M&T Bank has really gotten very aggressive in its promotions lately and this time they’re offering up to $175 in “Family Value Bonuses” when you open a checking account. You can access the promotion by visiting a specialty built website, BuiltForFamilies.com, and entering your zip code to see if there are eligible accounts in your area.

I already have an M&T Bank account, so I’m not eligible, but I really like how their account comparison page tells you everything you need to know. How many other places explain their fees in plain english? If you open an M&T Select Checking, there’s a $14 monthly service fee unless you have a balance over $5,000 or total balances of $10,000, or have a mortgage originally over $100,000. Their Totally Free Checking has no minimum balance or monthly fee and is eligible for $25 in cash, $50 in gift cards.

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There’s a “special limited-time online offer” for Bank of America credit card holders (I put that in quotes because these promotions come and go all the time) when they open a MyAccess Checking account online. It’s an online only offer of $75 when you open a new MyAccess Checking account and make a qualifying deposit. A qualifying deposit is one that is at least $125 made within 30 days of opening the account. There is no direct deposit requirement for this bonus, though it’s a way to avoid the maintenance fee (the other way is maintaining a balance, more on that in the fine print section).

The offer code for this promotion is CH75OL1 and you can find out more on their promotion page.

Some of the other fine print:
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I’ve written about Everbank in the past because of their high rates and their unique CDs, especially the market-safe CDs. They’ve consistently been among the best rates on any listing of high yield savings accounts and I’ve been using them for quite some time.

As far as I can recall, this is the first time they’ve offered a deposit bonus for as long as I’ve known they existed.

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ING Direct has been working hard to promote their checking accounts and their sweet $50 checking account bonus has returned once again.

The promotion is very simple, just go to the Electric Orange information page and click the orange “Apply Now” button. On the next page, click on “Continue” and put in E7NSTND into the reference code box. Complete the rest of the application.

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Chase has been offering $100 bonuses for new checking accounts every month like clockwork. If you need a Chase checking account, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t take advantage of free money. A bank deal doesn’t get any easier than this one!

As usual, the requirements for this offer are the same – open a Chase checking account with at least $100 of new money and setup a direct deposit or make 5 debit purchases within 60 days. Most banks will usually require you to do both (setup direct deposit and make 5 debit purchases) in order to receive a bonus but Chase doesn’t, completing either will be sufficient. The only “negative” about this deal is that you must open an account at a branch.
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A few years ago, when Amazon first debuted their Amazon Prime program, I thought it was never going to take off. While I don’t know how many people have signed up, I’ve only tried it a few times and I still don’t get why someone would pay $79 for two day shipping when it’s free for 3-9 day shipping. There are very few things I absolutely must have within two days and, if there are, I can go to the local store to get them. However, having tried Amazon Prime on trial on several occasions, I agree that it’s a nice perk to have. I just can’t see myself paying $79 a year for it.

Fortunately, if you’re a student with a .edu email address, you can join Amazon Student. Amazon Student is a free program that gives you Amazon Prime for free for a year.

To sign up, you need to be enrolled in a college or university and have a valid .edu email address. In the signup process you have to give them your .edu address, your school, major, and class information to confirm your eligibility but otherwise you can use your normal Amazon.com account.
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Blockbuster has had a rough few years. First, Netflix was and still is eating their lunch on mail-order DVD rental. Then Redbox swooped in and started crushing their in-store business by renting movies for $1 a day, sticking their kiosks everywhere.

June 17th, 2005, shares of Blockbuster (BBI) traded at around $10 a share. Today they’re trading at 28 cents and the market cap is barely above $61 million. Netflix (NFLX), on the other hand, traded at just under $17 a share five years ago and sits pretty at around $124 today with a market cap of $6.51 billion.

How far the mighty have fallen!
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If you have a Bank of America credit card and are thinking about opening a checking account with Bank of America, then this $75 promotion on their MyAccess Checking account may be help you overcome inertia. The offer is pretty straightforward, open a bank account online through this link, fund it with at least $125 in 30 days and you’ll receive $75 in 90 days.

There is no direct deposit or check card purchase requirements. The account has no monthly maintenance fee, no minimum balance, and offers no interest. You must be a new checking account customer and the limit is one $75 incentive bonus per 6 months. No expiration date given.

Doesn’t get any easier than this. T&C’s after the jump.

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