United Community Bank Review: High-Yield CD Options
Written by
Rudri Bhatt Patel, CFHCâ„¢
Edited by
Joe Evans, CFHCâ„¢
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- United Community Bank Checking Accounts
- United Community Bank Savings Accounts
- United Community Bank CD Accounts
- United Community Bank Money Market Accounts
- Banking Experience
- Comparable Banking Options
- Is United Community Bank Legit and Safe?
- Pros and Cons
- Final Take to GO: Is United Community Bank Worth It?
Earn a High Rate on Short-Term Certificate of Deposit (CD) Accounts.
United Community Bank is tailored to offer a comprehensive set of financial products to meet individual and business needs. The bank has a solid reputation for great customer service.
If you’re searching for a United Community Bank review, you likely want to know whether the bank offers reliable accounts, reasonable fees and strong customer support.
United Community Bank is a regional financial institution headquartered in the Southeast that offers checking accounts, savings accounts, loans and wealth management services. Like many regional banks, it focuses on community banking and relationship-based financial services rather than nationwide scale.
For customers located near its branches, United Community Bank may provide personalized service and access to a wide range of financial products.
Here’s how the bank works and whether it may be a good fit for your banking needs.
United Community Bank Checking Accounts
Checking accounts are typically used for everyday transactions and money management. Common features include:
- Debit card access
- Direct deposit
- Online bill payment
- Mobile banking tools
Checking accounts remain the most widely used banking product in the United States. According to the Federal Reserve, more than 80% of U.S. households maintain a transaction account, like a checking account.
United Community Bank offers five different checking accounts: United Checking, United Signature Checking, United Checking For 55+, United Essential Banking and United Checking For Students. All accounts require a minimum deposit to open, ranging from $25 to $100.
- United Checking requires a $50 minimum deposit, and the $8 monthly fee is waived with e-statements or a monthly direct deposit.
- United Signature Checking requires a $100 minimum deposit, and the $25 monthly fee can be waived.
- United Signature Checking lets you earn interest based on your account balance.
- United Checking for customers 55+ and for students requires a $25 minimum opening deposit and has no monthly service fee.
- United Essential Banking is a basic account with a $25 minimum opening deposit and a low monthly service fee.
Best For
Mobile App
Banking in Georgia
Low Monthly Fees
Loan Options
Investment Services
Low Minimum Deposit, Great For High-Balance Savers
United Community Bank offers a good range of checking account options with low minimum opening balance requirements.
Fees
Waivable monthly service fees
APY
Min Opening
$25 to $100
Pros
- Checking accounts appeal to various customers’ financial profiles
- Low opening depositsÂ
- Ability to earn interest on a Signature Checking account
- Large network of ATMs
Cons
- Limited branches across the Southeast
- Higher balance requirements for some accounts
Quick Take
United Community Bank offers a range of checking accounts to fit various needs. The opening deposits are low, but to capture premium benefits, you will likely need to keep balances high.
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United Community Bank Savings Accounts
Savings accounts allow customers to store money while earning interest. Interest rates vary depending on:
- Account balance
- Market interest rates
- Bank policies
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reports that the national average savings account rate remains below 1% at many traditional banks, although online banks may offer higher yields.
United Community Bank offers three savings account options, United Savings, United Treasure Chest Savings and United Student Savings. The United Savings requires a $100 minimum deposit, United Student Savings and United Treasure Chest Savings both have a $5 minimum.
- Low opening balances
- Waivable fees
- Six free withdrawals every quarter
- Annual percentage yields (APYs) range from to
Best For
Mobile App
Banking in Georgia
Low Monthly Fees
Loan Options
Investment Services
Reliable, Steady Savings Options for a Wide Range of Customers
United Community Bank’s savings accounts offer a safe, reliable, industry-standard option for customers.
Fees
Fees waivable
APY
Up to
Min Opening
$5 to $100
Pros
- Low minimum deposits
- Six free withdrawals
Cons
- Interest rates are less competitive
- Fees if the monthly balance is not met
Quick Take
United Community Bank offers accessible savings options for a wide age range of customers. All accounts provide savers with interest to grow their funds.
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United Community Bank CD Accounts
The CD offerings at United Community Bank range from five months to 13 months. The minimum deposit is $2,500.
- CDs have a range of to APY
- Interest is compounded daily
- FDIC insured
- Minimum deposit of $2,500
- Automatic renewal
Best For
Mobile App
Banking in Georgia
Low Monthly Fees
Loan Options
Investment Services
Varying Length CD Options with Competitive APYs
For customers looking for safe, promised returns on their investments, United Community Bank’s CDs will do the trick.
Fees
Early withdrawal penalties may apply
APY
to
Min Opening
$2,500
Pros
- Fixed interest rates
- Varying term lengths
- Competitive APYs
Cons
- High minimum deposit
- Early withdrawal penalties apply
- Automatic renewal
Quick Take
United Community Bank offers varying lengths of CDs with competitive APYs, but some may find the $2,500 minimum deposit a bit high.
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United Community Bank Money Market Accounts
The United Money Market account requires a $1,500 minimum deposit to open but provides competitive rates.
- Daily balance of $1,500 is required to avoid charges
- Six free withdrawals per statement cycle
- FDIC insured
- Tiered interest rate based on balance
Best For
Mobile App
Banking in Georgia
Low Monthly Fees
Loan Options
Investment Services
Solid Money Market Account Option for Experienced Investors
The United Money Market account may appeal to savers who can meet the higher opening requirements and want a secure place for their cash with dependable service.
Fees
$12 waivable monthly fee
APY
to
Min Opening
$1,500
Pros
- Competitive interest ratesÂ
- Accessibility to fundsÂ
- Higher balances will be rewarded with higher interest
Cons
- High minimum deposit
- Must maintain $1,500 to avoid fees
Quick Take
United Community Bank’s money market option is good for customers with higher balances who want to capitalize on the interest rate.
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Banking Experience
United Community Bank offers robust online banking services and a comprehensive mobile app. The app allows you to view statements, pay bills, make transfers, deposit checks and receive banking notifications wherever you are. The app is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on the App Store and Google Play.
Personal Financial Management is available through United Community Bank’s online banking platform. This service can help you do the following:
- Set your financial goals.
- Create and manage a budget.
- Track your progress toward financial independence.
- Analyze your spending, cash flow, debts and net worth.
Customer Service
To contact United Community Bank customer service, call 1-800-822-2651. To reach a customer service representative, call during the following hours:
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST.
Comparable Banking Options
Comparison shopping is important when you’re looking for a bank. Here are some other options for regional banks in the Southeast.
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
Waivable monthly service fees
$0 to $8 monthly maintenance charges
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
to
N/A
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$25 to $100
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
Fees waivable
$5 monthly maintenance fee waived with a minimum daily $200 balance
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
Up to
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$5 to $100
$0
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
Early withdrawal penalties may apply
No monthly maintenance fees
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
to
Rates not disclosed online
Contact bank for current rates
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$2,500
$1000
$0
SELECTED BANK
MOST COMPARABLE
MOST COMPARABLE
Fees
Fees
Fees
$12 waivable monthly fee
$12 monthly waivable maintenance fees
No monthly service fee
APY
APY
APY
to
to
Contact bank
Min Opening
Min Opening
Min Opening
$1,500
$50 in person, $0 online
N/A
United Community Bank vs. SouthState Bank
SouthState Bank has locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. It offers a complete suite of banking, loan and investment options. SouthState Bank has lower minimums for basic checking and savings, but lacks the big-picture view that UCB’s Personal Financial Management service provides.
United Community Bank vs. Regions Bank
If you’re considering a larger bank, Regions Bank has over 1,000 locations in many states, including locations throughout the South, Midwest and Texas. Regions offers full-service banking for consumers and commercial customers, including deposit accounts, mortgages and wealth management.
United Community Bank vs. Synovus Bank
Synovus Bank is a regional financial institution. It charges out-of-network ATM fees, which can add up since branches are located in a limited number of states. Synovus doesn’t advertise its CD rates online, while United Community Bank shares terms and rate information online.
Is United Community Bank Legit and Safe?
Yes. United Community Bank operates as a regulated financial institution under federal and state banking oversight.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp protects deposits at federally insured banks. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, per ownership category, helping safeguard customer funds.
Consumers can verify insurance status using the FDIC’s BankFind database.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong regional branch presence
- Community-focused banking model
- Wide range of personal and business financial services
- Online and mobile banking tools
Cons
- Limited geographic footprint
- Savings rates may be lower than online banks
- Digital tools may vary compared with large national banks
Final Take to GO: Is United Community Bank Worth It?
This United Community Bank review shows the bank can be a solid option for customers who value regional banking and personalized financial service. Individuals and businesses located near United Community Bank branches may benefit from relationship-based banking and access to a range of financial products.
However, customers seeking nationwide branch access or the highest savings rates may prefer large national banks or online financial institutions. Comparing account features, fees and interest rates can help determine whether United Community Bank fits your financial goals.
Before opening an account, review the bank’s account disclosures and compare available options to ensure the bank aligns with your financial needs.
FAQs
- Is United Community Bank a legitimate bank?
- Yes. United Community Bank is a regulated financial institution offering deposit accounts, loans and wealth management services.
- Are deposits at United Community Bank FDIC insured?
- Yes. Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. for up to $250,000 per depositor per ownership category.
- Does United Community Bank offer online banking?
- Yes. Customers can manage accounts through online banking and mobile banking apps that include bill pay and mobile check deposit.
- What accounts does United Community Bank offer?
- The bank offers checking accounts, savings accounts, CDs, loans and wealth management services.
- Is United Community Bank good for small businesses?
- Community banks like United Community Bank often provide relationship-based lending and flexible financing options for local businesses.
Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of March 5, 2026.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
To determine rankings GOBankingRates looked at the following factors from all banks: (1) minimum deposit to open an account; (2) monthly savings fee ratio (percent the minimum to avoid fee compared to the monthly fee itself); (3) minimum needed to earn APY; (4) savings APY; and (5) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (2) and (3) weighed 1.5 times, factor (4) weighed 4 times; and factor (5) weighed 0.5 times. To be considered for the HYSA, the product offered had to have an APY above 0.45%. All products and offerings had to be available as of Oct. 4, 2025, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of March 5, 2026.
To discover the Best Banks by state, GOBankingRates analyzed the top institutions (excluding online banks and neobanks) by state branch locations. To determine rankings, GOBankingRates looked at the following factors: (1) total assets as sourced from the FDIC; (2) checking product minimum deposit; (3) monthly checking fee ratio (percentage of the minimum to avoid fees compared to the monthly fee itself); (4) savings product minimum deposit; (5) savings product APY; (6) Bauer rating (out of 5 stars); (7) products/services offered (auto loans, mortgage loans, credit cards, investment services and insurance); and (8) the average mobile app rating between the Google Play (Android) and Apple stores. All factors were then scored and combined, with the lowest score being the best. Factors (1), (2) and (4) were weighed 0.5 times, factor (5) was weighed 2.5 times and factor (7) was weighed 1.5 times. All products and offerings had to be available as of Oct. 4, 2025, to be considered. Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Dec. 1, 2025.
To qualify as one of the Best Banks in the state, the institution needed at least five branch locations in the respective state, with some exceptions for larger and/or smaller states.
