We didn’t really believe what we were seeing when we saw it, but now that we’ve seen it, researched it and experienced it, we’re recommending it.

For your consideration: Try SmartyPig.com!

Why would you want to do this?

Well . . .

1. It’s a real bank, sort of. SmartyPig.com is actually a program run by West Bancorporation, Inc. out of Iowa.
2. SmartyPig.com is offering a whopping 4.30% on savings right now. That’s a full 1% or more over popular online savings rates offered by HSBC, ING and others.
3. Because they’re backed by a real, American bank, SmartyPig.com is FDIC insured. They’re web site might look a little childish, but it’s legit.

Another innovative part of the SmartyPig.com system is the idea of public savings goal. With this idea, you can tell your friends and family to visit SmartyPig.com, view your own savings goal and make contributions of their own. Saving for a house or maybe for a child’s college education are easy saving scenarios that nicely fit this innovative way to save and EMPHASIZE the importance of savings to those people who might simply buy your kids a new video game for their birthday or maybe another Bed, Bath & Beyond gift card for your anniversary.

$100.000 is the high limit for SmartyPig.com goals, so this service isn’t for everyone. You’re going to be hard-pressed, however, to beat the 4.30% interest rate on an FDIC insured account that helps you visualize savings goals and articulate them to others.

Good luck out there.

Keywords: money, savings, bank, online, goals, interest, return