Online Saving & Checking Accounts

[eisor]

I was a member a while ago, but haven't been active for at least a year. But, I'm back. Hopefully I'll be around a bit more.

Anyways, I have a question.

I saw the Summary Post of Online Savings Rates and it's been very helpful. There are a lot more banks with online savings accounts than there were last year. But, I'm looking for a bank with online savings & checking (with interest).

I know the following banks offer online checking:
ING
UnivestDirect
Citibank (no interest though)

Do any others?

Thanks!

[humandraydel]

How much check writing capability are you looking for? Some money market accounts allow you to write a limited number of checks a month. This might work if you charge everything to a credit card and then make one big payment.

[eisor]

I guess it isn't too important to write checks. I would need a debit card though.

Right now, I write 1-2 checks a month. But, I plan to keep a local checking account open, so I can always transfer the money there, then write the check from that account.

I just would like a debit card, bill pay, interest, ATMs nearby and direct deposit available.

I currently charge all my purchases to my credit cards and pay them off in full every month.

I'm more so looking into this option for my fiance and I. We are joining our accounts (sort of) after the wedding and I'm just trying to do some research.

He isn't as disciplined as I am when it comes to paying off his cc each month. So, he works best with the debit card/cash method. He does well with it. So, that is why we'd need those capabilities.

[humandraydel]

Well, I just opened an ING Electric Orange checking account, mainly because I have a savings account with ING already. I like it, but others will be quick to point out that ING's rates aren't up to par with the likes of GMAC and others.

If your budget is pretty routine, you could really just deposit your entire paycheck into an online savings account and transfer small amounts to your linked checking account when necessary.

[Ima saver]

I would thing ING would be your best bet.

[eisor]

Yeah. I think we are going with ING. We like the ability to have the debit card associated with the account. I don't want the hassle of transfering money to another account just to buy gas and stuff.

Thanks!

[Broken Arrow]

Welcome back, eisor.

Do you recall poundwise's list?

[Vapors]

Etrade had a nice write up in last month's Money magazine. They refund unlimited ATM charges automatically. They have pretty high interest rates.

[Scanner]

Yes, I just checked into E-trades checking today and it looks attractive.

It looks like we'll be with internet banking within 6 weeks as a household.

Seems like a good deal to me. Direct deposit required to avoid $15 monthly fee. Could the ATM reimbursement be a bait and switch? I question whether they can afford ATM reimbursements for all the new customers they will probably get.

Also how long do you have to set up direct deposit before getting charged the $15 fee?