2.00% 11-Month CD at First Citizens Bank in SoCal - Local Only
Update 3/16/2010: This special is only available at the branches of the former Temucula Valley Bank. The special and the branch locations are listed at this Temecula Valley webpage.
First Citizens Bank is offering a special 2.00% APY 11-month CD. Minimum deposit is $1,000, and the maximum is $1 million. A checking account is required. This special doesn't appear to be listed at the bank's website. It was advertised in today's (3/14/2010) Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper. The ad is available online here.
First Citizens Bank has branches in several states. However, CD rates appear to vary based on the region. I had called First Citizens last Monday regarding another CD special (2.15% 18-mo CD), and that was available at First Citizen's North Carolina branches but not at its California branches (see review). This 11-month CD special may only be available in Southern California. The ad only lists the branches in the cities of Temecula (951-694-9940), Murrieta (951-461-0411) and Corona (951-270-3233). For other cities, check with your local First Citizens branch to confirm the availability of the CD special. Branches are located in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, Maryland, Tennessee, Washington, California, Virginia and West Virginia.
First Citizens Bank has been expanding in the last few years with much of the expansion coming from the acquisition of failed banks. The latest acquisition was on March 5th when it acquired Sun American Bank in South Florida. For those in South Florida, keep an eye on these former Sun American branches. Banks that acquire failed banks often will offer competitive CD specials at the branches of the failed bank.
First Citizens Bank's ratings for safety and soundness are strong: 5 stars (superior) at BauerFinancial (based on 12/31/09 data) and 4 stars (sound) at Bankrate.com (based on 9/30/09 data). The bank has been a FDIC member since 1934 (FDIC Certificate # 11063).
Last Sunday I reviewed First Citizen Bank's FreeMoney debit card reward program.
Other Competitive Certificate of Deposit Rates
- CD rates at DepositAccounts.com
- My weekly list of hot nationwide and local CD deals
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- Difference Between Banks and Credit Unions
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Anonymous - #1, Monday, March 15, 2010 - 12:57 PM
I just contacted a First Citizens Bank in the San Fernando Valley. It was not aware of the offer and after doing some investigation to its Home Office acknowleges that this ad is deceiving. It is NOT for all of its Southern California branches. In fact, this CD offer is only for the 3 branches listed on the ad: Riverside, Temecula and Murietta.
Anonymous - #2, Monday, March 15, 2010 - 1:07 PM
Called Corona, checking account required.
Anonymous - #3, Monday, March 15, 2010 - 2:37 PM
The 2% 11 month CD is actually for 11 different branches of First Citizens Bank. These branches are those acquired in July from Temecula Valley Bank. The branch locations, as well as the CD ad, are listed on the still-existing Temecula Valley Bank website. The branch locations are in Riverside, San Diego, and San Bernardino counties.
First Citizens Bank acquired First Regional Bank (FRB) in January of this year. FRB branches are not included in the 2% CD offer. Many FRB branches are in or near Los Angeles.
First Citizens Bank demands a branch visit, I was told, to open these CD's, plus the needed checking account for $100.00 minimum.
Anonymous - #4, Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 1:39 PM
I just contacted First Citizens ( Sun American) in South Florida and was told by CR that the 11 mo CD is available and she expects it to be for awhile since it just went into effect. You do need a branch visit but there was no mention of a checking account. Since this is the best rate for this term I'll take advantage.
Anonymous - #5, Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 6:13 PM
Branches in Rancho Bernardo & El Cajon, CA confirmed that they offered this rate over the phone to me today. Applies to IRA CD's, too.
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