Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $100
- Availability:Â PA, NJ, NY, MA, VT, and CT. In branch only [Branch locations here]
- Direct deposit required:Â Yes, no minimum specified
- Additional requirements:Â See below
- Hard/soft pull:Â Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding:Â Unknown
- Monthly fees:Â None
- Early account termination fee:Â $25, 90 days
- Household limit:Â None
- Expiration date:Â May 31st, 2017
The Offer
- Berkshire Bank is offering a bonus of up to $100 when you open a new free checking account and complete the following requirements:
- $25 for setting up direct deposit by May 31st, 2017
- $25 for paying a bill using bill pay
- $25 for signing up for eStatements
- $25 when you replace your bank’s debit card with a Berkshire Bank debit card
- You can also get $25 when you refer a friend (note you’re limited to earning a maximum of $100, so only refer a friend if you won’t do one of the above). Limit of referring two friends
The Fine Print
- In order to qualify for up to a $100 cash bonus, you need to be a new Berkshire Bank customer or current Berkshire Bank customer without a checking account relationship and open a Free Checking account with a minimum balance of $10 and choose up to four of the following options: (1)$25 when you establish and receive at least one direct deposit to your account by 05/31/17, (2)$25 when you set up and pay a bill through online banking using Bill Pay, (3) $25 when you enroll in eStatements at account opening, (4)$25 when you turn in your bank’s debit card and replace it with a Berkshire Bank debit card, (5) $25 when you refer a family member who opens a free checking account by using the Refer-A-Friend coupon.
- Limit one $100 bonus per individual.
- Limit of two $25 bonuses available to individuals when a friend opens a new personal checking account.
- The direct deposit, debit card and bill payment bonus will be credited within seven days of your notifying us that the transaction(s) have occurred.
- To notify us, visit a branch or call us at 800.773.5601.
- The debit card bonus will be credited within 7 business days of new Berkshire debit card application.
- The $25 Refer-A-Friend bonus is credited when the friend opens the checking account with the Refer-A-Friend coupon.
- The value of the bonus may be reported on an IRS form 1099MISC. Other fees may apply.
- This offer may be withdrawn at any time. By referring a friend, you and the friend waive the right to privacy and disclose you are customers for this transaction.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
This account does not have any monthly maintenance fees to worry about. According to fee schedule there is an early account termination fee of $25 if the account is closed within 90 days.
Our Verdict
Quite a lot of requirements for only a $100 bonus, especially as going in branch is also required. Probably not worth the effort involved, but if anybody does sign up please share your data points below.
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