My first bank bonus

[metsrock69]

For the last 4 years I have been paying $12 monthly fee for having a checking account at my bank which is a corporate bank. The reason being, I was not set up for direct deposit and did not have a balance to satisfy the total they needed to waive the monthly fee. I recently went to a  local credit union and not only am getting free checking but also cash back on my atm debit uses. I just needed to do a few things  to get the bonus which is 3% cashback up to $9 monthly. I checked my account this morning and my first $9 bonus was in there. Not only am I saving the $12 monthly fee but I am getting that bonus. I know it may not seem like a lot but in a year I will have $108  cash back. That is not too shabby for doing what I normally do on a regular basis

[gaylasue]

I haven't paid a fee for my checking account in many, many years. 

[linderlizzie]

For the last 4 years I have been paying $12 monthly fee for having a checking account at my bank which is a corporate bank. The reason being, I was not set up for direct deposit and did not have a balance to satisfy the total they needed to waive the monthly fee. I recently went to a  local credit union and not only am getting free checking but also cash back on my atm debit uses. I just needed to do a few things  to get the bonus which is 3% cashback up to $9 monthly. I checked my account this morning and my first $9 bonus was in there. Not only am I saving the $12 monthly fee but I am getting that bonus. I know it may not seem like a lot but in a year I will have $108  cash back. That is not too shabby for doing what I normally do on a regular basis

Hey, metsrock69. You really rock! So do credit unions.

[JaniceSW]

For the last 4 years I have been paying $12 monthly fee for having a checking account at my bank which is a corporate bank. The reason being, I was not set up for direct deposit and did not have a balance to satisfy the total they needed to waive the monthly fee. I recently went to a  local credit union and not only am getting free checking but also cash back on my atm debit uses. I just needed to do a few things  to get the bonus which is 3% cashback up to $9 monthly. I checked my account this morning and my first $9 bonus was in there. Not only am I saving the $12 monthly fee but I am getting that bonus. I know it may not seem like a lot but in a year I will have $108  cash back. That is not too shabby for doing what I normally do on a regular basis

I'm glad you found out you don't have to pay that kind of fee to have a checking account.  I haven't paid such a fee in years and years. I also found out that banks offer certain bonuses on and off throughout the year if you can meet their requirements.  The requirements can include depositing a significant amount of money and/or a direct deposit.  For this reason, I frequently can't find one that I can match.  However, about two years ago I did meet the requirements for one and after meeting the length of time they wanted me to leave the money in the account (six months), the bank deposited $150 into the account.  That was a joyous moment.

[countrygirl12]

That is good.  I have free checking account.  I would not pay to have an account again.  Too many places offer one for free.  I think I have the option to get cash back with debit card use but it is insane high and I don't ever meet it so I did not even sign up for it.

[Nancy5]

Good news.  I'm glad you don't have to pay anymore.  There is no way I would pay, there are lots of other banks or credit unions around.  Just think of the extra money you will have!

[countrygirl12]

For the last 4 years I have been paying $12 monthly fee for having a checking account at my bank which is a corporate bank. The reason being, I was not set up for direct deposit and did not have a balance to satisfy the total they needed to waive the monthly fee. I recently went to a  local credit union and not only am getting free checking but also cash back on my atm debit uses. I just needed to do a few things  to get the bonus which is 3% cashback up to $9 monthly. I checked my account this morning and my first $9 bonus was in there. Not only am I saving the $12 monthly fee but I am getting that bonus. I know it may not seem like a lot but in a year I will have $108  cash back. That is not too shabby for doing what I normally do on a regular basis

Just a random thought - you may get a statement from the bank at the end of the year (like you do to turn in interest you were paid) to turn that bonus in on your taxes.  IF you do then that $9 is not really worth the trouble.

[metsrock69]

For the last 4 years I have been paying $12 monthly fee for having a checking account at my bank which is a corporate bank. The reason being, I was not set up for direct deposit and did not have a balance to satisfy the total they needed to waive the monthly fee. I recently went to a  local credit union and not only am getting free checking but also cash back on my atm debit uses. I just needed to do a few things  to get the bonus which is 3% cashback up to $9 monthly. I checked my account this morning and my first $9 bonus was in there. Not only am I saving the $12 monthly fee but I am getting that bonus. I know it may not seem like a lot but in a year I will have $108  cash back. That is not too shabby for doing what I normally do on a regular basis

Just a random thought - you may get a statement from the bank at the end of the year (like you do to turn in interest you were paid) to turn that bonus in on your taxes.  IF you do then that $9 is not really worth the trouble.

yes but being self employed, I can work it around so it won't be too much

[Tresbn00]

Welcome aboard the banking bonus train! One stream of income that I have is bonuses made from opening bank accounts. I am sitting with about twenty eight hundred dollars in bonuses made from opening bank accounts. I have one bank account that I will be opening on Saturday(will pay me one hundred dollars) and need to find one more account to open before year end that will pay one hundred dollars so that I can hit my three thousand dollar goal. You really have to read the fine print on the offers and I generally drop an e-mail to the bank's personal banker to solidify my understanding of an offer. There are several sites devoted to researching bank bonuses (I like the money hustler blog) and I think that the penny hoarder provides information on money paying banks as well.

[vg7405]

I never understood the idea of having to pay a monthly fee to maintain a checking account, but to each its own. I normally tend to stay away from institutions like that. But, nevertheless, congratulations OP for earning a sweet bonus!

[1imaginarygirl]

Yikes! $12/month for 4 years is $576 wasted! 

[ccandpam]

That is GREAT! I have never paid a fee for a Checking Account. I certainly have never got the new offer that you got. I guess it is time to start shopping around for a Bank like yours.

[mrsmere]

I'm glad you checked around and found free checking.

[dsosnowski06]

Our bank offers free checking in different way.  You can do direct deposit, keep a minimal balance, be over 55 or a student in high school or college.  I have never paid a fee as I always qualified for one of these.

[ancmetro]

   You have to compare Banks and bank services offers.
   By keeping certain balances in your bank accounts,
   you can avoid paying monthly service fees.
   Also, some banks have special bonuses for opening a
   new account. Bonuses vary from $100 to 300 deposited
   in your account after certain requirements are met.
   Requirements can be: Signing for direct deposit or spending
   some of your time in the first months.