Has anyone had any experience with Hillcrest?

A MMA account with a VISA debit card ? Havent heard of that much.

Do debit card charge purchases count against the 6 per month ?
Do debit card POS/PIN purchases count ?
Do ATM withdrawals count (at most bank they do not) ?
Could be tricky to know for sure as most bank CSRs give the wrong answer, and expensive to find out at $10 a pop.

Here's what I see at the end:
Required Documentation You Will Need
Due to federal guidelines enforced by the U.S. Patriot Act, we are required to verify the identity of all signers on any account prior to opening. There may also be other, non-identity verifying items as well. As a result, when you come into the bank you will need to bring:

* Birth Certificate
* Driver's License
* Proof of Identity

By Checking this box you agree that you have read the Internet Banking Disclosure.

CUSTOMER CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: By submitting this application online, I/we certify that everything I/we have stated in this application is correct and agree to the terms indicated below. I/we understand that I/we will be contacted by a Bank representative to either complete the process or obtain additional information. I/we further understand that if the application is approved, I/we agree to receive all disclosures, provide identification, and sign agreements/documents in person at the time I/we visit the Bank. I/we further understand that the Bank may also keep this application whether or not it is approved. I/we authorize you to check my/our credit (for loan requests only), verify current and previous bank account information, employment history, and any other information submitted with this application. For loans: I/we also agree to update credit information at the request of the Bank.

NOTE TO APPLICANT: By submitting this application to the Bank, you agree that you have read, understand and agree to the terms and information stated above. This application may be submitted by using ANY of the methods below.

1. Visit any of our convenient locations.
2. COMPLETE and SUBMIT online to immediately transmit electronically.
3. COMPLETE and PRINT to bring your signed application to one of our convenient locations.

Signatures are not necessary on printed applications but will help to speed up the application process.
On submit:
Thank you for your "Quick Application" submission. Hillcrest bank will be in contact with you shortly. Click here if you forgot to print your application and would like to do so now.
If option 2 was not there, then it would be local. As it is, you are remotely opening an account at a branch you have to choose from. What is wrong with that? Someone has to do the work, you choose your "back office" as I think they only have "fronts".

Also looks like no credit hit?

I guess I am opening an account and they will get back to me, I'll let you know how it goes.

fw201 said: Do they have private insurance for accounts larger than $100k ?
I didn't see that but you can search this forum for how to get more than $100K of FDIC with a single account.

I got a call yesterday. They wanted to know if I wanted to open by mail or fax and how I was going to fund the account. They are mailing something out today and I'll let you know what it is when I get it. She said that I will have to send in a copy of my driver license with my signature card.

Sounds like you can open via wire and fax if you wanted. This is not a local only deal.

She said there are a quite few people opening this account now. You know who you are.

not a bad idea, but how would such a list/thread be different than Cheap's thread stuck at the top of this forum? almost all the banks are the same

I know what you mean, you can weed out all those looking to move their $1500 they have saved during the summer.

A "Large bank deposits" thread could be a good resource if youre willing to take the time needed to make it a good comprehensive thread - maybe make it 25k and up, since that seems to be a common cutoff and also follows DaveHansons large credit lines thread (25k and up)
I'll be happy to add some data to such a thread

Im not much for starting & moderating threads.

Ive decided to just stash my cash at ING for the next 3 months despite being not insured for in excess of the $100k.

In the process of getting GMAC linked. They have a 5 day hold on adding new links.

At least GMAC has checks.

Moved everything out of Emigrant Direct. Except a small amount.

When the ING deal runs out, I might go with the everbank promo rate. Havent done that.

Or who knows, maybe I will find stocks I like for a change. (Doubtful without a serious correction)

Updated the rates. Nice bump!

My update:
* Got call last Monday (more than a week) that my account was opened and I would be sent documentation.
* Saturday I get notice that I have to sign for something. (I will try to go to PO tomorrow to pick up).
* Today I get 40 free checks and plenty of deposit slips.

How has this bank account opening gone for those who have done it who are not local to the bank? What has your experience been so far with them? Thanks for any replies to help me decide.

Updated the rates in 'Quick Summary'. Now 4.91% for 50K+

Also, the minimum deposit and to avoid fees is now 10K instead of 50K (credit to MrFrugality).

newgrannie said: How has this bank account opening gone for those who have done it who are not local to the bank? What has your experience been so far with them? Thanks for any replies to help me decide.Just a few minutes ago, I started the same online application process that Cheap described earlier. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes.

Any issues with setting up ACH to/from external accounts?

DAWG said: How do you fund or get money out? Do they offer ACH in/out/both or none?
I write checks to move money in/out. No web interface for accounts that I know of.

edit: They do have billpay but that's not what I have this account for...

Anyone see that they have Texas rates now? They are low and they don't have banches there so I'm not sure what gets you the lower rate. Any ideas?

How can I deposit and withdraw if I am local to the bank? thanks

Looks like it is gone. I applied today and this is the response I received today.
------------
Thank you for your interest in Hillcrest Bank. We received your application for our Index MM account; however we are no longer offering that account. We do have a new account called Performance Money Market. Please go to our website and it is outlined in detail, if you are still interested please contact me at 913-324-6483 and I would be happy to set one up for you.

Thank you,
Jennifer Jaramillo
Assistant Vice President
Hillcrest Bank
----------------
Here is the link to their rates
http://www.hillcrestbank.com/rates.cfm#1004MoneyMarketAccounts

Got this in the mail yesterday:

Dear Customer,

Effective June 15, 2006 we will change the margins for our Index Money Market account

To:
$10,000 to $24,999.99 13-week T-Bill minus 100 basis points
$25,000 to $49,999.99 13-week T-Bill minus 75 basis points
$50,000 to $249,999.99 13-week T-Bill
$250,000 to $499,999.99 13-week T-Bill plus 5 basis points
$500,000 plus 13-week T-Bill plus 15 basis points

From:
$10,000 to $24,999.99 13-week T-Bill minus 25 basis points
$25,000 to $49,999.99 13-week T-Bill
$50,000 to $249,999.99 13-week T-Bill plus 30 basis points
$250,000 to $499,999.99 13-week T-Bill plus 45 basis points
$500,000 plus 13-week T-Bill plus 60 basis points

Until June 15th, your current rate will remain the same and no adjustments will be made. After June 15th, your rate will adjust to the new margins.

Your rates adjust on the first business Tuesday of the month following the first business Monday of the month.

The last 13 week T-bill index rate adjustment was 4.50%

Index and margins for this account are subject to change at anytime.

If you got in on while the Index MMA was around, it is still around and looks like a good deal until at least June 15th.