What changes before, during and after the decision
A temporary APY should be averaged across the period you will hold the account.
Eligibility can depend on opening date, new money or account activity.
The fallback APY matters when the cash will remain after the promotion.
Write down eligibility
Record who qualifies, what balance earns the offer, required activity and when the promotional clock begins.
Record the start date, end date, eligible balances and required activity. Some promotions apply only to new money or new customers, so the displayed APY may not cover the full deposit. Save the offer terms in case the account display later changes.
Blend the two periods
Estimate interest during the promotion and after it using the disclosed fallback rate or a conservative scenario.
Split the holding period into promotional and fallback phases. Estimate interest for each phase instead of applying the opening rate for a full year when the offer ends sooner.
Plan the review date
Set a reminder before expiration and preserve transfer access so inertia does not decide where the cash stays.
Set a reminder before expiration and review the replacement APY, fees and transfer route. Avoid opening a promotion unless the post-promotion account is acceptable or moving the money later is realistic.
Value the full holding period
| Situation | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Short planned deposit | Compare promotion earnings after any opening friction. |
| Cash remains longer | Weight the fallback period heavily. |
| Requirements may be missed | Calculate the nonqualifying outcome too. |
Build the plan before the deadline
The timing plan in one view
A temporary APY should be averaged across the period you will hold the account.
Short planned deposit: Compare promotion earnings after any opening friction.
Save the promotion terms at opening; a banner without dates and conditions is not enough evidence for later questions.
Primary sources
- FDIC: Deposit account basicsOfficial reference ↗
- CFPB Regulation DD: deposit disclosuresOfficial reference ↗
Answers to check before you act
Is a promotional APY guaranteed for everyone?
No. Eligibility and qualifying conditions control the offer.
How should I compare a promotion with a steady APY?
Calculate dollars earned over the same holding period, including the post-promotion rate.