Founded in 2018, Oxygen is a neobank that has several advantages over traditional banks. Its 4 loyalty tiers offer flexible banking solutions, with the Earth tier carrying no annual fee, transaction fees, or minimum balance requirements. Users can create virtual cards for risky purchases and control card permissions from the mobile app. Even better, Oxygen’s mobile app allows you to access all of your account’s features anytime, anywhere, so you can manage your finances on the go.
What sets Oxygen apart from other banks is its loyalty tiers and cutting-edge protections. Personal banking options include Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire accounts. Earth’s PVC Card offers 2% cashback, 0.25% savings APY, and 3 virtual cards. Water’s Embedded Metal Card offers 4% cashback, 0.75% savings APY, and 15 virtual cards. Wind’s All Metal Card provides 5% cashback, 1.01% savings APY, and unlimited virtual cards. And, finally, Fire’s Mechanically Engraved All Metal Card rewards owners with 6% cashback, 1.25% savings APY, and unlimited virtual cards.
Additionally, paying certain bills and travel expenses with your card grants you added protections at no extra cost. When you use your card to pay your monthly cellular phone bill, Oxygen covers your phone for damages or theft up to $500 per claim or $1,000 per 12-month period. If you use your card to rent a car, Oxygen covers most rentals for damages and theft up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV). Oxygen’s Cardholder Guide to Benefits gives a detailed overview of all other features.
With Oxygen’s mobile app, users have total control over their spending. There is no limit to the number of transfers and wires you can make daily, and it's easy to send funds via PayPal, Venmo, Green Dot, or an external bank account. If you don’t want to call customer support, you can chat with an agent directly from the app during business hours. In addition, business account users can create an LLC through Oxygen’s app prior to completing an application.
While Oxygen is a mobile-only bank, it still delivers some familiar traditional banking services. Users can access over 40,000 Allpoint ATMs, surcharge-free, in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. Although it does not offer IRAs or loans, Oxygen savings accounts provide competitive interest rates ranging from 0.25%–1.25%. Additionally, you can earn between 2% and 6% cashback on qualifying purchases and $1 when you buy groceries and coffee.
Oxygen’s Earth and business account holders pay no monthly or transaction fees and require no minimum balance to open or maintain an account. Water, Wind, and Fire account owners pay an annual fee of $19.99, $49.99, and $199.99, respectively. However, Oxygen waives the annual fee if you meet both the minimum spending and deposit requirements for 12 consecutive months. Oxygen offers access to 40,000 ATMs in Allpoint’s network, surcharge-free, while out-of-network ATM withdrawals incur a $3 charge. Depending on the tier, interest rates on balances under $20,000 range from 0.25%–1.25% APY.
Account Type | Annual fee | Balance required to qualify for APY (and fee waiver) | Spending required to qualify for APY (and fee waiver) | APY on balances under $20,000 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Earth | $0 | $0 | None | 0.25% |
Water | $19.99 | $1,500 | $500/month | 0.75% |
Wind | $49.99 | $3,000 | $1000/month | 1.01% |
Fire | $199.99 | $6,000 | $2000/month | 1.25% |
Business | $0 | $0 | None | None |
As a mobile-only bank, Oxygen’s services can only be accessed through the Oxygen mobile app. Should customers need help with their account, phone and live chat support is available from 10 am–10 pm ET, Monday–Friday. You may also contact customer service representatives via email at support@oxygen.us.
Oxygen’s friendly customer service staff can help you access your account, find more information about services and fees, and utilize app features.
To sign up for and access a personal or business account, you must download Oxygen’s free mobile app from the Apple or Google Play store. Through the app, you can make unlimited daily deposits and send or receive unlimited wire transfers. In addition to ACH and wire transfers, Oxygen’s mobile app supports check deposits, PayPal, Venmo, Green Dot, and external bank account connections. You can manage virtual cards, controls, and spending freezes through the app dashboard and locate nearby Allpoint ATMs with its ATM locator. The app is available for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
All accounts carry FDIC insurance up to $250,000 through Oxygen’s banking services provider, The Bancorp Bank. The app offers biometric security features and is PCI DSS certified. Additionally, virtual cards enable you to avoid using your physical debit card for risky purchases. However, Oxygen does share some personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. Oxygen’s privacy policy provides full details about how it uses and shares your data.
Oxygen provides secure and affordable mobile-only banking services for individuals and businesses. Users can earn between 2%–6% cashback on qualifying purchases and gain protection benefits when paying for certain bills using their debit card. APY for personal accounts ranges from 0.25–1.25%, and although business accounts do not earn interest, owners pay no annual or transaction fees. In addition to managing spending, transferring funds, and generating virtual cards, Oxygen allows users to create an LLC during the business account application process.
This review was based on Oxygen’s website information, third-party reviews, and conversations with customer service representatives.