Thursday, October 2, 2008

Update on Money Market Rates

Interest rates are constantly changing these days, and it is hard to keep track of the rates that I've been getting in my various money market accounts. I've decided to compile a list of the annual percentage yields (APYs) for institutions that I have accounts at, or have otherwise mentioned in the blog. These rates are sorted by APY.

4.00% Washington Mutual (WaMu) Online Savings
3.40% Countrywide SavingsLink
3.40% Umbrellabank Pot O'Gold Money Market
3.30% E*TRADE Complete Savings
3.25% HSBCDirect Online Savings
3.00% ING Direct Orange Savings
3.00% Citibank Ultimate Money
2.50% Guaranty Bank Gold Rewards Money Market
2.43% Western FCU Money Market
2.29% PayPal Money Market
1.63% TD Ameritrade Money Market

Rates are believed to be accurate as of 10/1/08. I did not include banks that had special, or introductory rates in the list because these are not ongoing interest rates. I am also not including non-liquid accounts such as CD's in the list.

*Note that the PayPal Money Market and the TD Ameritrade Money Market funds are not FDIC insured.

In times of uncertainty, I can offer two pieces of advice that I think few people would disagree with:
1) Never exceed the FDIC insurance limits.
2) Don't keep all of your money in one place.

DC