2.14% Reward Checking Account With No Balance Cap at Heritage Bank in MN - Nationally Available

Update 7/18/09: The top rate has fallen to 2.14% APY. Refer to the bottom of the post for the rate history.

Heritage Bank is offering a reward checking account with a rate that's low for reward checking, but it has the advantage that all balances can qualify for the top rate. If certain monthly requirements are met, the following rate and features apply:

• 2.14% APY on all balances
• 0.10% base rate if monthly requirements are not met
• Refunds of ATM fees nationwide up to $25 per month

The monthly requirements include:

• 10 check card purchases
• one direct deposit or automatic payment (ACH)
• Receive e-statements

Additional features of the account regardless of the monthly requirements include:

• $50 minimum opening balance
• No minimum balance requirement
• No monthly service charge

There's an online application link at the bank's reward checking page. I was told by the bank's rep that it's available to people in any state.

The bank also offers an online savings account called Heritage Direct Savings which has a rate of 1.50% APY as of 5/22/09. I first posted on this savings account in April 2006 when the rate was 4.60% APY. I stopped reporting on it over the last year since the rate dropped quicker than most of its competitors.

I had noticed Heritage Bank was offering this reward checking account last year, but I didn't pay much attention since the rate was 2.55% which was low at that time. In today's environment, 2.55% APY is higher than what you can get at most internet savings accounts. Since the rate applies to all balances, it may be a reasonable alternative to online savings accounts for those with large balances.

Heritage Bank is based in Minnesota. It's a small bank with $179 million in assets and $143 million in deposits. It has been FDIC insured since 1964 (FDIC Certificate # 19254). The bank's ratings for safety and soundness are fair: 3 stars (adequate) at BauerFinancial and 3 stars (performing) at Bankrate.com. The ratings are based on 12/31/08 financial data.

Other Reward Checking Accounts

Refer to my nationwide list for reward checking accounts available nationwide. One thing to note is that only CBDirect has a nationwide reward checking account without a balance cap ($250K mentioned in the table is a default value for all balances). It has a rate of 3.00% APY as of 5/22/09.

To find reward checking accounts in other areas of the nation or to learn more about these accounts, please refer to my High Yield Checking website.

Rate History:
07/10/09: 2.14% APY all balances
06/12/09: 2.24% APY all balances
05/22/09: 2.55% APY all balances; 0.10% base rate

Tags: Minnesota, Heritage Bank, checking account, reward checking account