The main difference between the Money Market Rates and that of a regular savings account is a person can write a check against the balance of their Money Market account.

The current bank rates for many market accounts are hovering about 1% APY. This is has been stationary for the better part of 2 years now. Unfortunately this trend has been going down slightly during that time. If you find a good rate, there is generally a minimum balance of over $10,000 in which your balance must be maintained or your APY will be reduced.

Unfortunately the money market rates have not kept pace with the treasury bonds which are over 3% at this time. The influence the FED has on these rates along with the others in the financial market is ruining the savings of millions of retired Americans. The worst part is there is nothing the average consumer can do other than at election time to vote for a president that has the welfare of the people first on their agenda rather than that of big business.

In for foreseeable future the interest rates of all types of investments will remain artificially low with little to no hope of any reprieve. The only way to change the current Money Market Rate Trends is at the ballot box. So remember to vote. Your future counts on it.

The best Money Market Rates at this time in May of 2011 is 1.50%. This can be obtained from three separate financial institutions.

The first one is called Redneck Bank. This is the online division of the Bank of Wichitas. They are currently offering the 1.50% APY on their Mega Money Market Account. This is a viable for all balances less than $35,000. For amounts over $35,000 the APY is 1.00%. There is no monthly fee associated with this account.

The other two are Evantage Bank and Americanet Bank. Unfortunately, both website are still advertising this rate but there are huge Sold Out sign on the page.

The next best rate is from Gogebic Range bank at 1.35%. Unfortunately you must live within a 3 county area of the bank in the state of Michigan to receive this rate.

Am Trust Bank has the next best rate which is earning an APY of 1.25%. This is on balances over $10,000 but under $150,000. For balances under $10,000 the rate is an APY of 0.50%

The Incredible Bank is offering a money market account that is earning an APY of 1.25% for balances between $100,000 and $249,999. For balances between $2,500 and $99,999 the APY is only 1.15%.

Remember the money market accounts allow for only 6 withdraws a month before you will be charged a fee. If you balance drops below the set limit on any one day, you could have a change in the APY you could have earned.

These are the Top Money Market Accounts as of May 18, 2011.

By making the banks hold a specific amount of cash reservoirs, they would not be able to loan that portion out, thus ensuring their banks would stay solvent. That is the theory, which at this time has seemed to work.

The current Chinese Money Market Rates are still fluctuating but are staying above 3 % for most terms with their 7 day bond at 2.6340% being the lowest on March 30, 2011.there are a great number of Chinese bonds maturing in the month of April and it is expected the Chinese Central Bank to tighten its monetary policy to ward off inflation.

The highest point of the Chinese repurchase rate was at 7.3% this past January. That was it greatest amount since October 2007. Unfortunately most American investors cannot cash in on these higher interest rates as an investment. The money market rates in china is all tied to the 7 day repurchase rate which regulates the lending potential of their banks and not what they are paying depositors.

For those wishing to invest in this region of the world, there are several Chinese mutual funds that are holding funds that are making a return on this banking mechanism. This is not like opening a money market account with an American bank because their banking system while similar, is different.

The Chinese Money Market Rates are currently rising to help counteract the effects of inflation in this growing economy.

The best Money Market rates are still being found at local and small community banks across the nation. The best one at this time that could be found is an APY of 1.76%. This is available from the City National Bank in Metropolis, located in Southern Illinois. This account requires a minimum deposit of $2,500.

Another one that is very close to the return on investment from the bank in Metropolis is the AmericaNet Bank. Their Mega Money Account is earning an APY of 1.75%. This is on all deposits up to $35,000. Balances above that point only earn 1.00% APY.

Quantum National Bank is another community bank located in the rural part of Georgia. They currently have a money market account that is earning an APY of 1.40%. The down turn of this offer is that it is only available to residents of the state of Georgia, and the minimum deposit for this APY is $100,000. For deposits below $10,000, the APY is only 0.10%.

These are some of the best Money Market rates January 2011 from across the nation that includes both local community banks and nationwide banks.

Looking on the internet for the best Money Market rates, one can find what is considered a decent rate for the economic times. From the AmericaNetBank, there is the best rate for a money market account at the present time. The APY is at 1.75% on balances up to $35,000. Balances above $35,000 receive an APY of 1.00%. Like all MMA, there are 6 withdrawals permitted before a fee is applied for this service. There is no minimum deposit required.

All of the stated best Money Market rates 2011 were accurate as of January 18, 2011, but are subject to change without notice.

The current and best money market rates are at Capital One Bank with a 1.35% annual percentage yield (APY) and a $1,000 minimum deposit.  Next is American Express Bank with a 1.30% APY and no minimum deposit requirement followed closely by Ally Bank with a 1.29% APY and also with no minimum requirement.

There are many other MMA rates available, of course, depending on your location and deposit amount.  WTDirect has a $10,000 minimum deposit required, but gives a 1.21% APY for it and Zion’s Bank in Utah has a 1.11% APY with a $1,000 minimum deposit.  Both ING and FNBO Direct have 1.10% APY offers with no minimum deposit requirement to open and maintain.

If any of these money market rates appeal to you, apply for yours today.  Money market account rates are subject to change and are variable, so what is listed here may not be what is offered tomorrow.  All banks listed are fully FDIC insured.

Interest on money market rates at Regions varies according to account balances.  A $100 minimum opening deposit is required and fees are charged unless the account balance is above $2,500.  Accounts with less than $2,500 will have a yield of only 0.02% annual percentage yield (APY) and will likely lose money due to fees.

For a $2,500 to $9,999 balance, the APY is 0.05%, which stays the same for balances of $10,000 to $24,999.  At $25,000 the rate climbs to 0.10% APY.

Of course, Regions Bank is fully FDIC insured.  Rates are variable, so these Regions money market rates could change at any time.  If you already have accounts at Regions, you may qualify for special, higher Regions Bank money market rates with a Relationship offer.

These are also variable, but are about 25% higher than the standard Regions Bank money market rates.

The minimum amount to open is $1,500 and the interest is compounded and credited monthly, based on the daily collected balance. Chase Money Market rates of interest are variable and determined daily at Chase’s discretion. Account fees, however may reduce earnings. When your Chase Bank Money Market Savings account is linked to an active Chase checking account with the Chase Better Banking package, higher relationship rates are available for you to enjoy. For those who do not have an active Chase Better Banking Checking account, non-relationship rates will apply (about 25% lower).

Debit Card purchases and cash withdrawals made outside the U.S. in a foreign currency will have a 3% exchange rate adjustment fee. There is a $3 fee for ATM withdrawal outside the U.S. and $2 each for any non-Chase ATM withdrawal, balance inquiry or transfer. Under federal regulations, only up to six pre-authorized withdrawals per monthly statement cycle is allowed with a Chase Money Market account, no more than three of which may be by check or similar order payable to a third party. This includes telephone or electronic transfers.

There is no limit on deposits or the number of withdrawals you can make from your Chase Bank Money Market at an ATM, by mail, or at a Chase branch, though. There is also a $12 monthly service fee but is waived if the minimum daily balance is $1,500 or more, or if linked to a Chase Better Banking Checking account.

A basic account under the money market option at the bank can be opened for $100. Regions Money Market rates for an investment of up to $2,499 are calculated with an APY of 0.02%. A monthly fee of $10 is deducted in case the account holders fail to maintain a minimum balance of $2,500. Interest is compounded daily and paid monthly on collected balances.

An investment from $2,500 to $9,999 will accrue an APY of 0.05% whereas an investment in the range of $10,000 to $24,999 will also return an APY of 0.05%. Investments greater than this amount accrue an APY of 0.10%.

The bank also offers Platinum Relationship accounts that require a minimum opening balance of $15,000 and a checking account in the bank with direct deposit. It can also be opened if a customer has a checking account with $2,500 in balance. An APY of 0.10% is offered to customers with up to $4,999 in deposit. An APY of 0.25% is offered to those with up to $19,999 in the account and an APY of 0.50% is offered to those with up to $29,999 in their accounts. Highest returns are possible on an investment of $100,000 or more with 0.75% in APY.

The best money market rates in US, as of May 2010, are as follows. Sallie Mae is offering the highest APY at 1.40% and it does not have any minimum deposit requirements.

US best money market rates with the second highest APY are offered by Discover Bank and Capital One Direct Banking; they are both offering an APY of 1.35% and ask for a minimum deposit of $500 and $2,500, respectively.

American Express Bank ESB offers an APY of 1.30% and does not have any minimum deposit requirement. Colorado Federal Savings Bank and newdominionDIRECT.com are also offering an APY of 1.30% but ask for an opening balance of $2,500 and $3,000, respectively.

Ally Bank rates are also included among the best money markets. They are currently estimated at 1.29% APY with no requirement of minimum balance. EverBank offers an APY of 1.26% for a minimum opening balance of $1,500. FNBO Direct is offering an APY of 1.25% for a minimum opening balance of $1. OneWest Bank and Nationwide Bank are also offering an APY of 1.25% and have a minimum deposit requirement of $1,000. Other banks whose APY is greater than 1.20% include iGobanking.com and giantbank.com; both of them are offering an APY of 1.21% with a minimum deposit requirement of $1 and $1,000, respectively.