CHECKING ACCOUNTS » High Yield Checking

Liberty Bank is offering a competitive 3.51% APY on its eSmart Checking account. Like many reward checking accounts, there are specific rates available based on meeting specific monthly requirements:

• 3.51% APY paid on portion of balance below $25,000
• 1.25% APY paid on portion of balance above $25,000
• 0.50% APY if requirements are not met
• ATM fees reimbursed nationwide up to $20 per month

Here are the requirements you need to fulfill each statement cycle:

• A minimum of 15 debit card purchases (ATM usage doesn't count)
• 1 automatic payment or direct deposit transfer and 1 bill pay transfer
• Receive electronic statements

Some other great features of the account include:

• No Minimum Balance
• Free MasterCard Debit Card
• Free Online Banking
• Free Online Bill Pay
• Free Checking

The opening deposit required is only $1. You can't beat that! To get started, you can apply online.

>> Checking Rates

Other Terms and Conditions may apply. Additionally, rates may have changed since this offer was posted. Please contact the financial institution for the most recent rate updates and to review the terms of the offer.

In a continued streak of dropping rates, we now see that another one of the highest checking rates in the country has lowered - luckily, not by a lot. In Missouri, Neighbors Credit Union has lowered its Green Checking Account rate to 4.05% APY from its previous rate of 5.00%.

The good news is that everything about the account aside from the top rate remains the same:

• 4.05% APY on balances up to $25,000
• 0.50% APY on balances over $25,000
• ATM refunds of up to $10 if requirements are met

The following requirements must be met each month to receive the above rates:

• Make 12 signature-based debit card transactions
• Receive direct deposits
• Utilize PCrita (online banking)
• Receive electronic statements

If requirements are not met within 90 days of opening the account, it will be converted to a Basic Green Checking Account.

Membership is open to people who live or work in St. Louis City or County, St. Charles County, or Jefferson County. To apply, you can print an online application and mail it to the credit union, or visit a branch location.

>> Checking Account Interest Rates

Other Terms and Conditions may apply. Additionally, rates may have changed since this offer was posted. Please contact the financial institution for the most recent rate updates and to review the terms of the offer.

If you live in Florida, you may be able to take advantage of a 3.04% APY reward checking account from Old Florida National Bank . The Optimum Checking account offers the following rates and features if you meet certain monthly requirements:

• 3.04% APY on balances up to $25,000
• 0.50% APY on...

Take advantage of the 3.00% APY MyChoice Checking Account at Foothill Federal Credit Union . While this rate wasn't competitive only a few months ago, with checking rates dropping, it is now one of the better rates out there.

Unlike other reward checking accounts, there isn't a set of...

Commercial Bank offers a competitive 3.01% APY with the Hometown Rewards Checking Account . The following rates are available if you meet the account's monthly requirements:

• 3.01% APY on balances up to $25,000
• 0.51% APY for portion of balance over $25,000
• 0.05% base rate if requirements...

Thrivent Financial Bank is offering a special $50 bonus for opening the reward checking account . While the account is called a "reward," it doesn't have the typically high-yield rate that comes with these types of accounts.

Here are the rules for this special bonus :

• Open an account by ...

Take advantage of a competitive 4.51% APY with the Liberty Checking Account at NavyArmy Federal Credit Union . You can enjoy the following rates if you meet the monthly requirements:

• 4.51% APY - balances up to $25,000
• 1.01% APY - balances over $25,000
• 0.10% APY base rate if qualifications...

Bank of Agriculture and Commerce is offering a competitive 3.00% APY reward checking account called Ultimate Checking . Here are the account's rates and features rewarded for meeting its monthly requirements:

• 3.09% APY on balances up to $25,000
• Regular interest checking rate on portion of...

If you're looking for some extra cash and live in California, you could take advantage of $150 in checking bonuses from NuVision Credit Union . This special is scheduled to end March 30, 2010 . Here's how you can take advantage of this deal:

• First $50 Bonus: Open a free checking account...

The fantastic 6.01% APY that we reported about in June from United Federal Credit Union is finally set to drop Jan. 1, 2010 so now is the time to take advantage of this great rate before it goes away. The good news, however, is that the rate will still remain competitive, dropping to 3.65%.