Finding the Best Interest Checking Account in the Fox Valley

For many of us, our checking account will be our most used financial tool. It’s the account we use for all of our everyday banking needs, from depositing our hard-earned paychecks to withdrawing cash to pay our bills, have a night on the town, or buy those all-important birthday gifts for the special people in our lives.

We may not think of our checking account as a way to make a little extra money each year, leaving that solely down to our savings account. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We’re here to show you how to make your ordinary finances work better for you and find the best interest bank account in the Fox Valley.

Look for higher interest rates

Interest checking accounts allow you to gain interest on higher account balances while still having the security and flexibility of a checking account.

The first place to start is to take a look at the interest rate that you’re being offered. If you can, research a few different banks to compare their percentages. You may find that some banks will offer a high interest rate if you hold a higher balance in your account. If you prefer to keep plenty of cash on-hand for a rainy day in your checking account, rather than a savings account, this can be the perfect way to grow your money through competitive interest.

You can rest easy knowing that your money is safe and secure, all while gaining interest and remaining completely accessible should you need to make a withdrawal quickly. 

BLC Community Bank’s Interest Plus checking account is a great example of this type of account. With a 3.00% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on balances up to $20,000, you’ll benefit from all the features of a day-to-day checking account and earn the rewards of some of the top high yield savings accounts in the country. It’s a win-win when you’re looking for high interest checking in Wisconsin.

Balances over $20,000 will receive an APY of 0.10%, still one of the best interest checking account options out there, and you’ll also get up to $10 in fee refunds each month if you use a non-BLC ATM. You’ll need to make a minimum of 12 debit card transactions to maintain your InterestPlus account each statement period; if these qualifications aren’t met, the APY will drop to 0.02%.

Essential checking account functions

The idea interest checking account will also come with key features such as online and mobile banking.

It’s not only high interest rates that you should be looking for. You need to be sure that you can access your account at any time to manage all of your daily monetary needs, so extensive mobile and online banking functions are a must. Whether you’re on the go or taking it easy on the couch, you should be able to see your financial overview within just a few clicks.

You should always be able to view your balance at a moment’s notice, along with the ability to deposit checks, pay bills, or quickly and easily make transfers to other accounts that you may have. If you need to send money to someone else via a transfer, this should also be accessible within your online and mobile banking system.

Even if you think that you might not need all of these features, any good checking account should include these services at minimum. Before making a decision about opening a new account, check for any fine print details like a minimum opening balance, minimum maintenance balance or fees, and, in the case of high interest checking accounts, a minimum balance to obtain the APY. Depending on how high a balance you plan to hold, some of these aspects may not matter to you, but it’s good to be informed about all of the requirements before moving ahead.

Find a bank with excellent customer service

If you ever run into any issues with your checking account or simply want some advice from a knowledgeable professional, banking with a customer service-focused institution is truly invaluable support that you can’t find anywhere else.

At BLC Community Bank, we’re proud to have served over four generations of individuals, families, and businesses in the Heart of the Valley since 1906. That’s right, we really have been here that long! We have roots that run deep and like you and your families, we’ve weathered the storms of depressions, recessions, and even a pandemic or two.

If we’ve learned anything over our over 115 years, it’s that we can achieve anything if we do it together. That’s why our team is dedicated to helping support and grow our community, from building relationships through superior customer service to volunteering and fundraising with various nonprofits throughout the Fox Valley.

We’ve been voted Best of the Valley Winner or Finalist “Best Bank” and “Best Mortgage Company” since 2014, all thanks to our employees’ commitment to customer loyalty, integrity, hard work, and creativity. As a locally-owned business, you’ll probably recognize a face or two the next time you stop by!

Take a look at other perks or services that come with a checking account

While there may be plenty of upsides to online-only banking in the digital age, the face-to-face interaction that you get with a local bank is hard to beat.

When you’re ready to open a high interest checking account in Wisconsin but aren’t sure where to start, there are a few other perks and services that might help to narrow down your choices.

While there may be plenty of upsides to online-only banking in the digital age, the face-to-face interaction that you get with a local bank is hard to beat. Why spend hours on the phone when you could visit a branch for friendly, personal service?

In addition to the standard features of any good checking account, other extras like unlimited check writing, free transactions at ATM access locations, overdraft protection, and direct deposit functionality can all help to enhance your banking experience and make your life a little easier.

Start earning more with your money today

If an “all the bells and whistles”, high interest checking account sounds like the ideal solution for getting the most out of your money, the Interest Plus checking is the right choice. You’ll enjoy all the features of BLC Community Bank’s Carefree Checking, plus the opportunity to earn higher interest on your balance. You’ll even get fee refunds of up to $10 a month when you use a non-BLC ATM at no extra cost.

Our team of experienced bankers are locally based in Appleton and the Fox Valley, working directly with you to find the best fit for your financial needs. Have a few questions or are ready to open an account? Contact us today at (920) 788-4141 or fill out our Contact Us form for more information.

 

*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is based on principal plus interest reinvested at the same rate with interest compounded monthly.

Fees could reduce earnings on these accounts.

Your interest rate and the annual percentage yield may change. At our discretion, we may change the interest rate on your account. We may change the interest rate on your account at any time.

² Carefree Interest Checking - If your balance falls below the minimum daily requirement of $500.00 during a statement period, a $5.00 service charge will be assessed.

³ InterestPlus Checking – To qualify for benefits on your checking account you must: Receive E-Statements, have at least 12 debit card purchases post and clear, and have at least one direct deposit or ACH deposit. All qualifications must be met per statement period to receive benefits. 0.02% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) applies to all balances if qualifications are not met during the statement period.

Limit of one InterestPlus Checking account per consumer.