chadadi said:kjgco said:I've been pushing $10 a month from Citi for 5 months; no problems so far getting my 5%.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you set this up and is there a fee? Thanks in advance.Assuming you have a Citi checking acct, you just log in and click Transfers. Then you add an external account, and you provide them with the West Bank routing number and your acct number. After they make a couple of trial deposits to verify the info, you log back in, confirm them, and then schedule a monthly recurring transfer of $x.xx. That's it!

MosDeft said:Can someone shed some light on the average turnaround time? The website it takes up to 2 business days for a CSR to contact you after application submission.

Been over a week now. GJ West Bank!

MosDeft said:MosDeft said:Can someone shed some light on the average turnaround time? The website it takes up to 2 business days for a CSR to contact you after application submission.Been over a week now. GJ West Bank!I applied 2/22 (Sunday). Given the fact the website represents 2 business days, I called on the third business day 2/25 (Wednesday).

When I asked whether I was approved, the rep said "You were approved. Would you like to customize your PIN?"
After telling her the pin I'd like, I asked for the address I could send deposits.

Rather than giving me the address, I was told the signature card and welcome kit would go out in the mail today (Wednesday) with deposit slips. I should send my deposits with the signature card.

eta 12:09 PM CST: I was going to try to link my new West Bank checking account to Citi to test the "12 debit-transactions-can-be-met-by-pulling-from-Citi" claim. However, they cannot give account numbers over the phone (no surprise).

jackcrawfish said:MosDeft said:MosDeft said:Can someone shed some light on the average turnaround time? The website it takes up to 2 business days for a CSR to contact you after application submission.Been over a week now. GJ West Bank!I applied 2/22 (Sunday). Given the fact the website represents 2 business days, I called on the third business day 2/25 (Wednesday).

When I asked whether I was approved, the rep said "You were approved. Would you like to customize your PIN?"
After telling her the pin I'd like, I asked for the address I could send deposits.

Rather than giving me the address, I was told the signature card and welcome kit would go out in the mail today (Wednesday) with deposit slips. I should send my deposits with the signature card.

eta 12:09 PM CST: I was going to try to link my new West Bank checking account to Citi to test the "12 debit-transactions-can-be-met-by-pulling-from-Citi" claim. However, they cannot give account numbers over the phone (no surprise).
From West Bank's website for Reward Me Checking:

The only requirements are things you're probably already doing:

* 12 Non-PIN point of sale debit card transactions per cycle
* 1 direct deposit put in or 1 direct payment taken out of your account
* Receive an electronic statement

It doesn't make sense to me that "pulling from Citi" would meet the debit card transaction requirement, which is at least 12 signature-based transactions using their debit card.

Edit: From West Bank's FAQ for this product:

Examples of qualifying Non-PIN transactions include:

* Online purchases
* Choosing CREDIT when paying at the pump for gas
* When in doubt, simply verify with the cashier your purchase is being run as CREDIT transaction.

76hhma said:kjgco said:Assuming you have a Citi checking acct, you just log in and click Transfers. Then you add an external account, and you provide them with the West Bank routing number and your acct number. After they make a couple of trial deposits to verify the info, you log back in, confirm them, and then schedule a monthly recurring transfer of $x.xx. That's it!

I think that he was talking about the ACH (direct deposit) monthly requirement.ACH is the method I use to satisfy the DD requirement.

From previous history, I think the account and rate being removed from the bank's home page is a negative indicator for this account's rate... unfortunately.

techie3 said:jennatx said:From previous history, I think the account and rate being removed from the bank's home page is a negative indicator for this account's rate... unfortunately.

Not sure what you mean, the "reward me checking" link is still on their site.

I'm not saying it is gone... just not advertised on their home page anymore like it was a month ago. I've just noticed this being a sign of changes to come at other banks. Sorry shouldn't jinx it though... i do love West Bank Iowa x 3.

ThreeDJMay said:I just signed up today and there is every indication that its going to continue for a while. There were alot of advertisements and brochures in the lobby. ( I live in Des Moines.)Depending on how much cash you have, you might consider First Bank of Iowa (6.00%) up to $25,000 for your next account.

NOTE: Iowa residents ONLY.

Here's something interesting. I was refunded 2 x $2.50 for ATM transaction fees despite the fact that they were online 'cash advances' through USAA that incurred no fee at their end. Wow, how many online cash advances can I initiate?

croushore said:Does West Bank Iowa require active employment for their Reward Me Checking, or are senior retirees eligible?
I opened an account for my husband who is not actively employed. When we got an email asking for employment information, we wrote back that he had taken early retirement and was looking into starting a small business. They didn't ask for anything more, and the account was opened right after.