How to Get Started

Welcome to Max! This guide will walk through setting up your Max Profile so you can begin earning a higher yield on your cash.

Step 1: Sign Up

You may have received an email invitation from your Financial Advisor. If so, open that email and click “Start Earning More.” If not, you can enroll directly.

1. Select your account type: Individual, Joint, or Trust.

2. Enter your basic profile information and set a password. 

3. Be sure to use your full name and current residential address. Online banks require that you have a physical U.S. mailing address. P.O. boxes will not be accepted.

4. Optional: If you wish to share read-only access with your financial advisor, enter their name and email address, and accept the terms for information sharing.

Step 2: Choose Your Central Checking Account

All deposits, withdrawals, and optimizations are routed through a central checking account. Most Max Members use Max Checking to keep their optimizations separate from their day-to-day checking account.

• Option 1: Use Max Checking (Most Popular)

• Option 2: Set up a cash sweep from your existing checking account

Not sure which to choose? Check out our comparison chart for more details. 

Step 3: Complete the Max Common Application

The Max Common Application helps you apply for multiple high-yield savings accounts with one easy application. By opening more than one savings account, you will increase your FDIC coverage and help ensure you’re always earning the best available rates.

To complete the Max Common Application: 

1. Select one or more online banks where you wish to open new high-yield savings accounts.

2. Enter the basic application information required by all the banks.

3. Read and accept the Terms & Conditions for each bank and submit your application.

Most applications are approved within 60 seconds. In some cases, banks will reach out to you directly to request additional verification details.

Step 4: Add Funds

There are two ways to add funds to your accounts:

Option 1: Fund via Wire Transfer (Recommended)

• The fastest way to fund your accounts on Max is via a direct wire transfer from your bank.

• Wire transfers are typically processed same-day, so your funds can be available to earn more right away.

• If your bank charges a wire transfer fee, contact member.services@maxmyinterest.com to see if your initial deposit qualifies for a complimentary service credit.

Option 2: Fund via ACH Transfer

• Link your existing bank account using Plaid and schedule your first deposit.

• Funds deposited by ACH take 1–3 business days to transfer and may be subject to an initial bank hold of up to 10 business days.

Step 5: Configure Optimization Settings

Max will prompt you to set a minimum Target Balance for your central checking account. The Target Balance is the minimum balance maintained in your central checking account after each optimization. Learn more: Setting Your Target Balance.

Step 6: Start First Optimization 

Click "Start First Optimization" to complete your enrollment.

 

Max’s built-in optimization feature helps you allocate your cash in an optimal manner, so that you can earn more each month while keeping your funds safe and FDIC-insured in your own bank accounts. 

Your funds will be allocated first to your highest-yielding account, up to the FDIC insurance limit, and then to the next highest-yielding account, until all funds are allocated. Lower-yielding accounts are funded with a minimum balance of $1.00 so they remain open and ready to receive funds if/when their rates become more competitive.

By default, Max will optimize your accounts monthly, helping you maximize your interest on an ongoing basis, even as rates change. Learn more here: What happens during an optimization?