Very High CD Rates Advertised in Newspapers - Are They Real?
Have you noticed ads in the newspapers which advertise very high short-term CD rates supposedly from FDIC-insured banks? These are quite common. Last year the FDIC mentioned these offers in its consumer news. Here's an excerpt:
Beware of an Advertised CD Rate Far Above the Competition – First, it could be a product issued by a company that is not federally insured and second, it could be a marketing ploy. In either case any money invested could be at risk. A company may advertise in the local newspaper a 5.0 percent interest rate for a six-month bank CD for consumers to invest. When a customer calls, he or she is told to come to the office to discuss the details. It turns out that the bank is paying only 5 percent on the first $1,000 - not 5.0 percent on any balance. Another situation to beware of occurs when the customer is informed that the bank will pay only 2.5 percent but the sales person for the company offers to add enough money to the CD purchase to make up the interest rate difference. When the CD matures, there is no similar offer on a new CD and the individual can be steered into purchasing a non-insured investment that may be a poor choice for the consumer but very lucrative for the sellers.
If the company does place the deposits with an FDIC-insured bank and it does add in a bonus to make up for the interest rate difference, it could be a good deal if you don't mind listening to their sales pitch. It would be similar to receiving a bonus after listening to a timeshare sales pitch. But remember they wouldn't be making these offers if they weren't able to convince a significant number of people to buy their non-bank products.
With this in mind, here are some examples of these CD ads that I've seen in today's papers.
From the 8/22/10 edition of the Austin American Statesman:
- 4.50% APY 6-month CD via Sun Cities Financial Group (512) 502-1715. Important small print: Yield may include a bonus. $25,000 deposit required. Sun Cities is not a bank.
- 5.60% APY 3-month CD & 4.30% 6-month CD via First Fidelity Tax and Insurance (512) 402-8514. Important small print: Yield may include bonus. We are not a bank. Minimums and maximums apply.
From the 8/22/10 edition of The Oklahoman newspaper:
- 5.01% APY 3-month CD via Firstar Financial Group of Central Oklahoma, LLC (ad is online) Important small print: Firstar is a financial services firm that locates banks offering the highest CD yields nationwide; rate and deposit subject to availability; rate will be provided by the local Firstar office as a Promotional Incentive.
The important question to ask is what's the maximum deposit that will qualify for the advertised yield. If the maximum deposit is small and it's only a 3-month term, the bonus they will add will likely be small. For example, the total amount of money earned from a 5.60% APY 3-month CD with a $10K deposit is only $140. If the bank they are using is paying 1.00% for the 3-month CD (which is competitive these days), the money earned on a $10K deposit is $25. So the money you would receive would come from the following:
- $115 bonus provided by the financial company
- $25 interest from the bank's 1.00% 3-month CD
If the maximum deposit for the 4.50% APY 6-month CD is $25,000, that could add up to a nice bonus:
- $406 bonus provided by the financial company
- $156 interest from the bank's 1.25% 6-month CD
Note, these bonus amounts and CD yields are just guesses about what may be offered. They're just intended to show how the companies are able to offer the high yields they are advertising. Do you have experience with these types of companies? Are there similar offers in your local paper? Please leave a comment and share your experience.
Anonymous - #2, Monday, August 23, 2010 - 9:30 AM
Last Thursday night we went to a lake front resort for a presentation. They pushed a 7% guaranteed product for up to 18 yrs. Their firm had lawyers, CPA's, financial planners etc. The first two visits with them are free. They want to manage your whole portfolio. Make your wills, trusts etc and have copies of what you have now if you have them. Made several mistakes in the presentation I think. (1) The lawyer said he has never been so busy since joining Gary's firm. Said Gary had great "MARKETING SKILLS." (2) Said you have a 5 year look back period once you enter a nursing home. YOU HAVE A 5 YEAR LOOK BACK PERIOD ONCE YOU APPLY FOR MEDICAID. (3). Said that Medicare will go up to around $105 next near. It will not go up for those who did not get a cost of living raise on their Social Security checks. (4) They had sitters around the room listening to the remarks made at the tables during the presentation.
Also in the very very small print at the bottom of the screen it said this is not meant to be legal advice. Pretty funny. It was worth sitting there for 1 hour for the wonderful prime rib dinner, salad, rolls, fresh vegtables, and chocolate mousse at a beautiful lake front resort and visiting with others at the round table. Met some very interesting people.
bozo (anonymous) - #3, Monday, August 23, 2010 - 9:35 PM
These folks (or a variant thereof) advertise in the SF Chronicle all the time. They're obviously an annuity-selling outfit.
I suppose you can view the "teaser" rate they offer on their 6-month CD as about what you would get by going (with your spouse) to one of the "free dinners" they use to tout their annuities.
So, would you rather have the cash or a prime-rib dinner for two?
I'd rather just show up at the appointed restaurant and get the dinner.
PS: In the trade, folks like us are called "plate-lickers", people who just show up for the free dinner and have no intention of buying the annuities. Indeed, we usually are somewhat disruptive, arriving after having a couple of drinks and snickering at the presentation, to the amusement of all at our table. Generally, we are shown the door (86'd as it were) before dessert.
Bozo
pl (anonymous) - #4, Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 7:52 AM
you said a mouthful bozo besides hate prime rib
chimay palmer (anonymous) - #5, Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 12:35 PM
hay bozo what kind of boozze do yuou get 86 ed on
pithy banter (anonymous) - #6, Wednesday, August 25, 2010 - 3:33 PM
bozo cant answer he is probably 86d as it were cheers another jack and coke please
Anonymous - #7, Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 12:49 AM
Not sure if anyone will see this, but to update my comment #1, I note that Sun Cities Financial advertised in today's Phoenix newspaper, a 4.25% 12-month FDIC-Insured CD (yield includes a bonus) on $10K. Was very surprised to see that "4", as their ads lately have been around 3%.
Kathy Hastings (anonymous) - #8, Thursday, October 7, 2010 - 3:38 PM
Dallas Morning News/First Fidelity Insurance/David Boss at 740 E. Campbell Rd, Suite 900, Dallas, Texas. The ad says "5.6% for 3 month FDIC insured CD and 4.55% for 6 months. Yes, I was told that I had to come to the "office suites" to hear the spill and fill out the paper work. I wanted to invest $355,000's if this is actually an FDIC insured CD as it's advertised to be. My first question while I was sitting down was "when does the $250,000 limit per depositor end"? Mr. Boss was furious with me for asking that question. He immediately said that "he and I were not a fit because of my asking that question". WEird? sure it was. I left. He continued to be rude to me as I left the room. I came home and found this web site after the "weird Mr. David Boss 5 minute minute". I now fell lucky that I didn't sit there to listen to a bunch of salesmanship trickery or to call it what it actually is: FRAUD
Anonymous - #9, Wednesday, October 19, 2011 - 3:13 PM
Ad in yesterday's Houston Chronicle, 4.00%, FDIC Insured 6 Month CD, in fine print, min. $25,000 deposit.
Advertised yield consists of 1.10% yield plus 2.90%bonus which equals advertised yield. New custmers only.
Wouldn't touch it.
2sagesAnonymous (anonymous) - #10, Thursday, November 17, 2011 - 1:00 PM
just called , waiting to be called back and found this link after googling suncities, now will not waste my time with a seeminly "if its too good to be true", it probably isnt. thanks.
Not so naive (anonymous) - #11, Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - 10:10 AM
I agree with 2sagesAnanonymous! Sun Cities in Houston would not discuss details with me (4.05% for 6 months) Had to come to their office. Been there, done that before!
Merle McCormick (anonymous) - #12, Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 5:02 PM
I always question people's negative comments especially when it's from an anonymous source. I went down to Sun Cities Finacial Group for myself and met with the representative and I was very pleased with their expert knowledge and services. Everything the representative made sense and I was given all disclosures and receipts and I received my FDIC Insured CD directly from the bank. I even returned and they helped me earn more interest on my I.R.A. and I received a nice roll-over bonus. I am very happy with their services the two separate occasions I have been down there.
Helen Collins (anonymous) - #13, Thursday, March 8, 2012 - 11:57 AM
My daughter and I have actually done business with Sun Cities Financial Group recently and we are both very satisfied!! When I saw the ad in the Houston Chronicle I called in and spoke with a very pleasant lady. She set up my appointment that same day and I went in with my matured CD that week. I did indeed receive the advertised rate in the paper. This young lady was very good at explaining the account and confirming that it was FDIC insured. I only deal with FDIC insured banks. She even told me that once my CD matured she would welcome me back in 6 months to open another CD. In these next 6 months I will be making more interest than what I was offered by my local bank and credit union for a 1 year CD. Can't beat that with a stick! Frankly, I don't understand the negative comments if you haven't visited with them.
Anonymous - #14, Thursday, March 8, 2012 - 11:58 AM
Several months ago Sun cities ran an adv. on CD's that were in the 3% range, I called for more information and also checked the BBB because i was curious on how they did this. Everything was explained to me in detail. I have bought several CD'S from this company and I found the representitive to be very knowledgable. Everything they told me has happened with no surprises
Anonymous - #15, Friday, March 9, 2012 - 4:14 AM
Is it right that a company like Sun Cities has to pay extra interest (beyond the usual 0.85 %) to a bank in order to get a FDIC insured CD (for me) from the bank . Would they have to take my money to the bank, plus the extra money from their own to the bank to buy that CD, or can they keep my money for their use? ( and then how can they buy a FDIC CD for me ? ). I am confused . Somebody can succeed with a " sure-lost " business.
Earl McReynolds (anonymous) - #16, Friday, March 9, 2012 - 8:49 AM
When you open a CD at Sun Cities its just like at the bank. They complete the banks application and give you receipts and disclosures, they explain everything very well. You make your check payable to the bank you chose (not them or theirs) Then they send the application and your check to the bank directly. That Bank (which you already know) then sends you a Certificate of Deposit with your account number and address and phone of the bank directly and you can call them directly to confirm and or get service. I received my interest and the interest bonus from the bank and when the CD matured I received the matured funds directly from the bank not Sun Cities Financial Group. What could possibly be wrong with this? I also bought an Annuity from Sun Cities Financial because it offered me lots of access to my funds unlike ones I have been offered before.
Mary Pinter (anonymous) - #17, Friday, March 9, 2012 - 10:53 AM
When I first saw the Sun Cities ad in our local paper I was floored at the higher interest rate seeing I have be shopping and could not find such a rate online or locally. Of course I did my research and called the BBB. The BBB did confirm they were A rated and that there were no recent complaints on file. I have seen some unfavorable comments about Sun Cities but none of them where from a credible source (mostly anonymous). I was assured with the BBB accreditation and made my appointment. I did indeed open my CD and write my check directly to the bank they offered me that day. I signed bank forms and walked out that day with copies of it all!! I will be back to Sun Cities when my IRA matures later this year.
Anonymous - #18, Monday, March 19, 2012 - 12:09 AM
The last few comments made in early March sound way too much like a sales pitch, and the writing styles are suspiciously similar. I have to wonder if an employee from Sun Cities anonymously wrote the favorable responses.
A Sun Cities Customer (anonymous) - #19, Monday, March 19, 2012 - 6:15 PM
You are so correct and that is the problem with anonymous comments because you never know whether or not the negative comments are made from a banker or stock broker who lost an account because of the better rates through Sun Cities Financial Group. That is why I looked into the Better Business Bureau and they have been in business since 1998 and surely by now they would have come to know of a problem. NO such valid complaints after 13 years of being in business.
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