I did have Bank5Connect at one time…they were pretty good, if i recall correctly…Also, they are one of those Mass. chartered banks that has both FDIC coverage and DIF insurance…so no limits on insurance coverage…The only real drawback with them is if you like to add beneficiaries…Mass chartered banks only allow one beneficiary per account…
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Thanks @craig10x! Your knowledge base on this stuff is excellent!
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You are very welcome zzz Glad to be of help 
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They’re interesting - I hadn’t heard of them, thanks for the pointer.
The reason HSBC is appealing to me - they have a welcome rebate on their premier account which nets you 2% on your direct deposits for 12 months, up to $60/mo, up to a total of $700. I usually have a few thousand in my checking account so that beats any interest on checking except perhaps the rewards/Kasasa accounts which I don’t want to deal with. Combined with HSBC’s 1.85% APY direct savings account, fee-free incoming and outgoing wire transfers, and unlimited ATM rebates, it seems like a decent deal for at least a year.
I haven’t banked with HSBC since college though when they absorbed Marine Midland… and have heard some negative feedback on the lack of evolution of their online banking system. Although perhaps folks like Shinobi would like the older interface ;).
They’ve run similar bonuses in the past. You can get around the DD requirement by ACH’ing funds. I wouldn’t mess with them as my main bank but playing the ACH game for bonus money is always good.
Now your talking. 
I had not even considered them until this line. Ally just screwed up their online banking to the point that I can’t login. They’ve tried to help, say they’re working on it, and admitted they made some changes on the day before my login issues occurred. Regardless, I’ve got bills to pay and and am in the process of opening a checking acct at Discover, mainly because their online banking for savings is very fast and efficient. As well, their client support is great.
I’ll remember your comments just in case Discover doesn’t work out.
You’ve hit the nail on the head and identified something I lost sight of - the reliability of the financial institution’s tech stack and its policies.
For a checking account, I just want the damn thing to work! The ATM card needs to work when I’m traveling abroad (no bogus fraud alerts), the website needs to be reliable, my paycheck needs to be credited properly, no unreasonable holds on funds, etc.
Alliant has been golden in that respect for nine years. While I know there are haters of the new design, I am fine with it and for the nuts and bolts of the account, everything just works.
Hmm, I definitely have some research to do…
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Noted in passing from Ken’s recent write up:
Ally Bank’s NPCD, at 1.9%, in now beating PurePoint’s NPCD (same eleven month lock in) by ten basis points.
Will PurePoint compete? Stay tuned.
Marcus has a 2.0% apy 11 month No Penalty Cd…i just got one
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Regarding the Grow Promo MM account:
I telephoned Grow this morning and was told the promo APY of 2.75% will remain in effect until April first.
I do not believe that is correct, as my recollection is the high promo rate dies on March first. However, it does seem likely the 2.75% APY rate will be good for the remainder of February. Plan is to check with them once again early in March.
Thanks, craig10x. I hope that swell competition holds feet to the fire both at PurePoint and at Ally.
With liquid funds today you GOTTA have a lock in. NPCDs work as well as any other way to ensure your interest rate will not quietly descend when you’re not looking.
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I opened the Marcus NP CD but waiting for Friday to submit ACH transfer. Long weekend coming (double interest) … 
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Every extra month is great. Last time I talked with Grow, was told they will contact us before change.
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Very well done, scanchain!!
I just signed on to post a reminder and you have saved me the effort!
These double interest opportunities do not come along every weekend!
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How about triple interest? It happens when transferring money to an NFCU CD because it goes to savings first. It takes several days to get to the CD, but the CD interest is paid from the day of the call.
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What time you have to transfer on Friday for double dip?
I believe Marcus’s cutoff is 6pm ET.
no double interest at marcus, at least with PLAID linked accounts: in & out same day
I based my conclusion from this screenshot, but I have not personally computed if interest is actually credited.
yes, but today, it was pulled from my external bank same day, not next business day
on 2-10-20, xfr was pulled from my external bank next business day, so had 1d of double interest
…just thought it was interesting, not trying to pin u down