What are we looking for from the best savings accounts? No minimum balance or monthly account fees, higher than average interest rates, an online service, the ability to transfer funds, direct deposit, automatic bill payments, unlimited monthly transactions or the option of paper free billing. Are we simply willing to accept any account from a friendly teller that smiles and knows your first name?
The first rule of business when looking for the best savings accounts is to read the fine print and ask some direct questions. It is also important to buy something rather than it being sold to you. For example you entered the bank to make a deposit or a withdrawal, not invest in a saving account so if you walk out of the bank with a savings account you have had it sold to you. Alternatively you could decide that a saving account is in fact a great idea but rather than walking out with the one that they are offering you could look at the options on line and see the differences within the best savings accounts.
It may be that a bank will give you extras credit if you open up a check account as well as the savings account, which should allow you to move money flawlessly from one to the other without any. However ask first if the check account has any fees associated with it. The normal rule here is that banks do not really care how they take your money they simply want to take your money.
The best savings accounts should not demand a minimum balance or a monthly fee. Some financial institutions or banks charge a monthly fee if a high minimum balance is not reached but the best accounts will not involve these fees and are free for you to maintain.
It is also prudent to compare interest rates between banks in order to find the highest possible rate offered. It may be possible to get a much higher rate of interest on money held in the account simply by choosing one bank over another when looking for the best savings accounts.
The best savings accounts should be with a bank that has an online service. This makes it really easy to check the account balance or to transfer funds. It also allows you to take advantage of managing your account from anywhere in the world.
Best savings accounts should always include direct deposit, as this is a convenient feature that allows for earnings and other payments to be directly credited to your savings account. With this, there is no need to wait for the postman nor do you have to go to the bank to cash a check. Best of all, the money is available as soon as the funds are deposited in the account.
In Britain in the past, we trusted our GPs and our banks without reserve. Doctor Shipman and the recent banking crisis show that we can no longer do that so when looking for the best savings accounts it is important that you get a second opinion and shop around a little. It is your money and ultimately it is you that is responsible for looking after it.