I've banked with Washington Mutual for years, but am in the midst of transferring my accounts elsewhere (to a bank that can actually calculate and pay out interest correctly.... More

I've banked with Washington Mutual for years, but am in the midst of transferring my accounts elsewhere (to a bank that can actually calculate and pay out interest correctly. http://www.judysbook.com/members/Rapunzel/posts/2006/11/490406/ ) I just recently checked out interest rates at various banks before reinvesting in some CDs and WAMU and BECU came in with lower rates than Key Bank. I was able to get two CDs at 5.45% APY in December, and then just bought another one yesterday. Their current rate is 5.10 APY which is still a hair above BECU’s 5.09%. I had dollar signs flash before my eyes and nearly hyperventilated when I saw BECU advertising a 7.5% APY! As it turns out, they only offer this rate on savings and checking accounts with a balance *under* $500! You can check out rates online but only firsthand experience with a given bank will tell you how friendly and capable they are. It’s been two months since I invested in my first two Key Bank CDs and, so far, I’ve found the Key Bank staff very personable and more than helpful. The branch manager, Jim Sheaffer, actually offered to go way above and beyond anything I’ve experienced elsewhere when opening my accounts. I also really appreciate being able to call my bank and speak to him directly without having to go through that annoying voice system that most banks have just in the hopes to get an actual human on the line! It's an extra added bonus that I'm able to communicate with him via email (that’s how I bought my third CD). Key Bank really feels like a home town kind of bank—*amazingly* personal service.
Less