Bank Deals recently posted a hot new checking promotion from Provident Bank, it’s a $100 checking account bonus when you open a checking account by November 21st, 2008 and meet some other conditions. You will also need a direct deposit and a MasterMoney debit card by 12/31 and the money is yours. Your best bet is to use their Totally Free Checking - minimum deposit to open is $25 and there is no balance requirements or maintenance fees.

Provident Bank also runs Providentdirect, an online bank account that offers 3.75% APY, so you could pair it up with that.

Guess who has just joined the online high yield savings account market? The Provident Bank of Massachusetts has with Bank Provident Online, their new internet division offering 3.30% APY guaranteed until 2009 (which is only the next 5 months).

3.30% isn’t the highest rate, HSBC Direct offers 3.50% APY interest rate until August (with no mention of the rate afterwards), but they are covered by FDIC and DIF. DIF stands for Depositors Insurance Fund and it’s a private insurance fund that insures all deposits above the $100k FDIC limits.

Hat tip to Bank Deals for the find.