We’ve found the best checking accounts that offer high rewards, and high interest rates to get 2010 started on the right foot.

Last year, we published a list of the best checking accounts paying as much as $220 for new customers to sign up.  And periodically we have featured banks offering the best checking accounts paying as much as 5.01% APY interest on checking account balances up to $25,000.

So we’ve divided this list into two parts: 1) the best checking accounts from banks offering attractive deals for new customers, and 2) the best checking accounts if you are looking for high interest rates.

Best Checking Account Offers:

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

• Set up any direct deposit (payroll, pension, Social Security or other income) into a new HomeStreet checking account – $80 Bonus
• Make purchases 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 your check card and $2 per pad of checks up to $10)
• Sign up 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 90 days – get $50
• Set up 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
• Enroll in “Everyday Points” which rewards you for combining your checking account, savings account, credit card and other accounts with Charter One

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

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

• For new customers opening a checking account with a minimum $500 – Get $100
• Checking account must remain open for at least 30 days
• Make at least one purchase with the new check card
• Apply at Bank of America online or go to a banking center and reference offer code AOU260909 to open a new checking account
• Refer a friend to open a new checking account – Get $25 (good only until 1/31/2010 unless extended)

Best Checking Account Interest Rates:

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 account balance above $10,000
• Reimburses all ATM fees nationwide
• No minimum checking account balance
• $100 minimum to open checking account, no minimum thereafter

NorStates Bank Checking account – 4.50% APY

• 4.50% APY paid on the portion of the checking account balance below $25,000
• 1.01 APY paid on the portion of the checking account above $25,000
• All checking accounts automatically qualify for the first cycle
• Reimburses up to $25 in ATM fees nationwide per month

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

AmericaNet Bank Rewards Checking Account - 4.00% APY

• Make 10 AmericaNet Bank® VISA® CheckCard sales transactions
• Receive all statements electronically

Related posts:

1. Best Checking Accounts For 2010 – February Update
2. $200 Checking Account Offer Through January 31, 2010 – Daily Deal
3. Checking Accounts Without ChexSystems
4. Best Checking Account Deals – Daily Deal

Tagged as: AmericaNet Bank, Bank Deals, Bank of America, Checking Account, HomeStreet Bank

Be sure to check out the latest bank rates, cd rates, mortgage rates and top deals on Rate Nerd.