Checking Account Promotions: TOP 10 in 2010! …so far
We’ve seen a great number of phenomenal checking account promotions, bonuses and deals roll through our inbox so far this year so we decided to publish a top 10 list to extend some credit to the top offers. The following types of bank accounts come in the form of either: free checking accounts with cash bonuses, cash back checking accounts, or high interest checking accounts. The promotional accounts listed below are not ALL available everywhere. Several of the bank promotions we’ve listed are available nationwide, however, a few are exclusive to a limited number of states.
These are the top 10 checking account promotions uncovered in 2010…so far. If you feel we’ve missed a deal, please let us know by leaving a comment!
TOP 10 Checking Account Promotions in 2010:
(all offers available at some point in 2010)
1) PerkStreet Checking Account: Coming in at the #1 spot with a 2% cash back offer for the first 6 months followed by 1% after the promotional period is over. After savings rates (certificate of deposit, money market and checking) have ALL taken a horrendous nose dive, cash back checking accounts have attempted to step in and fill the void. And PerkStreet Finacial is doing a fantastic job. Why is this account so valuable? Because, for example, if you spend $500/month from this account you will receive dividends of $10/month in the form of cash back ($500 X 2.0% = $10). Nothing like a recurring cash bonus from a checking account!
2) Capital One’s Checking Account Sign up Bonus: $300 – When we originally published this deal it was not confirmed, however, a number of reader comments did confirm the offer worked in several states throughout the country. The coupon code(s) for this account was RC3 and one reader suggested another coupon code (RC2) worked for a $200 bonus as well. We suggest trying the RC3 code first!
3) Citizens Bank Checking Account Promotion: Up to $220 in cash bonuses. This account is only available in certain states and the bank is headquartered out of Rhode Island. The bonus structure with this checking account promotion is set up in tiers. You earn a certain amount of cash for meeting various criteria. You get $50 for setting up the account and funding it via direct deposit, $25 after the completion of 5 bill payments, $25 after the completion of 5 debit/credit card purchases, and the final $120 when you enroll in their “greensense” or paperless program.
4) SunTrust Checking Account Bonus: up to $150 in cash bonuses. Similarly to Citizens Bank’s checking bonus, this one is set up in tiers as well. In the first tier you receive $50 for setting up the account. The second tier pays $100 and involves a 3 month process of bill payments.
5) Banco Populars Checking Account Promotion: $125 in cash plus a free “gift.” You received the $125 upon the completion of 3 very easy steps. The gift part, however, is a little vague. Supposedly individual branches were doing their own thing in regards to the gift giving, but we do know they gave out binoculars as the gift last year!
6) ReliaBank’s Ultimate Checking Account: 4.07% APY on balances up to $25k. This is a rewards checking account and requires you to make 12 monthly debit card transactions as well as setting up a monthly, recurring, direct payment of some sort. You can receive 4.07% APY on balances up to $25,000. This account is ideal for those looking for an alternative to low interest money market accounts.
7) Huntington Bank’s Checking Account Bonus: $100 in cash. This checking promotion is simple and available everywhere besides California. You receive a $100 cash bonus for opening up any one of their numerous forms of free checking accounts.
8 ) Harris Checking Account: $150 in cash bonuses. To receive this bonus you must open their interest checking account with a minimum of $100 AND set up a monthly direct deposit. They are a bit deceiving in calling this an “interest checking account” when their interest rate is just 0.05% APY.
9) Chase Bank Checking Account Promotion: $100 in cash. This promotion NEVER seems to get old. Chase seems to continually renew this offer time and time again. Although some readers have submitted negative comments about this account for various reasons, it still seems to be fairly popular among the majority.
10) Bank of America’s MyAccess Checking Account: $75 sign-up bonus. Use the coupon code CH75OL1 and fund the account with $125 within 90 days and the bonus is yours. This account is available online and in local Bank of America branches.
