Valley Bank Review: 3.79% APY + up to $1,500 bonus
A 100-year-old, NASDAQ-listed bank quietly running one of the most aggressive savings promos of the year. Here's our honest breakdown of who Valley Direct is actually for.
Use promo code FRESHSTART at signup to unlock the bonus tier.
PickYourBank Rating
9.4/ 10
Excellent
9.4
Overall
9.6
Savings APY
9.8
Bonus offer
9.7
Trust & history
8.8
Mobile app
3.79%
Savings APY
Up to $1,500
Welcome bonus
$0.01
Min. to earn APY
FDIC
Insured to $250K
What is Valley Bank?
A 100-year-old regional bank with a serious online play.
Founded in 1927, Valley National Bank (parent Valley National Bancorp, NASDAQ: VLY) is a full-service U.S. commercial bank with roughly $60+ billion in assets and branches across New Jersey, New York, Florida, and Alabama.
Valley Direct is its nationwide online savings product — currently paying 3.79% APY with a welcome bonus up to $1,500 via promo code FRESHSTART.
Founded
1927
Ticker
NASDAQ: VLY
HQ
Morristown, NJ
Charter
National Bank
Nearly 100 years old
Operating continuously since 1927
FDIC insured
Deposits insured up to $250,000 per depositor
Fully digital onboarding
Open Valley Direct online in minutes
Big-bank welcome offer
Up to $1,500 with promo FRESHSTART
The full lineup
More than just high-yield savings
Valley Direct is the headline product, but Valley Bank is a full-service institution covering everything from CDs to mortgages.
Editor's Pick
Valley Direct High-Yield Savings
The flagship online savings account.
3.79% APY · Up to $1,500 bonus with promo FRESHSTART
Earn 3.79% APY from just $0.01 — no minimum to start earning
Up to $1,500 welcome bonus with qualifying deposits (code FRESHSTART)
No monthly maintenance fees
24/7 online and mobile access to your funds
FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor
Backed by a 100+ year old, NYSE-listed bank (NASDAQ: VLY)
One of the highest APYs from a 100+ year old, publicly-traded U.S. bank
Up to $1,500 welcome bonus — among the largest in online banking
No minimum balance to start earning the full APY
Full-service bank — savings, checking, CDs, mortgages, business
FDIC-insured and listed on NASDAQ (ticker: VLY)
Promo code FRESHSTART makes the bonus easy to claim
Worth knowing
Bonus requires qualifying deposits — read terms before opening
Branch network is concentrated in NJ, NY, FL, AL and a few other states
Mobile app is solid but not as polished as top fintech apps
APY can change at any time — lock in a CD if you want a fixed rate
Getting started
Claim the bonus in 4 steps
Step 1
Apply for Valley Direct Savings
Open your high-yield account online in a few minutes. Have your SSN and ID ready.
Step 2
Enter promo code FRESHSTART
Apply the code at signup so your account is eligible for the welcome bonus tier.
Step 3
Fund with qualifying deposits
Transfer in funds within the promo window — bonus size scales with deposit amount.
Step 4
Earn 3.79% APY + bonus
Watch interest accrue daily and your welcome bonus post per the offer terms.
Valley Bank FAQ
Common questions, clear answers
Is Valley Bank a real, established bank?
Yes. Valley National Bank (parent company Valley National Bancorp, NASDAQ: VLY) was founded in 1927 and operates branches across New Jersey, New York, Florida, Alabama and other states. It is FDIC-insured (Member FDIC).
How much is the Valley Direct welcome bonus?
New customers can earn up to $1,500 with qualifying deposits when they use promo code FRESHSTART at account opening. The exact bonus tier depends on how much you deposit during the promotional window — see the offer page for the full bonus schedule.
What APY does Valley Direct Savings pay?
Valley Direct currently offers 3.79% APY on the high-yield savings account, with no minimum balance required to earn the rate. APYs are variable and can change at any time.
Is my money safe with Valley Bank?
Deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per ownership category. Valley National Bank has operated for nearly 100 years and is publicly traded on NASDAQ.
Do I need to live near a branch to open an account?
No. Valley Direct is an online high-yield savings product available to U.S. residents nationwide. You manage everything via web and the Valley Bank mobile app.
3.79% APY + up to $1,500 — with a 100-year-old bank behind it
Open Valley Direct today and use promo code FRESHSTART to unlock the welcome bonus tier.
Advertiser disclosure: PickYourBank.com may receive compensation when you open an account through our links. APYs and bonus terms are set by Valley Bank and may change at any time — always confirm current rates and bonus eligibility on Valley Bank's official site before applying.