Regal Financial, a community bank based in Seattle, WA, is offering a 12 month CD for 4% APY. Details about the CD are scarce. I tried to get through to someone on the phone but was dumped into a voicemail system and asked to leave a message. As a practice, I don't leave a message for a bank since I think answering the phone is rather expected of financial institutions.

Still, for those willing to jump through hoops to get the best rate, this looks like it for the moment. The best 12-month CD rate according to the BestCashCow rate table is Corus Bank at 2.94% APY. Regal Financial Bank's 12-month CD is a full percentage point higher.

Here are some key points about the offer:

• New money only
• For balances between $2,500 - $250,000

• Offer expires March 15, 2009
• Customer must open two other products with Regal Bank in order to quality for the rate. Presumably the two ther products would be something like a checking account and a credit card.

Judging by the website, I'd say the account can only be opened via phone or a branch visit. I didn't see any mechanism for opening it online.

Regal Financial Bank is rated 3 1/2 Stars out of 5 by Baeur Financial (Good) for its safety and soundness. The bank was founded and has been FDIC insured since 2002 (certificate #57236). I tried to examine their annual report but it was password protected online.

Irwin Union Bank is running a summer promotion where it is offering either a Sharp 22-inch HDTV LCD TV or a Flip MinoHD Mini-Camcorder for opening a personal 11-month CD with a minimum deposit of $20,000. The television is retailing for $300 on Amazon and the Camcorder is selling for approximately $200.

The offer is available nationally although the rates vary depending on geography. I checked the rates in Texas and Massachusetts and both were 2.01% APY. That's not bad as the top 12-month CD is currently paying 2.55% APY. It appears the offer will run until Irwin decides to end it as there was no end date on the information page.

A $300 gift is pretty hefty. As BestCashCow's bank bonus page shows, most bonuses are in the $50-$100 range. If you need a new television or mini-camcorder, this might be a deal to consider.

The CD can be opened online and funded via an ACH transfer. The rate locks when the application is submitted and the bonus will be sent 30 days after the account is opened and funded.

Safety and Soundness

Irwin Union Bank is actually chartered as two seperate banking entities: Irwin Union Bank and Trust, a state chartered bank under the laws of Indiana and Irwin Union Bank FSB, a Federally chartered bank. Deposits in either are FDIC insured and according to the site's FAQs, the bank will open the account at the bank that is "most convenient for you." You can call and specity which bank you'd prefer. Irwin Union Bank and Trust has 0 out of 5 stars at Bauer Financial (lowest) while Irwin Union FSB has 2 out of 4 stars (problematic).

Credit for the find goes to BankDeals.

See the best online 1-year CD rates where you live here.

Meridian Bank Texas is offering a Gridiron CD where the rate increases if either Texas Christian University (TCU) or the University of North Texas (UNT) win a football game or a bowl game. It's one of the most original or wackiest CD promotions I've ever seen. If you open a one year CD and a relationship account before Ausut 31, 2009, your rate can increase up to 145 basis points depending on how either team does. Right now, their one-year CD is paying 2% APY.

Here are some other details of the offer:

• This is a very local offer that must be opened in-branch. Meridian Bank Texas has two branches in Forth Worth and Denton.
• Minimum balance is $1,000, maximum is $100,000.
• The CD must be accompanied by a relationship account to ge the 10 bps bump for each win. Relationship accounts come with a daily balance of $2,500.
• For regular season victories, the interest rate bump will become effective on December 31, 2009. That means that your CD will only earn the enhanced interest for 6-8 months, depending on when you open it.
• For bowl victories, the bump will happen as of January 15, 2010.

I don't know how well either of these are projected to do, but if you follow them, this gives you a chance to have a little something wagered on the game.

See the best CD rates where you live here.