Comments on: Emigrant Direct Foiled My Series I Bond Purchase!

By: Shania

Shania — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:27:06 +0000

Hey Jim,

I filled out the same Order For US Savings Bonds a few days ago. The form number was PD F 5374 but the interesting thing is it says: Revised July 2001. However, there is also a note that says: Previous Editions Usable.

Oh well, guess my bank sells more bonds than yours?

Just my 2¢ worth on the matter. . .

Shania

By: aa

aa — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:52:13 +0000

EmigrantDirect sucks. You can’t make any ACH transfers with unlinked accounts.

The current balance of that account is now $0.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:15:58 +0000

cheo reom: Hmmmm, I did have to fill out an order form (PD F 5374) and it was this really old (Revised November 1998) form for ordering Series I Savings Bonds. The back of the form says processing takes three weeks, you’ll see apost up tomorrow (though it’ll only confirm your experience, minus the paperwork).

Jay: That is kind of odd then, I assumed that since it was a “debit,” it was a debit like one has a debit card linked to a checking account. Either way, I got paper bonds for the amount I wanted to put into the Savings Bonds so I’m satisfied. Thanks for sharing your experience though, certainly befuddles me even more though.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:54:59 +0000

Bought mine last week via an ING savings account: no problems. Wonder what’s up with Emigrant.

By: cheo reom

cheo reom — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:43:15 +0000

i see. thanks for the confirmation jim!

besides that, did you have to fill out a paper application inside the bank? i was surprised when the banker did everything electronically and just gave me the trans receipt at the end. i was hesitant but he said it was fine…hmm..

By: jim

jim — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:29:20 +0000

cheo reom: Yeah, they mail it in three weeks but the certificates are effective as of today. It was the first time for me and that’s how they explained it to me. It makes sense, the banks don’t have the bonds right there (plus they have to be in your name) so I expected them to mail it.

By: cheo reom

cheo reom — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:21:23 +0000

hey jim…quick question…

i also dropped by the bank today to purchase paper bonds…it was through citi and they debited my checking account…the thing is..did they give you a certificate right away? citi said they’ll mail it to you but i wasn’t sure how this normally works…it’s my first time buying paper bonds.

thanks.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:46:15 +0000

I’ve heard of other bloggers having trouble with EmigrantDirect and TreasuryDirect recently. Haven’t heard of any other Online Savings Account having issues. Wonder what the deal is?

By: jim

jim — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:31:56 +0000

Must be a recent development because I bought the other $100 bond through Emigrant… oh well, I just bought a paper one at the bank. It took like five minutes.

By: CK

CK — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 18:32:55 +0000

Emigrant only allows transfers through the checking account linked to the Emigrant account. I tried transferring money to Vanguard once and Emigrant said no way. The only way in or out is through your linked account.