SmartyPig has a 2.15% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings accounts. The free savings account can only be opened online.  You must deposit at least $25 to open an account.

The account offers a social component; you can set up savings goals and ask family and friends to help you reach them. You can use the SmartyPig widget on your account page and use it on Facebook or MySpace to meet savings goals.

SmartyPig has a calculator that can help you work toward saving for various events, such as a wedding, having a baby, or making home improvements. You can see how much you need to save each month for specific goals, but have the flexibility to contribute more each month if you have extra cash. The minimum savings goal you can set up is $250 and the maximum is $250,000.

After you’ve met your savings goal you have the option of taking the money in the form of a SmartyPig MasterCard debit card, have it deposited into your bank, or put it on one of the retail cards offered, such as Amazon or Lowe’s. When you get a retail card you can receive a cash boost of up to 12%.

All money in SmartyPig savings accounts is held at West Bank of Des Moines, which has been in business for 115 years.

Open a new online Super Savings Account at Cranbury, NJ-based 1st Constitution Direct and earn a special annual percentage yield (APY) of 1.5%. That rate is subject to change at any time. Details of the savings account offer include:

• 1.5% savings rate good on balances of $10,000 and up
• Balances of $9,999 and below earn 0.5% APY
• No fees or services charges
• Minimum opening deposit of $100
• Savings rates subject to change at any time
• Account balance limit of $250,000 per individual

The bank also has a savings account that earns 1% APY on balances of $3,000 and up. Balances of $2,999 and under earn 0.5% APY. Interest rates on this account are variable and can change at any time.

When you open a savings account online, you have 24-hour banking access and receive monthly statements electronically. The initial deposit for an online savings account must come from a checking account at an institution other than 1st Constitution Direct. You can make deposits, withdrawals, and transfers between the linked savings and checking accounts.

When you make an electronic deposit into the online savings account, the interest begins to accrue on the business day the deposit is made. Electronic transfers normally are available in two to three business days. The savings account does not allow wire transfers or deposits by mail.

The annual percentage yield (APY) on savings accounts at North Middlesex Savings Bank has fallen since it was mentioned in the Go Talk Money Blog back in December. However, the bank still has one of the best rates on savings accounts with a 2.25% APY. The savings rate is current as of April 9, 2010.

Open a Simply Save account and earn the APY on a minimum balance of $10. Other details of the savings offer include:

• No minimum required to open savings account
• Savings is available as passbook or statement account
• Statement accounts receive quarterly statements
• Must make at least one $50 deposit during each statement cycle to receive the best rate
• $50 deposit must be made in person at a branch
• Savings rate falls to 0.25% if requirements are not met during statement cycle
• Balances above $10,000 earn 0.25% APY

The Simply Save account does not allow ATM, Visa Check Card, Internet banking transactions, or ACH debits. You are limited to one Simply Save account per social security number and three accounts per household. The bank also offers other savings accounts.

To open an account, you must live within the market that North Middlesex Savings Bank serves. The independent community bank is based in Ayer, Mass., and has been in business since 1885.

Main Bank has a savings account with a 1.66% annual percentage yield (APY). Savings rates are variable and can change at any time.  The Mainstream Savings Account requires a minimum deposit of $5,000. Other details of the savings offer include:

• No quarterly fee for accounts with balances of $5,000 or more
• Quarter fee of $25 for accounts with balances below $5,000
• Interest is compounded and paid quarterly
• Statements delivered electronically

The savings account also requires you to open a checking account with Main Bank. The bank offers a no-frills personal checking account. It requires a minimum of $100 to open. The checking account also has a free ATM card and 40 free debits each month. If you make more than 40 debit transactions there is a fee of 25 cents per month.

The bank also has a Now Personal Checking that requires a minimum deposit of $1,000 to open, minimum $1,000 balance to avoid a monthly fee, and minimum collected balance of $1,000 to earn interest. This checking account allows 40 free debit transactions and has a free ATM card. There is a $10 fee with Check Safekeeping and a $12 fee if items are returned with your statement.

Main Bank is an independent, community-owned bank based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Choice Financial has a RateBuilder Savings account with a 2.06% annual percentage yield (APY) for an introductory period. The bank is based in North Dakota, but you can open an online savings account and fund it by check, ACH, or wire transfer. If you aren’t sure you want to open an online savings account, the bank has a demo that allows you to preview the features.

Details of the savings account offer include:

• Minimum of $5,000 to open
• Deposits may not top $250,000
• Maximum of six withdrawals or transfers each month
• Interest is compounded daily and credited quarterly
• Deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)

The 2.06% savings rate (good as of April 22, 2010) is valid for 30 days. After the introductory period, savings rates are tiered. Deposits of $5,000 to $24,999 have a savings rate of 1.26% APY, $25,000 to $99,999 earns 1.41% APY, and $100,000 and up earns 1.51% APY.

Choice Financial also has a RateBuilder certificate of deposit (CD) with 1.55% APY for a term of 13 months. The CD requires a minimum opening deposit of $5,000, and you can make additional deposits. Total deposits can’t top $250,000. There also is a penalty for withdrawing funds early.

Managing a Choice Financial savings account online allows you to view detailed account information, print statements, and transfer money. You can also download account information into Quicken and other financial programs.