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Big Bonus Pick

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)
Learn more

Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

Lock in a competitive fixed rate.

Terms from a few months to several years

  • Fixed APY — your rate is locked for the full term
  • Multiple term lengths to match your savings goals
  • FDIC insurance up to applicable limits
  • Predictable, low-risk returns vs. market volatility
Learn more

Checking Accounts

Everyday banking with optional perks.

Multiple tiers — including interest-bearing options

  • Choose from basic, premium, and interest-earning checking tiers
  • Debit card with broad ATM network access
  • Online bill pay, mobile deposit, Zelle® and digital wallets
  • Overdraft protection options available
Learn more

Business Banking

Built for SMBs and commercial clients.

Checking, lending, treasury & merchant services

  • Business checking and savings with tiered features
  • SBA, commercial real estate, and equipment financing
  • Treasury management and ACH / wire services
  • Dedicated relationship managers in many markets
Learn more

Lending & Mortgages

Home, auto, and personal lending under one roof.

Mortgages, HELOCs, and personal loan options

  • Fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages
  • Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) for renovations or debt consolidation
  • Auto loans and personal lending
  • Refinance options for existing mortgages
Learn more

Wealth Management

Advisory services for higher-net-worth clients.

Planning, investments & trust services

  • Comprehensive financial planning
  • Investment management and portfolio construction
  • Trust, estate, and legacy planning
  • Available via Valley's wealth advisory team
Learn more
The honest verdict

Pros & cons — no spin

What we love

  • 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.

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