The H-E-B Debit Card is a prepaid debit card that offers an FDIC-insured savings account with 6% interest on your first $2,000. When used correctly, it comes with no fees and is an excellent place to store extra cash.
The H-E-B Debit Card is one of several mega-high-yield savings options where you can earn much more than what you could earn in a regular savings account (the other options include Netspend, Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU), and Service Credit Union). When combined, most people should be able to put away $8,500 earning 5% or more interest, plus an additional $3,000 earning 3% interest. That gives every individual $11,500 earning 3% to 6% interest. If you’re a two-person household, you can have $23,000 earning 3% to 6% interest. That’s a good emergency fund for most people.
I’ve written a full overview of all of these different options in one of my most popular posts, Where To Get 5% Interest Savings Accounts. I’ve also written account-specific posts for Netspend and DCU, which you can check out below:
- Netspend Account: The Ultimate Guide to a 5% Interest Savings Account
- DCU Referral Bonus – Step By Step Guide (Plus A 6% Interest Savings Account)
Since I hadn’t written a post about the H-E-B Debit Card, I thought it’d be worth quickly writing about it. In this post, we’ll take a look at the H-E-B Debit Card, provide a brief walkthrough on how to set up your account, and go over how this account works and what you need to know about it.
What Is The H-E-B Debit Card?
The H-E-B Debit card is a prepaid debit account that is similar to the Netspend cards. What makes the H-E-B Debit Card interesting is that it’s considered a separate product from the Netspend cards. Netspend seems to limit users to 5 total accounts, but even if you have 5 Netspend accounts, you can still open an H-E-B Debit account.
The H-E-B Debit card has two parts – a debit card and an FDIC-insured savings account. We don’t really care about the debit card, but the savings account is important because it offers 6% interest on the first $2,000 you have in the savings account. Everything over $2,000 earns 0.5% interest, which is comparable to a normal high-yield savings account.
(For those that want specifics on how the interest works, the terms state that “[i]f the Average Daily Balance is more than $2,000.00, the interest rate paid on the portion of the Average Daily Balance which exceeds $2,000.00 will be .49% with an APY of .50%, and the interest paid on the portion of the Average Daily Balance which is $2,000.00 or less will be 5.87%.”)
Opening the H-E-B Debit card doesn’t require a credit check and has no impact on your credit score. And so long as you don’t use the debit card for anything and you set up some activity to avoid potential inactivity fees, the account is completely free. Interest on the savings account is paid quarterly, so you’ll receive your interest on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.
$2,000 earning 6% interest comes out to $120 per year of interest. You can open one account per person, so if you’re a two-person household, you can have $4,000 in two H-E-B Debit accounts earning 6% interest without having to do anything other than set up the account and automate some bi-monthly or quarterly transfers to avoid inactivity fees.
Getting $120 of interest on $2,000 might not seem like a big deal, but consider this. A regular savings account paying 0.5% interest would pay you just $10 per year. Even a 1% interest account would only pay you $20 per year.
To get an idea of how big of a difference this is, you’d need $12,000 in a regular savings account to earn the same amount of interest as you’d get in the H-E-B Debit account. That’s a big deal in my opinion – and makes it worth taking a little bit of time to set this account up.
How To Set Up Your H-E-B Debit Card
Setting up your H-E-B Debit card is a straightforward process. First, you’ll need to go to the H-E-B Debit website, which you can find at www.hebdebit.com. Unfortunately, there is no sign-up bonus for this account, but if that ever changes, I’ll update this post.
Next, you’ll click signup and follow the directions. It’s a straightforward process. You’ll provide your information, create a username and password, and verify your identity. This is all basic stuff that you’d have to do with any bank account. Remember, there is no credit check, so opening your H-E-B Debit Card will not impact your credit score or have any impact on your credit.
Finally, once you get through the signup process, you’ll receive a message stating that your debit card is on the way. You’ll need to activate the card when it arrives to gain access to the savings account, but once you activate the card, it’s best to set it aside in a safe place and not use it. While the H-E-B Debit Card does offer 5% cash back at a few places, I still generally don’t recommend using this card. It’s just not worth using it for anything other than the savings account, in my opinion.
To activate the savings account, you’ll need to transfer money onto your H-E-B Debit Card. Once you do that, you’ll get the option to activate the savings account.
To move money onto the debit card, I recommend going to your bank’s website and linking your bank account to the H-E-B Debit account. I generally find this to be the best way to do things, but if you prefer, you can also link your external bank accounts using the H-E-B website. The H-E-B Debit account doesn’t charge fees for doing external transfers, which is in contrast to Netspend, which I believe has always charged a fee if you do a transfer using the Netspend website. I initiated a transfer via the H-E-B Debit account website and it went through without any issues.
Finally, once you’ve activated the savings account, simply transfer the money from your H-E-B Debit card to the savings account. To do that, go to your savings account, click savings transfer, and then transfer money from the debit card to the savings account. I recommend moving the full $2,000 if you can because it’s best to get your idle cash working for you as soon as possible.
Avoiding Fees
As long as you don’t use the debit card, you’ll never have to worry about fees. The only fee you have to watch out for is the inactivity fee. Similar to Netspend, the H-E-B Debit account charges a monthly fee if your account has no activity for 90 days.
To avoid this issue, I recommend scheduling a bi-monthly or quarterly transfer in and out of the account. Go to whatever main bank account you want to use, then schedule a small transfer into the H-E-B debit account every 2 months ($1 or whatever the smallest amount you can transfer is ideal). If you don’t want to leave random amounts in your H-E-B debit account, you can also automate that money out of the account every 2 months.
For example, I have a Discover bank account linked to my H-E-B Debit account. I’ve scheduled it so that every quarter, Discover sends $25 to my H-E-B debit card. Then 2 weeks later, Discover automatically withdraws that same $25 back to my Discover bank account. It only took me a few minutes to set this process up, and now I don’t have to think about it.
H-E-B Debit Card Issues And Solutions
There are a few issues I had when I set up my H-E-B Debit card. Here’s what I had to deal with when I opened my account.
H-E-B Debit Account Closed After I Was Approved. The first issue was that my account was closed within a day after I opened it. I don’t know why it was approved and then closed, but I figured it was because I already had five Netspend accounts. My wife’s account also suffered the same fate, closed a day after it was opened.
Strangely, a few months later, I received a random email from H-E-B Debit saying that my account had been closed in error and that it was being reopened. I also received a $50 bonus to apologize for the inconvenience. My wife received the same email.
If you’re opening this account now, you’re unlikely to have issues with your account being opened and then closed. It seems like this was a one-off issue and that they’ve fixed the problems they had. The important thing is you can open the H-E-B Debit Card, even if you already have five Netspend accounts.
Issues Linking My Bank Account To My H-E-B Debit Card. The second issue I had to deal with was linking my bank accounts to my H-E-B Debit Card. With Netspend, I never had a problem linking my Ally checking account, but for some reason, Ally would not let me link the H-E-B Debit Card to it.
My solution was to use a different bank account. I eventually had luck linking my Discover savings account to the H-E-B Debit Card.
My wife had similar issues, where she couldn’t link it to Ally. She then tried to link it to Marcus by Goldman Sachs and that too ended up not working. Strangely, while Discover worked for me, she also couldn’t link her account to Discover. She eventually had luck with Alliant Credit Union.
If you’re unable to link the H-E-B Debit card using your bank’s website, you can also link your bank using the H-E-B Debit website. There are no fees to initiate transfers from the H-E-B Debit website. The only problem is you can’t schedule transfers, so if you want to automate transfers to avoid inactivity fees, you’ll still need to do that from your bank’s website.
The short of it is, you might have to go through some trial and error to figure out which banks will play nicely with the H-E-B Debit account.
Putting It All Together
It took me a little bit of time since I had those initial issues with my account getting closed, but I now have everything set up with my H-E-B Debit accounts. I have $2,000 in my account safely earning 6% interest. My wife has the same, giving us $4,000 earning 6% interest.
Combined with our 10 total Netspend accounts, 2 DCU accounts, and 2 Service Credit Union accounts, we currently have $23,000 between us earning 3% to 6% interest in FDIC-insured savings accounts ($17,000 earning 5% or more and $6,000 earning 3%). That’s a good emergency fund for most people.
To get additional money in savings, I’ve also turned to I Bonds, which are another savings vehicle that can be worth looking at. I’ve written a post about I Bonds that is worth checking out if you’re looking for additional safe places to store your cash.
Having an emergency fund is important. But some people don’t like the trade-off that comes with keeping cash. If you take advantage of accounts like the H-E-B Debit Card, you don’t have to make that trade-off at all.
HS says
I just want to double up on Tom’s reply. I use Ally as a hub to all of my high % and bonus money accounts. The money flows easily from there to my legacy TD account. I have never had an issue accessing funds in any account.
Michael says
Does anyone has any confirmed places to get money out?. I’ve tried Paypal, but could only do my Net Spend account. Any other account gets an error during transfer. I got a Current account, but am now having trouble getting the money out of the Current account it self. PNC, Frost, Amegy, Chase mostly all balk when trying to set up external transfers.
I’m having such a hard time, I’m tempted to just cut my losses, pay the cards fees to get the money out and go park in one of the 4-4.5% accounts currently available and not worry about it anymore.
Tom says
I have my HEB linked to ally and I get the money out at will every quarter when the interest posts. I first transfer from HEB saving to debit card, then I go to ally and pull the funds out of the debit card. I never let HEB transfer the funds in or out from the debit card. If you read the FP story you will realize that not all FI’s will let you link to netspend.
Sallia B says
Totally agree with everyone who says t use the debit card if you shop at HEB. Your comment about putting it away indicates you must not be in Texas.
Financial Panther says
That’s correct. I am not in Texas and have never been to an HEB.
Leslie C says
Just curious as to why you don’t recommend using the debit card? We actually grocery shop at H‑E‑B and it gives us 5 percent cash back on Al H-E-B branded items (which is primarily what we purchase).
I usually do my order through the app, look at my total, and then transfer that amount from my primary checking account. It’s a couple of super simple extra steps, but I’m saving 30-40 dollars a month on stuff we buy anyway.
Im just not sure if I’m missing something, I haven’t gotten any fees so far.
Thanks!!
Kim Salls says
I set up a transfer from my bank account to the HEB account. The micro transactions went through, and a larger transaction was set up but was then cancelled by my bank. The email from my bank read, “ The transfer or payment recipient named HEB Debit was marked invalid on 01/12/2023 for the following reason: invalidated per bank policy on prepaid accounts. All future transactions to this recipient have been cancelled.” I am disappointed because I plan on using the debit card, but I cannot figure out a free and easy way to load it with money.
PAB says
I keep getting an error message when I try and get the H-E-B Debit Account. So I called Customer Service and they told me that since I already have the H-E-B Prepaid Debit Card that they won’t let me open the other account. The customer service rep said that when they input my information it comes up that I am already in their system with an active card. Any help out there?
JJ says
It’s strange they lock the account for some reason after you sign up. That happened to me so far with the Elite account and HEB debit 6% interest account. It wasn’t a one off since I tried in April 2022. Haven’t heard anything yet if they will reopen it. I have got some other accounts to work though.
Jason Meadows says
I am having difficulty activating a second MetaBank card. I have had a Netspend card and savings account since January but cannot activate the HEB card or the Ace Elite without sending more documentation than my mortgage company requested. I have had to copy my driver’s license and a bank statement and now they want a copy of my social security card – not just the SS number.
It feels dangerous and risky for Identity Theft to send so much.
Katie says
Can you open this account while also trying to open the other netspend accounts or will it get locked too?
Financial Panther says
I think you can open this account while doing the Netspend ones too, but I think it’s usually better to take it slow and steady.
Isabel says
Hi Financial panther. I’ve been trying to sign up for this account but the website keeps saying they cannot process my request at this moment. Both the website and the app are saying the same. Do you happen to know if anything is going on?
Lydia says
Ditto. Tried phones, laptops, PC’s (multiple of all), Chrome, Firefox, Edge, incognito/private, phone app… could not get it to work.
Sarvesh says
HEB has a lot of issues. I was not able to complete the signup on the website. So then I downloaded the app and completed the signup. Next day I couldn’t login to my account. I emailed customer service and they said my account is restricted. I asked why but they said they cannot answer this over email and I would have to call them. I keep calling customer service but no one picks up the call. Also the security code that I received initially when logging into my account was sent over unencrypted email. Please steer clear of HEB. It’s not worth the risk of putting your money for 6% apr only to realize that you would be locked out of your account later.
lil says
ACE now has a FLARE acct which has similarities to the HEB card, looks like it requires DD of $500/month though and they are offering it as an upgrade – so I don’t know if you can have both accounts like you can with HEB.
Financial Panther says
I don’t think you can have both, but please correct me if I’m wrong.
Larrabeedrill says
Based on the fee listing the Flare accounts charge a minimum $5 per month fee, going as high as 9.95 per month.
Doesn’t seem waivable. Don’t “upgrade”!
$5.00
Monthly service fee for accounts that receive Direct Deposit(s) totaling at least $500.00 in one (1) calendar month. Upon qualifying, your Monthly Fee will be lowered to $5.00. Subsequent Direct Deposits are not required to keep the lower Monthly Fee.
Source https://www.flareaccount.com/rates/
Tom says
Correct, no free ride or benefit to upgrade/using the Flair account. It’s a money grab for NS. Stay away from the Flair account.
Tom says
Anyone else having problems signing up? I keep getting the following error on the Sign Up Now page: “We are unable to complete your request at this time.
MDKidd says
Try using a different browser. I got the same message using Mozilla. Switched to Microsoft Edge and it worked.
Tom says
No joy for me. I was using Firefox, but using Chrome incognito, and Edge still produces the same error for me.
Tom says
I was finally able to set up the account at my GF house using Chrome incognito. I’m using adguard at my home and it seems to be blocking something that HEB requires. Thanks FP for the write up!
Chritom says
Confirming that Incognito worked for me, as well.
James says
Thanks, this is a new one that I’ll sign up for. Another one I didn’t see in your list is Workers Credit Union (I believe around 3.5% on the first 1k). Any particular reason why?
Financial Panther says
I wasn’t aware of this one. Are there any hoops to jump through or is it just an easy 3.5% interest rate without having to do anything?
James says
Just recently opened it. Had some manual back and forth after the application (to provide ID and funding instructions) but wasn’t too much of a hassle.
Josh says
The rate for a WCU SaveUp Savings account is 3.56% up to $1,000. If you have a $50+ monthly deposit the rate goes up to 3.61%. I currently have T-Mobile Money as my second hub account and have a $50.01 deposit sent on the 1st of the month and then withdrawal the $50.01 back to T-Mobile Money on the 15th of the month.
What I have had problems with is withdrawaling amounts less than $25. Sometimes the transaction won’t go through but T-Mobile Money doesn’t shut your transfers off like Ally does if a transaction doesn’t go through.
Financial Panther says
Hey Josh,
I just opened the WCU account and was planning to do that same strategy. To confirm, there aren’t any fees if you initiate the withdrawal from an external bank account, right? That’s the part some people have been getting confused about because of the fee schedule.
Josh says
I haven’t seen any fees and I’ve had the account since September. I use T-Mobile Money to push the money to WCU. Then use T-Mobile Money to pull the money from WCU.
I also log into the WCU site maybe once a month. I haven’t had any luck getting WCU to link up with Personal Capital.
Tom says
Ken at deposit accounts did a write up about this CU. He states:
“The SaveUp Savings is a “true” savings account, with no ATM/debit card or check writing available. The minimum opening deposit is $5 and there are no monthly service fees. There is a limit of one SaveUp account per member as primary owner.”
“ACH Transfers
There was some discussion in the Comments in the July 2020 blog post about “ACH Origination Fee.” According to CSR, the $10 Origination Fee applies to ACHs initiated by WCU; there is no fee if the ACH is initiated by an external institution. CSR also mentioned that outgoing wires have fees of $25 (domestic) and $50 (international).”
“https://www.depositaccounts.com/banks/workers-credit-union/offers/”
Christa says
Hi FP, isn’t HEB already part of the 5 netspend accounts. Or is this a different one?
Financial Panther says
This is a different product. There’s the H-E-B Prepaid which is part of the 5 Netspend limit.
The H-E-B Debit is a separate product for some reason.
Agyemang says
Please which store can I get H.E.D Debit card to buy?
Josh says
The H-E-B Debit card does not count towards your Netspend card limit. Also you can have up to 6 active Netspend prepaid accounts. I have the following cards.
Ace Elite Prepaid Card
Brinks Money Prepaid Card
H-E-B Debit Card
H-E-B Prepaid Card
Netspend MLB Prepaid Card
Netspend Prepaid Card
Western Union Prepaid Card
Financial Panther says
You’re lucky to have 6 active Netspend accounts! Most of us haven’t been able to get past 5.
Josh says
I had to call Netspend and get them to activate the card over the phone. Maybe they’ve raised the limit to 6 in the past 6 months or so.
HS says
Just a personal experience of mine. I opened a HEB Debit account in my name in September which was my second Netspend account. I had absolutely no issues with the account opening and funding experience (I use Ally as my hub). I then opened a HEB Debit account two weeks ago in my wife’s name which was also her second Netspend account. At first, there were no issues. The account was opened and we waited for her debit card to arrive so that it could be activated and then be able to use the savings account. The card arrived on schedule, but we couldn’t activate the card and the account was locked. My wife called the phone number on the card and she was asked to submit additional proof of identity (photo ID and a utility bill). After that she was then asked to call a different number which was HEB Debit security. Finally, they were satisfied, the account was unlocked and it’s now connected to her Ally hub account. They never gave a reason why this enhanced security was enforced.
Tom says
I could not activate the card online. I used the phone system to active. Do not opt for any text generated links to continue the activation on the website as they will not work. I had to use the phone system and did all my activation via the phone prompts and finally succeeded getting the card activated. I did have to produce a pin that I personally selected. I did not receive any documents with a pin for the HEB card. I had to come up with one one my own.
Matt says
Thanks FP! How do you find all of these great savings accounts? However you do it, I really appreciate it, especially in times of high inflation and low interest rates.
Financial Panther says
Usually find them via the Churning subreddit or on Doctor of Credit.