This post summarizes current bank sign-up bonuses I am aware of. I do not have time at the moment to reformat the links from BB format to Fuse Talk format.
After discussing this issue with FW admins, we reached a temporary solution that allows me to post a link to an external page with deal links while FatWallet tech wizards are taking care about a script to convert BB code to FuseTalk format. To make it possible, I removed information about Virtual Bank,PCBanker, and FirstIB referral programs as well as US Bank bonus from MoneyBB. I would like to thank everybody who supported this thread in the discussion on "FatWallet forum" (see the first update) and FatWallet admins for willingness to find a compromise solution.
The total amount of free cash that the bonus list allows to obtain is ~$5400. This number does not take in account referral programs (that are excluded from the list), miles, gifts and the fact that many bonuses are state-specific. Also please keep in mind that you most likely will not be able to open more than four bank accounts per three months due to ChexSystems.
Bonuses from CUs, local offers, in-branch deals, etc), too old unconfirmed bonuses, expired bonuses were excluded from this list. However, the list still likely contains some restricted bonuses that I am not aware of (I do not have enough spare time to contact every bank to find out bonus/account eligibility terms). If you find a local (= not available nationwide) deal on the list, please let me know. I will clean and post a list of restricted bonuses later.
Each list is divided into two categories: (1) cash bonuses and (2) gift bonuses, bonus miles and misc.
Bank bonuses sorted by amount.
Nationwide bonuses for personal accounts
Nationwide bonuses for personal accounts
Cash bonuses.
Total amount of cash bonuses is $1620.00. $200 bonus - Citibank : checking account, $1000 initial deposit, have direct deposit or use bill pay for 6 months; Exp. - 6/30/08 $200 bonus - Metropolitan National Bank : free checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $175 bonus - NASA CU : Direct Deposit Checking, NASA Federal Visa Platinum with CURewards, eStatements; Exp. - 6/30/08 $150 bonus (16000 bonus ThankYou Points) - Citibank : open checking account, do direct deposit or use bill pay or check card; Exp. - 7/31/08 $125 bonus - Chase : Free Checking; Exp. - 7/31/08 $125 bonus - Chase : Free Checking, direct deposit; Exp. - 7/31/08 $100 Best Buy gift card (17K AA miles) - UFB Direct : checking, savings, etc; Exp. - unknown $75 bonus - Bank of America : Checking Account; Exp. - 7/31/08 $75 or $42 bonus - America’s Credit Union : Checking Direct or Choice Checking account with Direct Deposit, can join through AUSA; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - HSBC bank : Premium Money Market Plus Savings account, $3000 initial deposit; Exp. - 07/31/08 $50 bonus - Franklin Templeton Bank & Trust : Classic Checking; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Everbank : for closing a 4.51% checking account; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Christian Community Credit Union : checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $45 bonus - Principal Bank : direct deposit of $200 or more, use bill pay; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - ETrade : Complete Savings Account; Exp. - 6/25/08 $25 bonus - HSBC bank : Regular Savings Account, $500 initial deposit,automatic transfers of $10 or more from checking to savings account; Exp. - 07/31/08 $25 bonus and 6.01% APY - Salem Direct : eOne account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - Principal Bank : direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - GE : GE Interest Plus; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - MB Financial : checking account, automatic debit; Eligibility - local deal; Exp. - unknown
Miles, gifts and miscellaneous bonuses.
Free museum ticket - Bank of America : buy ticket with Bank of America credit card; Exp. - 4/5/09 3000 miles - Guaranty bank : account with direct deposit ; Exp. - unknown Free hotel night - Everbank : checking account, Money Market Account, Certificate of Deposit; Exp. - unknown 2500 miles - Capital One : Rewards Money Market Account; Exp. - unknown 9000 AA miles or more - BankDirect : for Money Market, Checking, Bill Pay, Direct Deposit; Exp. - unknown
Local bonuses for personal accounts
Cash bonuses.
Total amount of cash bonuses is $7718.00.
$250 bonus - Consumers Credit Union : interest checking account with $5500 initial deposit; Exp. - unknown $200 bonus - First Tennessee : Relationship First Checking and Relationship First Savings accounts $10,000 init deposit; Exp. - 7/31/08 $200 bonus - Mountain National Bank : Interest Bearing Checking Account with a recurring Direct Deposit; Exp. - unknown $150 bonus - The Columbia Bank : open account, sign up for estatements, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $150 free gas card - Arlington bank : Premium Checking Account, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $135 bonus - First Dakota National Bank : First Dakota checking account, sign-up for account services; Exp. - unknown $125 bonus - Tower Federal Credit Union : checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - 12/31/08 $125 bonus - WesBanco : open a checking account, direct deposit, sign up for e-statements, use your debit card; Exp. - unknown $110 bonus - Liberty Bank : FREEdom checking with direct deposit; Exp. - 6/30/08 $101 bonus - Signal Financial FCU :checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - 6/30/08 $100 bonus (50,000 Visa Extras points) - Webster Bank : open checking account, 3 purchases with a check card, 3 bill payments; Eligibility - residents of CT, MA, NY and RI; Exp. - 6/30/08 $100 bonus - First Tennessee Bank : checking account; Exp. - 6/30/08 $100 bonus - Bank Mutual : direct deposit checking account, regular savings account; Exp. - 6/30/08 $100 free US savings bond - Trustco Bank : checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - 7/5/08 $100 bonus - American Eagle Credit Union : new checking account with a Visa Check Card, direct deposit, $25 for enrolling in bill pay & paying 3 bills, $25 for doing all three; Exp. - 12/31/08 $100 bonus - State Investors Bank : new checking account, direct deposits; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Somerset Federal Credit Union : enroll in online banking and use bill payment for three months; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Signature Bank : direct deposit, bill pay; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Pacific Community CU : checking, direct deposit, bill payments; Exp, - unknown $100 bonus - Midwest bank : a personal checking account and a Relationship Savings account; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Mid Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union : checking, direct deposit, Visa debit card, eStatements; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Meriwest Credit Union : new checking account, monthly Direct Deposit of $500.00 or more; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Meriwest CU : sign-up for direct deposit, online bill pay; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Marquette Bank : checking account, direct deposit, bill payment; Eligibility - in-branch deal; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - M&T bank : Direct Checking, Classic Checking With Interest, Select or Select With Interest, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Lakeland bank : checking account with direct deposit; Eligibility - in branch; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Holyoke Credit Union : checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Hagerstown Trust Company : use Simply Switch to open an account; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Guaranty Bank : Checking account; Exp. - unknown $100 Visa gift card - FirstBank & Trust : checking account; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - FNB Bank : use switch kit to open an account, direct deposit, apply for credit card; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Delaware National Bank : use Simply Switch to open an account; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Community 1 FCU : checking account, Convenience Services; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Citizens State Bank : Citizens Elite checking accounts with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - California Coast credit union : checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - BrightStar Credit Union : checking account; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - BestBank : checking account; Exp. - unknown $95 bonus - Commerce Bank : checking, try banking services; Exp. - unknown $77 bonus - Century Bank : checking account; Exp. - unknown $77 bonus - MIDFLORIDA Federal Credit Union : new checking account, keep min $100 balance for 77 days; Exp. - unknown $75 bonus - Credit Union of Johnson County : open checking account, set-up direct deposit, bill payer and eStatements; Exp. - 6/30/08 $75 bonus - Guaranty bank : Free & Easy Checking, deposit Economic Stimulus check, one deposit per month until December 31st 2008; Exp. - 7/31/08 $75 bonus - CommunityAmerica Credit Union : checking, direct deposit; Exp. - 8/31/08 $75 bonus - Community Bank of Dupage : Free Checking Account with direct deposit; Exp. - 12/31/08 $75 bonus - New York Community Bank : All-In-One accounts; Eligibility - in branch; Exp. - unknown $75 bonus - MidSouth Bank : open checking and savings account with EasyMove service; Eligibility - TN residents, in branch; Exp. - unknown $75 Bonus - First Savings Bank Hegewisch : $250 Deposit (Extra $25 Bonus with DD Sign-Up); Exp. - unknown $75 bonus - BELCO CU : checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $55 bonus - Prosper Bank : Money Market account; Exp. - unknown $53 Dollar Instant Bonus - Fifth Third Bank : Must Open Checking and Savings; Eligibility - Richmond, Kentucky Branch on the Bypass; Exp. - unknown $50 Visa Gift Card - SunTrust : checking account, make a purchase with SunTrust Visa Check Card; Exp. - 6/30/08 $50 bonus - One United bank : direct deposit or debit card transactions; Exp. - 6/30/08 $50 rebate - Dollar bank : open FreeMONEY checking account, make purchases with a debit card; Exp. - 6/30/08 $50 bonus - Fidelity Bank : Free Checking Account; Exp. - 7/6/08 $50 Lowe's gift card - National Bank Of Kansas City : open a checking account; Exp. - 7/19/08 $50 bonus - Texans Credit Union : checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - 12/31/08 $50 bonus - Western Springs National Bank and Trust : for direct deposit; Eligibility - in branch; Exp. - unknown $50 Bonus - Wave Federal Credit Union : Checking Account; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Village Bank : direct deposit; State : Minnesota; Expiration - unknown $50 bonus - Toledo Area Community CU : new checking with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 for unused checks from your current bank - THE National Bank : Totally Free Business Checking; Exp. - unknown $50 free gas card - TCF bank : new checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Somerset Savings NJ : checking account; Eligibility - in branch; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - SECNY CU : checking + check card; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - OmniAmerican Bank : checking account, direct deposit, a VISA Check card and Omni E-Banking; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Old Second bank : sign up for Money Connection; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - NewAlliance Bank : Checking accounts; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - New Alliance bank : savings and checking; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - NVE bank : checking with direct deposit; Eligibility - NJ residents; in branch; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - NJM bank : Free Access checkig, Advantage checking; Eligibility - NJ residents only; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Mt. Washington Bank : using bill payment; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - MidFirst Credit Union : checking account with direct deposit and MidFirst Visa Platinum; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Meriwest Credit Union : first checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 gas card - MIDFLORIDA Federal Credit Union : new free checking with $500 init deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - M&T bank : M&T Select or M&T Select With Interest checking; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Liberty Bank : new checking account, initial deposit, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Inland Bank and Trust : FREE Checking Account with Direct Deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - First Security National Bank : checking account with online banking, bill pay or direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - First Federal Bank : checking account with direct deposit; Eligibility - local deal; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - First County Bank : 50 bill payments; Eligibility - CT residents; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - First Charter bank : free checking account; Eligibility - NC residents; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Empire Affiliates Credit Union : checking account with direct deposit; Eligibility - Ashland, Richland, Wayne, and Tuscarawas counties of Ohio; Exp. - unknown $50 Pizza gift certificate - Edens bank : Free Checking Account; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - City National Bank of W. Virginia : free checking account with direct deposit; States : WV, KY, OH; Exp. - unknown $50 gift card - Citadel Federal Credit Union : FREE Checking or STAR Checking or Premiere Checking; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Cardinal Community Credit Union : Premier or Classic Checking Account; Exp. - unknown $50 free gift card - Ballston Spa National Bank : open checking and savings account; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Astoria Federal bank : direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - American Eagle : checking; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - AmeriCU : checking, direct deposit; Eligibility - limited; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - AmTrust Bank : checking account, direct deposit, debit card, online bill pay; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - 1st United Services Credit Union : 1st Interest Checking Account and 1st Interest Money Market Account; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - First Security Bank : Simply Free Checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - First Federal Savings Bank : Heritage Money Market Checking Account, $10K init. deposit; Exp. - unknown $40 bonus - BB&T : free checking, submit your receipts for everyday purchases; Exp. - unknown $30 bonus - Atlantic Stewardship Bank : MasterMoney Debit Card, Direct Deposit; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - Atlantic Stewardship Bank : enroll as a new Bill Pay user and make 10 bill payments; Exp. - 6/30/08 $25 free Exxon Mobil gas card - Provident Bank : Totally Free, Regular, Interest or Platinum Checking accounts; Exp. - 7/17/08 $25 for old checks - Integra Bank : checking account; Exp - unknown $25 bonus - Embassy Bank : Personal Checking Account; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - Compass Bank : Checking account; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - Cascade bank : new checking account, unused checks from another bank; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - Butler bank : direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - BankAtlantic : bring unused checks from your former bank; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - Amboy Bank : direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $20 bonus - Hills Bank and Trust Company : checking or savings account; Exp. - 12/31/08
Miles, gifts and miscellaneous bonuses.
Free iPod Nano - Bank of North Georgia : Signature Free Checking Account, make three Bill Pay payments; Exp. - 6/20/08 Free iPod shuffle - Compass bank : personal checking account; Exp. - 06/30/08 Free Garmin Nuvi 200 - Bryn Mawr Trust : checking account, two direct deposits; Exp. - 6/30/08 Free round trip ticket for Continental Airlines (21,000 miles) - Chase : checking account with direct deposit, Continental Airlines Preferred Banking Card; Exp. - 12/31/08 Free 1 year safe deposit box rental - Denali State Bank : checking or savings account; Eligibility - apply in Chena Pump branch; Exp. - unknown iPod nano - Central Pacific Bank : checking account, $10,000 opening deposit; Exp. - unknown Free iPod nano or portable DVD player - American Trust : checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown Free Quicken 2007 Premier - Affinity Bank : checking account, direct deposit; Exp. - unknown 3,000 miles - Alliance Bank : Alliance Rewards account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown
Professional bonuses for personal accounts
Cash bonuses.
Total amount of cash bonuses is $270.00.
$50 bonus - Liberty Bank : Free 4 All student checking account; Exp. - unknown $50 bonus - Capital One : Money Market account or CD, for Executive Costco members only; Exp. - unknown $25 free iTunes card - Sovereign : Free Student Checking account; Exp. - 6/30/08 $25 bonus - First Bank & Trust : First Class Student Checking; Exp. - unknown
Miles, gifts and miscellaneous bonuses. Free 4GB iPod nano - Key Bank : Student Checking Account; Exp. - 8/29/08
Bonuses for business accounts
Cash bonuses.
Total amount of cash bonuses is $925.00.
Total amount of cash bonuses is $1975.00. $500 bonus - BankRI : Business First, Business Plus and BusinessMAX checking accounts; Exp. - unknown $300 Cash Bonus - PNC Bank : Business Checking Account and Merchant Services Account; Exp. - 07/31/08
$250 bonus - Fox Chase Bank : Business Checking, Commercial Checking Bonuses, use bank services; Exp. - 7/15/08 $200 bonus - Metropolitan National Bank : Business Money Market Account; Exp. - unknown $120 in bonuses - Bank of America : business credit account, new business savings, Visa Business Check Card; Exp. - 6/30/08 $100 bonus (50,000 Visa Extras points) - Webster Bank : open business checking account, 3 purchases with a check card, 3 bill payments; Eligibility - residents of CT, MA, NY and RI; Exp. - 6/30/08 $100 gift card - Sovereign Bank : Business Checking Plus and Business Cash Management Checking, Business Gold Rewards Card account; Exp. - unknown $100 bonus - Parkway bank : business checking; Exp. - unknown $100 Credit on First Order of Checks, Deposit Slips, and Endorsement Stamps - Guaranty Bond Bank : Free Business Checking; Exp - unknown $75 bonus to order checks - Lasalle Bank : business checking; Exp. - unknown $75 bonus - Hancock Bank : small business checking account and new personal checking account; Exp. - unknown $50 SunTrust Visa® Gift Card - SunTrust : Business Checking Account; Exp. - 06/30/08 $50 bonus - Christian Community Credit Union : business checking account with direct deposit; Exp. - unknown $50 for new checks - CapStone Bank : business checking; Exp. - unknown $25 bonus - BankAtlantic : bring unused checks from your former bank; Exp. - unknown
Great job, and perfect timing. My buddy, who I introduced to fatwallet, and I were just getting ready to do a full round of signups.....thanks for the updated one.
awesome, and since I have my own business and handle my own payroll, I can easily make Direct Deposits to myself. Costs me $1, but worth it for the deals.
Do these banks charge any fees for closing the account, or is there any other impact of closing Checking accounts like on Credit Scores etc. I can also open an account take advantage of the offers and close the account after i have recd everything, which would be typically in about 6 months.
sanxxx said:Do these banks charge any fees for closing the account, or is there any other impact of closing Checking accounts like on Credit Scores etc.
If you open accounts in more than three banks (e.g. four) within a three month period, you may have trouble opening an account in another (e.g. fifth) bank because of ChexSystem.
If you open an account in a bank that makes a hard inquiry of your credit history to open a checking/savings account, such a inquiry may decrease your credit score.
Most banks I am aware of charge an early account termination fee. You should contact a bank of your interest to find info about such a fee.
Another question. Is the transfer from ING to any of these banks constitutes direct deposit for the purpose of getting the Direct deposit bonus. or it has to be a salary deposit.
sanxxx said:Another question. Is the transfer from ING to any of these banks constitutes direct deposit for the purpose of getting the Direct deposit bonus. or it has to be a salary deposit.
It may depend on a bank. I was able to get a direct deposit bonus using an ACH transfer (via Cashedge/Yahoo Fund transfer) instead of salary deposit in all cases I tried (E*Trade, Bank of America, Charter One).
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