Missouri, Arkansas Deal: 5% Checking

Southern Bank has a great high-yield checking account for residents of Missouri and Arkansas.

This is one of the few local offers that's still paying 5% on high-yield checking accounts – or anything else.

The the best nationally available high-yield checking accounts are only paying 4%.

The monthly requirements to qualify for that rate are very typical for these kinds of accounts – 12 debit card purchases and one automatic bill payment or direct deposit a month. So are the benefits, including free ATM use, nationwide.

(If you’re unfamiliar with how these accounts work, “The ABCs of High-Yield Checking Accounts” will explain all of the rules.)

Online applications are processed through Kasasa Cash, a Web site that opens new accounts for many smaller banks.