Britton and Koontz Bank, NA pushes for their high interest rate checking account called Smart Rate Checking. This best checking account deal gives 5.25% APY for funds up to $30,000 while portions above this amount get a current interest rate of 1.01% APY. The base rate for this checking account in case the account holder does not meet its monthly requirements is 0.10% APY.

This high yield checking account requires an account holder to make 12 point of sale debit transactions per month. A debit or direct deposit must also be made. Other requirements are as simple as using the online banking and opting for monthly electronic statements.

The bank allows multiple accounts for a customer but each must satisfy the monthly requirements to get the best interest rate. There are no monthly service fees for this account and no balance requirements.

It seems the lack of ATM refunds is compensated through the high interest being offered. This may be one issue you want to raise if you will inquire through their customer service line.

There are no online applications so interested consumers must go to a branch to kick off the process. They have offices in Vicksburg and Natchez in Mississippi; and Baton Rouge in Louisiana.

Britton and Koontz Bank, NA has good reviews from bankrate.com which gave 3 stars and BauerFinancial which issued 5 stars. These performance ratings were based on their March 2009 data.

Britton and Koontz is indexed with the FDIC and insured under certificate number 2995.