Sterling Bank & Trust (CA) Offers MMA Promo Rate

Sterling Bank & Trust’s (Sterling B&T) Alhambra branch is offering a Money Market Account (MMA) promotional rate (1.25% APY) that is guaranteed for six months. To qualify for the promotional rate, a Sterling Eagle® Checking account must also be opened at the same time. Both accounts require a $500 opening deposit.

A basic Sterling Eagle® Checking account currently earns 0.10% APY. Higher rates can be earned if the account holder is a member of the Sterling Club (age 55+) or the Premier Club. Requirements to qualify for the Premier Club include,

• A monthly direct deposit of at least $1,500 to a Eagle Checking account and one or more of the following:
• An average daily balance of at least $10,000 in a Eagle Checking account, or
• Three or more bills paid per statement cycle using online Bill Pay, or
• An active Sterling home mortgage or home equity loan with a monthly payment made automatically from an Eagle Checking account, or
• Assets under management with Sterling Wealth Management of at least $100,000 or a monthly direct deposit into a Target Date Fund of at least $200.

Thanks to the DA reader who emailed me with information about this deal.

Availability

Although its headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan, Sterling Bank & Trust’s primary market area is currently Northern California. The Bank is in the midst of an expansion in Los Angeles County, and by the end of 2016, the Bank will have opened branches in Rowland Heights, Irvine, and Arcadia.

Opening the promotional rate MMA (and companion Sterling Eagle Checking account) requires an in-person visit to the Alhambra branch. CSR stated that the MMA promotion rate will be offered at the new Los Angeles County branches and will probably be available through the end of the year.

Bank Overview

Sterling Bank & Trust (FDIC Certificate # 32232) has an overall health grade of "A" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas ratio of 0.41% (excellent) based on March 31, 2016 data. In the past year, Sterling B&T has increased its total deposits by $321.87 million, an excellent annual growth rate of 31.87%. Please refer to our financial overview of Sterling Bank & Trust for more details.

Sterling Bank & Trust was established in 1984 in Pontiac, Michigan, as the Sterling Savings and Loan Association. The Bank’s name was changed to Sterling Savings Bank, FSB (1989) and Sterling Bank & Trust, FSB (1992). In 2004, KeyBank completed its purchase of ten Michigan Sterling B&T branches. From that point forward, Sterling B&T concentrated on its California market area, which currently has 19 branches located in Alhambra, Burlingame, Daly City, San Francisco (14), San Mateo, and San Rafael, and assets in excess of $1.7 billion.

How the Money Market Promo Compares

When compared to the 201 Money Market accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com that are available to Los Angeles metropolitan area residents, Sterling Bank & Trust’s Money Market Promo APY currently shares the top spot with All American Bank’s Mega Money Market, which is capped at $35k. The six-month rate guarantee only increases the Money Market Promo’s intrinsic value.

The above rates are accurate as of 6/10/2016.

To search for nationwide Money Market rates and Money Market rates in your state, please refer to the Money Market rates section of DepositAccounts.com or our new Rates Map page.