Wachovia and Chase Checking Account Bonuses

Wachovia and Chase Banks are both offering sign-up bonuses for their checking accounts. These bonuses may not be good enough to open the account just for the bonus, but if you're needing to open a checking account at a major bank, it makes sense to also get a bonus.

Wachovia is offering a $25 Visa gift card for opening a personal free checking account. The free checking account has no monthly service fee and no direct deposit requirement (not too common for sign-up bonuses). You must open the free checking account by 8/31/06 with a minimum opening balance of $100. Your account must remain open and in good standing through 9/30/06 to remain eligible for the offer. Gift cards will be mailed by 10/31/06. Note, there's a $25 closing fee if closed within 6 months. Here's the promotional page.

Chase Bank is offering $50 for a checking account. Unlike Wachovia's deal, it requires direct deposit. The offer is valid through 8/31/06 and requires a minimum opening deposit of $100. There are no monthly fees with the Free Checking account when you have a monthly direct deposit. Checking account must remain open for 6 months. Here's the promotional page.

Sometimes you can substitute ACH transfers for direct deposit. Refer to this FW thread for more info.

I believe both banks do hard credit pulls. Refer to this FW thread for more info.

If you're looking for sign-up bonus at another major bank, you can get up $100 at Bank of America for opening a checking account plus another $50 for a savings account. Refer to this Bank of America post for more info.

Credit for finding the Wachovia and Chase deals goes to the iBankDesign Bank Bonus thread.