As you see the money drain from your bank account — an electric bill here, a mortgage payment there — don’t you wish the bank would put some back in?
Sometimes they will, if you jump through a few hoops first.
Financial institutions have been offering cash bonuses to lure new customers. Most of the deals require a certain amount of activity — debit card transactions, direct deposit — but the rules often aren’t onerous.
I’ve signed up for three bank bonuses in the past year, totaling $250, and have just applied for a $50 payment in exchange for taking out a new credit card.
Here are two current promotions:
• Bank of America: Open a checking account with a minimum balance of $500 and get $100. This deal, good through Feb. 28, requires you to keep the account open at least 30 days and make at least one debit card transaction.
• TD Ameritrade: Open a brokerage account through March 31, deposit $100 a month for a year and earn $100.
Watch newspaper ads and the fliers in your mortgage statements and credit card bills for more deals. Chase, which is expanding in Florida, is one likely source.
If you decide to take advantage of one of these offers, be sure to read the fine print. If you don’t follow the rules, you don’t get the money.
