I am the treasurer at my local non-profit organization, and we are
looking into getting a checking account, maybe one with interest
earning benefits. what is the best bank/plan to do this in? I live in
Houston, TX.

Greetings Colomboy,

After online review of a few banks in Houston, it appears that IBC
offers the best deal for non-profit checking.  I didn't locate any
interest earning non-profit checking accounts but you may discover a
plan from the following banks since they do offer free checking.

On their site at http://www.iboc.com/SubBusinessChecking.asp it reads

FREE Biz Rite Checking
A FREE checking account for small businesses, clubs and non-profit organizations.  
Features:
No monthly service charge
Opening deposit only $100
300 FREE items per month - Flexibility to perform up to 300
transactions at no additional cost
Overdraft Courtesy available - Avoid embarassing merchant fees and save money
IBC Voice - Bank from home or anywhere you want, anytime you want.
Check your balance, make transfers or order checks
IBC Bank Online - Bank from home or anywhere you want, anytime you
want. Check your balance, make transfers or order checks, and see your
check images
IBC Link - Access to the most comprehensive PC-based corporate cash
management system. Review account balance, review history, product
interim bank statements, transfer funds, initiate wire transfers and
verify check clearing/deposits. Password protected.

IBC contact info:
5615 Kirby Dr.
P.O. Box 6568
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 526-1211
FAX (713) 526-3930

Other Texas branches are located at http://www.iboc.com/SubContactUs.asp
There may one nearer you than in Houston proper.

***********************************************************

Wachovia offers free checking on their website at
http://www.wachovia.com/misc/0,,231,00.html but doesn't mention if
it's personal, business or non-profit, and it doesn't reference
interest checking.  Here is the Houston contact info for three
locations:

ESPERSON FINANCIAL CENTER
808 TRAVIS STREET, SUITE 110
HOUSTON, TX 77002
Phone: (713)223-0528
Fax: (713)229-6406

JONES ROAD FINANCIAL CENTER
9211 JONES ROAD
HOUSTON, TX 77065
Phone: (281)890-6915
Fax: (281)517-5186

NORTH ELDRIDGE FINANCIAL CENTER
12907 FM 1960 ROAD W
HOUSTON, TX 77065
Phone: (281)970-7669
Fax: (281)517-5026

The above are from http://wachovia.via.infonow.net/locator/ResultsDisplayAction.do;jsessionid=89E1FF92BC3B96E332AA612C9658646C.webls2

Google returned these additional locations but please phone first in
case they've been relocated:

909 Fannin St, Houston, 77010 - (713) 853-2200
4400 Post Oak Pkwy, Houston, 77027 - (713) 623-7000
 
******************************************

Because of long distance charges, I didn't call any banks but I did
want to provide you with a handy list whereby it's easy for you to
contact them locally.  Please see
http://www.switchboard.com/bin/cgidir.dll?PR=120&CID=19&MEM=45&ST=1&T=Houston&S=TX&EH=EHSERVICES%7CEHBRANDS&LNK=63%3A22&QV=02A68B05677A6D429D313203O01A68805677A6D429F313203O07A68905677A6D4298313203O03A62F3D677A6D42FE313203&QR=1&QX=1&EHSERVICES=Checking
for the listings.

Should any of the links I provided fail to load, please request a
clarification before rating my answer as I am happy to respond
further.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

Houston, TX bank
Houston, TX non-profit interest checking
Houston, TX non-profit free checking
Houston, TX non-profit checking account

Thanks!