Georgia residents can take advantage of competitive money market rates at Georgia Primary Bank. There is no minimum required to open a money market, but there is a $10 monthly maintenance fee if the balance is under $2,500.

The following money market rates (valid as of Feb. 5, 2010) apply to personal accounts:

• 1.45% APY on balances below $10,000
• 1.45% APY on balances of $10,000 to $24,999
• 1.65% APY on balances of $25,000 to $49,999
• 1.95% APY on balances of $50,000 to $99,999
• 2.3% APY on balances of $100,000 and up

Commercial money markets have the following rates:

• 1.25% APY on balances below $10,000
• 1.25% APY on balances of $10,000 to $24,999
• 1.5% APY on balances of $25,000 to $49,999
• 1.75% APY on balances of $50,000 to $99,999
• 2% APY on balances of $100,000 and up

 Visa card comes with the money market. You get free online banking and six withdrawals each month with a money market account. You also pay $3 for each additional withdrawal. Georgia Primary Bank money markets also waive up to six ATM surcharges each month.

If you close a money market within 90 days of opening it you pay a $10 fee. Other fees on money market accounts include $5 for accounts that are dormant after 12 months, $35 for overdrafts, $10 for returned deposits, and $5 for interim or duplicate statements.

Georgia Primary Bank is based in Atlanta.

Atlantic Coast Bank has a high interest savings and checking account that work together to help you save more. The bank’s Kasasa Cash checking account has a 3.25% annual percentage yield (APY). The Kasasa Saver is a high interest savings account with a 2% APY and is linked to the checking. Details of the offer include:

• Nationwide ATM fees up to $25 refunded on checking account are automatically deposited into savings account
• Free checking
• No minimum balance or monthly fees
• Minimum opening deposit of $100 for checking account and $5 for savings

To qualify for the bank rates you must:

• Make a minimum of 10 debit card purchases
• Set up one direct deposit of ACH automatic payment from your checking account
• Receive electronic statements

Even if you don’t meet the requirements to earn the bank rate on the savings and checking, both accounts are free. During that time you earn a base rate of 0.1% on the checking account, which gets automatically deposited into the savings. The combined balance earns a base rate of 0.3% APY.

Once you meet the requirements again, you can earn the 3.25% APY on checking and 2% APY on savings. Bank rates are accurate as of Nov. 16, 2009.

Atlantic Coast has branches throughout northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. But residents of other states can apply online for a bank account

Provident Bank has a free Smart Checking Account with a 3.26% annual percentage yield (APY) on balances up to $25,000.  To receive the bank rate on the checking account you must meet the following requirements:

• Must  make 10 Provident Visa debit card signature purchases during each statement cycle
• Receive one direct deposit or process one automatic ACH debit per statement period
• Receive statements electronically

The checking account also has the following features:

• 0.75% APY on portion of balance above $25,000
• ATM fees nationwide are refunded if requirements met
• No monthly service fees

If you don’t meet all the requirements of the account, the bank rate falls to 0.25% on the entire balance. However, you can start over during the next statement period to meet the requirements to earn the higher bank rate. During this time the checking account is still free.

Interest on the checking account can change at any time. The daily balance method is used to calculate interest, which is paid monthly and posts to the account on the last day of the statement period.

You don’t have to do anything to receive a refund of ATM fees as long as you meet all the requirements of the account. However, only ATM fees in the U.S. are refunded, not those incurred abroad.

Provident Bank is based in Jersey City, N.J.

If you don’t want to tie up your savings for too long but want to earn some money, Country Bank for Savings has a six-month Relationship certificate of deposit (CD) with a 1.85% annual percentage yield (APY). Relationship CDs are also available for terms of 15 months (2.25% APY) and 24 months (2.5%  APY).

Relationship CDs are only available to customers who live in Massachusetts and have a checking account at the bank. Other details of the offer include:

• Minimum deposit of $500 to open CD
• Minimum balance of $1,000 in a Country Bank checking account
• Must set up monthly direct deposit into checking account
• Penalty for early withdrawal
• Interest is paid monthly and can be withdrawn at any time

Other CD rates and terms are available to people who don’t live in Massachusetts and accounts must be opened by mail. Call the bank for more information on opening an account if you don’t live in Massachusetts. Other CD rates as of Feb. 19, 2010, include:

• 6 months (1.6% APY)
• 12 months (1.75% APY)
• 15 months (2% APY)
• 2 years (2.25% APY)
• 3 years (2.25% APY)
• 4 years (2.5% APY)
• 5 years (2.5% APY)

The bank, which is based in Ware, MA also offers CD rates for terms as short as two months. CD rates are available for fixed-rate and variable CDs.

Residents of certain states can take advantage of a checking account deal at Sovereign Bank that offers a cash bonus. The bank deal requires you to open a Premier Checking Account and Premier Money Market account to qualify for a $150 cash bonus.

Details of the checking account offer include:

• $100 minimum deposit
• Must enroll in free online banking when opening account
• Set up and receive one direct deposit within 60 days of opening account
• Use a Sovereign Debit Card for five purchases within 60 days of opening checking account
• $150 bonus deposited to your account within 75 days once requirements are met

Sovereign Bank doesn’t charge a fee to use ATMs at other banks. However, a fee may be imposed by non-Sovereign Bank ATMs.

The money market account offers a 1.5% annual percentage yield (APY) for three months for balances between $10,000 and $499,999. The money market also has no monthly fee or minimum balance requirement as long as you have a Premier Checking Account.

You must be a resident of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, or the District of Columbia. New money market and checking accounts must be opened by March 13 to qualify for the $150 bonus and 1.5% APY.