Affiliate Disclosure & FTC Compliance

Last Updated: January 28, 2025

Our Commitment to Transparency

At FreeAccount, we believe in complete transparency about how we operate and earn revenue. This disclosure page explains our affiliate relationships, how we make money, and our commitment to providing honest, unbiased information to help you make informed financial decisions.

How We Make Money

FreeAccount earns revenue through affiliate marketing partnerships with banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. Here's how it works:

Affiliate Commissions

When you click on certain links on our website and subsequently open an account or sign up for a financial product, we may receive a commission from that financial institution. These commissions help us:

• Maintain and improve our website
• Provide free comparison tools and resources
• Publish educational content and banking guides
• Keep our service completely free for users
• Continuously update rates and offers

What This Means for You

Zero Cost to You: You will NEVER pay more by using our links. The commissions we receive come directly from the financial institutions, not from you. In many cases, you may even qualify for special promotional offers that aren't available elsewhere.

No Hidden Fees: We do not charge any fees for using our comparison tools, reading our content, or clicking our affiliate links. Our service is 100% free for consumers.

Our Editorial Independence

While we do earn commissions from certain banks, our editorial content remains independent and unbiased. Here's our promise to you:

Honest Recommendations

• Merit-Based Rankings: We rank products based on actual features, rates, fees, and customer reviews—not solely on commission rates.
• Comprehensive Comparison: We include both affiliate and non-affiliate partners in our comparisons to give you the complete picture.
• Objective Reviews: Our reviews highlight both pros and cons of each product, even if it's from a high-paying affiliate partner.
• Updated Information: We regularly update our content to reflect current rates, fees, and offers.

What We DON'T Do

• We don't recommend products solely because they pay higher commissions
• We don't hide important information like fees or limitations
• We don't guarantee specific results or approval for any financial product
• We don't share your personal information with partners unless you explicitly choose to visit their sites

FTC Compliance

FreeAccount complies with the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) guidelines regarding affiliate marketing and endorsements. Specifically:

• Clear Disclosure: We clearly disclose our affiliate relationships at the top of every page and within relevant content.
• Material Connection: We inform you when there's a material connection between us and a recommended product or service.
• Honest Opinions: Our opinions and recommendations reflect honest views based on available information and research.
• Updated Disclosures: We keep our disclosure information current and easily accessible.

Amazon Associates Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Some of our content may include links to banking-related books, financial software, or other products available on Amazon.com. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Types of Compensation

We may receive compensation in several forms:

1. Cost Per Action (CPA)

We earn a commission when you complete a specific action, such as:

• Opening a new bank account
• Applying for a credit card
• Opening a certificate of deposit (CD)
• Meeting minimum deposit requirements

2. Cost Per Lead (CPL)

Some partners pay us when you submit an application or request more information, regardless of whether you're approved or complete the account opening.

3. Revenue Share

Certain partners provide ongoing compensation based on your account activity or the fees generated by your account over time.

4. Fixed Fees

Some financial institutions pay us a fixed fee for featuring their products or providing advertising space on our website.

Rate and Data Accuracy

Important Information About Rates and Terms:

• Rate Changes: Interest rates, APYs, and promotional offers can change at any time without notice. We strive to update our information regularly, but cannot guarantee real-time accuracy.
• Verification: Always verify current rates, fees, and terms directly with the financial institution before opening an account.
• Individual Results: Account approval and specific rates may vary based on your credit history, location, and other factors.
• Data Sources: We aggregate information from bank websites, affiliate networks, and publicly available sources.

Our Data Sources

We collect and aggregate banking information from multiple sources:

• Direct Bank Feeds: Real-time or daily updated data from financial institutions
• Affiliate Networks: Rate and product information from Bankrate, NerdWallet, DepositAccounts APIs
• Public Records: FDIC data, regulatory filings, and bank websites
• User Reviews: Aggregated customer feedback from multiple platforms

Your Privacy and Data Protection

When you use FreeAccount:

• Browsing is Private: We don't sell your personal browsing information to third parties
• Cookies: We use cookies for site functionality and analytics, as explained in our Privacy Policy
• Third-Party Sites: When you click our affiliate links, you'll be directed to the partner's website, which operates under their own privacy policy
• No Data Sharing: We don't share your application information or personal details with partners unless you submit forms directly on their websites

FDIC Insurance Notice

Important: FreeAccount is NOT a bank and does not offer banking services. We are a comparison and information website owned by Inter Media Digital Marketing LLC. All bank accounts are provided by FDIC-insured member banks. FDIC insurance covers up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.

No Financial Advice

The content on FreeAccount is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We provide tools and information to help you make informed decisions, but:

• We are not registered investment advisors or financial planners
• We don't know your individual financial situation
• You should consult with qualified financial professionals before making significant financial decisions
• Past performance or advertised rates do not guarantee future results

Contact Us

If you have questions about our affiliate relationships, disclosure practices, or how we operate, please don't hesitate to contact us:

Changes to This Disclosure

We may update this disclosure from time to time to reflect changes in our business practices or legal requirements. We encourage you to review this page periodically. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the disclosure was most recently revised.

Summary

In short: We earn money when you use our links to open accounts with our partner banks. This doesn't cost you anything extra. We're committed to providing honest, helpful information regardless of our affiliate relationships. If you have any questions, please contact us.