Walmart MoneyCenter: What it is and how to use it
Walmart MoneyCenter offers many of the same services as a bank, including a checking account, money transfers and check cashing. It can be a convenient way to perform basic banking transactions while shopping or serve as an alternative to banks for consumers who are blacklisted by ChexSystems.
However, there are some caveats. The MoneyCenter’s options may be more limited than what most banks offer.
Key takeaways
- Walmart MoneyCenter offers basic banking services such as checking accounts, money transfers and check cashing, but its options may be more limited than certified banks.
- The safety of money transfers offered through Walmart MoneyCenter has been called into question, with allegations of the company turning a blind eye to fraud and collecting profits from fees.
- For those who have been denied a standard checking account, there are alternative options available, such as second-chance checking accounts and peer-to-peer payment services.
What is Walmart MoneyCenter?
Like a traditional bank, the Walmart MoneyCenter provides products and services for consumers to perform everyday banking transactions. Walmart MoneyCenter doesn’t hold funds itself, but rather it partners with other institutions to offer various banking services.
One product sold by the MoneyCenter is Green Dot’s mobile checking account. This checking account has a $7.95 monthly fee, which is waived when you sign up for direct deposit and receive at least $500 in monthly deposits. Green Dot Bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), so money in the account is federally protected. It offers basic banking services including a debit card, access to an ATM network and online bill pay.
The Walmart MoneyCenter also has several rewards debit cards. One is the Walmart MoneyCard (issued by Green Dot Bank), which earns 3 percent cash back from online Walmart purchases and 1 percent cash back in Walmart stores, up to $75 a year. There’s a $5.94 monthly fee to keep the card open, but this fee is waived when you directly deposit at least $500 a month.
Another debit card available through MoneyCenter is the ONE debit card. ONE is not formally a bank and is not itself FDIC-insured, but funds are eligible for FDIC pass-through insurance at the custodial bank if they’re not on a temporary card. The ONE debit card has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement. It also comes with a “savings pocket,” which earns 5 percent APY on its balance, as long as you receive at least $500 monthly in direct deposits.
Walmart MoneyCenter hours
Walmart MoneyCenters are typically open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, though hours may vary by store.
Services provided by Walmart MoneyCenter
| Service/Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Dot Bank account | Green Dot’s mobile checking account that comes with FDIC insurance |
| Walmart MoneyCard | Rewards debit card offered through Green Dot Bank |
| ONE debit card | Debit card that can be used for receiving direct deposits and building savings |
| Capital One Walmart Rewards card | Credit card offered through Capital One that earns 5 percent cash back on Walmart.com |
| Coinstar | Kiosk where you can turn coins in for cash, gift cards or a charity donation |
| Walmart2Walmart money transfers | Domestic money transfer service offered through Ria |
| Check cashing | Personal check cashing available up to $200, all other checks up to $5,000 |
| Check printing | Print customizable checks by ordering online or in store |
| Tax preparation services | Services offered through Jackson Hewitt to help consumers file taxes, by appointment |
| Bill pay | Pay bills in store with over 20,000 billers available |
Is Walmart MoneyCenter safe?
The GO2bank account and Walmart MoneyCard are FDIC-insured, and the MoneyCenter’s Bluebird account has FDIC pass-through insurance, except on temporary cards.
There has been recent controversy about the safety of money transfers offered through Walmart MoneyCenter. In June 2022, the FTC sued Walmart for allegedly failing to prevent customers being defrauded out of hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawsuit alleges that from 2013 to 2018, Walmart turned a blind eye, collecting profits from fees, while fraudsters used its money transfer services for such schemes as IRS impersonation, relative-in-need scams and others.
According to the lawsuit, more than $197 million in payments to or from Walmart were the subject of fraud complaints, with an additional $1.3 billion in payments having a possible connection to fraud.
Among several of the FTCs complaints is that up until 2014, Walmart had no written anti-fraud policy. It has since violated its own policy several times since then, according to the FTC, which could be a concern for customers using Walmart’s money transfer services.
Alternatives to Walmart MoneyCenter
While the Walmart MoneyCenter could be a good option for those who are unable to open a bank account, there are some other ways you can bank if you’ve previously been rejected for a checking account.
- Second-chance checking account: This type of account is designed for those who may have a negative banking report and gives them an opportunity to repair their banking history. Second-chance accounts may have more fees than a standard checking account, but they allow customers to take advantage of bank offerings, such as large ATM networks, FDIC insurance and free checks.
- Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment services: If you’re looking for ways to transfer money, one of the easiest ways to send money to someone long distance is using a P2P payment service, such as Zelle or Venmo. PayPal even allows you to send money overseas.
- Wise: Wise can facilitate money transfers both domestically and internationally. You can enter your bank information and the recipient’s bank information online and pay using a card or from your bank account. The service is also available over-the-phone or in-person at a bank branch.
- Wire transfers: Wire transfers are another money transfer option, though they often come with high fees.
Bottom line
Walmart MoneyCenter offers similar financial services to a bank or credit union. However, it doesn’t have the scope of services available at a bank and has faced recent allegations of allowing fraudsters to take advantage of its money transfer services.
If you’ve been denied a standard checking account, the Walmart MoneyCenter isn’t the only option left for banking. There are plenty of second-chance checking account options available, which also allow you to build up a positive banking history.
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