, or choose to take advantage of integrated investment options for even more savings.

Federally Insured Account

Your bank account enables you to earn a high rate on your everyday savings, with easy access for things like daily retail purchases, mortgage, rent, or utilities.

Short Duration Account

Short-term investment options are a great way to save for financial goals you want to achieve in the coming year, like vacations, holidays, new vehicles, or home renovations.

Long Duration Account

Save for tomorrow with investment options that can offer a higher long-term return for multi-year financial goals like education, a new home, or retirement.

See how the NEA Smart Money Account acts as both a bank and investment account.

No Catches
No overdraft fees, no monthly service fees, no commissions associated with investing or trading, no minimum balance requirements, and no credit check required.
Get Paid Early
Enjoy the ability to receive direct deposit paychecks up to two days early.
The Highest Rate in the Nation
Earn up to 0.55% APY in your bank account.*
Free ATMs Nationwide
Withdraw cash for free at Visa surcharge-free ATMs.
Your Cash is Always Available
Your money is instantly accessible, whether in your bank account or invested, and can easily be moved between accounts.
Payments Made Easy
Use free online bill pay, a contactless Visa debit card, and Apple Pay or Google Pay for all of your purchases, or send money to family and friends via free person to person payments.

How It Works

Investing in your future has never been so easy

Open Your Account
Available to all current and retired NEA members, enrollment takes less than 5 minutes.
Fund Your Account
Link to an existing bank account via Plaid, the industry standard for secure transactions. Or set up direct deposit to fund.
Use Your Account
Download the mobile app to start banking on your phone. Your debit card should arrive within 10 business days.

We’ve partnered with ICM because they are committed to making it easier for both novice and experienced investors to achieve their financial goals, creating a better financial future for all. As a Visa Ventures Company, ICM has been named among the country’s leading fintech companies by Visa, Capgemini, Morningstar, Envestnet and the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

FAQs

Your questions, answered

What type of account is the NEA Smart Money Account?

The NEA Smart Money Account is a cash management account. It can be used for both your everyday savings and checking (with all of the standard payment features). You have the option—but no obligation—to invest in two high quality bond funds that integrate directly with the bank account to boost your earnings. It's essentially banking, saving, and investing in a single account.

How is my interest rate calculated?

The Earnings Rate in your Federally Insured Account will be based on your monthly debit card purchase activity.

Tier 1: 0 - 14 purchases, 0.10% Earnings Rate
Tier 2: 15+ purchases, 0.55% Earnings Rate

Debit card purchases are counted on a monthly basis and reset on the first day of each month. The tiered Earnings Rate will apply to balances in your Federally Insured Account up to $10,000. An Earnings Rate of 0.05% will apply to the portion of your balance exceeding $10,000. For complete details, please see the Cardholder Agreement and Rate Sheet.

What are the fees?

There are no monthly services fees, overdraft fees or NSF fees. Plus no credit checks are required. Please refer to the fee schedule below for additional details.

All fees	Amount	Details
Get started
Card purchase	$0	There is no card purchase fee.
Monthly usage
Monthly fee	$0	There is no monthly fee.
Add money
Direct deposit	$0	There is no fee for Direct Deposits.
Cash reload	N/A	Cash reloads are not permitted.
Spend money
Bill payment (regular delivery)	$0	Bill pay is available when you log in to your account or using the NEA Smart Money Account mobile app. Regular bill pay transactions will be completed within 3 Business Days for electronic payments and within approximately 7 days if we have to mail a paper check to your bill.
Get cash
ATM withdrawal (in-network)	$0	“In-network” refers to the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. Locations can be found here. Click on “Find an ATM,” and then enter your location and filter for “Plus Alliance ATMs” to show surcharge-free machines.
ATM withdrawal (out-of-network)	$2.50	“Out-of-network” refers to all the ATMs outside of the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator, even if you do not complete a transaction.
Information
Customer service (automated)	$0	No fee for calling our automated customer service line, including for balance inquiries.
Customer service (live agent)	$0	No fee for calling a live agent.
ATM balance inquiry (in-network)	$0	“In-network” refers to the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. Locations can be found here. Click on “Find an ATM,” and then enter your location and filter for “Plus Alliance ATMs” to show surcharge-free machines.
ATM balance inquiry (out-of-network)	$0	“Out-of-network” refers to all the ATMs outside of the Visa Plus Alliance ATM network. You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator.
Teller Cash Withdrawal	$3	Teller cash refers to cash withdrawals done at a teller at a bank branch.
Using your card outside the U.S.
International transaction	3%	Of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction.
International ATM withdrawal	$3.50	You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator, even if you do not complete a transaction.
International ATM balance	$0	You may be charged a fee by the ATM operator.
Other
Inactivity	$0	There is no inactivity fee for the card.
Lost/Stolen card replacement fee	$10	If your card is lost or stolen, please contact us at 1 (844) 333-3102 and we will reissue your card. A card replacement fee will be debited from your account.
Expedited delivery of lost/stolen card replacement	$25	This fee is in addition to the Lost/Stolen card replacement fee.

What is Plaid?

Plaid is a secure technology used by over 11,000 financial institutions and banks. It enables you to seamlessly connect your existing bank accounts to software apps and services (like personal finance aggregators or payment tools), or other financial accounts (like the NEA Smart Money Account). We use Plaid to authenticate you during the enrollment process and enable you to fund your account from an existing bank account.

Is there a limit on the number of transactions I can make?

There is no limit on withdrawals, transfers, or transactions. You can move money between accounts or access your funds instantly as many times as you'd like using your debit card or online payment features.

Are my funds insured?

Funds held in your Federally Insured bank account are insured by the FDIC up to $5 million. Funds that are invested are not federally insured. All securities have a risk of loss.

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Personal Finance

Take charge of your finances—for today and the future.

Retirement Learning Center

Where are you on your path to retirement? Learn about investing basics, long-term planning strategies and how to make the most of your retirement.

* Terms and conditions may apply. You must meet certain conditions to receive the disclosed Earnings Rate. Please see our Rate Sheet for a full description of requirements and limitations.

All rates are as of 03-01-2022 and are subject to change.

Please review the Cardholder Agreement for a complete list of terms and conditions.

NEA Smart Money Debit Card is issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

Get Started

NEA Smart Money Account

A smarter way to bank and save.

NEA members can now get effortless banking and investing with a Cash Management Account that won’t penalize you with fees for accessing your money.¹

A better home for your savings