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This week, the banking deal we want to highlight is a 3% APY 12-month Special EasyStart CD offered by Navy Federal Credit Union. To understand how good a deal this is, the average 1-year CD rate according to BestCashCow data is 0.61% APY while the very best 12 month bank (not credit union) CD rate in our database is 2.01% APY.

Rising rates of foreclosures are causing some communities to take drastic yet cost-effective actions.

Average savings account rates continue to fall, with average online savings accounts yielding 0.85% APY and average local savings account rates at 0.23% APY. But there's no reason to settle for average savings rates.

There has been a trend for troubled homeowners to stop making payments and to wait in the home for banks to foreclose on their homes for months or years. But Florida is trying to shorten the foreclosure process and allow banks to remove defaulting homeowners from their homes much faster.

The cost of living in New York varies greatly across the state. Ironically, some of the more affordable parts of the state also offer some of the best CD rates. We scanned the BestCashCow database to come up with the best rates state-wide as well as those within the confines of New York City. Here's what we've found, focusing on 1 year rates:

It was not too long ago when strategic defaults were a viable financial solution for troubled mortgage borrowers. But with banks aggressively pursuing strategic defaulters now, you may want to think twice before going through with this decision.

Average one year CD rates have sunk below 1% APY. But if you put a little time and effort into researching rates, it's possible to find rates in California significantly above that level. Spending a few minutes of your time might put hundreds of dollars into your pocket - with no additional risk.

Congratulations to Farmers and Traders Bank of Bancroft, IA for having the highest 60-month CD rate according to the BestCashCow rate tables. The bank offers a 5-year CD that pays 3.00% APY with a minimum balance of $5,000. Just a few short months ago, there were many banks paying 3% or over, but the list has whittled down to Farmers and Traders and a handful of credit unions scattered across the country.

Believe it or not, mortgage rates have fallen below 4 percent. But is there anybody out there who can qualify?

On the surface, banks and credit unions look very similar. They both take customer deposits in the form of savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and checking accounts. They both also lend money in the form of mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, and credit cards. They both have branches, electronic banking, and many of the services that facilitate the savings, transfer, and lending of money. But a deeper examination reveals profound differences that impact the rates that you receive as well as the customer service provided to you.

More parents are helping their children these days by financing their mortgage. But is this a good idea?

The average thirty year fixed rate mortgage rate dropped below 4% for the first time on record according to Freddie Mac's Weekly Mortgage rate survey. Fifteen year rates and 5/1 ARMs also dropped to record lows as the chart below shows.

Massachusetts residents looking to take advantage of a competitive CD rate should look at Patriot Community Bank. It is currently offering some of the best CD rates in the state according to BestCashCow rate data. Its competitive rates include:

The mortgage industry can be very unpredictable at times, but it can also be predictable. Here are some predictions from mortgage analysts for the next few months.

The Emergency Homeowners' Loan Program provides $1 billion for unemployed homeowners. But is the program a success?