Over the past few years, online banks and credit unions started offering "Reward Checking" accounts with above market interest rates. Some rates are advertised above 6.00%! But, upon closer inspection, these accounts require significant maintenance - jumping through fiery hoops, even - to earn the high rate. Mess up, and you're back to a measily 0.10%. Here's what we found among some of offers out there:
If you take a look at Charter Bank's TurboChecking account, you'll notice an eye-popping 6.01% yield on balances up to $25,000. With All America Bank you get 5.25% APY and ATM charges refunded at the end of each month. (Many of these deals are only available to local customers of the banks and credit unions, but some are available nationwide.)
How can both these established and fly-by-night banks support such high interest rates when well paying money market funds top out at 4.00% and long-term CDs are at 5.00%? Well, several years ago bank marketing company BancVue came up with a new type of high interest earning checking. They pitched this new account to smaller community banks and credit unions as a way to differentiate themselves from national banks with more locations and online outfits with jacked-up rates.
Unfortunately, these "great" checking accounts come with significant hurdles. Customers generally must: make at least 10 signature debit card transactions (swipe not PIN), initiate one direct deposit or one ACH auto debit, access the account online at least once, pay bills online, and receive electronic statements. You might even be required to open another type of account or service with the bank. To add further uncertainty, the rates are variable and can change at any time.
If you really want to maximize such an account, you would pair it with a rewards credit card - or any credit card. Make 10 small purchases on your debit card and put everything else on a credit card and pay off the balance IN FULL every month. Then, you'd leave more money in the reward checking account for a longer period.
So, if you are tempted to try one of these accounts, FiLife has put together a few rules:
(A tip for keeping track of your transactions: My Money Blog suggests attaching a sticky note to your debit card with check boxes to insure you reach the requisite transactions per month.)
Want an easier, less-caveat filled option? Open a WaMu free checking account linked to an online savings account. Or an HSBC Direct savings account at 3.5%. No hoops to jump through and a more stable interest rate.
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Year Fixed | 4.62%  |
4.67% |
| 30 Year Fixed | 5.15% | 5.15% |
| 1 Year ARM | 3.48% |
3.51% |
| 5/1 Year ARM | 3.62% |
3.68% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Line of Credit | 4.89%  |
4.88% |
| 10 Year Loan | 7.47% | 7.47% |
| 15 Year Loan | 7.61% |
7.60% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Interest Checking | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Money Market/Savings | 0.38% | 0.38% |
| 12 Month CD | 1.13%  |
1.15% |
| 60 Month IRA CD | 2.40% |
2.41% |
| Type | Today | Week Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Back Cards | 12.66% |
12.68% |
| No Annual Fee Cards | 12.08% |
11.97% |
| Reward Cards | 12.75% |
12.61% |
| Small Business Cards | 11.01% |
10.94% |
| Student Cards | 13.77% |
13.49% |
| Platinum Cards | 12.26% |
12.11% |
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Money-Rates.com,/a> is listing a 6.26% reward checking account. Has anyone heard of a higher rate which you can sign up for if you live in Texas?
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Money-Rates.com is listing a 6.26% reward checking account. Has anyone heard of a higher rate which you can sign up for if you live in Texas?
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Hello Judy:
I haven't seen any rates available in Texas greater than the 6.26% you mentioned. Sounds like a great rate.
Tom.
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Hi Tom,
I don't see any remarks in Sam's October piece on rewards checking accounts...?
FWIW I am a happy customer, and have a piece on their use at http://www.rethinkingmoney.com/rewards-checking-accounts-good .
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Judy I'm getting 7.01% from Midwest America federal credit union.
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5.25% Reward Checking Account at Addison Avenue FCU - Easy Membership
Addison Avenue FCU is launching a reward checking account starting on July 15th. It'll pay 5.25% APY on balances up to $25,000 (1.01% for above) and provide unlimited nationwide ATM refunds if the following monthly requirements are met:
12 debit card purchases
one direct deposit or recurring monthly debit
receive electronic statements
If these are not met, the rate falls to 0.10%. The initial minimum deposit is $25. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly service charges.
Credit union membership is open to members of the Financial Fitness Association (FFA). Anyone is eligible to join FFA. The membership cost is $5, and the application can be done online and paid with PayPal.
Credit union membership is also open to many select employee groups including employees of Hewlett Packard. For more details please refer to the credit union's Membership Eligibility Page. Membership requires a minimum balance of $5 in the Share Savings Account. An online membership application is available.
Since the credit union started as the credit union for HP employees, it has branches located in several parts of the country including Puerto Rico, Georgia, Massachusetts, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, California, Texas, Washington State and Delaware.
With $2.1 billion in assets and 142,958 members, Addison Avenue FCU might be the largest credit union to offer a reward checking account. The next largest that I'm aware of is Provident Credit Union which has about $1.5 billion in assets (see post). Addison Avenue FCU is federally insured by the NCUA (Charter # 19976).
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This is a great post, with great money management tips if you're looking to open one of these accounts. Lately, much of the bonuses have dropped their requirements to about 5 debit card purchases and sometimes require a monthly direct deposit.
If you're on the lookout for a great banking deal, visit http://bankmode.com where you will find the latest banking news and bonuses. Stay up-to-date!
-Bankmode.com
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