PNC Bank has offered bank deals with cash bonuses in the past. This time when you sign up for a PNC Bank checking account by April 30, 2010, you may receive a $100 bonus.

The offer is only available online for new accounts opened by residents of Washington, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

To be eligible for the bonus you must set up direct deposit and make 10 Visa check card purchases. Each direct deposit must be at least $400. The $100 bonus gets credited to your checking account within 60 days after meeting the requirements, which must be fulfilled by June 30, 2010.

Other details of the checking account offer include:

• Automatic reimbursement of non-PNC Bank ATM fees for Performance and Performance Select Checking
• Reimbursement of non-PNC Bank ATM fees for Free Checking with a balance of at least $2,000
• Free online banking and bill pay
• Free Visa check card
• Free banking rewards program

The Free Checking has no monthly service charge or minimum balance requirement. Performance checking accounts require a minimum balance of $2,500 and Performance Select checking requires a minimum balance of $10,000 to avoid a monthly service charge.

Other costs that might apply to your checking account include fees for check card cash advances, international purchases, overdrafts, returned deposits, and stop payment orders.

More Americans are reporting that they have almost no savings and investments, according to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).

The 2010 Retirement Confidence Survey found that 27% of workers polled said they have less than $1,000 in savings accounts, compared with 20% in 2009. The poll also found that 54% of people had less than $25,000 in savings and investments, excluding their home and any defined benefit plans.

More people also are not saving for retirement. The poll found that 69% of workers said they and/or their spouse have saved money for retirement, but only 60% say they are currently saving.

Americans already had a low savings rate before the recession. Now, due to a high unemployment rate, many people are finding it impossible to save at all and are just trying to stay current on their bills.

The survey also found that a growing number of folks are planning to delay retirement. In fact, 24% of workers said they have postponed their retirement age in the past year. Among the reasons given were the poor economy, changes in their job situation, not enough money, and the need to recover money lost in the stock market.

 About 16% of those polled said they are very confident about having enough money for retirement.

Georgia residents can take advantage of competitive money market rates at Georgia Primary Bank. There is no minimum required to open a money market, but there is a $10 monthly maintenance fee if the balance is under $2,500.

The following money market rates (valid as of Feb. 5, 2010) apply to personal accounts:

• 1.45% APY on balances below $10,000
• 1.45% APY on balances of $10,000 to $24,999
• 1.65% APY on balances of $25,000 to $49,999
• 1.95% APY on balances of $50,000 to $99,999
• 2.3% APY on balances of $100,000 and up

Commercial money markets have the following rates:

• 1.25% APY on balances below $10,000
• 1.25% APY on balances of $10,000 to $24,999
• 1.5% APY on balances of $25,000 to $49,999
• 1.75% APY on balances of $50,000 to $99,999
• 2% APY on balances of $100,000 and up

A Visa card comes with the money market. You get free online banking and six withdrawals each month with a money market account. You also pay $3 for each additional withdrawal. Georgia Primary Bank money markets also waive up to six ATM surcharges each month.

If you close a money market within 90 days of opening it, you pay a $10 fee. Other fees on money market accounts include $5 for accounts that are dormant after 12 months, $35 for overdrafts, $10 for returned deposits, and $5 for interim or duplicate statements.

Georgia Primary Bank is based in Atlanta.

Atlantic Coast Bank has a high interest savings and checking account that work together to help you save more. The bank’s Kasasa Cash checking account has a 3.25% annual percentage yield (APY). The Kasasa Saver is a high interest savings account with a 2% APY and is linked to the checking. Details of the offer include:

• Nationwide ATM fees up to $25 refunded on checking account are automatically deposited into savings account
• Free checking
• No minimum balance or monthly fees
• Minimum opening deposit of $100 for checking account and $5 for savings

To qualify for the bank rates you must:

• Make a minimum of 10 debit card purchases
• Set up one direct deposit of ACH automatic payment from your checking account
• Receive electronic statements

Even if you don’t meet the requirements to earn the bank rate on the savings and checking, both accounts are free. During that time you earn a base rate of 0.1% on the checking account, which gets automatically deposited into the savings. The combined balance earns a base rate of 0.3% APY.

Once you meet the requirements again, you can earn the 3.25% APY on checking and 2% APY on savings. Bank rates are accurate as of Nov. 16, 2009.

Atlantic Coast has branches throughout northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. But residents of other states can apply online for a bank account

I recently wrote about a TD Bank promotion that offered gift cards for using a debit card to purchase groceries. Now TD Bank has another offer aimed at getting people to apply for a mortgage.

If you apply for a mortgage loan to purchase or refinance a home, you get a shot at winning $250,000 to pay off your mortgage. Details of the offer include:

• Apply for a loan between March 7 and April 30, 2010
• Existing TD Bank mortgage customers are automatically entered into the drawing
• Six weekly winners get $2,500 toward their mortgage payment
• Grand prize winner to be announced in May

“As an Aaa-rated bank that is safe and sound, TD Bank does not sell our conforming or jumbo mortgage loans, creating an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with our customers,” said Michael Copley, Retail Lending Senior Vice President at TD Bank.  ”Additionally, we continue to originate high quality performing loans. We are very excited to pay someone’s mortgage off and help our customer obtain the American dream despite the tough economy.”

If you plan to take advantage of the bank deal and apply for a mortgage, don’t forget to see if you are eligible for the homebuyer tax credit of up to $8,000.