Checking Account Offers

good-creditRateNerd finds the best free checking account offers every day – for both personal checking accounts and business checking accounts.

Many banks have new checking account offers paying up to $230 to get you to open a new checking account.  Your business is important to them, and they want you to switch your checking account from your current bank.

Most free checking account offers require certain minimum activities in order to get the offer bonuses. These typically include: activating  direct deposit, making a minimum number of debit card transactions, enrolling in online banking, and going paperless with online statements.

When sorting through checking account offers, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Do you want a free checking account, a rewards checking account, or a high interest checking account?
  • What is the monthly fee (if any) for the checking account?  Also ask when fees kick in (at certain minimum balance levels, for example).
  • What are the monthly requirements for the checking account offer?   Things like: minimum balance, minimum number of debit card transactions, direct deposit, online banking, etc.
  • Do I get a better deal on my checking account if I have all my business with the bank?  Ask about your savings account, mortgage, CD’s, car loans etc.
  • How many ATM fees will you waive each month with this checking account offer?
  • Will I have to pay taxes on the sign up premium?  Many banks offer a free HDTV, iPod or other electronic gadget with a new checking account, and then report the value of that gift to the IRS.  Make sure you ask.
  • What are the maximum amounts to earn high interest on a checking account.  Many banks offer high interest checking on balances up to $15,000 or $25,000, and then they revert to a lower rate for balances above the maximum.
  • What’s the best checking account offer?  Banks offer so many offers (free iTunes, free electronics, cash, high interest rates, points, and so on) you should really ask them which one is the best offer.
  • If you have blemished credit, can you get a no chex system checking account that will work for you?

It pays to shop around for a checking account, and we help you do that.  See below for some recent  checking account offers we have featured.