Dollar Savings Direct, a division of Emigrant Bank

These Emigrant subsidiaries - Dollar Savings Direct and My Banking Direct - are a real nuisance when one offers a better rate that the other will not match. Transfers are next day though. So I can transfer out of one and through Bank of America and into the other and I only lose 2 days of interest.

Everyone loves to attack this one, but I've had a few of these accounts and here's the one thing I know. If I go to their site and want to transfer money from my external account, it is a same day thing. In other words I am earning interest the same day. Now, I know that it is only one account that you can link, can't run a transfer from outside, etc., etc., but this is worth something, no?

Feels like the three cup gambling trick at tourist sites in London or Paris with all of the rate changes at different subs and not being about to move between Dollar Savings and My Savings. I also don't like the gold and foreclosed property pitches (only on websites after you log in). All that having been said, they do tend to be competitive with one of the two subs sometimes and they do not restrict online transfers (a huge problem with other banks on this list).

Here is a warning. Unlike other online banks, if you try to set up an link in order to withdraw money from an external account by verifying two small deposits, it will be rejected by the bank. They only allow ACH deposits.

Not great service, but all I need is access and the ability to transfer money with no limits and this one fits the bill nicely.

I am excited to see DSD as the first online bank to cross the 3% barrier. I have been an account holder on-and-off with this one from many years. I am aware of all of the comments about Emigrant Bank and their tactics. They have a history of playing among their brands - lower or holding one rate constant while raising another - and it is a real nuisance. But, that happens over months and years and usually not immediately (they aren't going to raise the rate to 3% today and lower it to 2% tomorrow, or at least that type of action isn't in their history). You can benefit from their higher rates as long as you continue to pay attention. And, the best thing is that if it becomes uncompetitive, you get out in two clicks (unlike Synchrony or Bread Savings or Rising Bank and Valley Direct that make it a full time job to get out).

DSD and all of Emigrant lures you in with a high rate, and then you find out a few months later than you are making well below the market.