Bank Deals, Checking Accounts, Local Bank Deals, Money Market Rates

Hudson City has a money market that earns 1.25 percent annual percentage yield (APY). The money market rate applies to balances of $2,500 and up. Balances that fall below that amount earn 1 percent APY. The money market rates are current as of March 18, 2011. Other details of the money market deal include:

• Interest rates are subject to change without notice
• Interest is compounded daily and monthly
• Statement format
• Limited withdrawals and transfers
• Insured by Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)
• Telephone banking

Hudson City also offers a money market checking account that earns interest. Balances of $25,000 and up earn a higher interest rate, which is currently 0.85 percent APY. Accounts with balances below $25,000 earn 0.6 percent APY. Money market accounts with balances of less than $10,000 are charged a $10 monthly fee. Accounts also have limited check writing and third party payments, unlimited deposits and in-person withdrawals and free debit/ATM cards.

Bank accounts at Hudson City are available to individuals who live or work in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware. Accounts can be opened online. Hudson City has been named by Forbes magazine to be among the best managed banks in America.

FirstMerit Bank has a Reality Savings Account with a 1.25 percent annual percentage yield (APY). The savings rate is variable and current as of March 14, 2011. You must have a FirstMerit Bank checking account to qualify for the savings rate. Details of the checking account offer include:

• Minimum opening deposit of $1
• Earn competitive interest rates on all balances
• FirstMerit debit card
• Free online banking services
• Direct deposit available

The savings has a $10 monthly maintenance fee unless you also have a checking account with at least two debit or credit transactions during a statement cycle. FirstMerit Bank has several checking accounts available:

• Free checking, which offers rewards of 5 cents for all debit card purchase transactions, bill payments and direct deposits
• Gold Checking, which has tiered interest rates and free debit card transactions for PIN and signature transactions

FirstMerit Bank accounts are available to consumers and businesses in Northern and Central Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and the Chicago area.

Aurora Bank has competitive CD rates for terms ranging from 6 to 60 months. The certificates of deposit have tiered interest rates. CD rates at the bank as of Feb. 28, 2011, include:

• 1.09 percent annual percentage yield (AP) for 6 months for $1,000 to $99,999
• 1.11 percent APY for 6 months for $100,000 and up
• 1.26 percent APY for 1 year for $1,000 to $99,999
• 1.28 percent APY for 1 year for $100,000 and up
• 1.39 percent APY for 18 months for $1,000 to $99,999
• 1.42 percent APY for 18 months $100,000 and up
• 1.53 percent APY for 2 years for $1,000 to $99,999
• 1.56 percent APY for 2 years for $100,000 and up
• 1.85 percent APY for 3 years for $1,000 to $99,999
• 1.88 percent APY for 3 years for $100,000 and up
• 2.09 percent APY for 4 years for $1,000 to $99,999
• 2.13 percent APY for 4 years for $100,000 and up
• 2.42 percent APY for 5 years for $1,000 to $99,999
• 2.46 percent APY for 5 years for $100,000 and up

Opening a certificate of deposit requires a minimum deposit of $1,000. Interest is compounded daily and posted monthly. CDs renew automatically at maturity.

Open a Premium e-Money Market Account at AmTrust Direct and you could earn 1.25 percent APY. The money market rate is accurate as of Feb. 3, 2011. Details of the money market offer include:

• $500 minimum deposit to open
• Interest is earned on balances of $1 and up
• No minimum balance fee
• Free online banking, including transfers
• Direct deposit available
• Limit of six withdrawals per statement cycle or you pay a fee

You can only open the money market account with funds that are not currently on deposit with AmTrust Direct, with the exception of funds from a maturing certificate of deposit (CD). The money market is not available to business or nonprofit customers. Money in the account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

The money market has eight tiers of interest, but interest rates in different tiers can be the same. Currently, deposits up to $9,999 earn an APY of 0.5 percent, $10,000 to $149,999 earns 1.25 percent APY and deposits over $150,000 earn 0.5 percent APY.

AmTrust Direct is a service of New York Community Bank, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

Carthage Savings and Loan Association has a High Interest Checking Account that earns 2.05 percent annual percentage yield (APY) on balances between $2,500 and $25,000. Details of the checking account include:

• $25 to open
• Free nationwide ATMs
• Unlimited check writing
• Free checks
• $8 monthly fee waived on balances over $2,500
• Free MasterMoney Check Card
• Free online banking with bill pay
• Free electronic statements
• Direct deposit

The checking account allows you to receive 10 cents for each signature-based debit card transaction. The checking account has tiered interest rates so account balances that fall below $2,500 earn 0.5 percent APY. Balances above %25,000 earn 0.1 percent APY. Money in accounts is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).

Carthage Savings and Loan also has other checking and savings accounts with various rates of interest. For instance, you can open a 36-month certificate of deposit that earns 1.5 percent APY or a 48-month CD that earns 1.7 percent APY.

Carthage Savings and Loan is based in Carthage, N.Y. The savings and loan has been in business since 1888 and serves Jefferson and Lewis counties in New York. You can open an account at its three locations or apply for an account online. A representative will call you to complete the application process.