8 replies to this topic

[markber]

LINK


Terms:

It’s yours when you open a Free Checking account
With features like free Online Bill Payment and a free CheckCard, a National City Free Checking account really does simplify your financial life. To prove it, we’ll give you $50* when you open an account with direct deposit.

Free with this account

Unlimited transactions without any balance requirements
Online Banking, including online statements and check images
Online Bill Payment
Unlimited check writing

Offer available for new personal Free Checking accounts opened after March 20th, 2005, with a minimum of $50 not currently on deposit at National City. Offer available only to households without an existing personal checking account at National City. The first ACH direct deposit of your payroll, pension or Social Security check must be received within 60 days of account opening to qualify for this offer. $50 will be credited to your checking account within 60 days after the first direct deposit is received. $50 credit to account is subject to 1099 reporting. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Some promotional offers may not apply. Offer may be withdrawn at any time.

[vivyip]

I finished opening an account here.

Very quick, easy...now I just need to see if i get the bonus.

Just a note, to open this account you might need to get the sig card notarized

Also, they send the starter checks with a checkbook in the same envelope. It's quaint/cute!

Hope this might help!

Update: 8/2/05 -- I have not received the bonus yet. Has anyone received their bonus yet from this bank? Please let me know. thanks!

[vivyip]

anyone? (sorry for the strange question)

[bd134]

anyone?  (sorry for the strange question)

National City Bank $50 Bonus: DON'T BOTHER

I opened my account at the "201 East Green Street, Champaign, IL 61820, Phone: 217-363-4080" branch back in February, and I had NOT receive the $50 bonus for more than 60 days.

I've inquired about this matter with Charlie at the "30 Main Street, Champaign, IL 61820, Phone: 217-351-0500" branch after 60 days had passed. I was told that it should be "60 BUSINESS DAYS".

I showed him another offer to invite me to sign up direct deposit for yet another $50 (for a total of $100), but was refused by him, claiming that I was not a new customer (then why bother sending me an invitation with my name printed on it?).

The $100 bonus offer was sent again to me in person about a month later. this time I didn't even bother going to the branch, because I haven't receive my $50 after 60 BUSINESS DAYS!

I was charged a $1.50 monthly fee for a overdraft credit line service that Charlie claimed "no fee to use it", while in fact I was charged even though I did not USE it (I did not overdraft my chacking account). I went to the branch again on 6/24/05 to inquire about this matter. While he refunded only one month's fee (after he talked to the branch manager, they were unable to waive the fee charged in May), he called someone to investigate the issue. Heard nothing back.

When I received my statement on 7/29/05 and no signs of $50 appeared, I made a call to National City's 800 number printed on the statement, talked to a representative, and she was surprised that I've not received the $50 bonus yet. Thank goodness, the $50 bonus showed online on 8/05/05.

Frankly, I would say DON'T BOTHER to open an account with them. They don't honor what they said (60 days or 60 business days? and "no fee to use"), and their inquiry is useless / inefficient. I've spent a lot of time with them on their "word game", and I wish them good luck to attract new customers.

[markber]

Thanks for sharing your experience, bd134! It looks like one has put a constant pressure on National City Bank after the 60 days in order to get the bonus.

[vivyip]

I now have to agree with bd134.... I am right now still in "research" as to why my $50 has not been credited to my account yet. 7-10 days, my rear end!!! sigh...

[vivyip]

YES!!!!

The credit arrived!!! (go nag them... )

[markber]

YES!!!!

The credit arrived!!!   (go nag them... )

Congrats! It looks like the deal is doable, it just takes more efforts than an average $50 bonus deal.

[rockjr]

I got the bonus but I had to remind them of it. I suspect that they are hoping people will forget. Anyway, I can't wait for the 6 months to be up so I can close the account--I'm not real fond of the institution. I also got a purple piggy bank that my daughter just loves.