25 Mar, 2007 in
Real Estate Tips by
Cristina
URBALO
THE Real Estate BlogLatest
The comparison between Blackberry and iPhone have been popular for quite some time now, but the choosing the right phone for you might be a tough decision and especially, if it's based on a professional use.
Before the iPhone, the Blackberry was the most popular choice among real estate agents. Sure, there was the Palm with[...]
READ FULL ARTICLE »
I came across an interesting article on http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/. I have to admit that I’ve never looked into the online savings account since I always wanted to be able to just walk-into my local bank and deal with a customer service agent face to face, but after reading several articles on the web, I have realized how much money I was actually losing by keeping my savings in one of the traditional banks’ savings accounts.
Here is quick summary of the best rates available on the market right now:
All of these accounts are FDIC insured.
- Countrywide Bank offers a variable rate, from 4.00% to 5.40% APY, can link to other bank accounts. $1,000 minimum to open.
- AmTrust Direct offers 5.36% APY, “no monthly service fee or minimum balance fees”, can link to other bank accounts. $1000 minimum. This is a money market account.
- WT Direct offers 5.26% APY, no fees, can link to other bank accounts. No minimum to open, but your interest rate drops if you don’t have a $10,000 balance after 60 days.
- E-Loan offers 5.25% APY, no fees, “industry’s strictest privacy policy”. $5,000 minimum.
- Presidential Online Bank offers 5.25% APY, no fees, ATM access, web interface. $5,000 minimum to open.
- Emigrant Direct offers 5.05% APY, no fees, can link to other bank accounts, web interface. No minimum.
- E*Trade offers 5.05% APY, no fees, an automatic savings plan, can link to other bank accounts. $1 minimum to open.
- HSBC Direct offers 5.05% APY (with a temporary 6.00% APY promotion), no fees, can link to other bank accounts, web interface. $1 minimum to open. The HSBC web site is a busy mess.
- Capitol One offers 5.00% APY, no fees, free checks and ATM card, an automatic savings plan, can link to other bank accounts. $1 minimum to open. This is a money market account.
- Citibank Direct offers 4.65% APY, no fees, $25 sign-up bonus. No minimum.
- ING Direct offers 4.50% APY, no fees, an automatic savings plan, web interface. No minimum.
For a detailed discussion on this topic, please read the comments on the getrichslowly blog, it contains some great reviews from their readers.