The first thing they sent me (about 3 days after I applied) were the checks, and I didn't even request them.

Email from bank:

We received your first direct deposit for $XXXX on XXXXXX. Please provide us with a copy of your pay-stub or government benefits statement or letter so that we may verify source and full direct deposit pursuant to the terms of our offer. Upon satisfactory review, we shall credit the $200 bonus to your account. Please refer to the attachment.

You may fax the required document to 1-212-659-0597 or you may email it directly to New_Application@MetropolitanBankNY.com. If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 1-866-435-9099.

Attachment:

Highlights of $200 personal checking account bonus:

• Requires qualifying and verifiable FULL direct deposit of recurring payroll, pension, social security or other government benefits
***Full Recurring Direct Deposit can not be less than $500***
• Bonus will not be paid until the initial qualifying full direct deposit has been verified with a copy of a pay stub
***Please submit a copy of the ACCOUNT HOLDER’S pay stub related to the 1st Direct Deposit ***• Account MUST remain open with continuous qualifying direct deposit for no less than 6 months from receipt of the initial direct deposit. The $200 bonus is subject to forfeiture if conditions are not satisfied
• Limited to one account per customer
• Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-int
• FREE ONLINE BANKING
• FREE BILL ONLINE BILL PAYMENT
• FREE ATM/DEBIT CARD

***Offer subject to change without notice***

Regards,

Metropolitan National Bank

First full paycheck posted on May 1st.
E-mail them my paycheck stub.
$200 bonus posted May 2nd.

They did send my e-mail asking for pay stub so it could be someone manual inputs the $200.

05/01/2008 ** PAYROLL PPD **
05/02/2008 DDA PROMOTION 200.00

Thanks!

I was asked to fax in my pay stub as well and I got the $200 bonus the same day that I faxed in the pay stub.

I opened the account in mid-April and first DD was made May 1. Thought they might have given the bonus right after that, but no... So yesterday I looked at the details of the $200 bonus again, and notice it says I have to send a pay stub. But my DD comes from Social Security. So I emailed them and asked how do I get a pay stub from SSA? And they replied right away saying I don't need to send one, as SSA will only make one DD per month to one account. And after this, I still have no bonus.

BTW my checks came quickly but the debit card was quicker.

Gotham said:blah. i'm annoyed i even bothered with this now. i got that same e-mail. not sure what to do now. it would be really annoying depositing my whole paycheck into that bank.

my DD was 607.xx btw

I guess the real question is, if you do deposit your whole paycheck into the bank, and get the bonus, how long do you continue to let your full paycheck deposit there?

My first full paycheck should be hitting at the middle of the month, just deciding if I want to continue the DD after that...

Per the terms:
"Account MUST remain open with continuous qualifying direct deposit for no less than 6 months from receipt of the initial direct deposit. The $200 bonus is subject to forfeiture if conditions are not satisfied"

My bonus was credited on the 9th as well. If you don't want your cash in this bank, just write a check to yourself from metro bank and transfer the funds for 6 months as a previous poster mentioned.

did you send the paperwork (photocopy of drivers license, etc...)? If not, then there's not much you can do. they clearly stated you have 30 days to do that or they will close your account and charge $50.

I just signed up and didn't realize the "pay stub" clause. Any suggestions?

alohasurf said:The offer can be found on the MNB's website here, and info on the "Free Personal Checking" account is here. Apply for the account here.I found that the links in the OP are dead, and when I send them an email, I received the folloving:----- Original Message -----
From: <fmateen@metropolitanbankny.com>
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008
Subject: Contact Us Form


>I will be on maternity leave from April 23, 2008 and will be returning June 23,2008. In my absence, you may contact Yazmin Espinet at Yespinet@metropolitanbankny.com.
>
> ----------------------
> The information contained in this e-mail message may be privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, any further disclosure, use, distribution or copying of this message or any attachments is strictly prohibited.
> If you received this e-mail in error, please delete it and notify the sender.
> Thank you.
>
>
>
I am not sure if I am indeed the intended recipients, so please feel free to delete it and notify the sender.