Are you looking for an impressively high yielding checking account? If you’ve been looking around you’ll know that it’s hard to come by anything which goes over 3.00% APY. If only for that, the checking account offered at South Division Credit Union can be considered the best reward checking account across the US.

Aside from the impressively high rate of 4.01% APY, you also get to enjoy a high cap. The maximum balance to earn top yield is a generous $25,000. Most checking accounts brought down their cap balances to $10,000, which isn’t much of a deal maker these days. This high yielding checking account is called the Freedom Green Checking.

Be prepared, though, because this account is purely electronic. That’s right, you’ll be transacting online, most of the time, whether you’re paying bills or checking your bank statement. The high yield is due to the fact that you’re saving the bank a lot of money. They won’t have to send you statements through snail mail nor issuing you checks. In exchange, you get a nifty little check card and a yield that makes your money grow in the bank. This is possibly the best checking account in town.

According to the bank’s page, you can also earn as much as $25 rebate from ATM deposits. While those who have absorbed the digital lifestyle might nod in agreement to all of the account’s features, some might want the more traditional checking accounts. When we checked the website of this credit union, though, it seems that all of their checking accounts are based online.

The account is offered only to members, but the membership is open to adults, students, and children across the country. To join the credit union, all you have to do is visit their website and click “Join Us”. Unless you don’t know yet, the credit union actually has offices across the country. If you have any issues with your account, you can also settle it through a branch visit.

Branches of the credit union can be found at Chicago Sun-Times, Jesse Brown VAMC, Ryerson, Holy Cross, Evergreen Park, Brother Rice, and Midlothian. These rates can change anytime so it’s advisable for you to check the credit union’s rate table before opening an account.

The South Division Credit Union has been around since 1935. They received mixed reviews online. Bankrate.com only gave them two out of five stars, but BauerFinancial.com gave them four out of five stars. The credit union is federally insured under NCUA Charter #65550.

United Heritage Credit Union in Texas gives us back its reward checking account. The question is, is it still the best reward checking account in the area? While the 3.01% APY certainly sounds competitive, but if we take into account that this rate fell from 5.01% when the account was locked, it doesn’t sound so impressive anymore. Another clincher is that the cap balance used to be $25,000.

Now, the cap balance for the checking account is down to $10,000 which means less earnings for new members. They also increased the required debit card transactions from 10 to 15, which makes the top yield harder to earn. Can we still consider this the best checking account in Texas? Maybe, if we compare it to lower yielding checking accounts offered locally.

Aside from the lower cap and the lower yield, though, the other terms seem to have been retained. Membership is open to those who live, work, or study in Bastrop, Hays, Smith, Caldwell, Williamson, and Travis. You need to deposit at least $1 to a savings account to become a member. The branches of the credit union are located at Round Rock, Tyler, Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Austin.

People complain that this isn’t much of a reward checking account anymore, but the falling rates and the lower caps seem to be a trend among all banks and credit unions when it comes to their checking accounts. This has been going on for two years. While it’s a sad state of affairs, all you can really do right now is look for the ones that remain at the top of the line.

It’s actually advisable for you to check out the credit union’s rate tables first. The rates might rise or fall without warning in the next few days. So far, the 3.01% APY has remained since June 27. Just so be on the safe side, check the website before visiting a branch.

The credit union has $481.50 million worth of assets. It is insured under NCUA Charter # 68251.

Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union or NEFCU is widening the scope of New Yorkers who can take advantage of their 4.00% APY Reward Checking Account. While this can probably be considered the best checking account in the area, simply because its high yield was retained since it was introduction two years ago. Before, it was only offered to a select number of professionals in the city. Today, NEFCU opened the account to anyone working, living, studying, or worshiping in Nassau and Suffolk counties, New York.

One of the advantages of this reward checking account is that the cap balance for the top yield is $25,000. This sure beats similar top yields whose cap remains at $20,000. However, there were a few changes made to the account which might not make it the best reward checking account across the USA. For example, the base APY which covers balances exceeding $25,000 has fallen compared to the account’s introductory base rate.

Another inconvenience is the added debit requirement. Now, for holders to take advantage of the top yield, they need to pay their bills online at least once a month. This is aside from the twelve debit purchases they need to make in the same month using their card. With more competitive checking accounts introduced this month, this account’s competitiveness seems a bit shaky. There are now 4.75% APY reward checking accounts which also have cap balances of up to $25,000.

Right now, if you’re torn between a reward checking account which is offered nationwide and one that’s only being offered locally, it is advised for you to choose the local account. A smaller scope allows financial institutions to control rate chasers. This means that they’re able to make more profit. When this happens, they’re least likely to drop their accounts’ annual percentage yields.

The NEFCU has been around since 1938. They are federally insured under Charter #2760.

River Region Credit Union is offering a reward checking account which can probably be considered the best checking account in the market today. With a 4.00% APY, it’s pretty hard to beat. However, the balance cap seems a little steep. The top yield will only be applied to balances that reach $20,000. A base 0.10% APY will be rewarded for balances exceeding $20,000.

Aside from the cap balance which stops this from being the best reward checking account in the market, the debit requirements seem stringent. In a month, you need to make fifteen debit purchases which are non-PIN, make at least one direct deposit, log in to the CU’s homepage at least twice, and agree to receive electronic statements. If you don’t fulfill these requirements, your APY falls back to the base 0.10% APY.

However, as with most reward checking accounts, this one has no minimum balance requirement and no monthly service fees. According to the website, this account should have three ATM surcharge refunds or $7. It’s odd, though, that these refunds are not automatic. Holders still need to present ATM transaction receipts to the RRCU office every 12^th business day.

Similar accounts from competitor credit unions and banks will also have a $25,000 balance cap for the top yield. This one’s a little less attractive, at $20,000. Instead of 15 debit purchases, most accounts would also only ask for 10. The only deal maker here, really, is the 4.00% APY. Most reward checking accounts only earn 3.00% APY or less as top yields.

To be eligible for this account, you need to work or live in these areas: Miller, Moniteau, Callaway, Osage, Cole, or Boone. These are all counties of Missouri. The rest of the membership requirements are posted on the CU’s webpage. It’s also required for holders to open a share savings account which should contain a minimum balance of $1.

These rates can change at any time, so make sure that you check the website for updates before opening an account. A branch visit is also necessary to apply for this checking account. Branches of the River Region Credit Union are located at Missouri, Columbia, and Jefferson City.

If you’re concerned about the financial institution’s safety and soundness, you’ll be glad to know that their ratings are both above average. Bankrate.com gave them three stars, while BauerFinancial rated them with four stars. The River Region Credit Union is insured by the NCUA under Charter #64283.

Spirit of Alaska Credit Union, the largest of its kind in Fairbanks, opens a new service account called Choice Checking, a reward checking account which combines high yields with a low balance ceiling. Customers need only 10,000 to start taking maximum advantage of the account’s features. Though the 25k is a minimum ceiling in the financial industry the 10 grand cap accounts are starting to challenge the standard and are becoming popular among banking services.

Customers who want to avail of Choice Checking need to be informed of these rates

• 3.50% Annual Percentage Yields on deposits $10,000 and under.
• 0.50% Annual Percentage Yields for deposits exceeding $10,000.
• Underachieving accounts receive a rate of 0.10% rate.
• ATM external usage charges get a reimbursement of $20 per cycle.

Targets which customers need to meet are:

• Monthly debit card usage of 12 purchases.
• Initial deposit to a loan account.
• Enable online statements.

Supplementary services/requirements are:

• One member/one account.
• Initial deposits have no required amounts.
• Service charges are non-existent.
• Customers can make online payments without charges.

Application to Spirit of Alaska Credit Union is limited to the people in the North Star Borough of Fairbanks. For further questions and inquiries regarding application rules for this credit union, kindly check the membership specifics on their website.

BauerFinancial gives Spirit of Alaska 4 stars meaning excellent and Bankrate.com gives it 3 for the bank’s stability. DepositAccounts.com gives it a boost of 4 stars. Deposits made in this credit union are insured by the NCUA.

Florida Central Credit Union is still pushing for their high interest checking account called Ultimate Checking Account which yields 4.50% APY for balances through $15,000 and allows free use of ATMs nationwide. Any deposit over $15K will earn 1.00% APY while the base interest rate is pegged at 0.10% APY given if the monthly requirements are not met.

You can enjoy the benefits of this best reward checking account with the credit union if you fulfill the following monthly requirements:

• Receive electronic statements
• Make at least 12 transactions using the check card
• Set up 1 direct deposit or auto debit via ACH

This best checking account does not collect any service fees every month nor do they maintenance of any minimum balance. The reward checking account gives you free access to online banking and bills payment system. You also get an overdraft privilege $300/$700.

Florida Central Credit Union was instituted in 1959 and was originally called Tampa Central Credit Union. The credit union offers its products and services to the greater Florida region exclusive to the southeastern portion.

Interested individuals can accomplish an online application to become a member and to open an account. You need to print the accomplished forms and send it to the credit union. You will need to include copies of your driver’s license and social security card, and that of the joint account holder if any. Once the application is approved, you will receive your account information through a packet that will be sent back to you.

If you have any questions with regard to the checking account or how you can join Florida Central CU. You can call them through 813-879-3333 or 1800-528-3330. You may also want to ask them with regard to any fees or other factors which may affect the earnings of your savings.

Florida Central Credit Union is a member of the NCUA.

INOVA Federal Credit Union continues to push for their best reward checking account tagged as Ovation Checking. The high yield checking account earns 4.00% APY for balances through $20,000 given that account holders meet certain monthly requirements:

• Complete at least 15 purchases that are signature based using the debit card
• Set up a direct deposit of at least $200
• Opt for electronic statement
• Minimum balance of $1,500

The current interest rate is still listed on the upper right portion of the front page of the FCU’s website. You can see it as tab leading you to the information page about the Ovation Checking account. We can not find the interest rates for the deposits above $20,000 but according to the checking account page, it will be reverted back to whatever is the effective dividend rate for checking accounts.

Unlike other reward checking accounts, this one offered by INOVA does not mention anything about ATM fee refunds. You can use the ATM for fees via CO-OP network spread across the country or through Alliance One. Please take note that it will cost you $1 for using foreign ATMs and also when you make PIN-based purchases using your debit card.

Membership to the credit union is employment based or through affiliate organizations. You can check out their membership page to know more about the details on how you can sign up. You will also be able to click a link that says “Join Now” on the upper left portion of the web page. The link will bring you to an online application. This will also let you choose Ovations Checking account. The credit union will also require you to open a savings account for at least $5. If you want to know more about their products and services, you can contact them through 1800-826-5465.

INOVA FCU has several offices in Indiana particularly in Granger, Mishawaka, Michigan City, and Elkhart. They also have branches in several states like California (Berkeley), North Carolina (Clayton), New Jersey (Wayne and Morristown), Connecticut (Orange), and in New York (Tarrytown). They are also a member of the Credit Union Service Center which permits you to do transactions at offices of other credit unions across the country.

INOVA Federal Credit Union was instituted in 1942 and was originally created for the workers of Miles Laboratories. Miles was an independent firm until it transitioned to become a subsidiary of Bayer AG. It was eventually absorbed into the operations of the parent company.

The credit union received 2 stars from both Bankrate.com and BauerFinancial for its soundness and safety. INOVA FCU is covered by the NCUA through charter # 4968.

Golden Plain Credit Union still offers their best reward checking account they call Golden Rewards Checking that has current interest rates as high as 6.01% AY for balances through $25,000. Funds above the $25K line earn 0.51% APY. The bank also refunds ATM fees of as much $25 every cycle as long as the account holder meets the necessary requirements.

The monthly requirements to enjoy the best checking account interest rates are the following:

• Complete at least 10 transactions using the Visa Check Card
• Opt for electronic statements
• use Golden Plains Online

The interest rates drop to 0.21% if the above monthly requirements are not met. This reward checking account deal is only open for members who are residents of Kansas. This top interest rate can be enjoyed with an initial deposit of at least $100. The credit union does not collect any monthly service fees.

The credit union also limits a member to have only one rewards checking account. The max is 2 for every household.

Membership to Golden Plains Credit Union is open to members of the Lee Richardson Zoo. The credit union collects a minimum membership fee of $25. Those who live in Kansan or in the Liberal Trade area are also eligible to sign up. You can check out their Membership Page to know more about the details of joining the credit union. Golden Plains require a savings account balance of at least $10.

Interested individuals can join the credit union and open an account through one of their branches.

Golden Plains Credit Union is covered by the NCUA through charter number 62542. It has declared assets amounting to around $212 million. They have a member base of about 40,000 individuals.

Aspire Federal Credit Union offers a very attractive money in the bank deal through their best reward checking called Kasasa Cash. The current interest rates can be enjoyed when you suffice certain monthly requirements:

• 3.51% APY for deposits up to $25,000
• 1.01% APY for the funds above $25K
• Refunds ATM fees of as much as $25 incurred nationwide

You can enjoy the best interest rates of this high yield reward checking account if you fulfill the following:

• Complete 12 debit card purchases
• Set up a direct deposit or make at least one automatic payment
• Sign up for electronic statements

The best checking account from the credit union can be opened for as low as $50 initial funding. They do not require any minimum balance to maintain and do not collect any monthly service fees. You also automatically qualify for the interest rates for the first month of the account. You also get free access to their bills payment system.

This checking account is not listed on the Aspire website but is still posted on the website of Kasasa . You can watch the video there to get a glimpse of its features and benefits. This offer is offered to all zip codes.

The First ROI and BancVue are the main companies pushing for the reward checking account. When you click on the Aspire FCU application on the Kasasa page, it will take you to the page of Andera which is commonly used for online applications. From there you can sign up for membership to the credit union and open the Kasasa Cash account.

You can check out the membership page of Aspire FCU to check if you are eligible to join. It seems they are not that strict since they encourage you to choose from the drop down menu of organizations and join whichever interests you. Aspire Federal Credit Union asks for a share savings deposit of at least $5. You can call the credit union through 888-322-3732 and choose option 1 or through 1800-995-3666. They also have a very helpful live chat representative.

This credit union is the former FAA Eastern Region Federal Credit Union. Some of the branches of the credit union are in FAA facilities which are not open to everyone. Aspire has offices in Virginia, New York, New Jersey, and New Hampshire.

The financial rating of Aspire FCU is above average with 4 stars for soundness and safety coming from BauerFinancial based on their September 2009 data. Bankrate.com stamped their performance report with 3 stars. The credit union is covered by the NCUA through charter number 5800.

A high interest rate checking account is offered to members of the St. Helens Community FCU . The Simply Rewarding Checking Account earns an AY of 4.25% for balances through $25000 and 1.01% for amounts about this set ceiling.

Aside from best interest rates, the reward checking account also refunds ATM fees if the account holder can suffice the monthly requirements of 10 purchases using the Visa card, an auto payment or direct deposit, and opting for electronic statements. The rate drops to 0.05% if the conditions are not met.

The high interest reward checking account only takes $50 of initial deposit to open. It does not impose any monthly fees neither it require any minimum balance. An individual can set up multiple accounts but to enjoy the rates, each account must meet the monthly requirements.

Anyone who lives, studies, attend school, do volunteer work, or attend church in Sauvie Island or Columbia Country in Oregon are eligible to join. Signing up requires a minimum balance of $5 in a regular savings account.

The Helens Community FCU has offices in Clatskanie, Rainier, Scappoose, and St. Helens in Oregon. The union is a member of the NCUA through their charter # 2730.

The People’s Community FCU invites members to take advantage of their best reward checking account called Loyalty Checking . The program gives 4.00% APY for balances through $50000 and 0.25% for any amount above that ceiling.

The best checking account also refunds ATM fees up to $100 on a monthly basis if the user opts for electronic statements, deposits at least $350, makes 10 purchases using the debit card, and completes 3 bill pay transactions. The rate drops to 0.25% if these are not met.

The account only requires an initial deposit of $100.

Individuals who work, live, or attend church in Skamania or Clark, Cowlitz counties can sign up for the credit union. A $5 deposit to the Carefree Savings account is required for membership. One can go to their website to complete the online application. Electronic transfer of funds can also be set up.

The People’s Community Federal Credit Union has branches spread across Battleground and Vancouver in Washington. The union is insured with the NCUA through their Charter # 24713.

Members of the New Horizons Credit Union may enjoy the benefits of their Ultimate Checking program that yields 5.51% APY for balances through $25000. Rates for balances above $25000 earns 1.01% APY.

The rewards checking account also refunds ATM fees nationwide up to $25 per cycle if the account holder uses the check card for at least 12 purchases, opts for electronic statements, makes one automatic payment or direct deposit.

If the required conditions are not meant the rates drop to 0.35%. The ultimate checking does not require a minimum opening deposit and does not impose monthly fees.

New Horizons offices are located in Daphne, Theodore, Prichard, Semmes, and Mobile in Alabama.

Membership requires a regular savings account deposit of at least $25. Residents, employees, and students in the counties of Mobile, Washington, Baldwin, Monroe, Clark, and Escambia in Alabama are eligible.

The union is insured by the NCUA with charter # 60799.

Deseret First Credit Union in Utah offers a 5.01% APY yield for balances not more than $25000 as part of their reward checking account program. Higher balances will incur 1.01%.

The reward checking account has the following requisites: account holder will opt for electronic statements, make an ACH transaction or a direct deposit, and make debit card purchases on at least 10 occasions in a given month.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints and their families across the United States are eligible for membership to the union. There are also select employee groups who can avail of the program.

A minimum $25 share savings account balance is required to start the membership. They have offices in Provo, Salt Lake, and other cities in Utah.

The union is covered by NCUA under charter # 24708.

The US Federal Credit Union members may enjoy an attractive checking bonus under the program Amplified Checking . The gains are 4.3% APY for balances up to $25000 if the account holder uses the check card for at least 10 purchases, makes a direct deposit, and opts for electronic statements.

The rate drops to 0.10% APY if the consumer does not meet the conditions set for the program. Amplified checking does not incur monthly service charges and does not require any minimum balance.

Accounts greater than $25K have lower rewards of 1.01%.

Membership to the union it open for those who are residents, workers, volunteers, or students in the counties of Scott, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Carver, Anoka, or Dakota. A minimum balance of $5 in the share savings account is prerequisite to membership.

They have offices in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, St. Paul, and North Field in Minnesota.

The union is a registered member of the NCUA with charter # 24297.

The Heritage Credit Union has a reward checking account with a very attractive yield of 5% APY called Go Go Green Checking . The indicated yield applies to accounts with balances of up to $25,000 with the account holder accumulating 10 debit card purchases, receives e-statements, and makes one direct deposit.

Accounts with balances higher than $25K gains 0.5% APY. If the conditions for the account are not met, the yields drop to 0.25%. The Go Go Green Checking doesn’t require a minimum balance and doesn’t impose monthly service fees.

Membership can be started with a minimum share saving account balance of $25. Interested individuals may visit the credit union’s branch in Wisconsin or Illinois to sign up for the program.