Clear Sky Accounts - New online Bank 3.75% APY Savings

I would hope a good ACH system....

Q: What are Clear Sky Accounts?
A: Clear Sky Accounts are totally paperless and completely online. That means more competitive rates on FDIC-insured savings, checking and certificates of deposit than you would find at a bank that only has traditional branches. Clear Sky Accounts are a product of Chesapeake Bank, which has been serving customers since 1900.

Q: How do I know my money is secure?
A: Clear Sky Accounts are backed by the strength and stability of Chesapeake Bank, a “well-capitalized” bank according to federal regulations. In 2008, it was named one of the nation's top 200 community banks by US Banker. In addition, all Clear Sky Accounts are FDIC-insured to a maximum of $250,000 per depositor. You can check out Chesapeake Bank's financial information by clicking here.

Q: How do I open a Clear Sky Account?
A: It's easy to complete and submit your application online. Just go to www.clearskyaccounts.com and click on Apply. The whole process takes only 15 minutes for new Clear Sky customers and 5 minutes for existing Clear Sky customers. You'll need the following:

* State-issued driver's license or ID card, passport or military ID
* Address information
* Access to a valid email account

Q: How do I make my initial deposit?
A: When you fill out your application, you'll be offered these choices for funding your account: 1) transfer money from an existing Chesapeake Bank or Clear Sky account, 2) transfer money from any US bank account by providing the account and routing numbers, 3) mail a check to: P.O. Box 1654, Attn: Clear Sky Accounts, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1654, or 4) make a deposit at any Chesapeake Bank branch.

Q: How can I make subsequent deposits?
A: Once your Clear Sky Checking and/or Clear Sky Savings account is funded, you can make future deposits by transferring money from another bank account (interbank transfer). The routing number is 051403779. Or mail a check to: P.O. Box 1654, Attn: Clear Sky Accounts, Williamsburg, VA 23187-1654.

Q: How can I withdraw money?
A: You can withdraw money from your Clear Sky Checking account by using your VISA® CheckCard at any ATM or by interbank transfer. You can withdraw money from your Clear Sky Savings account by interbank transfer. If you have both Clear Sky Checking and Clear Sky Savings, and have linked your Clear Sky Savings account to your VISA® CheckCard, you also can make savings withdrawals at ATMs.

Q: What is my Clear Sky routing number?
A: The Clear Sky routing number is 051403779.

BrusselsAddict said: Does anyone at least have experience w/ their parent bank? Would give a hint of how they would handle their online only bank.

Since OP quoted the BankDeals article (in its entirety), you might as well go to the comments at BankDeals to see what others have experienced (15 comments so far).

does it work with yodlee?

For those who have opened the account, anyone can confirm whether there's no hard inquiry is accurate?

10K out is the deal breaker for AOR money. Paybacks usually come at around the same time. I don't want to schedule 10 days for 100K

Treffen said: So far so good.

My welcome pack came with a $15 iTunes gift card.

Hey, I'm an old fart, I don't know what to do with it. Do you think somebody's kid would like it or would they just laugh?

Received the same welcome pack today. Initial funding went through fine, but I'm still waiting for full online access to the account (vs. application status). Anyone have experience with how long it takes to get full access?

java007 said: Treffen said: So far so good.

My welcome pack came with a $15 iTunes gift card.

Hey, I'm an old fart, I don't know what to do with it. Do you think somebody's kid would like it or would they just laugh?

Received the same welcome pack today. Initial funding went through fine, but I'm still waiting for full online access to the account (vs. application status). Anyone have experience with how long it takes to get full access?

???

I didn't have any trouble. I started from the e-mail instructions, (yes, I clicked the link) which took me to more instructions, which I had to print. Following them was almost as much fun as some video game, but it was all doable if you were very careful.

I had it setup and working a couple of days before I received the welcome pack.

Finding the account number was tricky and you can get it wrong. I found one starting with three letters and some numbers. I believe that's wrong. I found a couple of others on ACH slips. I think that's best left to the point where you're instructed to signup for e statements to avoid monthly fees (that set I printed out has that) Shortly after that you get an e-statement with your account number. That one looks right.

I'm currently linking up accounts. They allow three. And linking the other way from a couple of others, now that I have the correct account number.

Treffen said: java007 said: Treffen said: So far so good.

My welcome pack came with a $15 iTunes gift card.

Hey, I'm an old fart, I don't know what to do with it. Do you think somebody's kid would like it or would they just laugh?

Received the same welcome pack today. Initial funding went through fine, but I'm still waiting for full online access to the account (vs. application status). Anyone have experience with how long it takes to get full access?

???

I didn't have any trouble. I started from the e-mail instructions, (yes, I clicked the link) which took me to more instructions, which I had to print. Following them was almost as much fun as some video game, but it was all doable if you were very careful.

I had it setup and working a couple of days before I received the welcome pack.

Finding the account number was tricky and you can get it wrong. I found one starting with three letters and some numbers. I believe that's wrong. I found a couple of others on ACH slips. I think that's best left to the point where you're instructed to signup for e statements to avoid monthly fees (that set I printed out has that) Shortly after that you get an e-statement with your account number. That one looks right.

I'm currently linking up accounts. They allow three. And linking the other way from a couple of others, now that I have the correct account number.

Thanks. I called and had the information emailed. The original email was either not sent, ended up in a spam folder, or was otherwise missed. Have access now and am waiting for my first linked account (the one I initially funded the Clear Sky Account with) to be confirmed and usable.

wxl31 said: glenatuf said: does it work with yodlee?

Via Chesapeake Bank.

I don't see it in Full View or Easyview. Is it only available in "real" yodlee, not "powered by"?

mrvirgo said: Yesterday afternoon(a Tuesday) my application for a savings account was not approved. I went through several steps with no problem but got stopped before I was allowed to fund the account. Instead a page opened up with my application and the account was classified as "referred". When no email arrived Wednesday morning,I did a chat with one of the CSR who said I was not approved. Odd since my credit score is in the 800s. The rep asked for my email and said she'd look into the no approval status and email me with an explanation. Since no bank has ever turned me down, this is really odd. Ah well.
If you've opened up "a lot" of accounts in the last 2 years, their screening robot may have turned you down for excessive account openings. What's excessive? Individual to the bank. Good luck getting them to overturn the robotic decision. Some banks will/can, some won't/cant.

I had a hard time getting online access to my account for some reason. Got approved right away and funds were transferred apparently but didn't get any email as expected for further instructions to access the account. Finally called them yday one week after applying to see what was going on. They had forgotten to generate the online account ID. Were very apologetic and promised to have it to me by today, which they did in their defense. Still, a little disappointed and wary since the online branch appears to be a relatively small operation (only a handful of people in the office).

Another nitpick: I had funded the account from my Venture bank account. But after finally getting into Clearsky, it wasn't already set up as a selectable option in my inter-bank transfer page. So I had to re-enroll Venture Bank all over again, and now I have to wait till the status is approved before transferring further funds. Anyone else have this issue?

Guess I'll have to monitor this one very closely.

mega said: I had a hard time getting online access to my account for some reason. Got approved right away and funds were transferred apparently but didn't get any email as expected for further instructions to access the account. Finally called them yday one week after applying to see what was going on. They had forgotten to generate the online account ID. Were very apologetic and promised to have it to me by today, which they did in their defense. Still, a little disappointed and wary since the online branch appears to be a relatively small operation (only a handful of people in the office).

Another nitpick: I had funded the account from my Venture bank account. But after finally getting into Clearsky, it wasn't already set up as a selectable option in my inter-bank transfer page. So I had to re-enroll Venture Bank all over again, and now I have to wait till the status is approved before transferring further funds. Anyone else have this issue?

Guess I'll have to monitor this one very closely.

The same scenario played out for me as well, but after getting the account access password, linking to another bank account for transfers (also the one I used for the initial funding), and verifying the small deposit amount, things have been working smoothly. The interface does not jump out at me as overly polished, but it is functional. I would prefer to have the ability to use a more complex and longer password. Will just change it more frequently as a workaround.

I called to ask about my account and after that at the end, he said make sure to get e-statement or you will be charged. Is that true? I don't see it anywhere about this on the topic and I cannot find any fee's page from their website.

Forgot to add that this is the Savings Account not the checking.

It appears to me that accounts are opened by hand. The first deposit will be made with a hand-written slip.

The reason I wasn't able to get to funding part in the opening an account process apparently is due to some glitch in the system. I got a call from a rep days later that the only thing holding things up was how I wanted to fund the savings account. I checked off ACH transfer when I was doing my online application but it didn't go through. I think I will pass on opening an account with Clear Sky. A poor start never impresses much and who knows what the rate will drop to in the future.

Strange Ziffy.

I opened an account on the morning of 1/31, and my application was held because it was the weekend. I hadn't yet received my confirmation email as of today, but the ACH pull was completed this morning. I called and they told me that they were delayed in processing, my account had been approved, I would receive my email within a day, and I would get the promo rate through 3/31 because I had applied before Monday. Same situation two different results. Did your inlaws ask the right questions when they called?

Can you push money to or pull money from this account? I can't find an account number or routing number anywhere.

ahecht said: Can you push money to or pull money from this account? I can't find an account number or routing number anywhere.

Yes and yes. Transfers initiated from Clear Sky are pretty fast and post by the next business day.

Acct number: when your account funding shows up online, click on the account from the main page, then click on "view image" under ref/check #, and the account number is hand written in the bottom left corner.

Routing number: 051403779.

aptvictoria said: Is there a Schedule of Fees? (I've already sent them 2 e-mails today; unfortunately, I didn't include this question.)OTHER ACCOUNT FEES
Copies of Records Document copy $0.75
Statement copy $5.00
Legal/Court Orders $75.00
Daily Overdraft Fee $1.98 on Overdraft Balance
Dormant Account $10.00 per month
Close out account within 90 days of opening $25.00
Copies of Document Safekept $5.00 (first 12 per year at no charge)
Paid Item Fee $32.00 per item
Return Item Fee $32.00 per item
Return of Deposited Item $5.00 per item
Stop Payment $25.00 per item
Watch on Account $25.00
MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES
Cashiers Check $5.00
Certified Check $10.00
Travelers Cheques 1% of total
International Currency $15.00
Wire Transfer In $10.00
Wire Transfer Out $15.00
International Wire Out $35.00
Collection Gov’t. Coupons $5.00 per envelope
Photocopies $0.25
Research $20.00 per hour
Acct. Reconciliations $20.00 per hour
Night Deposit Service $20.00 per bag
Non-Lock Zipper Bag $5.00 each
Safe Deposit Boxes Check with local offices for rates and
availability
Duplicate Loan Payment Book $5.00
Other Collection Items (Checks, Drafts, etc) $20.00
Foreign Checks (No Immediate Credit) $10.00
Bonds (No Immediate Credit) $25.00
Replacement ATM/Debit Card $5.00
Custom Debit Card $10.00
Foreign ATM Fee None
Monthly Paper Statement Fee $5.00