HSBC Direct must have heard that I was planning to transfer some of my savings to the bank, which until yesterday had been offering 3.0% APY. Following other banks that lowered interest rates for the new year, HSBC dropped their interest rate 13% to 2.6% APY and is now 1.10% APY as of June 2010.

To recap, ING Direct is now at 1.10% APY, FNBO Direct is currently at 1.10%, E-Trade Bank has moved a lot from 3.01% to 0.50%, and DollarSavingsDirect is currently at 1.20%.

Also notable is WTDirect. This account offers 1.16% APY on balances over $10,000, and if you don’t have that much cash in the bank, you’ll still get that high rate for 60 days after owning the account.

I’ve updated the list of high-yield savings and checking accounts.

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Throughout December, WTDirect has been offering an opportunity for new customers to earn up to $250 by opening a new account. The bank is offering a good interest rate right now (3.06% APY) for customers with balances of $10,000 or higher.

The opportunity to earn this bonus is ending tomorrow, December 31, 2008. Here is what you need to know in order to qualify.

Open an account at WTDirect and link your existing bank account while applying. Before December 31, fund the account with an online transfer from your linked bank account. Maintain an average balance of at least $10,000 between January 1 and February 28, 2009. If you’ve done this much, you will receive your bonus in March, and it will be available for withdrawal immediately.

Here is how to determine the amount of your bonus, based on your average balance throughout January and February.

• If your average balance is at least $10,000, you will receive a $50 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $20,000, you will receive a $100 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $30,000, you will receive a $150 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $40,000, you will receive a $200 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $50,000, you will receive a $250 bonus.

WTDirect does not charge any fees nor does it have a minimum balance requirement (other than for the bonus and the interest rate).

When you apply for the bank account, use the promotion code WTG3DNC.

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WTDirect, the online banking arm of Wilmington Trust, is looking to attract customers with a good interest rate (currently 3.06% APY for accounts with a balance of $10,000 or more) and a bonus for new account holders. If you open a new account at WTDirect and maintain an average balance of at least $10,000, you can earn a bonus between $50 and $250.

Here is what you have to do:

Open an account at WTDirect and link your existing bank account while applying. Before December 22, fund the account with an online transfer from your linked bank account. Maintain an average balance of at least $10,000 between January 1 and February 28, 2009. If you’ve done this much, you will receive your bonus in March, and it will be available for withdrawal immediately.

Here is how to determine the amount of your bonus, based on your average balance throughout January and February.

• If your average balance is at least $10,000, you will receive a $50 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $20,000, you will receive a $100 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $30,000, you will receive a $150 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $40,000, you will receive a $200 bonus.
• If your average balance is at least $50,000, you will receive a $250 bonus.

WTDirect does not charge any fees nor does it have a minimum balance requirement (other than for the bonus and the interest rate).

When you apply for the bank account, use the promotion code WTG3DNC.

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