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• Interest is paid monthly and can be withdrawn at any time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.

Many banking customers have noticed more fees being tacked onto their checking accounts. It seems like no matter where you look it’s tough to get away from rising fees at banks for everything from overdrafts to ATM use to just maintaining an account.

Some financial experts say that people with checking accounts could see even more fees because of changes in credit card legislation, according to USA Today. “This is Business 101. If you take losses in one area, you try to offset them in other areas of operations,” Adam Levitin, a law professor at Georgetown University, told USA Today.

Banks have searched for new revenue streams during the troubled economy, which in some cases has resulted in higher fees for things like overdrawing multiple times or using a debit card for foreign transactions. A 2008 study by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) found that overdraft fees accounted for 74% of service fees on bank accounts.

Fees can really eat into the amount of money you have stashed in a bank account. If you feel that your bank is nickel and diming you, it’s probably time to shop around and compare bank deals. Get the fee schedule for accounts you are considering and ask if they have recently increased any fees or plan to do so.

Costco is offering an online savings account for its members with the help of Capital One Bank. The savings account has a cash bonus of up to $60.

The InterestPlus Savings has a 1.5% annual percentage yield (APY), which is effective as of Feb. 16, 2009. The Costco savings account also has a 10% quarterly bonus on interest earned on average balances of $15,000 and up. Details of the online savings account offer include:

• 1.5% APY applies to balances of $5,000 and up
• Savings rates are variable and can change at any time
• Minimum deposit of $5,000
• Electronic statements
• Must have six withdrawals by online transfer per month

Costco customers can earn a cash bonus that is based upon their membership. To earn the $60 bonus you must be a Costco Executive Member when you open the savings account. Costco Gold Star or Business members are eligible for a $20 bonus.

The cash bonus is only paid out to customers who open a Capital One Direct Banking account for the first time through any Costco program. The savings account must be funded with at least $5,000 within 30 days of opening to receive the bonus.  The bonus is paid within four to six weeks as two partial credits.

Costco operates a chain of 566 membership warehouses around the world that offer a variety of name-brand merchandise.

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.

Golf Savings Bank has one of the best certificate of deposit (CD) rates this week if you can afford to park your money for a couple of years. The bank is offering a CD rate of 2.2% annual percentage yield for two years. Details of the CD offer include:

• CD rates apply to balances up to $90,000
• Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly
• Fees could reduce total interest earned

The bank charges a penalty for early withdrawals. The amount of the penalty is based upon the term of the CD. For example, if you withdraw money early from a two-year CD , you pay six month’s interest on the amount withdrawn.

The bank offers CDs with other terms, including a 15-month bump certificate that allows for one rate change during the term. If you choose to change the interest rate, the term remains the same. There are no fees for exchanging your interest rate for a new one.

Other CD rates for deposits up to $90,000 (current as of Feb. 1, 2010) include:

• 1.14% annual percentage yield (APY) for 3 months
• 1.35%  for 6 months
• 1.8%  for 12 months
• 1.9%  for 15 months
• 2.5% for 3 years
• 2.65% for 4 years
• 3% for 5 years

Golf Savings Bank is based in Mountlake Terrace, WA, and has bank branches throughout Washington, Montana, and Idaho.