4.51% Reward Checking Account at Advantage Plus FCU in Idaho - Local Only

Advantage Plus FCU is offering a high-yield reward checking account with the following rates and features if certain monthly requirements are met:

• 4.51% APY on balances up to $25,000
• 1.01% APY on the portion of the balance over $25,000
• 0.50% base rate if qualifications are not met
• ATM fee refunds without limit

The monthly requirements include:

• 12 Visa debit card purchases
• One direct deposit or automatic payment
• Access online banking
• receive e-Statements

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

• No minimum initial deposit
• No minimum balance requirement
• No monthly service charge
• Limit of one account per member

Membership is open to those who live, work, or attend school in Bannock, Power, Caribou or Bear Lake, Idaho. Refer to the credit union's Membership Page for the full details.

The credit union also has a good deal on its Money Market Savings Account with a top rate of 2.83% APY for a minimum balance of $150,001. This rate is listed in the credit union's rates page as of 9/27/09. My last post on this credit union was in June 2008 when the top rate was 4.35% APY. So it does have a history of competitive rates.

Branches are located in the Idaho cities of Pocatello, Chubbuck, Soda Springs, Montpelier and American Falls.

The credit union's ratigs for safety and soundness are a little weak: 2 stars (below peer group) at Bankrate.com (based on 3/31/09 data) and 3 stars (adequate) at BauerFinancial (based on 6/30/09 data). The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA (Charter # 8428).

Other Reward Checking Accounts

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.