Northstar Bank Of Texas

I like doing business with this bank.  The people are friendly, helpful and professional.   I also like that, as one might expect from a small-town bank, they are actively involved in the communities in which they are located.   For example, the bank has for the last 7 years been a generous supporter of a local group which holds an annual event open to the county. 

The online system is old technology and has the look and feel of something out of the late 1980's but it works reliably and consistently.  Your login ID is your account number but it can be changed through a call to the Customer Service number.  There is a separate signon for Estatements, which is cumbersome and that can likely be changed as well.  I believe the odd-cycle issue that the previous reviewer mentioned is common to many Reward Checking accounts although some institutions offering them do have more "conventional" qualification periods coinciding with month end. 

However, the Velocity Checking rate is terrific, the $50K cap is outstanding, and the required number of debit transactions is very manageable.  The Bill Pay interface works well (I requested a transfer at 0700 on a Monday and it was available in the target account Wednesday at 0700).  

To me, all those pluses more than offset a less-than-stellar interface and odd cycle closes and I would definitely recommend them.  

Unfortunately, effective 3/17, Northstar will drop out of the "large balance" group.  Although the RCA rate is increasing to 4.01%APY from 3.51%, the cap will drop to $30K.  An associated savings account is being added, which will pay 1.5% on balances up to $20K.  As a result an accountholder with $50K on deposit currently earning approximately $1750 annually in interest on $50K  will now earn approximately $1500, or about 15% less.   However, in this economic environment it is still a good deal.