When I kept seeing people post about Current, I figured it was just another flashy finance app with a good marketing team. You know the type — cool colors, bold promises, zero follow-through.
But after hearing two of my friends say they switched and were getting paid early3, I finally caved. I downloaded the app, set up my account, and figured I’d give it a week. Worst-case, I’d delete it.
Here are 5 things that actually surprised me about Current — and why I ended up making it my main account.
1. The Paycheck Advance Is Real (and Simple)
This was the feature that got me in the door. The idea of getting up to $750 from your paycheck1 early, without credit checks or interest, honestly sounded fake.
After getting my account set up, I could see the paycheck advance option right in the app. No hoops to jump through, no weird fine print. Just tap → check your eligibility → done.
I didn’t need it immediately, but knowing it was there gave me peace of mind I didn’t even realize I needed.
2. Building Credit Without a Credit Card? Kinda Genius
I’ve had a credit card or two in the past. One went fine, one… not so much. So when I saw Current offered a Build Card2 that lets you build credit without debt, I was curious.
Basically, you preload money onto the card, spend it as you normally would — gas, coffee, groceries — and they report your payments to the credit bureaus6.
You’re not borrowing. You’re not paying interest. You’re just living your life and quietly building credit in the background. Wild.
3. The App Doesn’t Feel Like a Bank App (in a Good Way)
Most banking apps? Clunky. Slow. Confusing. Current’s app feels like it was built by people who actually use money.
Everything is super visual and clean. I can see my balances at a glance, track spending by category, and set savings goals without digging through menus or waiting 15 seconds for a page to load.
It’s honestly easier to navigate than some of my social apps.
4. I Actually Earn Money on My Savings
I’ll be honest, I’ve never been that guy with a huge savings account. But when I saw Current offers up to a 4.00% bonus on savings7, I was like, “Wait, what?”
Most banks give you literal pennies for keeping money in savings.
With Current, I moved a little over to test it — and yeah, that bonus actually adds up. It’s not life-changing money, but it’s more than my old bank ever gave me.
5. No Surprise Fees — Finally
This one hit home. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gotten hit with random overdraft fees, minimum balance penalties, or ATM fees at my old bank.
Current’s fee-free overdraft5 (up to $200, depending on eligibility) was already a win. But then I noticed there were no annual fees, no in-network ATM fees, no nonsense4.
It felt like, for once, a bank was actually on my side, not trying to nickel and dime me every time I bought something.
Final Take: I Didn’t Expect to Be This Impressed
Look, I wasn’t looking to switch banks. I just wanted to try that one paycheck feature. But now? This app does more for me than my old bank ever did — and it doesn’t feel like work to use it.
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, trying to build credit without digging a hole, or just sick of your current bank being… meh — give Current a shot.
Worst-case, you’ll see what the hype’s about. Best-case? You’ll actually start enjoying managing your money (never thought I’d say that).
1. For eligible customers only. Your actual available Paycheck Advance amount will be displayed to you in the mobile app and may change from time to time. Conditions and eligibility may vary and are subject to change at any time, at the sole discretion of Finco Advance LLC, which offers this optional feature. Finco Advance LLC is a financial technology company, not a bank. For more information, please refer to Paycheck Advance Terms and Conditions.
2. Current is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. FDIC insurance up to $250,000 only covers the failure of an FDIC-insured bank. Certain conditions must be satisfied for pass-through deposit insurance coverage to apply. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Member FDIC, and Cross River Bank, Member FDIC. The Current Visa® Debit Card is issued by Choice Financial Group pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The Current Visa® secured charge card is issued by Cross River Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa credit cards are accepted. Please see the back of your Card for its issuing bank. Current Individual Account required to apply for the Current Visa® secured charge card. Independent approval required.
3. Faster access to funds is based on comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Delays by the employer, payer, or their banks may result in delayed access to funds beyond our control.
4. Some fees may apply, including out of network ATM fees of $2.50 per transaction, late payment fees of 3% of any total due balance outstanding and past due for two or more billing cycles, foreign transaction fees of 3% of the full transaction amount (minimum $0.50), card replacement fees per card of $5 for regular delivery and $30 for expedited delivery, cash deposit fees of $3.50 per deposit, and third party processing fees.
5. Actual overdraft amount may vary and is subject to change at any time, at Current’s sole discretion. In order to qualify and enroll in the Fee-Free Overdraft feature, you must receive a minimum of $200 or more in Eligible Direct Deposits into your Current Account over the preceding 35-day period and fulfill other requirements subject to Current’s discretion. Negative balances must be repaid within 60 days of the first Eligible Transaction that caused the negative balance. For more information, please refer to Fee-free Overdraft Terms and Conditions. Individual Current Accounts only.
6. Individual results may vary. Using your credit card responsibly may allow you to improve your credit score. Credit building depends on various factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, and other financial activities.
7. Boost Bonuses are credited to your Savings Pods within 48 hours of enabling the Boost feature and on a daily basis thereafter, provided that the Savings Pod has accrued a Boost Bonus of at least $0.01. No minimum balance required. The Boost rate on Savings Pods is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed rate is effective as of August 1, 2023. Must have $0.01 in Savings Pods to earn a Boost rate of either 0.25% or 4.00% annually on the portion of balances up to $2000 per Savings Pod, up to $6000 total. The remaining balance earns 0.00%. To earn a Boost rate of 4.00% with at least one Eligible Payroll Deposit equalling a minimum of $200. For more information, please refer to Current Boost Terms and Conditions
