rocketc — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 03:26:00 +0000

My local bank is offering $50 and $150 bonuses for new accounts who sign up with direct deposit. I have been a loyal customer of theirs for over a decade and have had my paycheck direct deposited for the last three years and I was paying a monthly fee and I had never been given a bonus. Furthermore, I had an overdraft last month, thanks to a “held deposit”. I sent them the following note:

I see you are offering a bonus for new accounts who sign up with direct deposit. I have had an account with two direct deposits a month and make significant deposits (on which you place a hold) fairly regularly. I have also been a customer for over 12 years. In exchange, I am charged a monthly service fee and fairly large overdraft fees. Will you consider me for one of the bonuses? Chase is offering both a $75 bonus and a $100 bonus, with no fees and the ability to link to just about any account. I can also see my checking account and credit card statements with one login.

Here is the response I recieved:

Mr. _________ , Thank you for your patience in this matter. We are able to offer you the same bonus if you open a new account with us. We are also waiving your online bill payment fees for the last two months. This is when your account was upgraded to the Advantage checking account product. In the Advantage checking account product, you receive free online billpayment service. You will see the $9.90 credit posted to your account within 48 business hours. You will not see this fee assessed to your account in the future.

I am not sure if I am happy with this result. I am not very skilled at getting customer service reps to give me deals. Hustler I am not. Can any of you critique my approach?

Should I close my account and then reopen it for the bonus?

$50 to $150 Associated Bank Bonus

rocketc — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:03:00 +0000

Just discovered this bonus worth up to $150 at Associated Bank. Associated Bank is primarily located in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. You have to mention this order at the time of opening and accounts cannot be opened online. You might try to open an account with them by phone if you live in another state. I don’t qualify because I am already a customer -although I might call them and give them some grief about my loyalty, yada, yada yada – and see if that is worth anything.

Associated’s bill pay is outstanding and I recently recieved a credit card with a fee-free 0% balance transfer offer for which I successfully applied and was approved.

Here is the fine print:

Offer available for new, personal relationship checking accounts opened with direct deposit (excludes Free and Student Checking). Customer must mention the offer at the time of account opening. Existing Associated Bank accounts are not eligible for the offer. The amount of the holiday gift will be based on the account type: Advantage Checking = $50; Advantage Plus/Classic Checking = $75; Platinum Checking = $150. Deposit from existing Associated checking accounts do not qualify. Minimum to open new account is $100. The cash bonus will be deposited into your new checking account in December 2007 based on the account type with continuing direct deposit. For tax reporting purposes, a 1099 form may be issued at the end of the year in which year the cash bonus is paid. Limit one offer per household. Fees could reduce earnings. Offer cannot be combined with other product specials or offers, and is subject to change at any time without notice at bank’s discretion. Member FDIC and Associated Banc-Corp.

rocket finance » Associated

$50 to $150 Associated Bank Bonus