MoneyCafe.com

Get $100 when ou open a Free Checking Account and set up direct deposit at Chase.  This offer requires a coupon or promo code.  The coupons and promo codes were mass mailed so you should be able to find one.  If you have an unused code to share, place it in the comments. 

Accounts can be open with a coupon at the branches or online with a promo code at http://www.chase.com/WeAreHere/.

Here is an unused promo code if anyone wants to use it -  3454110936635264 – Expires July 24, 2009.

This follows the previous WAMU promotion we mentioned at  http://moneycafe.com/blog/2009/01/wamu-free-checking-get-100/.

Open a new checking account at M&T Bank and get up to a $100 Bonus.  This offer is available until April 4th on a number of different types of checking accounts when you have direct deposit service.  This offer may not be available in all areas, but their website lets you check by your zip code.

WAMU has a similar offer that we previously reported.

See:
http://checking.mtb.com/
http://moneycafe.com/blog/2009/01/wamu-free-checking-get-100/

Chase is offering $200.00 back when opening a qualifying business checking account before March 28th.  You can get the details of the offer and the necessary coupon code here.  It looks like you must be in an area with Chase branches.  Find out if there is a branch near you here.

See:
https://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/smallbusiness/shared/page/200-ecoupon&ID=0000009113
https://www.chase.com/ccp/index.jsp?pg_name=ccpmapp/shared/assets/page/Branch_Locator

From now until February 28th, open a PNC Bank checking account with direct deposit and PNC will give you $75.00.  See the details here.

See also:
https://www.pnc.com/webapp/unsec/Blank.do?siteArea=/PNC/Home/Personal/Checking/Checking%2bOffers/Bonus%2bDays&WT.mc_id=BONUS0209_PNCWeb_0001&WT.ac=BONUS_0209_P_FL
http://www.moneycafe.com/personal/featured/checking.htm

I previously wrote about the demise of the WAMU Online Savings account since WAMU was taken over by Chase.   Those accounts are now paying a whopping 1.00%.   Compare this to yesterday’s rates for competitive savings accounts.  Still not so good and I don’t expect it to get better.

Though apparently the WAMU Free Checking Account is alive and well and still a pretty good product.  They offer free checks, free ATM withdrawals, free online banking and free bill pay.  I had this type of account previously and found it to be very good and their website easy to use.  Since there are no monthly fees or check charges, the price is right.  Soon the account will be tied in completely with Chase and bring the benefits of such a large network of branches.  I think Chase will continue with this free product and not make any changes because they are heavily marketing this account right now.

In fact, I found out they are now offering $100 when someone opens an account and sets up direct deposit.   You may need a coupon to get the $100.  Check with your local branch or call (800) 685-1644 to see if they will honor without the coupon.   They have been sending out coupons via mass mail and also have a site set up at http://free.wamu.com to get the $100 offer.  (Although the site wasn’t working properly when I tried to check it out.)  The promo code I got was 3744-ADFF-9691 which says it can only be used once and expires March 28, 2009.   I am not using the code.  So one of you are free to use it to take advantage of the offer.  If mine gets used, you could always try to Google “wamu $100 promo code” by clicking here.

If you have a promo code you won’t be using, please share it with our community by posting the code in a comment below.

PNC Bank has an interesting online service called Virtual Wallet.  See http://www.pncvirtualwallet.com/  It essentially ties 3 accounts together – a spending/checking account, a short-term savings/overdraft account and a long term savings accounts.  It’s free and has no minimum balance requirements, but charges a fee if you write more than three checks per month.  It seems more geared to those who use debit cards and other electronic payments for spending. 

Tying the accounts together is very innovative and seems to encourage better money management and good savings habits.   The free online accounts are just the start of what’s offered.  PNC also provides their customers financial planning calendars, online bill payment, financial danger alerts, interactive charts, a pig to punch and much more.  That’s right they have a virtual pig you can punch – but in a good way.  The Punch the Pig feature is a creative way to encourage you to save by moving money from your spending account to your savings account.

I haven’t used the service or the bank myself.  But it looks like it provides a great system to organize your money and stay disciplined.  That’s a great thing for anybody and looks especially suited for Generation Y customers.