Bluebird from Walmart & American Express to help consumers

Bluebird has been developed for the tens of millions of Americans who are looking for advanced capabilities such as deposits by smartphone and mobile bill pay, fee transparency, and no minimum balance, monthly, annual or overdraft fees.

Building on a pilot program launched in late 2011, Bluebird was shaped by feedback from consumers who said they were not getting the value they expect from traditional checking account and debit services because of increasingly higher fees.

“Our customers tell us that they’re tired of navigating a complex maze of dos and don’ts to avoid the ever growing list of fees found on checking products. Bluebird solves this problem and we believe it’s the best product on the market to help customers affordably manage their everyday finances,” said Daniel Eckert, vice president of financial services for Walmart U.S.

“At Walmart, we are always looking for ways to make a difference by using the strengths that come with our size, scale and reach to take on the challenges that matter most to our customers. Reducing the costs and frustration that come with high fees is one of these issues.”

“The financial services landscape is changing. Technological advances, regulatory changes, and evolving consumer needs are redefining payments ranging from prepaid, to checking and debit.  Bluebird is our solution to help consumers who currently may be poorly served by traditional banking products.

“It allows them to easily and safely move, manage, and spend their money.  In an era where it is increasingly “expensive to be poor,” we have worked with Walmart to create a financial services product that rights many of the wrongs that plague the market today,” said Dan Schulman, group president, Enterprise Growth, American Express.

Loaded with Features. Not Fees.

Bluebird merges the best of today's capabilities found in the payments, technology and financial services space and packages it into something that provides consumers with simple and convenient access to their funds so they can manage and streamline their money management.

Bluebird members can deposit money in a variety of ways including payroll direct deposit, remote check capture via the Bluebird mobile app, using cash at any Walmart register, or by linking a checking, savings, or debit card to the account. Members can also set up alerts and controls to manage their account, use their Bluebird card at millions of locations that accept American Express Cards and enjoy access to benefits such as Purchase Protection3, Roadside Assistance4, Global Assist Services5, fraud protection in the event the Card is lost or stolen, and 24x7 customer service. If a customer's Bluebird card is ever lost or stolen, funds stay protected at American Express, and the card is replaced at no charge.