You can get a GPX Home Radio with iPod connector, 2 gig iPod Shuffle or a 4 gig iPod Shuffle.

Besides these bonuses ACB have some great banking programs and deals.  It is worth checking out.

Here is how to take advantage of the free iPod Giveaway happening now at ACB:

• GPX Home Radio: Simply sign up for a new checking account with $100.
• 2 gig iPod Shuffle: Sign up for a new checking account with $500 in Direct Deposit.
• 4 gig iPod Shuffle: Upgrade from the 2GB Shuffle by adding free online banking and bill pay.

Checkout the other Free iPod Bank promotions we have posted.

All American Community Bank checking accounts are free.  They even offer completely free business checking accounts.

If you want to check out ACB click here.

A little fine print:

“Qualify for your GPX radio w/MP3 & iPod connection with a $100 minimum opening deposit. Get your Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB after you complete $500 in direct deposits; upgrade to the 4GB iPod Shuffle by choosing it instead of the 2GB shuffle when you add Online Banking and BillPay to our direct deposit offer and you complete three automatic bill payments. Accounts closed before six months are subject to a $25 early closing fee. American Community Bank reserves the right to substitute gifts of equal or better value. Visit us at www.acbalways.com for details. Gift values reported as interest on 1099.”

If you are looking at getting into a CD, it might be best to hold off and wait for the CD rates to increase in 2011, which is only a speculative guess and should not be taken as fact. Any long term Certificate of Deposit might be a bad idea now that rates are so low.

Always consult a certified financial adviser when making any decisions.

You can always view the latest CD rates from our database of banks and other financial institutions that we follow from our CD rates page.

For the sake of making this simple and using an amount that is more achievable by the average American, a $1,000, 24 month CD at 2.00% will net you $40.78 AFTER 2 years! This is more than most savings accounts, but I bet you could find a car on Craigslist, fix it up and make a profit more than $40. In fact I bet you could do that a few times within the next 2 years. The point being, is it really worth sticking your money into a 2 year CD at 2.00%? That’s the question you have to ask yourself.

Here is a list of the highest paying 24-month certificate of deposits:

• NewDominion Bank just cut their 24 month CD rate from 2.00% to 1.95%. They are still the highest paying 24-month CD and requires a minimum deposit of $3,000.
  • With a deposit of $3,000 @ 1.95%, this certificate of deposit will net you $119.21 in two years.
• Bank of Internet which is an online bank based in San Diego is paying 1.89% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000.
• Acacia Federal Savings Bank, also an online bank owned by the Acacia Life Insurance Co. is paying 1.80% APY with a minimum deposit of $500.
• Discover Bank, an online bank by the credit card company ‘Discover’ is paying 1.80% APY on a minimum deposit of $2,500.
• Colorado Federal Savings Bank, also an online bank located in Greenwood Village, CO is paying 1.80% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000.

Since these are all online banks they allow anyone from anywhere to open an account and deposit funds into their certificate of deposits.

Be sure to compare the best CD rates from our database of banks and financial institutions.

Wells Fargo

In this case Wells Fargo is showing some good average mortgage rates.  Most of the rates are falling right in line with national average.

Remember rates may change depending on where you live, but this is a good start.

These rates are based on 1 point (1% of the loan amount) being paid for origination.

If you want to check out more info at Wells Fargo or read the fine print click here.

Check out the National Mortgage Rate Averages Here.

Wells Fargo has been around for well over a century. Over 150 years ago, Henry Wells and William Fargo founded a company that has become a legendary part of America. This heritage is still very much a part of Wells Fargo’s identity today.

Bank of America

Bank of America has a system which will show you the rates for your local area.  Different parts of the nation may have higher or lower interest rates than others.  B of A helps you narrow down the mortgage rates to your area.

For this example I am going to use Washington State because that is where BankAim was founded.

Washington State Purchase Mortgage Rates from B of A:

• 30-Year Fixed-Rate – 4.500% with an APR of 4.656%
• 15-Year Fixed-Rate – 4.125% with an APR of 4.414%
• 3/1 ARM – 3.375% with an APR of 3.365%
• 5/1 ARM – 3.375% with an APR of 3.296%

Mortgage rates for purchases are based on 1 point which is equal to 1% of the loan size, 20% down payment and a conforming loan amount which is typically under $417,000*.

(*Conforming loan amounts may change due to the area you live.)

Washington State Refinance Mortgage Rates from B of A:

Rates for a refinance remain the same assuming you have an 80% Loan to Value(LTV) or lower, and are under the conforming loan limit for your area.  These refinance rates are also based on 1 point.

For Washington State Bank of America rates are above the national average mortgage rates. Personally I know of a few mortgage brokers that can currently offer under the national average so I would definitely shop this rate around instead of going with Bank of America.

If you want to see what B of A offers in your area and read their fine print you can do that here.

Remember to check the articles date for accuracy.

The only certificate of deposit that has moved the most in the past few weeks is the 2 year CD.

Here are the best CDs currently available to resident’s nationwide:

• 3 Month CD – 1.35% APY at iGobanking with a minimum deposit of $500.
• 6 Month CD – 1.25% APY at NewDominion Bank with a minimum deposit of $3,000.
• 12 Month CD – 1.55% APY at Sallie Mae Bank with no minimum deposit.
• 24 Month CD – 1.95% APY at NewDominion Bank with a minimum deposit of $3,000.
• 36 Month CD – 2.50% APY at Danversbank with a minimum deposit of $500.
• 60 Month CD – 3.03% APY at Melrose Credit Union with a minimum deposit of $5,000.

The credit union listed in our leadership board is open to anyone in the U.S. regardless of where they live or work.

Be sure to check our CD rates page for the most up to date rates.

FirstBank

What is FirstBank eSave?

Get eSave Checking and Savings accounts, a FirstBank Visa Check Card and Free Internet Banking with eStatements. Then watch money automatically transfer to your savings each time you use your Visa Check Card or make Bill Pay or ACH payments. Plus you can get a $25 bonus after you save $500 in your first 12 months (see fine print for details).

Good things to know:

• There is a maximum check usage limit with eSave. You are limited to 3 checks per statement cycle for each account type. If you write more than 3 checks per statement cycle you will be charged $1 for each additional paper check that posts to your account during that cycle.
• If you cancel or close any of the eSave Account Package components including eSave Checking, eSave Savings, Internet Banking, eStatements, or Visa Check Card then you will lose the package benefits.
• To read the rest of the fine print click here.

Concerning the Flip Camcorder:

• The must be a brand new eSave account being opened.
• One Flip Camcorder per household per 2 years.
• Must open the account with $50
• The cost of the gift is considered a bonus that can be revoked if the account is closed within six months of opening. So do not close the account for at least 6 months.  Otherwise you will be purchasing that flip camcorder.
• To read the rest of the fine print click here.

Not impressed by this offer? Checkout our other Checking Account Promos. Or if you are into electronics checkout our iPod Bank Promotions.

According to the Primary Mortgage Market Survey by Freddie Mac mortgage rates have continued to free fall.

Currently Rates are:

• 30 year fixed – Averaged 4.36% – Last week it was at an average of 4.42%. A year ago this week the 30 year rate was at 5.14%.
• 15 year fixed – Averaged 3.86% – Last week it was at an average of3.90%. A year ago this week the 15 year fixed 4.58%.
• 5 year ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage) – Averaged 3.56% which was the same as last week. A year ago this week the 5-year ARM 4.67%.

The 30 year fixed and 5 year arm are based on an average of 0.7 points, and the 15 year fixed is based on .06 points.  Additionally the rates posted are based on an average from across the nation and may not necessary reflect the mortgage rate you will receive if you refinance today.

This is a wonderful time for those that have a mortgage to refinance to take advantage of the lowest rates this country has seen in decades. Hundreds and thousands of dollars are being saved by those able to refinance their existing mortgage to a lower rate.  The trouble for most homeowners is the lack of equity in their home caused by the current recession which makes them unable to refinance.

How will this effect the ecomony?

As for how this will effect the economy the opinions are being reflected as both positive and negative. Many believe this is just more troubling news for an ever weakening economy. Signs that things are getting worse and we are not on the road to recovery quite yet.

Other experts feel these low rates could put more money in consumers pockets due to the savings from refinancing.  This higher cash flow could help spur the economy on for the better.

Time will tell.  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

iPods

Whether it is for checking account promotions or for other banking promotions many banks are giving away iPods instead of money as incentive to sign up.

The iPod Touch seems to be the most popular item to give away.  We have seen iPod Shuffles and iPod Nanos given away by banks as well.  It seems to me that iPod free giveaways would attracted some people much more than cash would.  The reason, I believe, is the same reason some people would much rather open a gift on their birthday than get a card with cash.

When banks pay you cash most of the time they simply deposit it into your account and that is the end of it.  You never receive anything, you do not get to open anything and all in all it is kind of boring.  But if they send you an iPod Touch you get it in the mail and you are excited to open it and start playing with it.  It just seems more exciting and plus it is a great reminder to the consumer that the bank sent you this great gift.

Personally I would rather receive an iPod.  If I got $200 cash it would just get lost in the shuffle and end up being used to pay some bill or go out to dinner and a movie.

So here are some of the top iPod Bank Promotional Giveaways:  (We will continue to update this list.  If you know of more iPod promotions please let us know in the comments.)

• Bank of the West iPod Checking Account Promotion:  This is a pretty simple promotion to qualify for.  All you need to do is use your new debit card 20 times and that is enough.  20 small purchases is enough.  I called and spoke with Bank of the West about this promotion and the gentleman on the line told said, “You could eat off the McDonalds dollar menu 20 times.”

• Free iPod Touch with Bank of Greene County:  For this particular promotion you need to sign up for direct deposit and use your debit card twice.

• Free iPod Shuffle with American Community Bank: Get a 2 GB or 4 GB iPod Shuffle with ACB.  Not too difficult to get approved for. Different levels of checking accounts get different giveaways.

• KeyBank Free iPod Touch Promotion: (Expired) KeyBank is offering a free iPod Touch for those who open a new checking account from now until June 30th.  Update: Even though this promotion has expired those that opened an account still have until 10-1-10 to meet all the requirements.

• Please let us know in the comments of more iPod or iPad bank giveaways.

You can checkout our cash bank promotions on our checking account specials page.

Ally Bank has a 60 days interest, early withdrawal fee for closing out your CD early. They also have a ‘No Penalty CD’ offer at a lower rate, but your money is not locked up for the term of the certificate of deposit.

How much can you earn from this rate?

If you were to deposit at least $25,000 into the 12 Month CD from Ally Bank, you would earn $360.06 in 12 months.

Ally Bank also has a competitive 5 year CD at 2.79% APY, that would earn $3,684.89 for the same deposit.

If you decide to invest into any Ally CD’s be sure to watch your maturity date, as Ally will automatically renew the account if it is not closed. Check out their current rates here.