Generally, checking account promotions involve some sort of giveaway: cash, points, airline miles or electronics.
Most banks restrict bonuses to new customers, who then have to meet specific requirements to claim the loot.
Among the restrictions could be maintaining a minimum daily balance, making a certain number of withdrawals with an ATM card or setting up recurring direct deposit of your paycheck.
You also may encounter promotional interest rates that last for a period of time. The fine print of such offers generally indicate that rates are variable and may be subject to change. If you’re looking for this type of deal, try to find checking accounts that tell you how long the promotional rate will last. Always find out what the rate will be after the promotional period ends and what type of monthly fees are involved.
