When the Citibank e-savings account started (I think about 18 months ago) the interest rate was 3.5%, so I moved all my spare cash there; but now it's 1.5%. Capital One & HSBC are currently offering 3.5% e-savings accounts - is this the same deal? Are these only introductory rates which I should expect to fall dramatically in due course? [more inside]
posted on Jul 5, 2008 - 9 answers

I read in the Wall Street Journal this weekend that Iceland's Central Bank raised interest rates...to 13.75 percent! Can I move my money to Reykjavik? [more inside]
posted on Nov 6, 2007 - 8 answers

Are there any hidden drawbacks to keeping my savings in an ING Direct Orange account? [more inside]
posted on Nov 30, 2005 - 17 answers

My parents used to tell me fantastic tales, that back in the day (being the 1950s), banks offered interest rates on savings accounts upwards of 10%, with almost no fees and charges. In comparison, my current bank (in Australia) offers me 0.5% interest, which is completely countered by about the first hour's worth of monthly charges. This is despite the bank being more efficient, having fewer employees, and having greater access to global capital. Can anyone tell me, if the global economy is really doing so great these days, why are savings / investment interest rates so abysmal in comparison to the past? Will this ever turn around again in the future?
posted on May 30, 2004 - 15 answers

What is the best thing to do with a small amount of money, around $5,000? Savings interest is almost a joke, CDs look attractive or maybe even mutual funds. Preferably the safer the better, as in investing it all in a high-risk mutual fund and losing it would make me cry. I've checked out "Investment FAQ" and it seems as if CDs are the best. I know little about investing but making money doing nothing intrigues me. What would be an expected return on such an investment? Is it even worth locking the money up for something like $10 a month?
posted on Mar 3, 2004 - 20 answers