You would almost think that high-yield checking was dead from the massive pullback over the past few years from previous leaders like HSBC, ING Direct and Smartypig, but it's possible to find banks offering checking accounts still offering rates as high as 4% and even 6%, as long as you follow the new, stricter, rules.
Bankrate surveyed the nation to find the best high-yield checking accounts out there and found plenty of contenders, but the game has definitely changed. For one, you're most likely to find the high rates being offered by a local bank or a credit union, rather than a national entity. You'll also have to abide by new rules designed to make you more "sticky" as a customer, just like the big banks have done with free checking. Expect things like higher minimum balances, a minimum number of debit transactions required per month, and having to set up direct deposit or bill pay on the account. There also new balance caps where if you exceed a certain level, the interest rate gets cut.
Some gems from their findings:
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