Since I've moved south I've been balancing a PNC Bank Account for accessing money without ATM fees when I'm in Erie, a Wachovia Checking Account for accessing money without ATM fees here, and an HSBC online savings account because, when I opened it at least, it had a great interest rate (around 5.5% I believe). Wachovia is nice because it is a local bank, however I just discovered that all outbound electronic transfers get a nice $3 fee! That's crap as far as I'm concerned.

However Platz just informed me about the Charles Schwab High Yield Checking account. This checking account has a 3% interest rate, doesn't charge any ATM fees, refunds all ATM fees any other bank charges you, and also provides you with a Brokerage account to go with the checking in case you want to do any investing. This is a really good deal so I went ahead and opened an account. I figure once I get some money coming in from my assistantship, I'll close my PNC and Wachovia accounts and just use the Charles Schwab Checking/Brokerage and HSBC Savings accounts.

Then when I make the big bucks I can use it to invest! At least once the stock market starts to look better...