sky7 said:busterbaxter said:Swinnydon said:busterbaxter said:

So inefficient. I just checked their website and notice that their branches are only open M-F until 5:30pm. It is next to impossible for me to get to their branch during such hours.

Yeah tell me about it, especially since I'm up here in Bellevue and work M-F!

me too, except that I am even farther away.
x3

I even tried looking up their Tacoma branch number to see if they can make an exception. Couldn't find that on their own site or yellow page.

I just had to jump all over this and drove 62 miles round trip to their Tacoma branch to get set up for a fat 6% earnings. Tiny place in a mini shopping complex, not very busy at all. They had an eyeful guard at the door which I've never encountered at a credit union before so it made me wonder what kind of neighborhood I'd ventured into.

Anyway, my experience so far:

Both the teller and new accounts rep were highly aware of the Fat Wallet discussion (and indicated they read here) and membership attempts from all over the country, particularly east coast. They confirmed that they were no longer accepting mail-in applications anymore. Sign up was very simple: DL and SS, $50 minimum to join ($25 savings, $25 into Accelerator 6%). They do pull your credit on the spot, and after a superficial glance you're in.

As stated, one just has to do 12 debit transactions for any amount to earn the 6%APY. I was however cautioned NOT to try anything with multiple Paypal accounts as they consider these to be ACH and therefore not eligible. CSR cited an angry member who was attempting this. They're very aware of all the ways and means.

They place a *9* business day hold on all checks deposited for the first 30 days of new membership. ACH deposits do not have this so that the route I chose.

Their website is quite clunky, but mostly useable. You'll be scratching your head at the awkwardness of it all. There is no option to link external accounts from within their website, I have to ACH bounce funds from my current CU>E*Trade>TwinStar.

They do NOT readily respond to emails and state so in the messages area and encourage calling their 800 number. Customer service was helpful for all my needs.

$50K maximum ACH in per day if I recall.

Moved a chunk of change from 5.05% Etrade to TwinStar 6% and now just waiting for the debit card to show up so I can buy 12 packs of gum or 12 bulbs of garlic, or...you get the idea. Bring on the interest!

My first post here and hope somebody finds it helpful.

Well, its definitely not a deal an out of stater can take advantage of, as you can no longer qualify by joining the Korean Womens' Association. Twinstar representative tells me that KWA only accepts applications from local women. So there you have it.

Much as I'd liked to have banked with them at 6%, and given them $100,000 to park, and using their debit card for lunch every day to quality, its just not meant to be.

i have paypal debits using my debit card.

and it has been going on fine till now. I called yesterday to check, they said it shd be ok.