Idaho Deposit Account Rates and Deals

Bank of the West has another $100 checking account bonus. This new bonus is scheduled to last until 8/20/2010, and like the last one it allows either direct deposit of at least $250 or 10 online bill payments. The details are listed in the bank's promotion page. Below is the promotion's small print. I've highlighted the important details:

Open any new personal checking account, and either establish one monthly recurring direct deposit of at least $250 to your new account or make 10 bill payments at Bank of the West Online Banking and receive a $100 bonus. Direct deposit must be payroll, social security, pension or other government benefit. The first recurring direct deposit must be posted to your account within 60 calendar days of account open date. The 10 bill payments must occur within 60 calendar days of account open date. Bonus will be credited to your account within 60 days after satisfaction of conditions. Offer valid for new personal checking accounts opened from 7/6/10–8/20/10 with $100 or more from a financial institution other than Bank of the West. Offer subject to change without prior notice and may be terminated or extended based on response. Offer does not apply to second or multiple checking accounts. Limit of one $100 bonus per personal household per calendar year. Offer not valid in CA, CO, UT, NV or WY. To the extent required by law, Bank of the West will report the value of the offer to the IRS on Form 1099. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the account holder. All accounts are subject to the Bank’s standard terms and conditions and fee schedule.

When I checked with Bank of the West in March, I was told that the online account application is limited to states which have Bank of the West branches. Also, as you can see in the small print above, the offer is not valid in CA, CO, UT, NV or WY. That leaves the following states which should be eligible for this promotion: AZ, ID, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, WA and WI.

Regarding a hard credit pull, I was told earlier this year that they don't do a hard credit inquiry in the application (only a soft pull). So you shouldn't have to worry about a ding to your credit score.

Several reader commented in my previous post that Bank of the West closed their accounts for no apparent reason. It appears that when Bank of the West started to restrict availability to their market areas, out-of-area customers who had opened the account before the change were being targeted for account closure. Some readers also reported not receiving the bonus. Most readers who were in the market area have reported success with the promotion. One reader commented:

Just got bonus posted and ACH from online bank to yourself for over the necessary amount DOES count as a DD and only needed to be done 1 time.

Bank of the West is one of the large regional banks. It has $61.18 billion in assets and $41.38 billion in deposits. The bank has been a FDIC member since 1934 (FDIC Certificate # 3514).

Other Bank Bonuses

To find other bonus deals, please refer to my bank bonus page which has all of my recent bank bonus posts.

Update: This KeyBank promotion has ended. For those who live in parts of New York, another bank is offering a free iPod touch in a promotion that's scheduled to last through 9/30/2010. KeyBank has regularly offered an Apple iPod promo each year, so hopefully, we'll see another one next year.

KeyBank has a new checking account promotion in which you can earn a free iPod touch. This is similar to the Garmin promo they offered last year. Here's a summary of the requirements of this new promo:

• Open a Key Express Free Checking Account by 6/30/10, and
• Make one KeyBank Rewards debit card transaction, and
• A combination of two direct deposits and/or automated payments each of $100 or more by 10/01/10

One important thing to note is that you must have or request a KeyBank Rewards debit card and enroll in the KeyBank Rewards points program. There is a $20 annual fee for the KeyBank Rewards Program that will be waived for the first year. Below are some additional important points from the small print:

Qualifying debit card transactions include signature, PayPass, and PIN-based purchases only. Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension, and government benefits. Automated payments exclude Key Bill Pay, debit card automated payments, PayPal transactions, and account-to-account balance transfers. Limit one iPod touch per qualifying account. Limit one iPod touch per individual. The value of the iPod touch will be reported on Form 1099-INT. You will receive your iPod touch within 90 days of meeting requirements. Offer available to individuals without an existing checking account at KeyBank as of 4/30/10. Employees of KeyBank, its affiliates, and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee.

Credit for this find goes to FW member Neidman who posted it on this FW thread.

One thing not mentioned at the promo page is the version of the iPod Touch. The 8GB version is currently selling at Newegg.com for $189. KeyBank would likely give it a higher value on the 1099-INT.

Like previous KeyBank promos, it appears to be only available in areas where they have branches. Key has branches in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

Some FW members have reported problems with the online application. It looks like you'll have better luck by applying by phone.

KeyBank has been FDIC member since 1956

Other Bank Bonuses

To find other bonus deals at other banks, please refer to my bank bonus page which has all of my recent bank bonus posts.

KeyBank is offering a decent checking account promotion. Here's the link to the promotion. The $150 bonus is for opening its free checking account. The $200 bonus requires one of their checking accounts that has monthly fees. Both bonuses require the same activities:

• Open the checking account by April 30, 2010
• Make one KeyBank Rewards debit card transaction (ATMs excluded)
• Make a combination of two direct deposits and/or automated payments each of $100 or more by July 2, 2010

Some important small print:

• You must have or request a KeyBank Rewards debit card and enroll in the KeyBank Rewards points program. ... There is a $20 annual fee for the KeyBank Rewards program that will be waived for the first year.
• Offer not available to individuals who have opened a KeyBank checking account in the last 12 months.
• If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee.

The promotion FAQs has some important points including who's eligible:

The offer is not available in all areas. Individuals and businesses will only be eligible in the following districts: Cleveland, Eastern OH, Idaho, Western NY, Oregon, Seattle Cascades, South Puget Sound, Central NY, Rochester, Maine, Northwest OH, Michigan, and Capital Region NY.

There's also a business checking account promotion that offers up to $275.

When I had contacted KeyBank in previous years, I've been told by their customer service reps that they don't do a hard credit inquiry. They only use ChexSystem in the application approval process.

KeyBank has been a FDIC member since 1956.

Credit for this find goes to FW member DreamKrusher who posted on it in this FW thread.

Other Bank Bonuses

To find other bonus deals, please refer to my bank bonus page which has all of my recent bank bonus posts.

Home Federal Bank is offering a high-yield reward checking account called the Ultimate Checking. It has the following rates and features if certain monthly requirements are met:

• 3.01% APY on balances up to $25,000
• 0.85% APY on portion of balance over $25,000
• 0.05% base rate if requirements are not met
• Refund of domestic ATM fees up to $3 per item (maximum $20 per month)

Monthly requirements include:

• 12 signature based VISA check card purchases
• 1 direct deposit into or one auto debit
• Enroll and receive e-statements (with paper statements canceled)

Other features of the account include:

• $50 minimum opening deposit
• No minimum balance requirement
• No monthly service fees

$100 Sign-Up Bonus until 3/31/2010

At the bottom of the bank's micro-website, there's a link to a $100 promotions page. To qualify for the $100 bonus, you must open a new account by 3/31/2010 at any of the bank's branches. The bonus will automatically be credited to your account within 10 business days. Credit to iBankDesign for this find.

It's rare to see new-account bonuses on reward checking accounts. But the rate is a tad low for reward checking, so for those who care more about the rate, it may not be worth it.

Branches in ID and OR

There's an online application, but the application at the bank's micro-website implies that you have to come in to a branch to complete the application process. Branches are located in several cities in Idaho and Oregon including the cities of Boise, Idaho and Redmond, Oregon.

Financial/FDIC Overview

The bank's ratings for safety and soundness are strong: 4 stars (excellent) at BauerFinancial and 4 stars (sound) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 9/30/09 financial data. The bank has been a FDIC member since 1936 (FDIC Certificate # 28258).

Inland Northwest Bank is offering a high-yield reward checking account with the following rates:

• 4.01% APY on balances up to $25,000
• 1.01% on portion of balance over $25,000
• 0.02% base rate if requirements are not met

The monthly requirements include:

• 12 debit card purchases
• 1 electronic deposit or withdrawal
• Receive electronic statements

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

• $100 minimum initial deposit
• No Minimum Balance Requirement
• No Monthly Maintenance Fee

It appears that a branch visit is required to open an account. Branches are located in the Washington cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley and Airway Heights and in the Idaho cities of Coeur d’Alene, Spirit Lake and Post Falls.

The bank's ratings for safety and soundness are a little weak: 3 stars (adequate) at BauerFinancial (based on 9/30/09 data) and 2 stars (below peer group) at Bankrate.com (based on 6/30/09 data). The bank has been a FDIC member since 1989 (FDIC Certificate # 27601).

Other Reward Checking Accounts

To find reward checking accounts in other areas of the nation, please refer to the reward checking section of DepositAccounts.com. To learn more about reward checking, please refer to this reward checking overview.

Washington Federal Savings is offering some competitive mid-term CD rates. These include a 24-month CD with a 2.50% APY and a 36-month CD with a 3.00% APY. Minimum deposit is $1,000. Jumbo CDs with a $90K minimum receive an extra 5 basis points. These rates are not listed at the bank's website. A reader mentioned these rates, and I called two of the bank's branches in Redmond, Washington and in Las Vegas on Friday. The CSR at Redmond said rates are usually updated on Fridays so she expected these CD rates to last through next week.

A branch visit is required to open an account. Branches are located in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington State. Rates may vary by area, so make sure you confirm the CD rates with your local branch.

The bank's ratings for safety and soundness are a little above average: 3½ stars (good) at BauerFinancial (based on 9/30/09 data) and 3 stars (performing) at Bankrate.com (based on 6/30/09 data). The bank has been a FDIC member since 1935 (FDIC Certificate # 28088). It's a sizable bank with $12.6 billion in assets and $7.9 billion in deposits.

Other Competitive Certificate of Deposit Rates

• CD rates at DepositAccounts.com (overview of DepositAccounts.com)
• My weekly list of hot nationwide and local CD deals

D.L. Evans Bank is offering a high-yield reward checking account called Free SMART Rewards Checking. The account has the following rates and features if certain monthly requirements are met:

• 4.19% APY on balances up to $30,000
• 0.79% APY on portion of balance over $30,000
• 0.09% APY base rate if requirements are not met
• ATM fee refunds nationwide up to $20 per cycle

The monthly requirements include:

• 12 check card purchases
• 1 direct deposit or ACH debit or bill pay
• Sign up for and receive e-statements

Other features of this account include:

• $100 minimum initial deposit
• No monthly service charge
• No minimum balance requirement
• Free online banking (includes bill pay service)

In addition to the reward checking account, the bank also offers SMART Rewards Savings with the following rates, but it, too, depends on satisfying the monthly checking requirements:

• 3.19% APY on balances up to $30,000
• 0.79% APY on portion of balance over $30,000
• 0.29% APY base rate if requirements are not met

The reward savings account serves to automatically accumulate monthly interest and ATM refunds from the checking account when its requirements are met. With both checking and savings fully funded, it’s almost like having two accounts but with only one set of requirements. Like the reward checking account, savings has no monthly service fees and no minimum balance requirement.

The reward checking account has a secure online application (contact information). After submittal, they will contact you with follow-up steps and mail you documents to be notarized and returned. Update 11/12/09: I contacted another CSR who unfortunately stated that new applicants must be in their service area.

Branches are scattered throughout southern Idaho: Boise, Burley, Albion, Hailey, Idaho Falls, Jerome, Ketchum, Meridian, Nampa, Pocatello, Rupert and Twin Falls.

The bank's ratings for safety and soundness are average: 3 stars (performing) at Bankrate.com and 3½ stars (good) at BauerFinancial. Both ratings are based on 6/30/09 financial data. D. L. Evans was founded in 1904 and has been a FDIC member since 1934 (FDIC certificate #11666).

Other Reward Checking Accounts

This account is reminiscent of First New England Credit Union (see post) very early this year with slightly modified features. Tying checking and savings together as an increased deposit incentive is not uncommon.

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.

KeyBank has a new checking account promotion in which you can receive up to $225 when you:

• Open a qualifying checking account and enroll in KeyBank Rewards by November 20, 2009
• Make one debit card transaction and a combination of two direct deposits and/or automated payments each of $100 or more by January 22, 2010

The $225 bonus requires that you open either the Key Privilege Checking or Key Privilege Select Checking. Both of these have high minimum balance requirements to avoid a monthly service charge. A smaller bonus of $125 is available for opening the free checking account which has no minimum balance requirement or monthly service charge.

Here's an important detail listed in the promotion's FAQs:

• This offer is not available in all states. Individuals and businesses will only be eligible in areas where KeyBank has branches. Key has branches in the following states: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

And here's some of the important small print:

• Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, social security, pension and government benefits.
• Automated payments exclude Key Bill Pay, debit card automated payments, PayPal transactions and account to account balance transfers.
• Offer not available to individuals who have opened a KeyBank checking account in the last 12 months.
• The value of the gift card will be reported on Form 1099-INT.
• If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee.

It appears you can apply online, by phone (1-877-539-6659) or at a branch. Note, if you want the 60,000 KeyBank Rewards instead of the $125 cash bonus, you'll need to call or visit a branch.

According to the customer service rep, they don't do a hard credit inquiry. They only use ChexSystem in the application approval process. This is based on my conversation with the CSR last year.

KeyBank has been a FDIC member since 1956.

Credit to iBankDesign for this find.

Other Bank Bonuses

To find other bonus deals, please refer to my bank bonus page which has all of my recent bank bonus posts.

Numerica Credit Union has two very competitive rates on its World Series Certificate Special, and the rates can be higher based on the league you pick to win the World Series. The base rates are 2.39% APY for the 18-month certificate and 2.72% APY for the 24-month certificate. For each game that your league (American or National) wins in the World Series, you'll get an extra 0.05% for a maximum of 0.20%. If you pick the winning league, the rates will be 2.93% APY for the 24-month term and 2.59% APY for the 18-month term. Minimum deposit is $1,000, and the maximum deposit is $100,000 for all these special certificates per person. The certificates also have a bump feature that allows a one-time rate increase during the term. The offer is scheduled to last through October 27, 2009. This special and the above rates are listed in the credit union's promotions page as of 10/16/09.

This credit union also has a good deal on reward checking account that pays 4.01% APY as of 10/16/09 (see post).

According to the membership application page, "Virtually anyone is eligible to join who lives, works or worships in Washington State or Bonner, Boundary, Benewah, Kootenai, Latah, and Shoshone Counties in Idaho."

Branches are located in the Washington cities of Spokane, Kennewick, Pasco, Wenatchee and Entiat, and in the Idaho cities of Coeur D'Alene and Hayden.

Numerica Credit Union's ratings for safety and soundness are above average: 4 stars (excellent) at BauerFinancial and 3 stars (performing) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 6/30/09 financial data. The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA (Charter # 66841).

Other High Certificate of Deposit Rates

• My weekly list of hot nationwide and local CD deals
• My weekly list of all nationwide CD deals
• Index of state CD and bank deals

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.