For account balances less than $5,000, the APY drops to .50%, not to mention the fees you may incur for a lesser balance. This deal is available to residents of Massachusetts. Click here for the promo page.

Looks like FNBO Direct has launched a new program, My Deals, for their debit/credit cardholders. My Deals is basically a credit card savings feature that provides relevant spending offers to FNBO Direct account holders based on how they use their FNBO Direct cards – either the FNBO Direct Online BillPay debit card or the Extra Earnings Visa Card.

Customers can take advantage of the offer by using their card for the transaction at the merchant point of sale, and FNBO Direct credits the customers account for the redemption of each offer at the end of the month.

It’s easy to get started – Simply Click Here and hit the Log In button and start earning more savings!

The promotion is set to expire 09/30/10. Here’s what you do to get your bonus:

1. Go Here and enter your email.
2. Print out the e-mail you receive.
3. Bring it to your nearest Chase Branch.
4. Open a new qualifying business checking account with a deposit of $1000 or more.

In order to avoid account fees, you’ll have to complete one of the following requirements:

• Have 5 or more debit card purchases posted to your checking account each statement period.
• Link the checking account to a Chase Business Credit Card that is not delinquent, closed, charged off, or revoked and as long as the card balance exceeds $0 at least once during the current checking account statement cycle.
• Link the checking account to a Chase Premier Checking or Chase Premier Platinum Checking personal checking account.
• Maintain a monthly average balance of $4,000 to $7,500 (depending on region) in the checking account.

Click Here to visit the promotion page.

• Sign up for direct deposit.
• Use the Visa Check Chard twice.

The deal is set to expire 9/30/2010. Below is a copy of the offer’s small print:

Direct deposit transactions include payroll, Social Security, pension, and government benefits. Qualifying debit card transactions must be signature-based. Limit one iPod touch® per household. Bank employees and their families are not eligible. The value will be reported on a Form 1099. This promotion applies only to new checking accounts. Must redeem before September 30, 2010. The Bank may discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

The bank also offers the e-Checking and e-Savings accounts that pay 5.00% APY. However, this rate only applies to balances up to $1,000. Balances over that only earn 0.50%.

A branch visit appears to be required to open accounts. Branches are located in the New York cities of Catskill, Cairo, Ghent, West Coxsackie, Hudson, Greenville, Ravena, Tannersville and Westerlo. Click Here for promotion details.

In order to get this deal, you just need to sign up for an eSave account. The minimum opening deposit required is $0, and the online process to open an account takes about five minutes.

The eSave Account Package comes with eSave Checking and eSave Savings accounts. The bundle comes with all the accoutrements: Free online banking, text and E-mail alerts, free bill pay, a check card and free mobile banking. Sounds like a great deal! Click Here for the promo page.

Here are 3 steps to open your account:

1. Open your new MyAccess Checking account online with offer code CH75OL1.
2. Fund your new account with $125 within 30 days.
3. Receive your $75 within 90 days of account opening.

Here are some fine print details:

• This is a special offer to existing Bank of America credit card customers and only valid only for new MyAccess Checking® accounts.
• Limit one $75 incentive per household every 6 months.
• You must make all requirementswithin 30 days in order to qualify for this offer.

Click Here for the promo page.

Here are a few benefits of opening a Thrivent Rewards Checking account:

• Free unlimited online bill-pays per month.
• Free access to all of your financial accounts online through one easy-to-use tool – FinanceWorks.
• Free automatic transfers.

The promotion is available nationwide, just call 800-688-6031 .Click Here for the promo page.

Here are 3 steps to open your account:

1. Open your new MyAccess Checking account online with offer code CH75OL1.
2. Fund your new account with $125 within 30 days.
3. Receive your $75 within 90 days of account opening.

Here are some fine print details:

• This is a special offer to existing Bank of America credit card customers and only valid only for new MyAccess Checking® accounts.
• Limit one $75 incentive per household every 6 months.
• You must make all requirements within 30 days in order to qualify for this offer.

Click Here for the promo page.

In order to qualify for the $25 deal, you must open a new account with a minimum opening deposit of $2500.  You also have to maintain this amount throughout the next 90 days and you’ll see a credit of $25 in your account.

They are also offering  a $15 bonus when you open a new account with a minimum opening deposit of $250.  The same goes for this deal, you’ll have to maintain this amount for the following 90 days.

This deal is available nationwide, by the way.  Click Here to get your $25/$15 bucks!

Below are the requirements:

1. Sign up for direct deposit of your recurring net income source
2. Enroll in their free bill pay service and pay 2 bills in the first 60 days
3. Use a Crescent debit card to pay for 10 purchases within 60 days of account opening.

You must meet all 3 requirements  in order to obtain the $150 bonus.  You can also qualify for a $100 bonus if you meet only 2 of the requirements.  Also, Crescent Credit Union does offer a free checking account with no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements.

Membership is open to those who live or work in Plymouth, Bristol, Norfolk, or Barnstable counties in Massachusetts. A minimum balance of $25 in the savings account is required for membership.  Click Here for the promotion page.

They’re Black Friday Sale: Save ‘Til You Drop is posted and ready to be launched this Friday, 11/27.  The guys over at MyBankTracker were tipped off on a few juicy details of what to expect out of this sale. 

Here’s the information from MyBankTracker:

• ING DIRECT will offer $683 off Easy Orange and Orange Mortgage closing costs for anyone who applies on Black Friday. Why $683? That’s what the average American will spend on gifts this holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation.
• On Cyber Monday, November 30, ING DIRECT’s brokerage, ShareBuilder, will offer a 20% rebate on trades to help investors save money while they grow their investments.
• The Orange CD special will be announced Here on Black Friday.
• The Electric Orange checking account special will be announced Here on Black Friday.

All of this will be officially released at This Link 3 days from now, 11/27.

The account is actually a great money management tool, so if you’re opening a new account you may find this investment pretty useful.  

This promotion is available to residents of DC, DE, IN, KY, MD, NJ, OH, PA, and VA.  Click Here to access the promo page.

Here’s how it works:

1. Open an interest checking account with a minimum opening deposit of $100.
2. Setup a monthly direct deposit within 90 days of account opening or make at least five online bill payment transactions within 60 days of account opening.
3. Open a Harris Savings Account and activate the AutoSave feature.

Here are a few fine print details:

• $100 cash will be deposited into your new Harris personal Interest-Checking Account approximately 120 days after account opening
• $50 will be deposited into your savings account after Auto Save feature is activated
• No maintenance or transaction fees for account holders with a combined total of $20,000 or more in any qualifying Harris deposit accounts

To learn more about this deal, Click Here to access the promo page.

You can open either a Money Market Account, Online Saving Account, CD or IRA CD.  A few find print details are listed below:

• To receive the cash offer, the offer code listed above must be used when applying
• A minimum deposit of $2,500 in new funds must be received within 30 days of submitting an application and must remain on the account for 90 days to remain eligible for the cash offer.
• The offer will be applied to your Discover Bank account 90 days after new funds have been received

The offer code D120219 needs to be entered at This Link.  Once you access this page, you can read all of the details about this promotion. 

Here’s basically how it works:

1. What are you saving for?  It can range from a vacation getaway all the way to saving just to save
2. Define your goal.  You’re goal can range from 2 years to 6 months.  It all depends on how long until you make your purchase.
3. Deposit Your Monthly Payments.  SmartyPig automatically calculates how much you should save a month to reach your goal. 
4. Reach Your Goal!  Once you’ve reached your goal, you’re given three options to obtain your total savings.

It’s extremely east to use and very beneficial.  The best part about this is that you earn 2.01% APY.  This could be very useful with the holiday seasons around the corner.

Interested?  Click Here to get details about how it works and how to sign up.  Good Luck!

Here’s a few account details:

• Receive reminders so you won’t miss a deposit and can easily stay on track.
• Set up free Steady Save transfers from a Citizens Bank checking account to ensure regular, automatic deposits so you won’t lose your bonus.
• Open a personal checking account and enroll in Green$ense. Earn money when you use your debit card to help fund your savings.
• There is no limit to how much you can save – the more you save, the more interest you can earn.
• It is not required to spend CollegeSaver funds or the $1,000 bonus on education.

To learn more about this promotion, visit the Promotion Page Here.

Chase is giving away a $250 bonus to customers who open a Chase Business Select High Yield Savings account and deposit $50,000 or more.  If you already have a Chase Business Select High Yield Savings account, you are also eligible for this bonus if you simply add $50,000 to your account.  This promotion is available until 12/31/09.  You must use the promotion code: 3571821590468928 when making the deposit to get the bonus.

You can also get a $25 bonus if you make a deposit between $10,000 and $49,999.  This also applies to new accounts and currently open accounts.  Just use the promotion code: 3571821590468928

Below are the certificates from the original email.  You must print these and bring them in to a Chase Branch to get your bonus.

Below are a few details:

• This offer is only available for accounts opened online
• You will receive a $50 bonus if you open a Capital One Direct Banking savings account or money market account,
• Provide the offer code, SAVER50DF, at the time of account opening,
• and have at least $10,000 on deposit on 11/25/2009
• This account must be your first account with Capital One Direct Banking
• This account must remain open 4-8 weeks after 11/25/2009

If your interested in opening a savings account with Capital One, why not make some extra pocket money in doing so?  Click Here to read more.

One of the major contendors in the banking world, Chase Bank, made big decisions this month with special promotions here and there as well as their new set of credit cards. 

The latest news, released Wednesday, has to do with their infamous overdraft fees.  Charlie Scharf, head of retail financial services at J.P. Morgan Chase, stated “Customers will be given the opportunity to decide whether they want to participate in Chase’s debit-card overdraft services.” 

The changes will  include removing overdraft fees for debit cards unless the customer opts in to overdraft services, and getting rid of overdraft fees if a customer’s account is $5 or less overdrawn.   

In addition, Bank of America released Tuesday that they will be eliminating overdraft fees when a customer’s account is overdrawn by less than $10 beginning 10/19/09.  This is great news for customers that aren’t sure if they’re account has $24 or $26.

Here are the remaining promotions that are due to expire by the end of this month:

Webster Bank Checking Bonuses: Webster Bank is giving you extra pocket money when you open a new qualifying checking account.  The gifts range from $25, $50 to $100.

HSBC Direct $50 Online Payment Account Bonus: HSBC Direct is promoting a $50 bonus when you open a new Online Payment Account.  The account must be opened by 9/30/09.

ShareBuilder $25 Account Bonus: Open a new ShareBuilder account and receive an extra $25!  The account must be opened by 9/30/09 and you have to use the following promo code: 25WCFA.

Chase Extras 5,500 Bonus Points Reward: When you enroll your Chase debit card at Visa Extras, at this Link, you can earn 5,500 bonus points as well as 1 base point for each $1 of net purchases. You will have to enroll before September 30, 2009.

Chase/WaMu $20 Bill Payment Bonus: Chase/WaMu is offering a $20 bonus when you set up automatic bill payments with your debit card.  This promotion is only available until 9/30/09.  The bonus is faily easy to obtain for a ew extra bucks in your pocket.

National City Bank $75 Checking Bonus: National City, which is now a part of PNC Bank, is offering a $75 bonus when you open a new checking account and perform 3 tasks.  Click Here to get information for your specific area.

Citibank $100 Checking Bonus: Citibank is offering a $100 checking account when you open a new Citibank checking account.  The account must be opened by 9/30/2009.

Banks have already started working on their promotions for the month of October. If you didn’t get a chance to snag a deal during September, there are still more up-and-coming options.

Here are a few details fromt he Promo Page:

• You must deposit $50 or more to receive the $50 bonus.
• Cash offer available for Individual, Joint and Custodial accounts only.
• Limit one ShareBuilder promotional award per unique customer or custodial beneficiary.
• The $50 credit will post to your account approximately 4-6 weeks after you have deposited $50 or more.

There are  no inactivity fees, which means no trading requirements, and no account minimum balance required.  Click Here to learn more about this promotion.

Here is a quick rewind of their rates:

2/12/09 – 1.65% APY
5/15/09 - 1.55% APY
8/12/09 - 1.45% APY
9/23/09 – 1.35% APY

The rates have still managed, however, to remain above other competitors.  Interested in getting an OSA with HSBC Direct?  Click Here to get your account started today.

Also note that with a SmartCents Free Checking account, every debit card purchase and every time you pay a bill online, 50¢ of your money is transferred from your checking account to your savings account.  At the end of the month for the first 3 months, the total amount transferred will be matched 100% by Capital One.

Click Here to learn more about this promo.

In order to qualify for this cash bonus, you need to:

1. Open a new Sovereign Premier Checking, Business Owner Premier Checking, Interest Checking or Partnership Checking account by October 30, 2009, with a minimum opening deposit of $100.
2. Request a Sovereign CheckCard and make 2 CheckCard purchases within 60 days after you open your account.
3. Open any Sovereign savings or money market savings account with a minimum opening deposit of $100 or already have a savings or money market savings account.
4. Enroll in Online Banking at account opening.

Once you complete the above steps, you’ll get $100 deposited into your checking account within 75 days.  This promotion is only available in ME, VT, NH, CT, RI, MA, NY, NJ, PA, WV, MD, DE, & District of Columbia.

Click Here if you’re interested in getting $100 from Sovereign Bank.

 What’s the catch?  Just begin a new PLUS BANKING relationship and make a qualifying deposit of at least $8,000. 

Here are a few details:

• To avoid a monthly $15 maintenance fee for a Plus Banking account, you need to maintain $15,000 balance.
• Qualified customers will be notified via mail within 90 days of opening an account; notification will include instructions for redeeming gift of choice.
• This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions.
• Any gift not redeemed by February 28, 2010 will be forfeited.
• You must open a qualifying personal account by 10/16/09.

To read more about this HSBC promotion, Click Here.

Here’s how the program works:

$25 – For yourself and the friend you refer when they open a new, personal Bank of America Checking account.

$10 - For yourself and the student you refer when they open a new, CampusEdge Checking account.

$50 - For yourself and the business you refer when they open a new Bank of America Business Checking account.

The rules and requirements vary per type of referral.
Click Here if you’re referring a regular customer.
Click Here if you’re referring a student.
Click Here if you’re referring a business.

OR Click Here to visit the main page of the program.

Below are a few details:

• This offer is only available for accounts opened online
• You will receive a $25 bonus if you open a Capital One Direct Banking savings account or money market account,
• Provide the offer code, SAVER25DF, at the time of account opening, and have at least $10,000 on deposit on 10/15/2009
• This account must be your first account with Capital One Direct Banking
• This account must remain open 4-8 weeks after 10/15/2009

If your interested in opening a savings account with Capital One, why not make some extra pocket money in doing so?  Click Here to read more.

Here’s how to get your $50 bonus:

• Open an Online Payment Account
• Make three debit card purchases with your HSBC Debit MasterCard with PayPass by October 31, 2009
• To be eligible you must have been an existing HSBC Direct Online Savings Account customer as of September 8, 2009

Click Here to read more about HSBC Direct’s $50 promotion.

Here’s how it works:

1. Set Your Savings Goal
   Log into your WTDirect account, click on the message on the account summary page, and sign up to participate in the 3-4-5 Challenge
2. Save 3%, 4%, or 5% Each Month For 3 Months
   Make contributions each month in August, September, and October
3. Earn Entries to Win Cash Prizes
   Earn 3, 4, or 5 entries each month based on your % contribution.

Here’s the setup of prizes:

• Grand Prizes:  $5,000 cash deposit into the WTDirect savings account of 5 winners
• Second Prizes:  $1,000 cash deposit into the WTDirect savings account of 5 winners
• Third Prizes:  $500 cash deposit into the WTDirect savings account of 40 winners

To read more about this promotion and the rules of the program, Click Here.

Here are the details:

• Must open an Amboy Direct eSavings account with 1.51% APY.
• $100 Minimum opening deposit is required & $100,000 maximum deposit.
• Bonus reference code 50879 required
• Must maintain a $3,000 balance for 90 days
• Offer good for new NJ customers only.

Click Here to learn more about the promotion (look on the left “Today’s Promotional Offer”).

Here are some fine print details:

• The $25 offer is valid through 12/31/2009.
• To receive the cash offer, the offer code must be used when applying
• A minimum deposit of $2,500 in new funds must be received within 30 days of submitting an application,
• and must remain on the account for 90 days.

The offer code D120124 needs to be entered at This Link.  Once you access this page, you can read all of the details about this promotion. 

Here’s how the deal works:

1. You can refer up to 50 friends to open eMoney Market accounts.
2. Each friend that opens an eMoney Market account earns $20.
3. You then earn $20 for each friend who opens an account.
4. You can earn up to $1000.

Here are a few fine print details:

• You and your friend will earn $20.00 each if your friend applies for and opens an eMoney Market account with the link provided in the referral email that we send to your friend.
• This offer will be available to your friend for 30 days after the date you click on the REFER button
• Your friend must open a new eMoney Market account and cannot currently have an existing account or have ever had an account with VirtualBank or Lydian Private Bank.
• The $20.00 referral gift will be deposited into the account you designate upon the opening of your friend’s account but will not be available for withdrawal for 30 days.

The promotion can be found on the Virtual Bank home page.

Below are the details from the fine print:

• You must open a new Wainwright Bank personal checking account.
• You must have a recurring payroll, Social Security or public assistance Direct Deposit made to the account.
• Limit one bond per household.
• Bond will be mailed within 90 days of account opening.
• Account must be in good standing with active Direct Deposit at time of Bond mailing.

Click Here to read more about this bonus.

Below are 4 tips Openshaw has introduced to help in these kinds of situations:

1. “Build a home budget”
   Instead of the typical chores, like taking out the trash or washing dishes, give them something more educational like managing a bill and finding the best way to save money on certain household expenses.  Incentives such as an extra couple dollars here and there could push them to be more involved in saving money on household expenses.  It’s a good feeling when you know you’ve made an impact on saving money.
2. “Dinner dialogue”
   Family Dinner time is always useful in catching up on everyone’s daily lives, and sharing interesting things you’ve managed to come across.  Why not spend at least one nite a week catching up on financial topics?  It’s good to discuss the latest news about the financial economy or topics in relation to personal finances.  Pick up a few headlines about the financial industry to discuss, everyone benefits from this.
3. “Make a meal”
   Everyone likes to spice up their dinner plate now and then.  Leave it up to your kids to determine what to eat.  Give them a budget of about $10 or $15 and let them do the grocery shopping.  Give them a few tips to find coupons online, and shop for the healthiest choice.  Here, they get a sense of budgeting skills.
4. “Take a class”
   Since there are no personal finance classes included in the regular public school system, invest some time and money in enrolling your child in a couple classes to learn basic money management skills.  In the long run, you will see you made an excellent investment yourself.

To learn more about this article by Jennifer Openshaw, Click Here.

1. Click ‘Apply Now’ at this Link.
2. Open your Electric Orange with the following reference code: EM295.
3. Activate your Electric Orange MasterCard® Debit Card
4. Use your Electric Orange Card to make at least 3 signature-based purchases in the first 45 days after your account has been opened.
5. Your $50 bonus will be automatically deposited into your Electric Orange 50 days after your account has been opened

Lastly, ING Direct also has a reputable refer-a-friend program that can earn you $10 and your friend $25 for every account opened.

For starters, in order to obtain at least half of the bonus you will need to already have or open a  checking account by 8/31/09 and then register for this promotion by 9/4/09.

Below is the list of things to do for the bonus:

• Use your Comerica Check Card for purchases eight or more times each month for 12 months. ($60 Bonus)
• Sign up online and pay eight or more bills each month through Comerica Web Bill Pay® for 12 months. ($60 Bonus)
• Setup a recurring direct deposit into your account.  However, new members may not be eligible for this so be sure to confirm. ($50 Bonus)
• Open a new Comerica Savings or Money Market Account, keeping an average monthly balance of $10,001 or more. ($60 Bonus)

Click Here to read more details about the Comerica Stimulus Package.

Here’s how to obtain the $150 bonus:

1. Apply online for a WTDirect savings account.
2. Deposit a minimum of $10,000 by July 31
3. Keep your funds on deposit with WTDirect until October 31
4. Your Bonus will be based on the following table:

Below are a few of the details mentioned on the promo page:

• Must present promo code WFIT at the time of account opening.
• Account must remain open and in good standing through 10/31/09.
• WTDirect account must be funded via electronic (ACH) transfer received by 7/31/09.
• Bonus will be credited to client’s WTDirect account on or about 11/20/09.

To read more about the promotion, Click Here.

Below are details from the promo page:

• Minimum amount needed to open is $250.
• To qualify for the added $25 bonus, you need to use the bank’s online bill pay service and make payments of at least 2 bills from your new checking account within 30 days from account opening. 
• The $25 cash reward is also applicable to existing Bank of America checking account customers who have not made an online payment using their BofA account for the last 6 months.
• Once you have made the required transactions, expect the cash incentives to be credited to your account within 90 days.

Click Here to read more about the Bank of America promotion.

Below are the required steps mentioned on the promo page to obtain the bonus:

1. Click ‘Apply Now’.
2. Open your Electric Orange.
3. Activate your Electric Orange MasterCard Debit Card.
4. Use your Electric Orange Card to make at least 3 signature-based purchases in the first 45 days after your account has been opened.
5. Your $50 bonus will be automatically deposited into your Electric Orange 50 days after your account has been opened.]

Click Here to read more about the ING $50 Bonus.

Here are the details from the site:

“IMPORTANT: $25 Bonus is only available with an initial deposit of at least $250 for new accounts with a new Customer as primary owner. $25 Bonus starts earning interest upon account opening, but is unavailable for withdrawal for 30 days. Only one bonus will be provided per household.”

Click Here for more details.

Below are detail from the promo page:

“You will receive a $50 interest credit if you open a Capital One Direct Banking savings account, money market account or certificate of deposit by 04/15/2009, provide the offer code at the time of account opening, and have at least $10,000 on deposit on 05/8/2009. This account must be your first account with Capital One Direct Banking. Interest credits will be deposited to your account 4-6 weeks after 05/29/2009. APY in effect as of 3/18/2009. 2.01% APY applies to account balances of $100,000 or more, $50,000–$99,999.99, $25,000–$49,999.99 and $10,000–$24,999.99. 1.01% APY applies to balances of $5,000–$9,999.99, $100–$4,999.99 and $0.01–$99.99. Minimum initial deposit amount is $1. Terms and conditions of this offer may change at any time. Rates are variable and may change at any time. Withdrawks by online transfer are limited to six per calendar month. This offer may not be combined with any other offers. Offer expires 04/15/2009.”

For more details Click Here.

The first drop went from 3.01% to 2.50%.  Etrade’s 0.51% loss went into effect 2/2/2009.  The second time, they decreased the APY to 2.15% which took effect 2/14/2009.  Now, in an attempt to cut cost, they have announced another decrease which now has their APY down 1.95%.  In one month, Etrade has dropped this rate by 1.06% and in a 3-month focus, this is a 1.35% decrease. 

If Etrade is now at 1.95% APY, what will the rate be by the end of this year?

Below are details directly from the promotion page:

• Must be a new account opened with new funds.
• 2.50% APY is effective 2/9/2009 and is subject to change
• Offer applies to one new account per customer
• A $1 minimum deposit is required to open a new account.
• $25 will be credited to your Complete Savings Account within 30 days of the account being funded with a minimum deposit of $1.

For more information click Here or to simply sign up click Here.

When you open a new checking account and set up payroll direct deposit or online bill pay and start a new automatic savings plan, Compass Bank will reward you with a free $150 bonus. 

Here are a few more details:

• The account has to be setup with online bill pay or payroll direct deposit by 2/28/09
• You must be a new customer.
• Minimum $100 opening deposit required

Read more Here details here or sign up for a new account here.

Amboy Direct is offering a $50 bonus when you sign up for a new Amboy eSavings account and keep a minimum monthly average balance of $3,000 or more for 90 days. Click on this link then click on “Click to Learn More” and simply type in your email and you’ll be redirected to a page with a bonus reference code.

Here are the details:

*As of 12/01/08, everyday balances over $3,000 earn 2.79% annual percentage yield (APY); balances under $3,000 earn 1.00% APY;balances under $300 earn no interest.  $100 minimum to open.  $100,000 maximum account balance.  Rate may change based on market conditions. Fees may reduce earnings.  Amboy Direct eSavings is not available at Amboy branches. To receive the $50 bonus, you must open a new Amboy eSavings account and keep a minimum monthly average balance of $3,000 or more for 90 days.  Only one new client bonus per household. This bonus offer cannot be combined with other promotional offers.  Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Member FDIC.

The bonus will be credited to your account after 90 days of maintaining the minimum monthly balance of $3000.

Open a new FreeNet Checking account with Everbank and earn 3.76% 3-Month Bonus Rate on balances below $100,000 for the first 3 months and the rate then drops down to 3.09% afterwards.  $1,500 minimum opening deposit required.  The offer is only available to first-time EverBank account holders only.  Here are the details:

• This is a tiered, variable rate account
• One account per household
• New Account First-Year APY for Balances of $100,000 or more:

Ø       During the Bonus Period, balances of $100,000 or more will earn an interest rate of 3.76% for the first $99,999.99 and an interest rate of 2.92% for all amounts above $99,999.99, with all funds in the account earning the applicable ongoing interest rate, currently 2.92%, after the Bonus Period ends.

Here are the specs directly from Citibank:

$25 offer is not valid for existing Citibank deposit customers. To qualify for this offer you must: (1) Open and fund a new Ultimate Savings Account with a minimum initial deposit of $1,000 by 01/31/2009 using offer code CYA8 and (2) maintain a minimum balance of $1,000 in your account each month for the next 3 consecutive calendar months. $25 will be credited to your Ultimate Savings Account within 120 days from the date of satisfaction of offer terms. Account must be open and in good standing at the time of $25 credit. The amount of any bonus payment will be reported to the IRS as interest earned in the year credited.

Archer bank is offering $50 in free gas when you open a new checking account with $100 minimum deposit in 2008 (hurry, only a couple days left!!).  You get $25 when you open a free checking account with online banking and another $25 when you add direct deposit.

Additional Details:

• New money only.
• Must open a Free Checking Account with On-line Banking with minimum deposit of $100 by 12/31/08 to receive the $25 Gift Card and must set up a recurring direct deposit of $100 or more by 1/31/09 to receive additional $25 Gift Card.
• Social Security Number or ITIN are required for account opening.
• Offer subject to change without notice.
• Gift Card may be substituted with item of equal or greater value.
• Not to be combined with any other offer.
• Limit one per customer.
• Limit one per household.
• Limited time offer.
• Offer valid until 12/31/08 or while supplies last.

Washington

“The pace of economic activity appears to have slowed markedly, owing importantly to a decline in consumer expenditures,” the Fed said. “Moreover, the intensification of financial market turmoil is likely to exert additional restraint on spending.” The Fed has fought the credit crisis with a series of measures aimed at pumping liquid funds into markets that had become largely frozen and risk averse.

After an emergency interest rate cut earlier this month the Fed had suggested it still saw some risk inflation could flare. “The Fed appears to have buried its upside inflation risks,” Michael Gregory, an economist with BMO Capital Markets in Toronto, wrote to clients. “Bottom line: No upside inflation risk, plus persistent downside growth risk, equals a policy bias to ease further.”

Fears of an acute recession pushed US stock prices to five-year lows this month. Stocks see-sawed after the Fed’s move but ended lower as a news report raised questions about General Electric’s earnings outlook, taking the wind out of a late rally. The US dollar posted its biggest one-day drop in 23 years, while prices for US Government bonds were little changed. The US Central Bank has cut benchmark overnight rates from 5.25 per cent in nine steps over the past 13 months to counter a financial crisis that started with the collapse of the US mortgage market and spread around the world. China and Norway also lowered interest rates on Wednesday, and the Bank of Japan, the European Central Bank and the Bank of England are all expected to follow suit in coming days.

“The expectation is (for) a long and deep recession in the US that will extend through most of 2009,” Allen Sinai, chief economist for Decision Economics, told a conference on Monday. “The previous longest post-World War II economic downturns were 16 months each in 1973-75 and 1981-82. This one probably will be longer.”

Company	APY*	1 - Yr Earnings
E*TRADE’s Complete Savings Account	3.30%	$825.00
Bank of America’s Regular Savings	0.20%	$50.00
Wells Fargo ® Goal Savings	0.20%	$50.00
National Average	0.30%	$75.00