Alliant Credit Union, one of the top 10 largest US credit unions by assets, has teamed up with Suze Orman to promote their new Ultimate Opportunity Savings account. The interest rate of 0.55% APY and structure appears to be the same as their existing High-Rate Savings account, just with an added $100 cash bonus if you deposit at least $100 a month for 12 consecutive months. Unfortunately, it is open to new Alliant CU members only. Thanks to reader Bill for the tip. Note that the fine print also states that you must have at least $1,200 in your account at the end of the period (you can’t have withdrawn it after the deposits). The $100 bonus is automatically deposited into The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account after … [Read More...]

Anchorage Becomes First OCC-Approved National Crypto Bank
The crypto industry has its first federally chartered bank: Anchorage. [Read More...]
OnJuno Review: 2.15% APY on $5k/$30k, 5% Cash Back on Chosen Brands
OnJuno joins the fintech banking world with the notable features of 2.15% APY on up to $30,000 and also 5% cash back on select merchants. They partner with Evolve Bank and Trust for FDIC insurance. Here’s my initial review after signing up, making my first deposit, and poking around their website. Here are the basics of their two options: Basic tier. 2.15% APY on up to a $5,000 checking balance. 5% cash back on up to $500 a year in debit card purchases ($25 max). 1 free out-of-network ATM withdrawal per month. No monthly fee. Metal tier. 2.15% APY on up to a $30,000 checking balance. 5% cash back on up to $3,000 a year in debit card purchases ($150 max). 3 free out-of-network … [Read More...]
Best Interest Rates on Cash – January 2021
Here’s my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash for January 2021, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. I track these rates because I keep 12 months of expenses as a cash cushion and there are many lesser-known opportunities to improve your yield while still being FDIC-insured or equivalent. Check out my Ultimate Rate-Chaser Calculator to see how much extra interest you’d earn by moving money between accounts. Rates listed are available to everyone nationwide. Rates checked as of 1/6/2021. Fintech accounts Available only to individual investors, fintech accounts oftentimes pay higher-than-market rates in order to achieve high short-term growth. I will define “fintech” as an app software layer on top of a different bank’s FDIC insurance … [Read More...]
BIP 2021: Bitcoin’s Path Toward Reserve Currency Status Is Set
2020 was unforgettable, especially for Bitcoin. To help memorialize this year for our readers, we asked our network of contributors to reflect on Bitcoin’s price action, technological development, community growth and more in 2020, and to reflect on what all of this might mean for 2021. These writers responded with a collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking articles. Click here to read all of the stories from our End Of Year 2020 Series. The short, 12-year history of Bitcoin is filled with exciting times. From the immaculate conception birthed through Satoshi Nakamoto to the extreme polarity between face-melting pumps, catastrophic corrections, infamous exchange hacks and internal Bitcoin civil wars; not many years were as exhilarating for Bitcoiners as 2020 was. As the infamous Bitcoin crowd has “Paul Revere’d” for years, it… [Read More...]
Best Interest Rates on Cash – December 2020
Here’s my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash for December 2020, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. I track these rates because I keep 12 months of expenses as a cash cushion and there are many lesser-known opportunities to improve your yield while still being FDIC-insured or equivalent. Check out my Ultimate Rate-Chaser Calculator to see how much extra interest you’d earn by moving money between accounts. Rates listed are available to everyone nationwide. Rates checked as of 12/10/2020. Fintech accounts In the currently low-interest rate environment, individual investors can get higher-than-market rates by moving their money into fintech accounts that are trying to achieve high short-term growth through a combination of lower cost structure and venture … [Read More...]