Just returned from opening a checking account at Chase Bank, and got an extra $100 in my account! Yippee Free Money! Took advantage of a certificate I got in the mail offering a $100 bonus for opening a new account and setting up one direct deposit a month. Now I know you can’t pounce on ever offer of free cash if you want to maintain any degree of financial stability and sanity but I was thinking of giving my current bank Brooklyn Federal Savings the heave ho and $100 bucks sealed the deal. I had to break up with my old bank BF Brooklyn Federal because they were never there for me (crappy hours and only 2 branches). And they were costing me money; (charged a $40 fee for any and everything). And… heavy sigh…the lying; (when I was shopping for a mortgage I filled out an application and got a rate, 2 days later when I went in to finalize paperwork it was one whole point higher). In the end, it was clear that we wanted different things. My new BFF at Chase seems really into me. She always calls me back and we’re even starting to plan our future together; (she’s working to get me the best 30 yr fixed rate mortgage and as a Chase customer I get a preferential rate.
In general if you’re thinking of dropping your current bank there are all kinds of incentives for example Key Bank (whatever the hell that is) is giving away an ipod nano. Search online for the best deals of the moment and how long they’re good for. And decide what’s most important to you, like cash on spot bonus or a high interest rate for your savings accounts. And of course, READ THE FINE PRINT! Don’t get suckered into some crazy financial scenario that requires a tissue sample and participation in an experimental drug trial.