West Virginia Banking Rates and News

Checking account promotions are still common at large banks, but one thing that’s not common are free checking accounts. Huntington Bank is one large bank that’s still has a free checking account. It’s called Asterisk-Free Checking. It has no monthly checking maintenance fee, no minimum balance, and no required number of debit transactions.

Huntington Bank’s promotion for its Asterisk-Free Checking offers a $150 bonus. This promo does have direct deposit and debit transaction requirements which are common for checking account bonuses. At least you don’t have to worry about these requirements to keep the account free.

Here’s the

Just two weeks ago I posted on a BB&T $100 checking account bonus. Now it's offering a $125 bonus with the same requirements. The nice aspect of this bonus is that you can qualify for it without direct deposit. The downside is that BB&T's checking accounts have potential monthly service fees. So if you open the checking account for the bonus, you have to make sure to avoid the fees.

To qualify for the $125 bonus, customers must open a BB&T checking account and set-up and receive 2 direct deposits of at least $100 OR make 3 online bill payments...

BB&T is again offering a $100 bonus for opening a checking account and performing some additional activities. Just like most large banks, BB&T's checking accounts have potential monthly service fees. So if you open the checking account for the bonus, you have to make sure to avoid the fees.

To qualify for the $100 bonus, customers must open a BB&T checking account and set-up and receive 2 direct deposits of at least $100 OR make 3 online bill payments of at least $25. The offer is scheduled to end on 3/1/2013. Here's the link to the BB&T...

Susquehanna Bank is offering a $100 bonus for opening a personal checking account and for completing 5 transactions each month for the first four months. The offer is listed at this Susquehanna Bank promo page, and it requires that you fill in the form to receive a $100 offer coupon in the email. You then need to print the coupon and take it to a Susquehanna Bank branch near you. The offer is scheduled to end on 5/26/12.

The following is the offer's small print:

Transaction Reward: Complete 5 transactions in each of the four calendar months...

Many banks may have ended their free checking accounts, but at least a few are still offering new account bonuses. Customers will have to be more careful if they plan to take advantage of these promotions. That's the case with BB&T which is offering a $100 bonus for opening a checking account and performing some additional activities. Last year BB&T ended its free checking account, so those interested in this promotion will have to make sure they can avoid the fees.

To qualify for the $100 bonus, new customers must open a BB&T checking account and set-up direct deposit OR...

It has been over a year since my last post of Justice Federal Credit Union. Over the years I have done several posts on this credit union due to its competitive rates and a field of membership that allows many people to qualify. Even though many may be able to qualify for JFCU membership, it doesn't mean it's easy as a reader described in this review. Because of this problem, I haven't mentioned this credit union for the last year. However, it continues to offer some top CD rates. Also, several readers have been able to join. Thus,...

SunTrust Bank has a CD and IRA CD special with a competitive rate. It's a 6-year (72 month) CD with a 2.00% APY. Minimum deposit is $2,000, and the maximum opening deposit is $250,000 per CD. A new or existing checking account is required. This is a limited time special, and the rate may vary by location. This special rate and term are listed at the SunTrust CD rates page for several zip codes as of 2/28/2012.

I wasn't able to find an account disclosure online, so I used SunTrust's online chat service to find out about...

We are still seeing checking account bonuses from the big banks. Those who are careful may be able to profit from these, but the banks know that they will most likely profit in the end. The latest big bank offering a checking account bonus is M&T Bank which is offering a $100 cash bonus for customers who add direct deposit to a MyChoice Checking account. M&T Bank has this promotion advertised on its home page and on its special website raisethegreenflag.com/mychoice.

Those who try to qualify for this bonus should be aware of the potential...

WesBanco has a new checking account promotion that's scheduled to last until November 21, 2011. Unlike most checking promos, this one doesn't require direct deposit. However, you'll have to make a lot of debit card purchases to qualify for the full bonus. The bonus is listed at this WesBanco promotions page. There are three levels of bonus amounts with different number of debit card purchases that are required. These requirements must be met within 90 days of account opening:

• $50 for 10 purchases
• $75 for 30 purchases
• $100 for 50 purchases

The bank still offers a free...

Huntington Bank has been offering a very competitive rate on its Premier Plus Money Market Account. It has a 1.25% APY for balances from $20K to $2M. No interest is paid on balances under $20K. This is listed in the bank's rate finder page as of 9/29/2011.

One worrisome issue for money market accounts is the question about how long the competitive rates will last. I contacted the CSR via the online chat, and I was told the typical reply that the rate could change at any time. We do have the rate history of this account. You can view...

WesBanco is offering a new checking account promotion that’s scheduled to last until July 1, 2011. On WesBanco’s promotions page, it states that you can earn up to $179. However, $50 of that bonus requires referring a friend. I don’t usually include refer-a-friend bonuses in new-account bonuses. Even without this refer-a-friend bonus, it’s still a pretty good deal. You can earn up to $129 without too much work. Here’s what is listed in the promotions page to qualify for the full $179 bonus:

• $50 for opening the account with an initial minimum balance of $50
• $50 after your...

SunTrust Bank continues to offer its special CD package with the competitive 2.40% APY. I first reported on this special in January. The special requires that you open both a 39-month CD and a 63-month CD with a $2K minimum deposit in both. Both CDs have a 2.40% APY. I have the full details in my SunTrust CD review.

SunTrust just came out with a new CD/IRA special with a higher rate. It's offering a 2.70% APY on a 66-month CD. Minimum deposit is $2K. This is listed at SunTrust's CD page as of 4/18/2011. Note,...