Review Counsel Rating System

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Monthly Fees

Review Counsel looks at the monthly service fees customers can expect to pay for their account. Banks tend to charge no monthly service fees, fees that are only paid if the account drops below a certain balance or a flat right. The top banks charge no monthly service fees.

APY

Since the primary purpose of pursuing a high-yield savings account is to maximize how much individuals are able to make with their liquid savings, the Annual Percentage Yield is an important factor to consider. Top banks offer a 4.0% APY or higher.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each bank makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

Savings Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each company offers based on what’s reasonable for the industry it is in.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Mobile App

We also rate companies based on the availability and usefulness of a mobile app, which makes the company more easily accessible to its customers. A bank receives a top score for its app if it allows consumers to perform the following four actions: open a new account, check balances, transfer funds, and deposit checks. If an app includes three or fewer of those four functions, then it will receive a lower score.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Number of Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each company offers based on what’s reasonable for the industry it is in.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

State Licensing Footprint

Another factor we think is important for customers is how available the company is throughout the country. Companies who earn top scores in this category are available in 41 or more states.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Number of Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each company offers based on what’s reasonable for the industry it is in.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

State Licensing Footprint

Another factor we think is important for customers is how available the company is throughout the country. Companies who earn top scores in this category are available in 41 or more states.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Accounts/Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each investment company offers based on what’s reasonable for the industry.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each investment company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Mobile App

We also rate investment companies based on the availability of a mobile app. The availability of a robust mobile app has become the standard in the retail investment industry. Mobile aps make the company more easily accessible to its customers. The top investment companies allow users to open a new account, check balances, make deposits, and make trades directly from the app.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Life Insurance Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each company offers based on what’s reasonable for life insurance companies to offer. The top life insurance companies will offer term life insurance, whole life insurance, universal life insurance, have a variety of options within those categories, and offer other complementary insurance products.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each life insurance company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

Financial Strength

We also rate life insurance companies based on their financial strength. It’s important for customers to know that the life insurance company is financially sound and able to provide the services they are paying for when they need them. We base this rating on the rating provided by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., which is a risk assessment firm that monitors and rates companies in the financial services industry.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Number of Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each company offers based on what’s reasonable for the industry it is in.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

State Licensing Footprint

Another factor we think is important for customers is how available the company is throughout the country. Companies who earn top scores in this category are available in 41 or more states.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Number of Products Offered

We evaluate the number of products each company offers based on what’s reasonable for the industry it is in.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

State Licensing Footprint

Another factor we think is important for customers is how available the company is throughout the country. Companies who earn top scores in this category are available in 41 or more states.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.

Mobile App

We also rate companies based on the availability and usefulness of a mobile app, which makes the company more easily accessible to its customers. A company receives a top score for its app if it allows consumers to perform the following four actions: submit a mortgage application, upload documents, track the status of the loan, and service the loan. If an app only includes three or fewer of those four functions, then it will receive a lower score.

Years in Business

Review Counsel looks at years in business because we think it’s an important factor when companies demonstrate longevity. It shows that they are able to withstand the ups and downs of the market while being able to continue to serve the needs of their customers.

Number of Products Offered

Review Counsel evaluates the number of reverse mortgage products a company offers based on what’s typical and useful for the industry. Companies with a range of product options can better meet the diverse needs of Canadian homeowners—whether that’s maximizing equity, accessing flexible payment structures, or choosing between fixed and variable rates. Those that offer multiple well-defined reverse mortgage products score highest in this category.

Customer Service Availability

Review Counsel also considers how available each company makes itself to its customers. Those who earn top scores are available 24 hours a day/seven days per week. Some companies are available seven days per week for limited hours and some are only available Monday through Friday during business hours.

Province Licensing Footprint

Another factor we think is important for customers is how available the company is throughout the country. Companies who earn top scores in this category are available in at least nine provinces.

BBB Ratings

We include the Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation ratings because it requires strict standards for application along with consistent monitoring. The BBB sets a standard of credibility that no other business rating service can match, and they are considered one of the most trusted sources for buyers who want peace of mind about the companies they do business with. The BBB is a nonprofit organization that thoroughly vets businesses according to eight standards: building trust, honest advertising, telling the truth, transparency, honoring promises, responsiveness, safeguarding privacy, and integrity.