If you’re in the hunt of a high interest checking account that yields a high interest rate, you may want to check out First New England’s Federal Credit Union.    You’ll receive a 5.15% APY on balances up to $25,000.

• There is NO minimum balance.
• ATM fee refunds. (refunds up to $25)
• No maintenance fees.

Here are the requirements for the checking account –

• Make 12 cleared debt car transactions with your rewards checking account.
• Set up one direct deposit or ACH auto debit to your high interest checking.
• Enroll in eServices with your checking account.

If your balance does go over $25,000, the rate is at 2.50% APY as of 1/26/09.  If you do not meet the requirements, your rate will drop to a .10% APY.  This is why it’s important to read the requirements on the website.  The interest rate may change at any time.

For more information, visit FirstNewEngland.org.

Regions Bank is allowing you to get up to $250 in savings by signing up with a LifeGreen Checking and LifeGreen Savings account.  Regions isn’t going to give you a bonus but you will be able to get a 1% savings rate bonus on your savings account.

Here’s how you get your savings rate bonus –

• You will need to have an automatic transfer of $10 from a Regions checking to your LifeGreen savings for 12 consecutive months.  This is required to earn an extra 1%.
• The bonus is paid on the average monthly balance of the year and paid on the anniversary of the account opening.  You can earn up to $250.

Also, open up an account today and get a reusable grocery tote bag.  This is all in effort to save the environment.

With Region’s Checking and Savings accounts, you’ll get –

• Free online banking with Bill Pay.
• Free Direct Deposit.
• Free online statements.
• Free recycled checks.

A $50 minimum deposit is required for checking.  You can’t open up a LifeGreen savings without a checking account.  Savings must have a $5 minimum opening deposit.

To get more information or apply for these accounts, visit Regions.com/LifeGreen.

Seeing that a lot of us do bank with Bank of America when it comes to smaller accounts such as savings and checking, I wanted to point out that they have an online deal right now where you can sign up for their MyAccess(r) Checking that has absolutely no minimum balance and no monthly maintenance fees. 

I just found out about this a few days ago because I personally use BofA’s checking and have it for the sake of having a million banks nearby and the fact that I can just use their ATM without worrying about the fees, etc.  I kind of got discouraged when I saw $10 fees coming in when I wouldn’t keep $750 in my account.  I’d much rather get some interest on my money than have it sit in a stupid checking account, trust me.

Here’s what you get with the account –

• Free checking.  It’s an online offer only.
• No monthly maintenance fees.
• No minimum balance.
• Free bill pay.
• Can link it to a BofA savings (optional)
• Free mobile banking.
• Free VISA(R) Check Card.

¹MyAccess Checking has no monthly maintenance fee when opened online. Other account-related service fees still apply. This special offer is available only online. Offer may be withdrawn or modified at any time without notice.

If you want more information on this free checking account, be sure to visit BankOfAmerica.com.

Well, we all knew that Dollar Savings Direct couldn’t keep their rate at 4% for long when other banks were dropping their rate well below that value.

Today, Dollar Savings Direct dropped their rate from a 4% APY to 3.50% APY but don’t worry because this is still the best rate on the market as of today (1/23/2009)

If you’re unfamiliar with Dollar Savings Direct, it’s a division of Emigrant Bank and is FDIC insured (cert #12054)

Here’s what you get with a Dollar Savings Direct account –

• No fees.
• $1,000 minimum balance.
• Can keep your current checking account.

Not only that, DSA is also offering some decent CD rates as well.  You can grab a 3.25% 16 month CD.  In order to open it, you have to have a Dollar Savings Account.

For more information on all of this, visit DollarSavingsDirect.com.

NOTE:  This is open to certain residents.  You have to open the account in person.

Open any checking account with MidFirst Bank with direct deposit and you’ll receive a $50 MidFirst Bank Visa(r) Gift Card.  In addition to that, you can refer someone and get an additional $50 on a Visa(r) Gift Card as well. You can refer up to 3 friends per 12 months.

With MidFirst’s checking account, you’ll get –

• Free Internet Banking
• Mobile Banking
• Free Visa(r) Check Card
• Preferred customer loan discount

Limit one gift card per household.  You must open up a checking account with at least $100.  Must open with direct deposit and make one initial deposit by 4/30/09. 

This offer expires 3/31/09.

For more information on this offer, visit MidFirst.com or visit a local branch near you for more details.