We’ve split this list into two parts: 1) the top checking accounts from banks offering attractive deals for first time customers, and 2) the very best checking accounts should you be looking for high rates of interest.

Best Checking Account Offers:

HomeStreet Bank of Seattle Checking Account – Get up to $215 in bonuses

Setup any direct deposit (payroll, pension, Social Security or other income) into a new HomeStreet checking account – $80 Bonus

Buy things together with your Visa® Check Card – $60 Bonus ($2 per purchase up to $60)

Pay bills online – $40 Bonus ($10 per payment up to $40)

Turn in your old checks and debit card – $25 Bonus ($15 for the check card and $2 per pad of checks up to $10)

Join to receive e-statements – $10 Bonus

NuVision Federal Credit Union Checking Account – Get up to $150 in bonuses

Open new checking account with $100 minimum – get $50

Maintain checking account for 3 months – get $50

Create and use online bill pay – get $50

Charter One Checking Account – Get up to $120 in bonuses

Enroll in

Green$ense

™ paperless program – earn up to $120 a year

Subscribe to “Everyday Points” which rewards you for combining your checking account, piggy bank, plastic card and other accounts with Charter One

Charter One also has a fascinating college savings account that pays you up to $1,000 over 18 years of savings.

NEW Chase Business Checking Account – $100 Coupon Offer

Get a $100 Chase cash bonus checking account coupon to redeem when you open a brand new Chase business checking account which includes a deposit of $500 or higher.

Bank of America Checking Account – $100 bonus for first time checking account, plus $25 for refer a friend

For new customers opening a checking account accompanied by a minimum $500 – Get $100

Checking account must remain open for at least 30 days

Make at least one purchase using the new check card

Apply at Bank of America online or visit a banking center and reference offer code AOU260909 to open a fresh checking account

Refer a buddy to open a brand new checking account – Get $25 (good only until 1/31/2010 unless extended)

Best Checking Account Interest levels:

Founders Bank “Kasasa Cash” Checking Account – 5.01% APY

5.01% APY on daily checking account balance up to $10,000

2.25% APY on portion of daily checking balance above $10,000

Reimburses all ATM fees nationwide

No minimum checking account balance

$100 minimum to open checking account, no minimum thereafter

Bank of The Sierra Checking Account – 4.09% APY

Earn 4.09% APY on checking account balances up to $25,000

Earn 1.01% APY on checking account balances above $25,000

Reimburses up to $25.00 in ATM fees nationwide per checking account cycle

NEW Reliabank Dakota Ultimate Checking Account – 4.02% APY

Earn 4.02% APY on checking account balances up to $25,000

Earn 1.01% APY on checking account balances above $25,000

Make twelve CheckCard transactions per statement cycle

Enroll and receive e-statements

Have at least one direct deposit, one automatic debit, or one bill pay clear the account per statement cycle

AmericaNet Bank Rewards Checking Account – 4.00% APY

Make 10 AmericaNet Bank® VISA® CheckCard sales transactions

Receive all statements electronically

UPDATED NorStates Bank Checking account – 3.50% APY

NEW 3.50% APY paid on the portion of the checking account balance below $25,000 (DOWN FROM 4.50%)

1.01 APY paid on the portion of the checking account above $25,000

All checking accounts automatically be eligible for a the very first cycle

Reimburses up to $25 in ATM fees nationwide per month

NorStates now offers a
free iTunes Download checking account

, but we would rather have the higher yield

Click here to see the January, 2010 list of best checking accounts.

For much more information, go to best checking accounts