Competitive credit card offers from banks can be tough to find these days. But if you’re into rewards programs, the Chase Sapphire credit card offers 10,000 bonus points after your first purchase or use of the account. Here are some of the details:
- No annual fee
- Earn one point per dollar spent
- Earn up to 10 bonus points per dollar when shopping at over 300 merchants featured at the Ultimate Rewards Mall
- Earn double points on airfares booked through the Travel Booking Tool
- 10,000 bonus points can be used for a $100 gift card
The credit card can be used to get cash at more than 1 million ATMS at banks and other locations. There are daily and transaction limits at ATMs.
The one-time bonus offer is only good for first-time cardmembers. It takes six to eight weeks for the bonus points to post to your account after the qualifying transaction.
There is no pre-set spending limit with the Chase Sapphire credit card. Charges that exceed the revolving credit access line are evaluated based on your account history and track record with other creditors. Chase has the right to decline a transaction at any time for any reason.
The credit card offers other benefits that include trip cancellation insurance, travel accident insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.
Comments (0)BankOn has a money market with a 2.05% annual percentage yield (APY), plus a $50 cash bonus. Money market accounts are available only to residents of Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Wyoming.
- Money market accounts only available online
- Automatic transfers from BankOn checking accounts
- No minimum balance after opening
- No checks
- Online statements only
- Mobile banking and telebank
- Use U.S. checking account, credit card, or debit card to fund money market
You must open both a BankOn money market and checking account to receive the $50 bonus. The $50 bonus is paid within 10 days of opening the account. Each household is limited to one bonus offer.
BankOn checking account requires a $100 minimum opening deposit and allows you to have an unlimited number of transactions. The checking account also must be opened online with the money market account. Other checking account features include free Visa check card with cash back rewards, Visa credit cards subject to credit approval, and free bill pay.
You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien to open an account. Resident aliens need two forms of ID to open an account.
BankOn accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. The bank is part of Pinnacle Bank.
Comments (0)Federal Reserve Finalizes Rules on Overdraft Fees
Category: News and Notes- fhuff- 4:10 pm/ November 13, 2009New rules from the Federal Reserve will prohibit banks from charging overdraft fees unless customers consent to overdraft service on ATM and debit card transactions. That’s good news to people who want to keep more funds in savings and checking accounts.
“The final overdraft rules represent an important step forward in consumer protection,” said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke in a statement. “Both new and existing account holders will be able to make informed decisions about whether to sign up for an overdraft service.”
Changes coming about because of the new rules include:
- Banks must send customers notices that explains overdraft services, fees, and the right to opt out
- Banks can’t discriminate against customers who choose to opt out of overdraft services
- Customers who don’t opt in must receive the same terms and conditions on savings and checking accounts
Banks have come under fire for charging unsuspecting customers overdraft fees. Last year banks received almost $37 billion in overdraft fees, according to Moeb Services Inc., a research firm. The Federal Reserve said consumer testing indicates most people don’t want overdraft protection on ATM and one-time debit transactions unless they opt in first.
Two large banks, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, recently changed their procedures for collecting overdraft fees to deal with the backlash from customers and legislators.
Comments (0)SmartyPig combines the features of a savings account with social networking. The savings account is aimed at folks who want to put money aside for a specific goal. With savings rates averaging 1.32%, the 2.01% annual percentage yield (APY) being offered by SmartyPig is a pretty good deal. Here’s how the savings account works:
- Automatic transfers from your checking account
- Set up as many goals as you want
- Family and friends can contribute to your savings to help you reach goals faster
- Open a savings for free
- Savings goals can be a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $250,000
- Minimum deposit of $25 to begin savings goal
- Recurring monthly contributions must be a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $50,000
Once you meet your savings goal, the automatic monthly contributions stop. You can transfer the money into an existing savings or checking account for free. The savings also can be used to purchase gift cards from a variety of retailers. The bank does not charge monthly fees, load fees, or ATM fees.
All money in SmartyPig savings accounts is held at West Bank of Des Moines. Money in savings is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) up to $250,000 per depositor.
Comments (0)Savings rates are averaging about 1.32%, but TD Bank has an Elite Savings with a 1.5% annual percentage yield (APY). The offer expires Nov. 30, 2009, and is available when you open a new TD Bank checking account. Other details include:
- Minimum deposit of $10,000 in Elite Savings and checking account
- New customers can apply online, by phone, or in a branch
- Existing bank customers must apply by phone or at their local branch
- Promotional savings rate is guaranteed as long as $10,000 minimum daily balance is maintained
- Savings accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)
At the end of the promotional three-month period, standard rates apply and can change at any time. If the minimum daily balance falls below $10,000, the APY is 0.8%, which is current as of Nov. 8, 2009. The bank also charges a $12 maintenance fee if the balance falls below $10,000. Any fees associated with the savings account can reduce the amount earned.
When you open checking and savings accounts you get free access to more than 5,200 TD Bank or TD Canada Trust ATMs. TD Bank also offers free online bill pay and free coin counting at its branches.
The deal only applies to consumer accounts and does not apply to IRA Elite Savings Accounts.
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