2.51% Reward Checking at a Rhode Island Bank (BankNewport)
POSTED ON BY Ken Tumin
Update 11/09/09: The top yield has fallen to 2.51% APY. See bottom of post for the rate and cap history.
BankNewport has started a reward checking account it calls Go Checking which pays 2.51% APY for balances up to $50,000 (0.40% over) and refunds ATM fees if the following monthly requirements are met: 1) 12 debit card transactions, 2) one direct deposit or ACH debit, and 3) receive electronic statements. If these requirements are not met, the rate falls to 0.10%. The minimum initial deposit is $25. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees regardless of meeting the above requirements.
Update 4/03/08: The website now states "Available to residents living in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts."
Branches are located in the Rhode Island cities of Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Barrington, Bristol and Warren. The bank is FDIC insured (Certificate # 18129).
Other Reward Checking Accounts
The best reward checking account deals with the highest yield and the highest qualifying deposit seem to be in the Northeast. In most other areas of the country, the top yield often only applies to the first $25K. I just reported yesterday on a Rhode Island credit union with a reward checking account which also has a $100K deposit cap. I've reported on several Massachusetts banks offering these reward checking accounts including Middlesex Savings which is still offering 6.25% APY on balances up to $100K.
For other reward checking accounts in other parts of the country, please see my reward checking account page and my best checking account post.
Rate History:
11/04/09: 2.51% up to $50K
8/07/09: 2.76% up to $50K; 0.40% over; 0.10% base
6/03/09: Top yield now 3.55% APY.
3/03/09: Top yield now 4.14% APY.
1/05/09: Top yield now 4.65% APY.
7/04/08: The balance cap fell to $50,000.
4/03/08: The top yield fell to 5.05% APY.
10/12/07: The initial yield was 6.06% APY for balances up to $100,000.
BankNewport has started a reward checking account it calls Go Checking which pays 2.51% APY for balances up to $50,000 (0.40% over) and refunds ATM fees if the following monthly requirements are met: 1) 12 debit card transactions, 2) one direct deposit or ACH debit, and 3) receive electronic statements. If these requirements are not met, the rate falls to 0.10%. The minimum initial deposit is $25. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees regardless of meeting the above requirements.
Update 4/03/08: The website now states "Available to residents living in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts."
Branches are located in the Rhode Island cities of Newport, Jamestown, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Barrington, Bristol and Warren. The bank is FDIC insured (Certificate # 18129).
Other Reward Checking Accounts
The best reward checking account deals with the highest yield and the highest qualifying deposit seem to be in the Northeast. In most other areas of the country, the top yield often only applies to the first $25K. I just reported yesterday on a Rhode Island credit union with a reward checking account which also has a $100K deposit cap. I've reported on several Massachusetts banks offering these reward checking accounts including Middlesex Savings which is still offering 6.25% APY on balances up to $100K.
For other reward checking accounts in other parts of the country, please see my reward checking account page and my best checking account post.
Rate History:
11/04/09: 2.51% up to $50K
8/07/09: 2.76% up to $50K; 0.40% over; 0.10% base
6/03/09: Top yield now 3.55% APY.
3/03/09: Top yield now 4.14% APY.
1/05/09: Top yield now 4.65% APY.
7/04/08: The balance cap fell to $50,000.
4/03/08: The top yield fell to 5.05% APY.
10/12/07: The initial yield was 6.06% APY for balances up to $100,000.
Enjoy the high yield and high balance cap while it lasts. (Seriously, I hope it lasts for you.)
No way any bank can afford to pay 6% with such a high balance cap in today's financial environment. (Either they will eventually lower the rate or the balance cap.)
Hey...did you ever ask BankNewport if they would let one open up two separate Rewards accounts? (They probably wouldn't.)
From their website, this account is available to residents of Rhode Island and southern Mass. About opening multiple Rewards accounts, yes, it's allowed. Each account will be given a different debit card and you need 12 transactions for each card to get the high yield. The banker suggested that I open a POD or joint account if I intend to do so to get extended FDIC coverage.
Interesting how some banks will let you open up multiple rewards accounts and some will not.
Yes, adding qualifying beneficiaries is always smart. For example, if you put down POD to your mom and sibling, your insurance doubles to $200,000. Put down POD to 3 qualifying relatives and you'd have $300,000 insurance.
Sorry to hear the rate dropped so much so soon. Hope they don't drop it more.