tiggie97 said:Has anyone had any experience with Hillcrest?
Thanks for not posting this in the rate thread, but it doesn't really belong in this thread either. Can you start a new thread?

Thanks to tiggie97 for starting a Hillcrest thread.

The new ING rate is a promo and has no less than 3 threads following it.

Lots of noise on the rate thread, got the mods to remove some posts but still don't have a good solution.

scott1961 said:So ING maybe a promo rate but everyone of the top listed accounts in your thread state that rates can change at any time after opening, At least ING is guaranteeing the rate for 3 months.
ING DIRECT retains the right to withdraw this offer at any time. Not sure if I should count on that as a "guarantee". ING has 2 rates now. The special one that goes away on April 16th and the normal one. Once the normal rate meets the requirements, it will be added.

ING doesn't beat Amboy's 5.00% 3 month bonus, which is a similar deal. I guess ING is more exciting...

I think all banks on the list are free to move their rates now. There have been very few moves down. Most would have to move a lot down to get to ING's normal rate.

scott1961 said:ING is not dumb, They offered this to get back some of the money that has been flowing out so I doubt they will drop back to 3.80% on 4/16. Might pull back some but would think they would look around at other rates and at least try and stay competitive so they don't have to do this all over again
They may not be dumb, but they don't have a track record for high rates. As long as ING keeps it's high rate with an expiration date I don't think they have the intention to maintain a good rate. In fact, they are setting the expectation that they will not.

I didn't want to post this in the best current APR thread, but I thought you'd all want to see this...

I emailed my frustration to Emigrant Direct from within their internal email system, here is their response and my original email. Thought you fellow FW's would want to see it:

Dear Customer,

Thank you for your inquiry.
Emigrant Direct will increase the rate but we do not have a date as of when that will happen.

Thank you for your interest in Emigrant Direct,

---------------Original Message---------------
Subject: RE: General Email
Created on: 01/19/06 14:48:05
From: xxxxxxxxxx
To: BANK

Message:
Did you see what ING did today? You guys really need to
raise rates and be competitive, especially since the
interface is still so poor a year later, after promises
with time to improve it. And I say this not because I feel
you should, but I recall an article not to long ago where
the head of Emigrant Direct stated that you stay the
highest on rates because it is what your customers expect
of you. I'm giving you until the next fed meeting, then
I'm gone. In the meantime, all of my new deposits, and you
can see a make a lot of new depostis, are going into ING.
I'd switch all of this money now, but the time frame of the
offer and lost interest in transfers don't make it worth
it. But over the next few months, from just me alone, you
are looking at a couple of thousand dollars in deposits.
Now multiply that by all of your customers since you have
also boiled this down to a mathematical equation.

Cheap said:

edit - why the negs for 170dude? This looks like a valid account and rate. Readding Salem Five to the list.
I gave him green, Have never understood so much of the negative here for people who are just trying to be helpful. Salem five is a great bank. Have used them for many years and their rates have always been the best in my area for a B&M bank. They are a decent size at a little over 2 Billion in assets with 14 branches plus they just bought another small local bank here. They are privately held so they are not trying to just make money for their shareholders. They have been around since 1855 and are 4* rated and with the DIF insurance you can feel safe with them. Most here were negative on that Platinum Cash account from them but has been great for me, Paid 4.48% for Jan and with today's 1-month Libor rate it will be up over 4.63% for Feb. Hope some others here got into it before they changed it.

Cheap said:

edit - why the negs for 170dude? This looks like a valid account and rate. Readding Salem Five to the list.
Salem Five is now a better deal. They are now guaranteeing that 4.25% till 7/31/06. Might be a good idea to open this account with the min just in case of something drastic happening causing rates to fall. They can withdraw this offer at anytime and from my experience with them they do change things quickly.

I have an account at TCF. To get the preferred rate, you need a few bucks in there. I cannot remember the cutoff, it might be $50K plus. Once you meet the minimum, they pay 4% on checking and 4.2% on savings. I will try to run down the details when I have time. They do not publish rates on website, but you can call them and they will quote you the rates. I think the number is 612-TCF-BANK.

Another local Minnesota bank is paying 4% with $2500min balance called Guaranty bank. Okay if you have lower account balance and want to bank local in Minnesota. I have not dealt with them, but have neighbors that do. They are happy with Guaranty.


Cheap said:goldsheet, someone neged the rate thread if that makes you feel better.

update: First National Bank of Giddings - must go to a branch.

Any updates with TCF (Twin Cities Federal) being okay for rule #6 and verify rate?

davidaexp1,

Great to see that you are local to these banks and even have a relationship with one. Can you confirm that someone outside the area could remotely open up an account and, better still how they would do it (call to request application snail mailed or faxed?)? Thanks for the time you put into this.

davidaexp1 said:I have an account at TCF. To get the preferred rate, you need a few bucks in there. I cannot remember the cutoff, it might be $50K plus. Once you meet the minimum, they pay 4% on checking and 4.2% on savings. I will try to run down the details when I have time. They do not publish rates on website, but you can call them and they will quote you the rates. I think the number is 612-TCF-BANK.

Another local Minnesota bank is paying 4% with $2500min balance called Guaranty bank. Okay if you have lower account balance and want to bank local in Minnesota. I have not dealt with them, but have neighbors that do. They are happy with Guaranty.


Cheap said:goldsheet, someone neged the rate thread if that makes you feel better.

update: First National Bank of Giddings - must go to a branch.

Any updates with TCF (Twin Cities Federal) being okay for rule #6 and verify rate?

Guaranty Bank. Has locations in MN, GA, MI etc. 4% $2400 Minimium balance. (Ad is Sunday's Minneapolis Star Tribuine says $1000 min balance. Ask the local branch is you contact them.) Emigrant likely a better choice for now, but one to watch. Might be of interest to people that want to bank local. Also good to have the sharp minds here monitor the site in case it pops up with a rate special of interest. Website is

GuarantyBank

Doesn't look like Guaranty makes the list as it is local.

Under personal accounts, you have to select a state to continue. 3 are listed.

edit - thanks for the update, too bad these are all local...