ING up to 4.35%

[SleepyatDVC]

If you already have a Citibank account, check out their e-savings account - it is currently 5%. It is super easy to open and is linked with all your other accounts.

 

[MissMichelle]

Capital One also has a high Yield Money Market account with no fees, no minimum and you only need $1 to open. The rates aren't as high as some listed here but I trust Capital One so I opened with them a few months back and do automatic deposit of $50 per week. Hoping to get a good amount in there (some weeks I add extra on my own) to save for yet ANOTHER vacation next year

Current rate:
High Yield Money Market
rates at
4.75 % APY

 

[Free4Life11]

If Emigrant had a halfway decent website I may have stayed with them, but their website was so hard to navigate I said forget it.

How is the HSBC website?

This might sound stupid, but the #1 thing I like about ING is that they tell me how much interest has accrued each month -- "You have earned XX interest so far this month."

 

[macfamily]

The one question that sticks out in my mind is, if I put Disney vacation funds in there and want to get them out before I go, how far in advance would I have to notify them?

I guess a simpler way to ask would be how long does it take to get your money when you want it?

EDIT: Oops, sorry, I was specifically asking about HSBC, but info on any of them would be welcome!

 

[disneysteve]

I guess a simpler way to ask would be how long does it take to get your money when you want it?

Electronic transfers usually take 2-3 business days.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Can we get more information about the HCBC (or whatever). Can you get a bonus for starting? Can I close out my ING and swich to them without any troubles? Can it be directly linked to my current checking account? Can I just make a deposit whenever I want or does it have to be so much each month?

 

[disneysteve]

ingdirect.com = 4.35%
hsbcdirect.com = 5.05%
**emigrant
**vanguard = 4.9%

emigrantdirect.com = 4.8%
vanguard.com

Keep in mind that Vanguard is a money market mutual fund and is not FDIC insured. Also, Vanguard offers more than one money market fund. They have 4 taxable MMF and 5 tax-exempt MMF.

One often overlooked fund that most of us already have access to is Paypal's MMF. It is currently yielding 4.82%. Most of us ebay and have Paypal accounts. It is just a few clicks to transfer money from your checking account into your Paypal account and just a few clicks to transfer it back the other way. That's actually where I keep my money.

 

[LorieR]

If Emigrant had a halfway decent website I may have stayed with them, but their website was so hard to navigate I said forget it."

I received a letter from EmigrantDirect not long ago stating that they would be upgrading their website soon. I hope they make it more user friendly also!! I love ING's website but that is too big a difference in interest rate for me! I am going to check out HSBC and probably close out ING and split my money between my Emigrant account and HSBC.

Lorie

 

[NancyIL]

vanguard.com

Keep in mind that Vanguard is a money market mutual fund and is not FDIC insured. Also, Vanguard offers more than one money market fund. They have 4 taxable MMF and 5 tax-exempt MMF.

It's the Vanguard Prime Money Market fund that is yielding 4.9%, and it requires $3000 to open an account.

 

[luvtheduck]

I just opened a savings account at ING a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would receive $25 for it being a new account. I waited to see if I would get it and finally called them and was told that it had to be opened with a referral. They told me that I could send a copy of the email and they would credit me. The problem is I didn't have a referral so I guess I am out the $25.
Hope this helps someone thinking about opening an account. You should find someone who can refer you.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Something to keep in mind about HSBC (at least here in Canada) is that the withdrawl fee on their high-interest savings account is $5.

 

[disneysteve]

Something to keep in mind about HSBC (at least here in Canada) is that the withdrawl fee on their high-interest savings account is $5.

I can't find anything on their US site that mentions a fee to withdraw money. That seems to be a Canada issue only.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

That's great news Steve!
There is a way around the fee in Canada, which is to have a regular savings account at HSBC (in addition to the high-interest account), and then transfer the money from the high-interest account (for free) to the regular savings account, then withdraw it from the regular savings account (which has a withdrawal fee of 85 cents).

 

[disneysteve]

withdraw it from the regular savings account (which has a withdrawal fee of 85 cents).

Is it a typical practice in Canada for banks to charge you to withdraw your money? Just curious as I've never heard of that in the US.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Sadly, with the banks I've dealt with - yes. On a typical chequing account if you pay a flat monthly fee (for example, $11.95 with HSBC) you can write unlimited cheques and have unlimited withdrawals and other transactions (unless you keep a large minimum balance and then they waive the fee for you). In regards to savings accounts, some banks let you have a couple of free withdrawals per month before they start to ding you - other banks ding you for every withdrawal. I never thought to question the fees, just thought it was one of those nasty necessities that comes with banking. I should really snoop around and see if there are alternatives available.

 

[pamouselover]

I opened a ING account in March and love it. We had recive offers from them for months, and finally opend a ccount. We made $46 in intrest so far. This is just a small savings account that we wanted to put vacation money or extra money to earn intrest.

 

[disneysteve]

Sadly, with the banks I've dealt with - yes. On a typical chequing account if you pay a flat monthly fee (for example, $11.95 with HSBC) you can write unlimited cheques and have unlimited withdrawals and other transactions (unless you keep a large minimum balance and then they waive the fee for you).

I never realized there was such a difference in the banking systems from the US to Canada. Free checking is quite common here. $11.95/month is ridiculous by our standards. Very interesting.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Does HSBC offer a start up bonus and if so what is the minimum begining deposit? Can you have more than one account?
TIA

 

[sleigh]

Can I open an account at ING for my son, using his social security number? At HSBC, it said that I can only list him as a beneficiary. I currently have his money at a local bank here, that earns 4% but we are moving so this would be easier.