How to get the incentive:

1. Use the link below to have a unique coupon code emailed to you.
2. Open your new account with at least $100 online or in your local bank branch. Opening deposit must be received with 60 days of opening.
3. Set up a monthly direct deposit within the first two months.
4. Chase will deposit your incentive within 10 days after meeting the above requirements.

How to keep your account “free”:

Since the 2009 financial crisis Chase has instituted requirements in order for the monthly service fee to waived. There are three different ways to keep your account “fee free”. Have a monthly direct deposit of at least $500 or more. Maintain at least $1500 throughout the month, or maintain $5,000 or more in your linked Chase accounts. Qualifying accounts include checking, savings, and certain retirement CD’s. If you are not able to meet the above requirements a $12 monthly service fee will be assessed.

Visit Chase here to get your coupon code.

How to qualify for the bonus:

You can open one of several checking accounts. First checking is a limited package for members 15-22 years old. Basic checking is a no frills no fee account that works for most members. Access checking includes features like free first set of checks, debit card cash back programs, discounts on auto loan rates, and a free Carfax report on used cars. Premiere checking gives you better rates on CD’s as well as free domestic wire transfers.

To qualify for the $300 bonus you must open one of the above packages by May 31st 2012, have three payroll direct deposits of at least $500 into your new account by July 31st. We are not sure if ACH push’s from other banks or Paypal count towards the above requirements. Norwthwest with credit the cash incentive into your new account on the next business day after the three deposits are made. Only one per customer.

Many have said that they do a hard pull on your credit port so make sure everything is in order before applying. FYI-It is easier to get approved for a checking account than a credit card.

How to join Northwest Federal Credit Union:

If you work for one of the government offices mentioned here. If you are employed by one of over 500 of these companies. Or you can be a member of several partner organizations. The easiest way to join the credit union is to apply for a group called Financial Awareness Network (FAN). Anyone can join FAN for a fee of $10 with no extra paperwork required. If you are a spouse or family member of anyone who qualifies above also gains you access to NWFCU.

Visit this website http://www.nwfcu.org/happy/ for full details and to apply online.

The bonus is pretty straightforward open either an eBanking, MyAccess, or Advantage checking account by July 31st and use promotion code GROUP50 and Bank of America will deposit $50 into your new account. Each of the above accounts have different fees as well as benefits mainly based on how you plan to use your checking account.

eBanking is for those who mainly do their banking online. Monthly fee is waived if you make your deposits and withdrawals through an ATM. This is my personal favorite because their new ATM’s make depositing excess cash and checks easy 24 hours a day! If you hit it big at the casino at 2 am and need someone safe to store your cash just deposit it in the ATM right then! eBanking also requires you get your monthly statements electronically or a $8.95 fee will apply.

MyAccess checking is BOA’s most popular option. There is a $12 monthly fee which is waived if you have 1 direct deposit of at least $250 per month, or maintain $1500 or more in the account.

Advantage checking is an interest earning account but requires you to maintain at least $10000 in your Bank Of America checking, savings, CD’s and IRA’s. If you can not meet the above you can also have 15k in a BOA mortgage, installment loan, or line if credit to avoid a $25 monthly fee.

Visit this link for full details and to apply. Remember to enter GROUP50 in the offer code field or you will not get your bonus.

What makes this account different is the fact that almost everything is free. Chase normally requires some sort of direct deposit or debit card usage per month to keep their accounts fee free but not this one. There is no minimum balance requirement and they waive the monthly service fee which can be upwards of $25 depending on which state you live in.

Account benefits:

Military banking benefits include the regular benefits like free online banking and bill pay. Many extras are thrown in like free safety deposit boxes as long as the bank has availability (some have reported a one time “opening fee” of $10).

Complimentary checks (the regular charge for checks is around 10-15 dollars).

No Chase atm fee on up to 4 automated teller machine transactions. This is a very important benefit for servicemen stationed outside of their home state. Keep in mind that other banks can still charge a fee to use their ATM’s especially if you are out of the country.

No fee on money orders, gift cards, travelers checks, or official checks. This is probably the most important benefit because a serviceman can spend hundreds on travelers checks and gift cards to use on tours overseas.

Who can apply?

Any active duty service member with a valid government ID or a retiree who can show proper proof they were in the armed forces such as discharge papers, VA card, membership in veteran related programs or any other personable proof.

For those who are active duty armed forces you get other benefits besides the many included above. Chase gives you free incoming and outgoing wire transfers, Unlimited use at non Chase ATM’s, and they waive the 3% foreign transaction fee when you use your debit card to buy items or get money of out the ATM while out of the country.

How to apply?

Simply present your documentation to a branch representative or visit https://www.chase.com/online/military/military-personal.htm for more information.

The terms of the offer are pretty straight forward for all new checking incentives. You must obviously open a checking account by March 31 2012. They have several options to choose from that fit a range of needs including student checking, free checking, interest checking, Prime Life interest, Relationship Banking, and an account named Relationship Banking Heritage for those over 50 years of age.Visit Fulton here for explanations on the different types of accounts they have.

Establish a direct deposit of at least $250 within the first 60 days of opening. Eligible deposits include social security, pension, or payroll.

Enroll in online banking and make 3 or more online bill payments during the first 90 days. Payments made to yourself do not count towards the minimum.

Fulton Bank will send you the Kindle Fire within 6 to 8 weeks after you meet all of the above requirements. Employees of Fulton and those living in the same household are not eligible for this offer.

Visit Fulton Bank for more details and to apply online.

The terms above are pretty simple to meet but the account must also stay opened for at least six months and be used as your “primary” checking account. Bonuses will be deposited within 6-8 weeks after you meet each requirement. Anchor bank states that a direct deposit must be from a payroll, pension, social security, or other government checks but we have reports that ACH pushes from other Banks also count.

This offer is only available to new customers of AnchorBank and changing your existing account will not qualify you for this incentive. Visit http://www.anchorbank.com/basiccomparison.asp for account comparison. The “Free” account has a $0 balance requirement but there is a fee of $4.95 for online bill pay. The “Direct” package requires a monthly direct deposit to avoid a $9 monthly service fee but comes with free bill pay. Choose the account that works best for you but make sure you leave the account open for at least six months or risk losing your incentive.

Visit AnchorBank at http://www.anchorbank.com/freemoneyhugs/for more details and to apply.

What makes this account different is the fact that it earns rewards. Capital One has included their “No Hassle” rewards program. You will earn 20 miles for every non PIN based transaction you do with your debit card and 10 miles for every PIN transaction. You get another 20 miles for every electronic bill pay you set up and 10 miles for withdrawal transactions. Earn 1000 bonus No Hassle miles after your first debit card transaction. Bonus miles will post within 6-8 weeks after each qualifying transaction.

Terms:

• Must open new account between midnight 10/24/11 and 2/29/2012.
• This offer is only available to new Capital One customers with a limit of one bonus per person.
• You must have at least one online bill payment post to your new checking account by the end date of the promotion to receive the incentive.
• Incentive will post within 6-8 weeks after the 30 day mark.

Print your coupon HERE and then bring the coupon into a branch. Visit the Capital One website for full details.

Betterment puts a new spin on traditional investment options. They claim to do all of the “research” for you and present you with a mixture of stocks and bonds depending on risky you want to be. Betterment claims to drive higher “long term” returns for its customers.

Additional offer terms:

You must open a new brokerage account with a minimum opening deposit of at least $1,000 within the first 60 days of opening. Betterment will deposit $100 into your account as long as you do not withdrawal the opening amount during the first 60 days.

This promotion is available only to new customers and limited to one offer per household.Betterment does not charge any transaction fees and there is no minimum balance requirement but keep in mind they do charge a management fee of .3%-.9% depending on how much you keep in the account. If you plan to be “in and out” after the first 90 days then you have nothing to worry about. If you keep the $1,000 in your account for a year you will pay a maximum of $9 per year.

Ready to apply? Check out the Betterment site HERE for the full terms and conditions of this great offer.

ShareBuilder is a great brokerage account for those new to the market. They provide many online tools to help you make better trading decisions and empowers you to learn along the way with easy to understand articles and explanations.

ING Direct offers two separate plans, each of which have no account minimum. Market and Limit orders are 9.95 for the standard plan and 7.95 for the ShareBuilder Advantage plan.

Additional offer details:

The $100 bonus offer is available to new ING Direct ShareBuilder customers. If you have an existing account you will not qualify. You must open the brokerage account by 12/31/11 and complete five trades by 3/31/2011. ING will deposit the $100 incentive within 4-6 weeks after you complete your fifth trade.

This offer is available for personal and custodial accounts. IRA and ESA’s will not qualify for the bonus. ShareBuilder also offers an Automatic Investment Plan, trades completed through that plan will not count towards the 5 required.

Visit the ING Direct website HERE for full details and to apply. Make sure you mention promotion code 100WCHB by 12/31/11 when you open the account.

Additional terms:

You must currently be an existing Bank Of America credit card holder and your account must be in good standing at the time of application.This promo is available only to people who open a new personal checking account with promotion code UQEM2 by January 20th. You must have not had a BOA checking account within the last 12 months (you also can not have one currently open).

You have to make qualifying net deposits of at least $2000 into your account for three consecutive months (total money deposited minus any cash back you get from the teller). Also must pay at least the minimum amount due on your BOA credit card from your new checking account for three consecutive months. This means, you can pay electronically via bill pay, ACH transfer, or by phone.

Bonus will be put into your account within 90 days of meeting all of the above qualifications. If BOA is unable to put it into your account they will mail you a check, assuming both accounts are in good standing.

Incentive amount will be reported to the IRS as taxable interest.

Visit the Bank Of America site HERE to apply and for full details.