Banks for You!

Greater Hudson Bank provides attractive interest rate for their money market account called Greater Hudson Money Market account. This money market deal lets you earn an interest rate of 1.00% APY for balances up to $99,999 and earn an interest rate of 0.15% APY for the portion of the balance of $100,000 and above.

Individuals who wants to take advantage of this best money market rate will need to deposit a minimum of $1 to open an account. This money market account requires an average daily balance of only $1 to earn interest. Best of all, it has no monthly services charges.

Additional benefits that this money market offers are free monthly paper statement, free check images, unlimited deposits, free Visa Debit card, free online banking with bill pay, and free electronic bank statement. Finally, enjoy unlimited withdrawal on your account when you visit the branch or request it by mail.

Under federal regulations, you are allowed to make up to 6 pre-authorized withdrawals, electronic transfers, or telephone transfers per statement cycle. Once you exceed the limit, a fee may be charge per transaction you make on your account.

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That’s the good news. Now, the bad news. Wymar has a pretty restrictive field of membership. Credit Unions are allowed to restrict who can join to certain organizations, geographies, places of workship, or other criteria. Wymar membership is open to:

• Employees of BASF Corporation who work in Geismar, Louisiana and members of their immediate family
• Employees of this credit union and members of their immediate family
• Un-remarried spouses of persons who died while within the field of membership of this credit union
• Persons retired as pensioners or annuitants from BASF Corporation
• Organizations of such persons

Not all credit unions are this restrictive. Last week, I reviewed Fredercia Federal Credit and they allow anyone to join.

If you do quality, the credit union looks financially strong. Wymar FCU was established in 1958 and operates one branch in Geismer, LA. The credit union has a low Texas Ratio ( learn more about the Texas Ratio) of 4.71% versus the national average of 10.34% (the lower the Texas Ratio the better). Wymar holds $67.66 million in assets.

Wymar is NCUA insured, the credit union equivalent of FDIC insurance.

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An aggressive supermarket price war and a range of high street promotions are expected to trigger a sharp fall in December’s inflation figure on Tuesday.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is expected to reveal that the consumer prices index (CPI) rate of inflation fell to 4.2% last month, from 4.8% in November, according to consensus City forecasts.

The drop, down from September’s three-year peak of 5.2%, came as a vicious supermarket price war unfolded and an unprecedented number of pre-Christmas promotions were put on by retailers desperate to drum up trade.

A further drop in the rate of inflation is likely to reinforce arguments in favour of holding interest rates at historic lows of 0.5%, after thinktank CEBR predicted they will be held until 2016, as well as another boost to the quantitative easing programme.

Victoria Cadman, an economist at Investec, who has forecast CPI to come in at 4.3%, said: “Evidence for December to date suggests that it has been another month of heavy discounting on the high street, helping to keep a hold on clothing and other goods price inflation.”

Earlier this month, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said shop price inflation fell to 1.7% in December down from 2% in November – its lowest level for 16 months.

The rate of inflation for non-food items was at a two-year low of 0.3%, and significantly down on 0.8% in the previous month. T

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The SchoolFirst Federal Credit Union CD rates are today’s subject from Highest CD Rates.

The SchoolFirst Federal Credit Union certificate of deposit rates are in a tiered format with the minimum amounts being $500, $20,000, $50,000 and $100,000. Since our last visit in October of 2011 the CD rates have not changed. Also available are the IRA CDs, but their rates are slightly higher.

The current CD rates include the 30 day CD that is earning an APY of 0.15%, 0.20%, 0.25% and 0.30% respectively. The 3 to 5 month CD is earning an APY of 0.25%, 0.30%, 0.35% and 0.40%.

The 6 to 11 month CD is earning an APY of 0.30%, 0.35%, 0.40% and 0.45%. The 1 year to 17 month CD is earning an APY of 0.35%, 0.40%, 0.45% and 0.50%.

The 18 month To 23 month CD is earning an APY of 0.45%, 0.50%, 0.55% and 0.60%.  The 2 year to 35 month CD is earning an APY of 0.55%, 0.60%, 0.65% and 0.70%.

The 3 year to 47 month CD is earning an APY of 0.85%, 0.90%, 0.95% and 1.00% respectively. The

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American Express card members can register to earn 3X Membership Rewards points when you spend 4 times or more at Chevron and Texaco through April 15, 2012.

Just register your American Express card to earn 3X Membership Rewards points when you spend 4 times or more at Chevron and Texaco stations.

To receive 3X Membership Rewards points, Enroll an Eligible American Express Card by completing the registration form.

It’s important to note that the terms indicate you must be the recipient of this offer in order to register; however, you should still be able to successfully register for this promotion, even if you didn’t receive the email notification.

Once you register, spend 4 times or more at participating Chevron and Texaco stations with the same American Express Card between 12/15/2011 and 4/15/2012.

Your bonus points will be awarded after every 4th purchase.

American Express Chevron and Texaco Promotional Details

You may register more than 1 card for this offer, but only those cards that you register individually will earn the 3X points.

Using your registered card, you must make 4 or more purchases at any participating Chevron and Texaco location between 12/15/2011 and 4/15/2012.

An “Eligible Card” is a valid American Express Card issued in the U.S. by Amer

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