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California First National Bank VS First Internet Bank of Indiana

Which bank is better for you?

  • Financial Rates: 3.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 3.5 Star Icon
  • Variety of Terms: 4.0 Star Icon
  • Required Opening Amount: 3.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
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Pros:

  • Can apply for CD accounts online
  • Shorter CD terms offer competitive rates
  • Can choose how to receive interest
  • Can withdraw interest without a fee

Cons:

  • High opening required amounts
  • Limited CD terms available
  • Low-interest rates on CD accounts
  • Early withdrawal fee does not vary
  • Financial Rates: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Customer Service: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Variety of Terms: 5.0 Star Icon
  • Required Opening Amount: 5.0 Star Icon
No Rate Information
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Pros:

  • Competitive interest rates offered
  • Low opening required amount
  • Good variety of CD terms available
  • Variety of options on how to fund CDs

Cons:

  • Early withdrawal fees are high
  • Closing CDs may have a check fee
  • New customers need approval
  • Cannot transfer money from CDs
California First National Bank CD Review

You can open all CalFirst CDs terms online. You can complete the entire application through the CalFirst website. There is also the option to apply by calling customer service or mailing in an application.

The shorter-term CDs offer more competitive rates than long-term CDs. The rates are more competitive with online CDs than long-term CDs. The short-term CDs include a three month and six-month term.

Customers can choose how to receive interest payments. You can have the money credited to your CD or another CalFirst account. You can have the money transferred into another bank account, or have the interest mailed to you in a check. Interest will credit to your account monthly.

Customers can choose how to receive interest payments. You can have the money credited to your CD or another CalFirst account. You can have the money transferred into another bank account, or have the interest mailed to you in a check. Interest will credit to your account monthly.

The initial amount required to open CalFirst CDs is high. Each of the standard CD terms requires $5,000 to open. You must keep that amount in the CD to earn interest. To open IRA CDs and earn interest requires a balance of $2,000.

There is a limited amount of CD terms offered through CalFirst. There are five CD terms available. Those terms range from three months to three years. CalFirst provides CD terms as standard CDs or IRA CDs. All terms can be opened online.

CalFirst CD interest rates are low. They are not competitive with online CD rates. These rates are competitive with typical bank rates. CalFirst rates are not tiered. Any balance over the opening amounts earns the rates listed on the website.

There are only two early withdrawal fees for CalFirst CDs. For terms less than one year, the fee is 90-days of interest. For CD terms 12-months or longer, the fee is 180-days of interest. If you withdraw money early, you must pay that amount of interest even if you have not earned it.

Read the full California First National Bank review.

First Internet Bank of Indiana CD Review

The First Internet Bank CDs offer competitive interest rates. The rates are competitive with other online accounts. First IB CDs offer interest rates much higher than typical bank rates. All the different CD terms offer competitive interest rates.

The amount required to open First Internet Bank CDs is low. CD terms requires $1,000. That amount is low compared to some online CD accounts. With that $1,000 required amount, you can open any of the First IB CD terms.

First Internet Bank offers a good variety of CD terms. The terms range from 3-months to 60-month CDs. They offer a total of eight CD account terms. All the CD terms are online CDs. You can apply for any term length online through the First IB website.

First Internet Bank offers a variety of ways to fund the CD. You can deposit money through an ACH transaction or deposit a check. You can set up a linked external account and make an electronic transfer. You can also send a wire or use a credit card for the initial funding of the CD. They do not accept third party checks.

First IB charges a fee for withdrawing money before the maturity date. The fees are high compared to other CD accounts. For three-month terms, the fee is 90 days of interest. For terms from 6-months to 18-months, the fee is 180 days of interest. The fee for CD terms from 24-months to 60-months is 360 days of interest.

First Internet Bank may charge a fee based on how you choose to receive your money from closed CDs. There is not a fee if you deposit the money into your First IB checking or savings account. If you request a check when you close your account, there is a $5 fee per check.

When you apply for an account, First IB must approve your account application. Once you complete the application, they will review your application. If you are approved, First IB sends an email within two business days after they review your account. If you already have a savings or checking account with First IB you do not need approval again.

First Internet Bank does not allow you to transfer money out of your CD accounts. They offer a fund transfer service, but their CD accounts are not eligible. Other First IB accounts charge a $5 fee to transfer money from a First IB account to an external account.

Read the full First Internet Bank of Indiana review.

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