Popular Posts

Review of the Largest Banks Offering Reward Checking Accounts

POSTED ON BY

While writing the post for yesterday's bank failures, I noticed Umpqua Bank which took over the failed bank Rainier Pacific Bank has a reward checking account. The reason why I found this interesting is that Umpqua Bank is sizable, and it's getting bigger with yesterday's acquisition of Rainier Pacific. Umpqua Bank also acquired Evergreen Bank when it failed in January.

So this had me wondering how many banks with over $2 billion in deposits are offering reward checking accounts, and how do these reward checking accounts compare with the ones from the smaller banks?

I've found four sizable banks that offer reward checking accounts. Please leave a comment if you know of other ones. Compared to the reward checking accounts at smaller banks, they are not nearly as competitive. However, if you prefer to bank at a local branch, these banks have quite a few branches in their regions. So they do give you another option.

The following table's APYs are based on the banks' website as of 2/27/2010. Deposits and branch numbers based on 12/31/09 FDIC data.

Bank Reward Checking Account APY and Cap Deposits
Branch Locations
Amegy Bank Smart Yield Checking 2.00% up to $25K $8.9 billion 96 branches in TX
MB Financial Bank MB Red Checking 4.00% up to $10K $8.8 billion 96 branches in IL, 2 in PA & IN
Umpqua Bank HIP Checking 2.00% up to $25K $7.7 billion 161 branches in OR, WA, N. CA
Hanmi Bank Bonus Checking 0.75% up to $25K $2.8 billion 28 branches in S. CA


One thing that may explain Hanmi's low rate is this public enforcement action that was issued by the Federal Reserve last November. If Hanmi Bank is considered less than well capitalized, it be me required to keep the rate under the FDIC rate cap for interest checking accounts.

Other Reward Checking Accounts

If you don't mind opening accounts without a branch visit, you'll have many more options at higher yields on reward checking accounts. To find nationwide reward checking accounts and reward checking accounts in your local area, please refer to the reward checking section of DepositAccounts.com.

Related Pages: checking account, Umpqua Bank, Hanmi Bank, New York, Washington, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay, San Diego, Amegy Bank, Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Reno

Related Posts



The financial institution, product, and APY (Annual Percentage Yield) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your region. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. The content displayed is for general information purposes only; always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account. Contact [email protected] to report inaccurate info or to request offers be included in this website. We are not affiliated with the financial institutions included in this website.