Yup, you can actually get there.  In fact, there are many deals for specialty checking accounts with interest returns of 4 percent or more.  This bank offer, however, takes the cake.  Farmers State Bank in Iowa is offering 5.01% APR.  Like many deals, you cannot open this account online, you must go to one of the bank’s local branches in Iowa.  Point being, though, that some great bank offers are still out there for checking accounts.  Most accounts, are paying less than 1 percent on their checking at this point.  The 5% rate at Farmers, only applies to the first $25,000 and only on loyalty checking accounts.

Who is offering the best bank offers on interest rates?  Well, by and large as we enter 2010, we’re seeing competitive interest rates for savings accounts at around 1.5%, with most below 1%.  Incredible Bank, an online bank, is now offering over 2% on its checking accounts, but it’s unlikely that this will last.  Maybe just long enough to get you to switch your bank account (not worth it).

Shore Bank seems to be intent on keeping its reign as the best paying savings account that I could find.  This in spite of the fact it dropped its interest rate significantly to 1.70%.