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Archive for Virginia

Best 5 Year CD Rate Finally Drops Below 3%

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

When you thought the financial news couldn’t get any worse, Melrose Credit Union lowers their 5 Year CD to 2.93% APY on Tuesday. Mortgage rates are increasing and saving rates are decreasing, it seems to be the same old news week after week. Melrose Credit Union was our glimmer of hope, our bright shining star in this dark and dreary economy.

This small credit union from Queens, N.Y still leads in the 5-year ranking, but has dropped below the 3% barrier. They are still paying a quarter-point more than any other financial institution and also still lead in other CD terms.

One of the reasons why rates are tumbling is because the Fed continues to give banks as much cash as they want for near nothing. The Fed also announced in early November that they planned on buying $600 Billion worth of Treasury Bonds, this move has helped keep rates depressed.

Here is a list of the next best 60-month CD rates:

Anyone nationwide can qualify and open an account with these banks and financial institutions. Melrose Credit Union also allows anyone to join their credit union for a $1 fee and a $25 deposit into a savings account.

Compare these rates with our updated CD rates board to be sure you get the best rates available nationally.

Top 2 Year CD Rates Drop Below 2%

Friday, November 19th, 2010

It didn’t take long for iGObanking to realize how well they were paying on their 2 year CD. Just last month they were paying almost half a point higher than the next leading 2 year CD, then dropped their rates to 2.00%, still beating out the competition. Now iGObanking has dropped their 24 month rate to 1.00% APY, lower than the highest leading 6-month and 12-month rates, which are 1.15% and 1.51%.

This might be a sign of things to come as rates continue their slide down the charts. No other bank or financial institution is close to paying 2% on any 24 month CD. Keep in mind that the national average of a 2 year CD is sitting right around 0.77% APY.

Here are the next best 2 Year certificates of deposit:

  • Melrose Credit Union at 1.76% APY with a minimum deposit of $5,000 and is located in Queens, NY.
  • Presidential Bank at 1.75% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000 and is located in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C.
  • Bank of Internet at 1.72% APY with a minimum deposit of $1,000 and is an online bank from San Diego, CA.
  • Discover Bank at 1.65% APY with a minimum deposit of $2,500 and is the online bank owned by the credit card company.

All of these banks and credit union allows anyone to join or buy their CDs. Melrose Credit union allows anyone to join for only $1. They impose no restrictions and are located out of Queens, New York.

Be sure to compare all of the best CD rates from our certificates of deposit database.

TD Bank Mortgage Rates and MTG Process Reviewed

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

TD Bank services customers in states along the east coast.

TD Banks Slogan is “Americas Most Convenient Bank”.

We’ll review there mortgage rates and then review just how convenient they are able to make your banking experience.

Each of the loan scenarios will be based on an 80% loan to value and 1 point.

30 Year Fixed

  • Rate of 4.125%
  • APR of 4.263%

15 Year Fixed

  • Rate of 3.375%
  • APR of 3.615%
  • Note: The 15 year fix at 0 points is only 3.625% with an apr of 3.719%.
  • TD’s 15 year fixed product is one of the better we have seen.

Lets compare these rates to the nations average mortgage rates. (Based on Freddie Macs Primary Mortgage Market Survey).

  • Average 30 year with 0.8 points = 4.23%
  • TD Bank 30 year with 1 point = 4.125%
  • Average 15 year with 0.7 points = 3.66 %
  • TD Bank 15 year with 0 points = 3.625%

As you can see TD Bank is lower than the national average.  There 15 year fixed mortgage is excellent right now and worth taking a look into.

Is the loan process “convenient”?

As I browse through TD Banks website I notice it is easy to navigate and find my way around.

They have some pretty cool programs like the Mortgage Rate Security, If rates drop after you have made 12 timely payments, you may be able to lower your rate without refinancing.  Or the Hassle Free Mortgage Guarantee which is there pledge to you that your mortgage process will go smoothly.

They also have a rate watch feature that will notify you via email when rates hit your goal.

Use our Mortgage Calculator to figure out your payments.

Now obviously I haven’t gone through the mortgage process with them so I cannot speak to that, but according to MyBankTrackers bank review TD Bank has 2 out of 5 stars based on 155 user reviews.  This is not a good rating.  This rating is based on TD Bank as a whole, not just there mortgage department.

If you have had a good or bad experience with TD Bank please share in the comments below.

TD Bank serves Connecticut, Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.