Idaho Deposit Account Rates and Deals

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.

Idaho Banking Company is offering a special 2.25% APY 12-month CD. Minimum deposit is $500, and the maximum is $95,000. New money is required. The offer is listed on the bank's front page as of 9/04/09.

It appears that a branch visit is required to open an account. Branches are located in the Idaho cities of Boise, Eagle and Meridian.

The bank's ratings for safety and soundness are fair: 3½ stars (good) at BauerFinancial and 2 stars (below peer group) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 3/31/09 financial data. The bank has been a FDIC member since 1996 (FDIC Certificate # 34317).

Other Competitive Certificate of Deposit Rates

There's also another good CD deal in Idaho at Idaho Central Credit Union which has a special 15-month CD with a 2.30% APY. In August it had been offering a 2.75% 11-month CD (see post). For CD deals availabe in other parts of the nation and available nationwide refer to the following:

• 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

Banner Bank is offering a 21-month CD special with a rate of 2.50% APY. Minimum deposit is $2,500. The rate is listed on the bank's promotions page as of 8/27/09.

There's an online application, however, the accounts only show up for selection if you enter a zip code that's in their market area. So it doesn't appear to be a nationwide deal. Branches are located throughout Washington State, Oregon and Idaho.

My last post on Banner Bank was in April when they had a 2.75% 15-month CD special.

Banner Bank's ratings for safety and soundness are weak: 2 stars (problematic) at BauerFinancial and 1 star (lowest) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 3/31/09 financial data. The bank has been FDIC insured since 1934 (FDIC Certificate # 28489).

Other Competitive 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

KeyBank has a new checking account promotion that's similar to what they were offering in March except with new versions of the Garmin GPS. In this new promo you can receive a free Garmin nuvi 1200 GPS or a Garmin nuvi 1350 GPS.

The 1200 GPS requires that you open a qualifying checking account by 9/11/09 and make one debit card transaction and make two direct deposits or automated payments each of $100 or more by 11/13/09. The Express Free Checking qualifies. One thing new in this promo 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. The current price of this 1200 GPS is $179.99 at newegg.com.

The more expensive 1350 GPS requires opening either the Key Privilege or Key Privilege Select checking account. The other requirements seem to be the same. These two personal accounts require large minimum balances to avoid monthly fees. The current price of this 1350 GPS is $279.99 at newegg.com.

You will receive your Garmin GPS within 90 days of meeting requirements. Here's some of the important small print. Please refer to the promotion page and the FAQ page for the official details.

• 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 Garmin GPS will be reported on Form 1099-INT ($145 for the 1200 and $212 for the 1350)
• If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee.
• You can apply at a KeyBank branch, Key.com or through 1-877-539-4477
• Only available 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.

Some features of the Key Express Free Checking include:

• $50 Minimum opening deposit
• No monthly fees
• No minimum balance requirements
• ACH transfer capability
• free pill pay

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 in 2007.

KeyBank has been FDIC member since 1956.

Other Bank Bonus Deals:

• my last 40 posts on checking and savings account bonuses

Update 8/18/09: Crossed out Florida from list of eligible states per info from reader. FDIC database does show KeyBank branches in Florida, but these zip codes are not accepted in the online application.

Update 9/04/09: This 11-month special has ended. However, they now have a 15-month CD special with a 2.30% APY. See the credit union's CD rate table for more details.

Idaho Central Credit Union has an attractive CD promotion with a 2.75% APY for an 11-month term. Minimum deposit is $500. This special is listed at the credit union's CD rate table as of 8/12/09.

According to the credit union's membership page:

Most residents of Idaho are within our field of membership and are eligible to join!

More details about who is eligible are listed in the field of membership page. Membership requires a one-time $5 fee and minimum balance in the basic savings account.

The credit union's ratings for safety and soundness are fair: 3 stars (adequate) at BauerFinancial and 3 stars (performing) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 3/31/09 financial data. The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA (Charter # 63194).

Thanks to the reader who emailed me info on this special.

Other Competitive 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