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3.00% 18-Month CD & 3.25% Internet Savings Account at First Trade Union Bank - Nationally Available
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ON BY Ken Tumin
Update 12/12/09: The High & Mighty Savings account rate is now 1.50% APY. CD rates have also fallen. Refer to the bottom of the post for the rate history.
First Trade Union Bank is offering competitive rates on its CDs and savings account. Some of the competitive CD rates include 2.85% APY for 13 months, 3.00% APY for 18 months and 3.50% APY for 36 months. Minimum deposit is $500. The bank's High & Mighty Savings account has a rate of 3.25% APY for balances over $2,500. These rates are listed in the bank's rate table as of the morning of 2/18/09.
Some features of the High & Mighty Savings described in their savings account page and in their savings comparison page (pdf) include:
Update 2/19/09: I emailed the bank yesterday, and I received their reply stating that these internet accounts are available to people in any state. Here is the reply I received:
The FAQ that I found yesterday may refer to the non-internet accounts. That FAQ stated that they "process applications for deposit accounts and loans only from those individuals residing in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Southern New Hampshire."
The online application appears to allow funding via ACH transfers. At the start of the application I noticed it states the maximum opening deposit is $99,999.99. The second page of the application forces you to check the following acknowledgment: "By applying for an account, I also agree that my credit and account history may be reviewed with consumer reporting agencies." This could mean a hard credit pull which would temporarily ding your credit score. Another note regarding the online application is that not all CDs can be selected.
First Trade Union Bank is based in Boston with branches in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.
The bank has some strong ratings for safety and soundness: 5 stars (superior) at BauerFinancial and 4 stars (sound) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 9/30/08 financial data. The bank has been FDIC insured since 1987 (FDIC Certificate # 32551).
Rate History of the High & Mighty Savings Account:
12/12/09: 1.50% APY
11/07/09: 1.65% APY
10/03/09: 1.75% APY
08/07/09: 1.80% APY
06/25/09: 2.06% APY
04/20/09: 2.32% APY
04/10/09: 2.75% APY
03/13/09: 3.04% APY
02/28/09: 3.20% APY
02/18/09: 3.25% APY over $2.5K
First Trade Union Bank is offering competitive rates on its CDs and savings account. Some of the competitive CD rates include 2.85% APY for 13 months, 3.00% APY for 18 months and 3.50% APY for 36 months. Minimum deposit is $500. The bank's High & Mighty Savings account has a rate of 3.25% APY for balances over $2,500. These rates are listed in the bank's rate table as of the morning of 2/18/09.
Some features of the High & Mighty Savings described in their savings account page and in their savings comparison page (pdf) include:
- 3.25% APY above $2,500; 0.50% from $10 to under $2,500 as of 2/18/09
- $2,500 minimum to open
- $2.50/month service charge for daily balances below $250
- Interest accrues daily and is compounded and credited monthly
- ATM card
- link to checking accounts for electronic transfers. Update 3/08/09: A reader reported the following regarding electronic transfers: "no ACH service available with this account, so external accounts cannot be linked. They do seem to allow ACH transfers initiated by other banks though."
Update 2/19/09: I emailed the bank yesterday, and I received their reply stating that these internet accounts are available to people in any state. Here is the reply I received:
We do offer the accounts you mentioned to Individuals or Joint Account holders located in any state. However, you must be a U.S. Citizen to open an account online.
The FAQ that I found yesterday may refer to the non-internet accounts. That FAQ stated that they "process applications for deposit accounts and loans only from those individuals residing in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and Southern New Hampshire."
The online application appears to allow funding via ACH transfers. At the start of the application I noticed it states the maximum opening deposit is $99,999.99. The second page of the application forces you to check the following acknowledgment: "By applying for an account, I also agree that my credit and account history may be reviewed with consumer reporting agencies." This could mean a hard credit pull which would temporarily ding your credit score. Another note regarding the online application is that not all CDs can be selected.
First Trade Union Bank is based in Boston with branches in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.
The bank has some strong ratings for safety and soundness: 5 stars (superior) at BauerFinancial and 4 stars (sound) at Bankrate.com. Both ratings are based on 9/30/08 financial data. The bank has been FDIC insured since 1987 (FDIC Certificate # 32551).
Rate History of the High & Mighty Savings Account:
12/12/09: 1.50% APY
11/07/09: 1.65% APY
10/03/09: 1.75% APY
08/07/09: 1.80% APY
06/25/09: 2.06% APY
04/20/09: 2.32% APY
04/10/09: 2.75% APY
03/13/09: 3.04% APY
02/28/09: 3.20% APY
02/18/09: 3.25% APY over $2.5K
