Checking Accounts, Credit Union Deals

Consumers Credit Union has a Free Rewards Checking Account with a 4.05% annual percentage yield (APY) on balances up to $10,000. The credit union is based in Lake County, Ill., but you can become a member no matter where you work or live. Other details of the checking account offer include:

• 1.59% APY for balances between $10,000 and $25,000
• 0.76% APY for balances over $25,000
• No minimum balance required
• Free Visa debit card
• Free online banking and bill pay
• Free electronic statements
• Unlimited check writing

If you don’t meet the requirements of the checking account the interest rate is 0.05% APY. Requirements for the account include completing at least 12 debit/check card point-of-sale transactions (without using a PIN) during the calendar month. You also need to make at least one direct deposit, ACH debit, or pay one bill online each month. You also must enroll in online banking and receive electronic statements. Even if you don’t meet the requirements you still receive free online banking and bill pay.

The checking account also has no administrative fees or ATM fees. Consumers Credit Union covers any ATM fees you are charged by other banks.

OMNI Community Credit Union has a money market account with tiered interest rates. The money market is basically a high interest savings account that requires a minimum balance of $2,500. Money market rates for the account are:

• 0.55% annual percentage yield (APY) for balances of $2,500 to $24,999
• 0.7% APY for $25,000 to $49,999
• 1% APY for $50,000 to $99,999
• 1.2% APY for $100,000 to $199,999
• 1.45% APY for $200,000 and up

OMNI Community Credit union is based in Battle Creek, Michigan. Anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Barry, Calhoun, Cass, Eaton, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph or Van Buren County is eligible to join the credit union. If you live outside the area but have a relative who is already a member, you can join the credit union. You can open a savings/share account for as little as $5.

Products at the credit union include other types of savings, certificate of deposit (CD) accounts, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), checking accounts, and loans. Members also can apply for a credit card. Members also can sign up for Internet banking and bill pay.

LGE Credit Union is offering a bonus of up to $150 for opening two new accounts. The credit union is offering $100 for opening a new High Rate Checking Account and $50 for a new Visa credit card. Print the offer from the credit union’s website and take it to any branch by Nov. 15, 2010 to be eligible for the bonus. The bonus offer cannot be combined with other offers.

The checking account has no minimum balance and no monthly fees. It also has an annual percentage yield (APY) of 3% for balances up to $25,000. Balances over $25,000 earn 0.5% APY. Members who open a checking account automatically qualify for High Rate Checking benefits the first month. If the account meets all criteria the second month, the $100 bonus gets deposited into the account on the first business day of the next month.

Members who open a Visa Platinum or Achiever credit card and make three transactions that clear the account within 90 days of opening will have the $50 bonus deposited into the account.

To join the credit union you must be a resident of Cobb, Cherokee, or Paulding counties or be affiliated with one of over 350 partner groups.

Fort Knox Federal Credit Union has competitive certificate of deposit (CD) rates for terms ranging from three months to 5 years. Current CD specials include a 23-month rate of 2.3% annual percentage yield (APY) and a 14-month rate of 1.75% APY. Other CD rates include:

• 3 months for 1.4% APY
• 6 months for 1.4% APY
• 1 year for 1.6% APY
• 18 months for 1.8% APY
• 2 years for 2% APY
• 30 months for 2.35% APY
• 3 years for 2.4% APY
• 4 years for 2.6% APY
• 5 years for 3% APY

CD rates are current as of July 14, 2010, but could change at any time. You must have a minimum deposit of $500 to open a CD. Money in a Fort Knox Credit Union CD is insured  for up to $250,000.

The credit union is based in Radcliff, KY. Membership is available to people who live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly do business in Boyle, Breckonridge, Grayson, Hart, LaRue, Meade, Nelson, or Taylor County. Relatives of people eligible for membership to the credit union can also join.  Check the list of employers to see if you are eligible to join.

The credit union also allows  active duty military, reserve, guard, civil service employees, or contractors attached to the post to join. Retired military or civil service employees receiving benefits on Fort Knox can also join.

It can pay to check out savings and checking account deals with local credit unions. The Saginaw Medical Federal Credit Union has competitive savings rates for people who are employed by, retired from, or volunteer for any health care business in the Saginaw, MI area.

If you have an account at the credit union but move out of the area, you can still remain a member as long as you keep at least $5 in the account.

The credit union has a Rewards checking account with a 5% annual percentage yield (APY) on balances up to $25,000. Details of the checking account include:

• $50 minimum opening deposit
• No minimum balance
• No monthly fees
• Balances over $25,000 earn a 0.5% APY
• Refunds of ATM surcharge fees

To earn the highest interest rate on the checking account, you must make at least 12 debit card signature-based transactions each month, sign up for online banking and e-statements, and set up direct deposit.

MoneyPlus money market accounts require a minimum balance of $2,500. The money market account includes:

• Six withdrawals per month
• Free checks
• Minimum withdrawal of $500
• Dividends paid monthly on the average balance

Saginaw Medical Federal Credit Union has offered financial services to its members since 1971.