Guaranteed rates are rather rare. It’s only something relatively unknown banks do when jumping onto the scene, to waylay concerns over their durability.
Typically, for most banks a rate guarantee is otherwise known as a CD.
FNBO raised savings rate to 2.00%
If you were manipulating income to qualify for ACA subsidies, I could understand wanting to minimize taxable income.
I’m taking a shot in the dark here . . which is always risky.
But my guess is you might be unfamiliar with the IRMAA.
The election does not influence FED rates. FED is an independent body that does what it deems necessary, and it does so slowly and carefully. The election results may influence non-FED rates, like short- or long-term mortgages, the stock market, the people’s feelings and beliefs about the economy (which may actually influence the economy eventually). But the interest banks pay on deposits are tightly related to the FED rates, and elections do not influence FED rates.
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Both All America and Redneck cap these accounts at 50k each while NBD does not have such a cap.
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Why would one use any of these when EBSBDirect has a better rate?
That makes sense, but only if you are close to the cutoff for subsidies and/or cost share reduction level and have no other way to lower your MAGI (in that case, you might also want a lower interest rate account, which doesn’t really fit with this thread). I just put a calculated amount in a self-employed 401k to lower my income to where I want it for the ACA.
EBSB was added to the list 2 weeks ago. What is the chance they will remain competitive? Probably not very good. My finances are complicated enough without opening a new savings account every 2-3 months.
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Yes they hope people will forget (and many will), and also to build confidence so that people are ready to commit now as opposed to waiting for better rates. I haven’t checked Ally, but usually there is a clause for any CD, even the ones with penalties, that the bank can refuse to break the CD. In reality, this rarely happens. I read about some isolated cases a few years back by some smallish bank, but it got resolved eventually.
The cut-off date to sign up for the ALLY Bonus deal is 10/21. Just signed up!!
I have a CD with Veridian that matures 10/28 & will use those funds. We have until 11/5 to get all the money into Ally to complete the Bonus Deal. Sounds like a winner…
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I’m in that process too. As always, I’ve hit a snag with my identity most likely because I have frozen credit reports and Chex too. They asked me the usual questions (e.g. Which of these were your last car loan with? but also oddly, “Which of these is the closest hospital to you?”). I got the “We will contact you soon about your application.” thing. I should have taken more time to measure distance to the hospitals.
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it’s not only odd, it’s unbelievably stupid. It forces the real person and any potential scammer they’re trying to block to waste time looking at online maps.
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Yes, that was a really peculiar question since it relies on public knowledge. I despise those questions for being ambiguous also. One of the hospitals listed closed five years ago. But do I take that into account in answering the question? Who knows.
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For spouse’s new account, I also received the “We will contact you soon about your application” after the question the question about the closest hospital. (I believe I answered all the questions correctly.) The next day Ally opened the account without any further information. Hopefully, that will happen for you too!
Thank goodness I didn’t get that one. They did ask additional questions since I’ve been at my current address less than 5 years. Once those were answered, the accounts were open. Funds are scheduled to transfer Monday.
For most people in more areas of the country, it’s pretty well known what the closest hospital is (especially when given multiple choice answers). Sure, a scammer could google the answer, but that’s true of other questions - like, in what county is this address located - too.
True. Perhaps the stupid questions are only there to prevent automation (like captcha).
Popular Direct up to 2.26%
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I cannot get onto Ken’s site today. Does anyone else have this problem?