Subject: Re: Savings account rates
Wells Fargo---They kept sending my wife credit card offers. When they started offering $200 bonus and 18 months zero interest, we took it. To get the bonus you have to spend $1000 in 90 days. No problem, I simply pre-paid $1000 on the electric bill. Shifted a few of our regular large-ish bills to the WF card, and she uses that card exclusively. Making the minimum payments now, will pay it all off just before the zero interest period expires.
Effectively making ~4% on the money. PLUS 2% cash-back.

I looked at opening checking/savings account at WF, but looked at the fees and rates and threw up a little bit. Plus, after the shenanigans with ghost accounts, I'd stay far away from those.

Now they are sending me the same offer every few weeks. Will probably take it when hers is up.

------------------------------------------

I think banks are a terrible place to keep cash in any event beyond enough to cover ....
I'm looking at a local credit union for when I finish paying off my mortgage.

Why local? And why limit yourself to just one? And why wait until after the mortgage?

Alliant CU in Chicago pays 3.10% on savings account, they also have checking & credit card. Fun fact: Alliant CU used to be United Airline CU. Plenty of on-line banks pay 3.6% to 5.02%. We have (free) checking accounts at 3 local brick-and-mortar banks & credit unions, keep about $1000 in each one. In general, B&M banks pay terrible low interest rates. Online banks & CUs pay much more.

People always ask why go to the bother of having multiple accounts, it's so much simpler to have just one bank. The recent events show why you should have your money at more than one place.

-------------------------------------

I don't care much about broker sweep accounts. If I plan to buy stocks soon, the money doesn't stay in cash but a few days. If I plan to stay in cash for a longer term, I put it in short-term ETF or mutual fund like FLRN or VUBFX.


Ooooh, Marcus Bank, that's a new one to me. Looks pretty good, 3.75%