Washington Mutual Online Banking

Many Washington Mutual customers are a little nervous about the switchover to Chase Bank that their banking is undergoing and are wondering how things might change for them. For many, one of the strongest suits that WaMu offers is its customer service and the ease of online banking at WaMu.

So far, WaMu Online Banking 2009 hasn’t changed much, just the title on top of the screen (announcing the move to Chase). The same services that Washington Mutual Online Banking has always offered are still there. Account holders have been told that their accounts will move to Chase without changing numbers and it may be some time before online banking at WaMu changes completely to Chase’s system.

Most of the services that WaMu offers online are also offered by Chase, of course. The difference is the look and feel and the location of items between the two sites. Security at both WaMu Online Banking 2009 and Chase is high, of course.

Many of the expected changes will be to the accounts themselves, as checking, savings, et al are moved to Chase versions of the same. Whether this means a change in offers is anyone’s guess.

Online banking at WaMu will be missed by customers who loved their bank, but with Chase being a leader in the industry, it’s not likely that the changes will be all or even mostly bad. For now, WaMu Online Baning 2009 may be the last year for the blue banner.

It’s been a little while since we here at Savings Accounts 411 had a look at Washington Mutual Online. As the bank steadily changes over to Chase Bank, their website sees slow, but sure upgrades and changes to match the new persona.

Since that review was so recent, we’ll just quickly overview the changes in the couple of weeks since then and then focus on other online banking at Washington Mutual rate offers.

The upgrade towards becoming Chase Bank on WaMu Online progresses with the design beginning to look more and more like Chase, now incorporating the Chase Bank piggy bank logo. Most functionality is unchanged since our last review, but some rates have updated since then, so we’ll look at that part of online banking at Washington Mutual now.

Nearly all interest-bearing accounts at WaMu Online are now pointing to the Chase Bank site for reference. Certificates of deposit are of high concern to many of our readers, and Chase has some good offers in that regard.

Washington Mutual Online offers six specials through Chase: 9 months at 1.01% APY, 13 months at 1.25% APY, 18 months at 1.50% APY, 24 months at 2.00% APY, 48 months at 2.50% APY, and 60 months at 3.00% APY. These require a $10,000 minimum deposit to open and maintain.

For those online banking at Washington Mutual who’re looking for savings interest, the Performance Savings accounts at WaMu Online offer 0.10% APY up to $9,999, tiering up from there to 0.50% APY on $10,000+ and to 0.75% APY on $25,000+.

A lot of great changes going on at Washington Mutual Online. Current customers are weathering the change to Chase Bank, which seems to be going smoothly.

It’s time to review Washington Mutual online banking for you here at Savings Accounts 411. With the changeover to Chase Bank, much of WaMu Online has changed and will continue to change, so we’ll bring you the information as it happens.

Most of the expected technologies that customers have come to rely on for WaMu Online banking are still there: account balances, histories, voided checks, and so forth. Transfers between WaMu accounts and Chase accounts (if both exist) are also possible at WaMu Online.

Washington Mutual online banking options that are now at Chase Bank are clearly labeled and transfer you to the Chase website when you’re using them. This can get confusing, but if you’re paying attention, you’ll see the warnings and know what’s going on.

Some users around the Web are reporting problems with opening new WaMu Online savings accounts now with the changeover. Especially those who use a credit fraud blocking service like LifeLock. This is mainly a security issue and isn’t happening with Chase accounts, only with WaMu Online banking signups. It will probably be resolved when the total changeover to Chase finishes this year.

The WaMu Online website hasn’t changed much in the last year or so and mostly services have been being slowly removed and linked over to the like-service at Chase Bank. Current WaMu Online banking accounts in areas that have all branches converted to Chase will automatically redirect to Chase Bank.

Overall, the transition to the new bank name and system is taking time and is being done slowly to avoid too much shakeup with WaMu customers.

Today we’re going to have a new look at the home loan options available at Washington Mutual home mortgage rates. Periodically, we here at Savings Accounts 411 like to see how they’ve changed and report that to you.

In many areas, Washington Mutual (WaMu) is now Chase Bank. Rates for mortgages vary by area as well, so what you see here might not be the same as what’s available locally. These are a guideline. For these rates, we’re assuming a $150,000 loan with excellent credit (700 FICO or better) and up to 15% down plus the cash on hand to pay any fees associated. Rates will be expressed by mortgage type, annual percentage rate (APR), and any closing costs will be expressed in points (percentage of loan).

For a 30-year fixed mortgage, WaMu mortgage rates are 6.00% or 5.811% with 1.25 or 2.0 points given. More points means higher fees, of course, but a lower APR.

For a 15-year fixed, Washington Mutual mortgage rates are 5.33% APR and 5.212% APR with 1.25 or 2.125 points given, respectively.

For adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) loans, WaMu mortgage rates are available in a 5/1 ARM at 4.366% with 1.25 points or 4.304% APR with 2.25 points. A shorter 1 year ARM is also available at 4.218% APR with only 1 point.

These accounts are not FHA loans, but may qualify in some areas. Your situation will vary and talk to your financial advisor before making a decision on your new home purchase. WaMu mortgage rates will change periodically, so if you are interested in today’s rate, pre-qualify and lock in your rate. WaMu does this for up to 60 days in most areas.

Once again, it’s time to update you on how the certificate of deposit accounts at Washington Mutual rates are doing.  Our job here at Savings Accounts 411 is to keep you appraised of the latest in banking and savings, so here we go.

Be aware that in many areas, Washington Mutual is now Chase Bank and these rates may or may not apply there.  In most areas, the rates available are the same, but not in all.  Washington Mutual CD rates come in two types: standard and specials, as do Chase accounts.

CD Specials, Washington Mutual Rates
Four special WaMu CD rates are available: 9, 13, 24, and 60 month terms. These have a $10,000 minimum deposit requirement to open.

The 9 month has a 1.01% annual percentage yield (APY), the 13 month has a 1.25% APY, the 24 month a 2.00% APY and the 60 month a 3.00% APY. Chase rates for these special terms are the same.

Two more special terms are available at Chase including an 18 month term at 1.50% APY and a 48 month term at 2.50% APY.

Standard WaMu CD Rates
Standard rates are available in five terms and have a $1,000 minimum deposit requirement. Both the 6 and 12 month Washington Mutual CD rates are 0.25% APY and the 18, 24, and 36 month WaMu CD rates are 1.01% APY.

All Washington Mutual accounts are FDIC insured. If any of these Washington Mutual rates appeal to you, open yours today as rates change regularly and without warning.

Washington Mutual is now owned by Chase Bank, which is taking over Washington Mutual Online banking credit cards now.  Those Washington Mutual credit cards are now Chase cards, but offered from the Washington Mutual Online credit cards website.  We here at Savings Accounts 411 thought we’d have a look at them to let you know what’s offered now.

Right now at Washington Mutual Online credit cards, the Platinum is one of the top offers.  This card has a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) for 12 months and then rates as low as 9.24% APR.  Balance transfers to this card are also at 0% for the first year.

For the new or returning student, the Student Rewards card may be the answer from Washington Mutual Online banking credit cards.  These have a 3 month 0% APR with rates after that as low as 13.24% APR.  This card is a good offer for the student who needs to keeping establishing credit.

Several specialty cards from Washington Mutual Online credit cards are also available, focusing on businesses or brands with reward points towards purchasing from them.  These range from Volkswagen to Surbaru to Starbucks to Amazon.com.  These are fairly standard credit card offers, but have the added incentive of the Washington Mutual credit cards points towards purchases at the brand.

Overall, there are great offers from Washington Mutual Online credit cards right now, all well worth looking into if you’re in the market for a new card.

Washington Mutual Online is becoming Chase Bank.  So all of the mortgages are now going through Chase as well.  They are still labeled as Washington Mutual Online banking mortgage offers on the WaMu website, however.  We here at Savings Accounts 411 thought that, since a home mortgage is the largest of your investments in life, you might want to be brought up to date with what’s available now.

Washington Mutual mortgage offers come in 30 and 15 year fixed rates as well as 7/1, 5/1, and 1/1 adjustable rate mortgages (ARM).  Assuming you have 20% down and good credit, we looked at what is available right now for single family homes as primary residences.

For a 30-year fixed, you will have two choices depending on the number of points you wish to accept and the annual percentage rate (APR) you’d prefer.  For 1.125 points, you can get a 5.912% APR and for 2.250 points, you can get a 5.381% APR.

For a 15-year fixed, you also have two similar choices.  These Washington Mutual mortgage offers have 1.0 points for 6.089% APR or 2.125 points for 5.380% APR.  Good offers from Washington Mutual Online banking mortgage office.

Adjustable rates for a 7/1 are at 1 or 2 points with a 5.205% or 4.841% APR respectively.  A 5/1 ARM from Washington Mutual Online comes in a 1.0 or a 2.125 point offering with 4.628% APR and 4.442% APR respectively.  The 1 year ARM is at 4.239% APR.

These are some strong Washington Mutual mortgage offers worth considering if you’re in the market for a home loan.

We had an overview of the Washington Mutual Online banking mortgage offers a couple of days ago, but didn’t get very in-depth with the rates available.  So we here at Savings Accounts 411 thought we would get more nitty-gritty with the WaMu mortgage rates offers from Chase Bank right now.

For this comparison, we’ll assume an average credit history, 10% down payment, and will look at both fixed and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM).  Of course, your actual Washington Mutual mortgage rates will vary from these, depending on credit history and circumstances, but these will give you a good idea of what’s realistically avaialble in WaMu mortgage rates.

For a 15-year fixed rate, these circumstances would give an annual percentage rate (APR) of 4.857%.  A slightly higher rate on a 20-year fixed of 5.207% APR is also available.  The more traditional 30-year fixed Washington Mutual Mortgage rates would be at 4.601% APR for this loan type.

For ARM loans, a 5/1 would be at a 4.64% APR for the fixed term while a 3/1 would be at 4.575% APR for the fixed term.  While adjustable mortgages have gotten a bad name with the current economic problems, they can be the right choice for some people.  So don’t count them out.

Overall, the Chase / Washington Mutual Online banking offers for WaMu mortgage rates are definitely competitive.  Rates will change, of course, with the market and the Fed’s interest, and what you qualify for will depend on your individual circumstances.

Washington Mutual Online banking currently has three certificates of deposit to look at.  To keep you up to date, Savings Accounts 411 will look at both the Traditional and the WaMu Online CD offers, which are both through Chase Bank as the merger between the two banks completes.

For Traditional Washington Mutual CD rates, the returns are based on the balance of the certificate deposit.  Terms are from 1 to 120 months.  For up to $99,999 in deposit, these annual percentage yields (APY) range from 0.25% (1-17 months)  to 1.0% (18-59 months) and to 1.50% (60-120 months).

This WaMu CD is worth looking at for those who prefer to open the account personally and have in-branch service.

For those who want a minimum deposit of $1,000 and prefer much higher yields, WaMu Online offers Washington Mutual CD rates at tiered levels from 6 month terms to 60 months.

Short term 6, 8, and 12 month terms are giving yields of 1.25%, 1.35%, and 1.50% APY respectively.  A special 13-month term gets a yield of 1.75%, so if you’re looking at the one year, you might consider adding a month for the extra APY.  Another special is the 2 year term, which gives a whopping 2.0% APY while the 60 month term gives a 2.5% APY for depositors.  For comparison, the 18 month rate is 1.50% and the 36 and 48 month terms give 1.75% APY.

So there are some good offers for Washington Mutual CD rates if you’re interested in checking out Washington Mutual Online banking.  These accounts will hold their rates even as they move over to Chase.

Washington Mutual mortgage accounts are being moved to Chase Bank as the merger gets completed logistically.  Soon, Washington Mutual Online banking will be Chase Bank too.  Right now, new WaMu mortgage inquiries are being forwarded to Chase Bank.  So we here at Savings Accounts 411 thought it would be a good idea to see what the offers for home mortgage and equity loans are at Chase.

There are several new home loan options from Chase (Washington Mutual mortgage) in 30-year and 15-year fixed rates as well as 7/1, 5/1, and 1 year adjustable rate mortgages (ARM).  Rates are competitive on the fixed mortgages, with WaMu mortgage (Chase) being around the 5.42% annual percentage rate (APR) for average credit holders.  ARM loans are at about that rate for the fixed period as well.

For home equity loans or lines of credit, Chase (WaMu mortgage) has some great calculators for checking rates and offers.  For debt consolidation, home improvement, and all kinds of uses, this can be a great time to get in on a home equity loan.  Check out the latest Chase offers before deciding on your Washington Mutual Online banking offer.

Rates vary regionally and with the current market and Fed rates, so check often before making a decision.  As Washington Mutual Online banking moves to Chase, many of their offers are merging, so be sure to know the latest before you lock in.