RateNerd

Money and Marriage: How to Talk About Money With Your Future Spouse

Rate Nerd — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:01:47 PST

More than ever, you and your spouse need to be on the same page when it comes to money.

Getting married generates no shortage of opportunities to have important conversations with your spouse-to-be.

Will you raise your kids with a particular religion, will you both register with the same political party and how will you arrange reception seating to ensure your new mother-in-law is content with who is at her table and where she will sit?

Maybe you can postpone or even dodge altogether some of those talks, but at least one potentially challenging conversation can actually help ensure your marital bliss down the road – the talk about finances. Numerous polls and studies have shown that money is one of the top reasons couples fight, that it generates more stress in a marriage than almost any topic other than children and is a deciding factor in a large percentage of breakups.

Making sure you’re both on the same financial page before the wedding can help ensure that post “I do” money talks will be less divisive and stressful. And, the good news is that establishing a sound financial footing for the future is not nearly as complicated as you might fear.

Here are some of the money basics you should start with:

Start with a budget

If you’ve lived alone as a single for a while, you may already have your own budget, but now you are balancing income and expenses for two people. If you combine your income and expenses, you’ll need to combine your budgets too.

Write down everything each of you spends every month, taking into account housing, food, utilities, transportation, student loans, credit card balances, car payments, taxes and nonessential spending. Next, consider what your financial goals are – do you want to save for a down payment on a house? Are you content to rent and instead focus on paying down revolving debt? Once you determine what your shared goals are, you can adjust your budget accordingly, reducing spending on nonessential items and focusing on spending that moves you toward your overall financial goal.

Establish an emergency fund

One reason so many families and couples suffered greatly in this recession was because they had little or no emergency funds set aside. An emergency fund helps ensure that you and your partner are secure should something happen, like one of you loses a job or experiences a serious health issue. Agree on how much you want to save for “a rainy day;” experts advise you should save 5 to 10 percent of your income in a joint savings account.

Pay yourself first by having cash for your emergency fund directly withdrawn from your paycheck or checking account and deposited in your savings account. Aim to accrue three to six months of living expenses in your emergency fund.

Check your Credit Score

Make sure you both have a current copy of your credit report and have verified it for accuracy. Now that you are married you can leverage each others credit score to borrow at lower rates depending on who has the lower score. Get your free credit report here, and learn how to maintain good credit reading our free credit guide “Your Credit Sucks”.

Life insurance is crucial

If you’re young, single, in good health and debt-free, you may not need life insurance. For virtually everyone else, and especially newlyweds who have taken on new responsibilities and often new debt, life insurance is a must, experts agree. Life insurance can give you peace of mind that your loved ones will have sufficient money to take care of themselves should anything happen to you – and it’s affordable.

Make a plan – together

Write down your mutual financial goals. Your plan should be specific and realistic, listing the actual steps you will take to achieve your goals, including buying a home, starting a family, taking vacations and saving for retirement. Decide what additional investments you’ll make apart from your regular savings, such as maximizing your 401(k) or IRA contributions.

Be sure to include tracking your expense and income, as well as your tax burden, in your overall plan. Decide what tax filing status will be best for you, and consult a tax advisor if you’re not sure.

Reduce debt

Credit card debt is the top obstacle to a secure financial future and a major stressor in a marriage. Knowing your credit scores is essential; check them annually with all three major credit bureaus. Scrutinize your reports and correct any errors that could affect your ability to get a loan at a desirable interest rate in the future.

Money talk doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little strategy and the right attitude, you can build the financial security you need to secure a successful, happy life together.

– Article courtesy of ARAcontent

Flagstar Checking Account Offer – Deal or No Deal?

Rate Nerd — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:40:30 PST

Flagstar Bank’s new checking account offer is going to make us do some math.

Michigan based FlagStar Bank’s S.M.A.R.T. Interest checking account offers a choice of $100 or 2.00% APY interest for 3 months. But read the fine print.

So here is the deal for Flagstar’s checking account offer:

Get $100 when you open a Flagstar Interest Checking account; or
Get 2% APY interest on balances up to $100,000 guaranteed for 3 months when you open a Flagstar Interest Checking account.

To be eligible for this checking account offer, you must keep the checking account open for at least 6 months, or you lose the bonus. So, Deal or No Deal?

Here are some of the other criteria for this checking account offer:

Minimum deposit of $50 and set up an automatic, recurring direct deposit of income of at least $250 per month
Direct deposit must be established within the first 60 days of account opening.
Maximum deposit is $100,000.

Deal, or No Deal?

So while they are paying 2.00% APY for just the first three months and you need to keep your money there 6 months to get the bonus, it essentially doubles your payback time. To earn $100 you would have to keep $10,000 in the checking account for at least three months, then go down to the minimum balance for the remaining 3 months. Plus set up a direct deposit.

What makes this potentially a deal is the additional rewards Flagstar offers with this checking account offer, which include:

FREE Identity Theft Protection
Flagstar Rewards
ATMs FREE Nationwide

Here are the additional terms and conditions for this checking account offer:

Customer must be enrolled in Flagstar’s Loyalty Program to qualify for free ATMs nationwide. $100 deposit or 2% interest rate available for new personal checking account customers only (no existing Flagstar checking account). To qualify, open a new personal checking account with a minimum deposit of $50 and set up an automatic, recurring direct deposit of income of at least $250 per month, excluding interest deposits. Direct deposit must be established within the first 60 days of account opening. $100 bonus will be deposited into your account within 30 days after the first recurring direct deposit takes place. All accounts must remain open and active for a minimum of six months. If checking account is closed within the first six months, Flagstar reserves the right to reclaim the $100 deposit and interest bonus. 2% Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are accurate as of 2/22/2010 and are guaranteed for 3 months after account opening. Maximum deposit is $100,000. Funds may not currently be on deposit with Flagstar Bank. Offer good only when opening a Flagstar interest-bearing checking account. Account fees could reduce earnings. Direct deposit must be established within the first 60 days of account opening or the rate is reduced to current rate. See your Flagstar representative or call (800) 642-0039 for more details. Flagstar will issue a 1099 for the $100. Offer not good in conjunction with any other coupons or checking account offers. Some restrictions apply. Limit one $100 deposit or 2% interest rate offer per customer per account. Offer subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice. Flagstar reserves the right to reduce the 2% interest rate prior to the 3 month expiration date if checking balances exceed the $100,000 maximum.

$275 Bonus With New Business Checking Account – Daily Deal

Rate Nerd — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:32:19 PST

WOW – One of the best business checking account deals we’ve seen!

Key Bank is offering up to $275 when you open a new business checking account. Plus lots of options for rewards, discounts on business services, and other features for business owners.

Get $275 from Key Bank when you open one of the following business checking accounts by April 30, 2010 and enroll in either Online Banking or Key Business Online, plus complete two Bill Pay transactions by July 2, 2010:

Key Business Reward Checking Account
Key Business Checking Account
Key Business Money Market Checking Account
Key Business Sweep Checking Account

About Key Bank:

Cleveland-based KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $93 billion. Key companies provide investment management, retail and commercial banking, consumer finance, and investment banking products and services to individuals and companies throughout the United States and, for certain businesses, internationally. The company’s businesses deliver their products and services through branches and offices; a network of 1,495 ATMs; telephone banking centers 800-KEY2YOU® (800-539-2968).

Key Bank Business Checking Account Terms:

Between 2/27/10 and 4/30/10, open a Key Business Free Checking account, Key Business Reward Checking, Key Business Checking, Key Business Sweep Checking or Key Business Money Market Checking account and enroll in either online banking or Key Business Online and complete two Bill Pay transactions by 7/2/10 to get a cash gift. Your gift will be deposited into your account within 90 days of meeting requirements. Offer available to businesses without an existing checking account at KeyBank as of 2/26/10. Offer not available to businesses that have opened a KeyBank checking account in the last 12 months. Employees of KeyBank, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. Limit one gift per qualifying account. Limit one gift per business. The value of the gift will be reported on Form 1099-INT. Accounts closed within 180 days of account opening will be charged a $25 account early closure fee. Accounts overdrawn or closed as of 7/2/10 are not eligible for this offer. Accounts titled as Trust Accounts, Estate, and No Access are excluded from eligibility. You must have a U.S. mailing address on 7/2/10 to be eligible. Offer is subject to cancellation without notice, and cannot be combined with any other offer. Other miscellaneous charges may apply.

7 Tax Cuts You May Have Missed

Rate Nerd — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:10:47 PST

Watch for these changes on your 2009 tax return.

More than 25 tax cuts for 2009 federal returns have been passed to help those struggling in the downturned economy. Many states are also offering tax breaks this year.

“Virtually everyone is eligible for new tax credits, deductions and other changes on their federal tax returns,” says Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for a tax software preparation firm. Dolmage summarizes seven changes that could impact your bottom line.

1) Making Work Pay Tax Credit.

The Making Work Pay tax credit replaced the 2008 federal stimulus checks for 2009 and 2010. The refundable credit is worth 6.2 percent of your earned income, up to $400 for individuals and $800 for married couples filing jointly. The tax credit phases out for married couples filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) between $150,000 and $190,000, and for single taxpayers whose MAGI is between $75,000 and $95,000.

Most taxpayers already received the tax credit for 2009 through reduced federal withholding starting in April 2009, resulting in an increase of $10 to $13 per paycheck. Even if you received the tax credit in your paychecks, you generally still need to claim the tax credit on your federal tax return to make up for the reduced withholding throughout the year. If you don’t withhold federal taxes, you must file a return to receive the tax credit.

If you received the one-time economic recovery payment or qualify for the Government Retiree Credit, the amount must be subtracted from any Making Work Pay tax credit amount.

2) Standard Deduction.

For the 2009 tax year, your standard deduction may also include state or local real estate taxes of up to $500 ($1,000 for married filing jointly) and net disaster losses that occurred before Jan. 1, 2010.

3) Unemployment Benefits.

The first $2,400 of unemployment compensation is exempt from 2009 federal taxes. Any amount over $2,400, as well as severance pay, is taxable income.

4) New Home Tax Credit.

If you purchased a home in 2009, you may qualify for the first-time homebuyer tax credit. Keep in mind the name of the tax credit is deceiving, as current and past homeowners may also qualify. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the purchase price, up to either $6,500 or $8,000, depending on the purchase date, price, whether you’ve owned a primary residence and when you last owned a primary residence. Income level and filing status also affect eligibility. Those claiming the tax credit must mail their federal returns along with certain documentation for the home.

5) Energy Efficiency Tax Credit.

Energy efficient improvements made in 2009 and 2010 may give homeowners up to $1,500 through the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit. Up to 30 percent of the costs for qualifying improvements to a primary residence can be claimed.

6) Tuition Tax Credit.

The modified HOPE credit, the American Opportunity Credit, is equal to 100 percent of the first $2,000 and 25 percent of the next $2,000 (totaling up to $2,500 per student) for tuition, related fees and required course materials. It applies to the first four years of post-secondary education in 2009 and 2010. The refundable tax credit phases out at MAGIs of $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for joint filers.

7) Charitable Gift Tax Credit.

Finally, if you made a cash contribution towards earthquake relief efforts in Haiti after Jan. 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010, you can deduct it on your 2009 or 2010 return (but not both).

For information about all 2009 tax law changes, visit www.IRS.gov.

– Article Courtesy of ARAcontent

TurboTax – Federal Free Learn More

New Chase $100 Business Checking Coupon Offer – Daily Deal

Rate Nerd — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:07:46 PST

Get a $100 bonus when you open a new Chase business checking account.

Request your $100 cash bonus coupon here. Redeem it when you open a new Chase business checking account with a deposit of $1000 or more.

Here is some important information about this limited-time Chase Business Checking Account offer:

This Chase chekcing account offer is valid from March 1, 2010 to April 15, 2010.
To qualify for this offer, open a Chase BusinessClassic Checking, BusinessClassic Checking with Interest, Chase Advanced BusinessChecking, Advanced Business Checking with Interest, Commercial Checking, Commercial Checking with Interest, Chase BusinessPlus Extra Checking, or Free Business Checking account (Free Business Checking account only available in California) and deposit a minimum of $1000 or more into your new business checking account within 30 days of account opening with funds not currently on deposit with Chase or any of its affiliates.
Account opening and award of premium are subject to approval (interest bearing accounts available only to sole proprietorships, non-profit organizations, and government entities).
Limit one business checking account-related premium per customer per calendar year.
Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers.
Coupon must be presented at time of account opening.
Cash premium will be deposited automatically into your checking account within 10 business days after the minimum deposit requirement is met. Cash bonus may be considered interest reportable on IRS Form 1099-INT.

To receive the cash bonus, you must visit this Chase Bank web site and enter your email address. Chase will send you a 16-digit coupon code which you bring into the Chase branch and have the banker enter into E-coupon at the time of account opening. Please remember you must make the $1000 minimum deposit into the new business checking account within 30 days of account opening to receive the $100 bonus.

3.51% Checking Account Deal – Daily Deal

Rate Nerd — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:57:57 PST

Earn 3.51% APY on this checking account deal with no minimum balance or monthly fees.

REWARDChecking from HCSB Bank offers you a premium interest rate with no fees or restrictions.

This free high-interest checking account deal from HCSB Bank even refunds your service fees when you use non-network ATMs. Here are the checking account details:

3.51% APY on checking account balances up to $25,000
1.51% APY on amount of checking account balance over $25,000
0.05% APY if qualifications aren’t met
Unlimited check writing
No minimum balance
No monthly fees
Personalized check ordering available
ATM fee refunds (up to $20 each month)
Free HCSB Visa® Check Card
Free Online Banking with Bill Pay
Free eStatements
Direct deposit available
Overdraft privilege
FDIC insured up to $250,000
$100 checking account deposit to open

To receive the checking account Rewards Rate and ATM fee refunds simply do the following during each qualification cycle:

Make 12 check card purchases (These transactions must be posted to the account within the qualification cycle.)
Transact one direct deposit or ACH auto debit (These transactions must be posted to the checking account within the qualification cycle.)
Sign up for Internet Banking and receive eStatements

If for some reason you don’t qualify for the rewards one cycle, you can meet the qualifications for the next cycle.

About HCSB Bank

HCSB is one of Texas’ most respected, independent community banks. Chartered in 1934 in Plainview, Texas. Originally chartered under the name of Hale County State Bank in West Texas and later doing business as Hill Country State Bank in the Texas Hill Country, HCSB has experienced steady growth since its inception. Now with seven locations — four in West Texas and three in the Hill Country, Texas.

Which Is Better – 1.60% CD Rate Or 1.40% Money Market Rate?

Rate Nerd — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:55:49 PST

Choosing between a CD rate and a Money Market rate?

CD rates may cost you flexibility, and some upside when rates finally start moving up.

If you have no concerns about locking up your money, you might as well invest in a CD. Right now CD rates for terms of 2 years or more offer a clear advantage over money market account rates. However, money market accounts offer the advantage of being able to move your funds with prevailing bank rates. If the macroeconomic trends are pointing to a rise in interest rates, you may be better off looking for yield in a money market account — and preserving the flexibility of your deposits — rather than committing to current CD rates.

Choosing between the two can be daunting. You can look at the rate tables here on RateNerd.com, or look at this example with Discover Bank CDs rates and Discover Bank Money Market rates:

Term	CD APY	Money Market APY ($10K-100K)
3 Months	0.75%	1.40%
6 Months	1.00%	1.40%
9 Months	1.10%	1.40%
12 Months	1.60%	1.40%
18 Months	1.80%	1.40%
24 Months	2.15%	1.40%
30 Months	2.20%	1.40%
3 Years	2.50%	1.40%
4 Years	2.65%	1.40%
5 Years	3.20%	1.40%
7 Years	3.40%	1.40%
10 Years	3.70%	1.40%

You can see that the Discover Bank CDs 12-month CDs rate and the money market rate are neck and neck, but the CD rate nearly doubles if you are willing to lock up your money for 10 years.

The main difference is in the liquidity of the investments. A non-negotiable CD is meant to be a buy-and-hold investment. If you need your money prior to when the CD is scheduled to mature, you pay a penalty for early withdrawal. That penalty is typically the loss of three to six months worth of interest income.

Generally speaking, don’t invest long-term when you expect to need the money in the short-term. The converse is also true. Don’t invest short-term when you won’t need the money for a while. You’re accepting a lower return for liquidity that you don’t need.

Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

CDs are safe investments with little to no risk and are locked in for a set amount of time. There is usually a minimum deposit of $500 to $10,000 and account holders are typically subject to a penalty for early withdrawal. FDIC-insured CDs earn interest rates around 1.10% to 1.60% for 12 months (based on the national average).

Money Market Accounts

Money market accounts are also short-term debt instruments that earn interest based on funds from commercial paper, repossessions, Treasury Bills and other securities with a maturity date of one year or less. They are FDIC-insured and currently average about 1.07%. As long as you meet the minimum base deposit amount at any given time, you are not normally penalized for a specified number of monthly withdrawals. Don’t confuse this with a money market “fund,” though, which is not FDIC-insured.

8 Biggest IRA Mistakes Most People Make

Rate Nerd — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:11:59 PST

Saving more for retirement is always a good idea, especially now.

Saving as much as possible, handling rollovers correctly and avoiding costly penalties are the keys to success. See if you made any of these 8 big mistakes.

In 2009, the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimated that Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), a cornerstone of retirement savings, sank to a median value of less than $29,000 post-financial meltdown.

That leaves many Americans working even harder to recoup their losses and stay on track to make retirement a reality. The good news is that many people can increase their saving potential simply by learning more about IRA dos and don’ts.

“There’s no question that saving through an IRA is a strategic move, but it’s not quite as simple as ’set it and forget it,’” says J.J. Montanaro, a Certified Financial Planner with USAA. “Staying aware of what to do and what not to do can really pay off, especially now, when you have the opportunity to invest and potentially save on your tax bill.”

Montanaro outlines eight of the most common mistakes IRA investors make when it comes to making the most of this retirement-saving tool:

Thinking you’ve missed the deadline: Though 2009 is over, it’s not too late to make your IRA contribution count toward this year’s tax bill. This year, you have until April 15 to make “2009″ IRA contributions and claim eligible deductions on your tax return.
Not contributing enough: Contributions to a Traditional IRA are tax deductible, within limits, so you can help secure your future and cut this year’s tax bill at the same time. If you’re younger than 50 years old, you can contribute up to $5,000 annually. Maxing it out makes for maximum tax savings.
Not playing catch-up: Age does have its rewards. If you’re 50 or older, you may be eligible to contribute an extra $1,000 (up to $6,000 per year) to an IRA account. This “catch-up” contribution offers a chance to kick your savings into overdrive.
Assuming you can’t contribute: If you’re a stay-at-home spouse, you can still open an IRA as long as contributions from both spouses don’t exceed your combined taxable compensation. A “spousal IRA” is especially handy when the working spouse is already covered by an employer retirement plan and can’t deduct IRA contributions. What you can deduct will depend on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), but every bit counts.
Rolling the wrong way: If you’ve recently switched jobs or lost your job, you can roll the funds from your old employer’s retirement plan into an IRA. Just be sure the transfer is made directly from one custodian to the next – a direct rollover. If the payout goes to you first, it will be subject to a mandatory 20 percent withholding tax. Then, you’ll have only 60 days to move the funds you received, plus the 20 percent that was withheld, to a new account or you’ll have to pay income taxes on the distribution, plus an early withdrawal penalty if you’re not at least age 59 1/2.
Not considering a Roth: You might be able to save more on taxes in the long run by contributing to a Roth IRA instead of a Traditional IRA depending upon your tax situation. Roth IRA contributions aren’t tax deductible, but the Roth can provide tax-free withdrawals come retirement time. And starting this year, the income restrictions to convert a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA have been eliminated, opening the door to millions more investors. Ask a trusted financial adviser if opening or converting to a Roth IRA would be the right move for you. It’s important to keep in mind that conversions from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA are subject to ordinary income taxes, so it’s recommended that you consult with a tax advisor regarding your particular situation.
Withdrawing too early: Your IRA is designed to remain untouched until you reach age 59 1/2. If you make a withdrawal from your Traditional IRA before then, you’ll have to pay taxes on the income and investment earnings, and fork over a 10 percent penalty, with some exceptions. While a Roth IRA allows you to withdraw your contributions, not including earnings, at any time without taxes or penalties, you’ll thank yourself later for not raiding the piggy bank.
Procrastinating: More than any technicality, it’s plain old procrastination that hurts investors the most. Whether its uncertainty in the markets, cash flow concerns or the rising costs of college, there will always be excuses to put off this year’s IRA contribution. But time-honored investing principles show that consistent contributions – through good times and bad – provide the clearest path to long-term investing success. So make the commitment and take action to help secure your financial future now.

For complete IRA details, visit www.irs.gov and search for Publication 590.

–Article Courtesy of ARAcontent

$150 New Checking Account Bonus From SunTrust – Daily Deal

Rate Nerd — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:58:18 PST

Get $150 bonus for opening a new checking account at SunTrust Bank.

Just sign up for online bill pay and make at least 3 online payments for 3 months. Hurry – this checking account bonus ends April 30, 2010.

In essence, SunTrust is offering $150 for signing up a new checking account and online billpay.

They also have a bonus for current SunTrust customers. This second $100 promotion is available to SunTrust checking customers that don’t currently use online bill pay. SunTrust may report to the IRS the value of the incentive and any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.

Here are the details for $150 Incentive for “New Clients”:

Client receives $50 when they open a new SunTrust personal checking account from February 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010, enroll their new SunTrust personal checking account in the promotion via suntrust.com/solid, and make three bill payments through SunTrust Online Banking with Bill Pay within the next two calendar months out of the new personal checking account enrolled in the promotion. To receive the additional $100, the client must qualify for the $50 offer and must continue to make at least three payments each month for the next consecutive three months through SunTrust Online Banking with Bill Pay out of the same personal checking account enrolled in the promotion. When SunTrust determines that the client met all the terms of each section, SunTrust will direct deposit the appropriate amount into the primary SunTrust personal checking account enrolled in the promotion through suntrust.com/solid up to 10 weeks after the last bill payment was processed. Client bill payment status must show “Processed” to be eligible. The SunTrust personal checking account must be open and in good standing at the time the direct deposit is paid. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer valid for U.S. residents. Client must be 18 years or older to participate.

“Existing Clients” earn $100 bonus

$100 Incentive for “Existing Clients”: Client receives $100 when they enroll their SunTrust personal checking account in the promotion via suntrust.com/solid from February 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010 and make at least three payments each month for a consecutive three months through SunTrust Online Banking with Bill Pay out of the SunTrust personal checking account enrolled in the promotion. When SunTrust determines that the client met all the terms of the offer, SunTrust will direct deposit the $100 into the primary SunTrust personal checking account enrolled in the promotion through suntrust.com/solid up to 10 weeks after the last bill payment was processed. Client bill payment status must show “Processed” to be eligible. The SunTrust personal checking account must be open and in good standing at the time the direct deposit is paid. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer valid for U.S. residents. Client must be 18 years or older to participate.

About SunTrust

SunTrust Banks, Inc., with total assets of $172.7 billion on September 30, 2009, is one of the nation’s largest and strongest financial holding companies. Through its banking subsidiaries, the company provides deposit, credit, trust, and investment services to a broad range of retail, business, and institutional clients. Other subsidiaries provide mortgage banking, brokerage, investment management, equipment leasing, and capital market services.

Atlanta-based SunTrust enjoys leading market positions in some of the highest growth markets in the United States and also serves clients in selected markets nationally. The company operates 1,690 retail branches and 2,807 ATMs in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. In addition, SunTrust provides customers with a full range of technology-based banking channels, including Internet, PC, and Automated Telephone Banking.

$100 New Checking Account Bonus From Huntington Bank – Daily Deal

Rate Nerd — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:05:30 PST

Huntington National Bank new checking account bonus pays you $100 for opening a new checking account.

To receive the new checking account bonus you must setup direct deposit or make 5 check card purchases within 60 days of opening your new checking account. Act fast – it ends February 27, 2010.

The bonus is credited within 90 days of opening your new checking account. You’ll need to keep the checking account open for 180 days, or pay an early closure fee. Huntington also charges a dormant account fee if you don’t use your account for 6 months.

For this checking account bonus, there are several checking accounts to choose from:

Huntington Free Checking® – Basic checking account with no minimum balance and no monthly checking fee
Huntington 50 Plus Checking® – Basic checking account with interest for those over 50
Huntington High Value Checking® – Rewards for checking, savings, loan and credit card balances
Huntington High Rate Checking® – Checking account that offers maximum value
Huntington® High Performance Checking Account – Competitive interest rate that increases as your monthly balance increases

Huntington Bank is has branches in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia and is FDIC insured.

About Huntington Bank

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a $52 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Huntington has more than 143 years of serving the financial needs of its customers. Huntington provides full-service commercial and consumer banking services, mortgage banking services, equipment leasing, investment management, trust services, brokerage services, customized insurance service program, and other financial products and services. Huntington has over 600 banking offices located in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Huntington also offers retail and commercial financial services online at huntington.com; through its technologically advanced, 24-hour telephone bank; and through its network of almost 1,400 ATMs. The Auto Finance and Dealer Services group offers automobile loans to consumers and commercial loans to automobile dealers within the six-state banking franchise area.