Bank Deals, Checking Accounts, Misc. Deals

If you are concerned about Internet security, Bank of America has an offer that may interest existing customers. Sign into an existing bank account using your Online Banking ID, and you can register to use McAfee Internet Security free for 12 months.

The antivirus software is a $69.99 value. At the end of the 12 months, you can renew the subscription for 50% off the regular price. You must call McAfee customer support if you want to cancel the automatic renewal.

The McAfee anvirus program blocks viruses, adware, and spyware. It also has a two-way firewall and alerts you to websites that may try to steal your identity.

If you don’t have an existing account, Bank of America offers a range of products and services. You can open a savings or checking account online in minutes.

Checking accounts include the MyAccess, which has no monthly maintenance fee if opened online and no minimum balance. You can also earn up to 20% cash back each time you shop online at certain retailer using your Bank of America check card.

The CampusEdge checking account is for students 18 years and older. The account has no monthly maintenance fee or minimum balance requirement. It also has a Stuff Happens Card that is good for a one-time refund of fees for overdrafts, returned items, and other services.

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.

AIG Bank has two bank deals that offer closing credits to customers who apply for a mortgage or home equity line of credit (HELOC). Details of the mortgage offer include:

• $500 credit toward closing costs on a first mortgage
• Mortgage applications must be made between Nov. 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010
• Must close on mortgage loan by June 30, 2010

The home equity line of credit offer includes:

• Credit up to $2,000 to offset closing costs and appraisal fee for HELOC in the first lien position
• Credit up to $1,000 for HELOC in a second lien position

Neither of these bank deals can be used with other AIG bank closing cost credits or promotions. You can apply for a mortgage or HELOC online or by phone.

While waiting for your mortgage to close you can park the down payment in an AIG Bank money market account. The bank has money market rates above the average of 1.12%. Money market rates at the bank are:

• 1.3% annual percentage yield (APY) for deposits of $10,000 to $49,999
• 1.4% APY for $50,000 to $99,999
• 1.45% APY for $100,000 to $249,999
• 1.5% APY $250,000 and up

The rates for the money markets are current as of Jan. 14, 2010, but can change at any time. Money markets require a minimum opening deposit of $2,500. Balances below $1,000 do not earn interest.

Parents of babies born in Iowa hospitals can register their child for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. One winner of a 529 savings plan is randomly chosen each month.

All Iowa newborns are eligible to participate in the giveaway, but parents must register to be entered into the drawing. Sixty-six hospitals in the state participate in the program.

The Iowa 529 savings plan helps parents plan for college costs. People who open savings accounts through the program can choose from 13 investment options from Vanguard. Iowans also can deduct up to $2,800 of what they contribute to the savings accounts on their 2009 state tax return.

Withdrawals from 529s can be used to pay for qualified college education expenses such as tuition, books, and room and board. The money in a 529 savings plan can be used at any accredited college, university, community college, or technical training school in the U.S. or abroad.

Parents of newborns who don’t win a $1,000 account are still encouraged to begin saving for college early. “New parents have a lot on their minds, but saving with College Savings Iowa doesn’t take much time and is easy to do. They can open an account in about ten minutes with just $25,” Iowa Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald said in a statement.

There’s still time to take advantage of ING Direct bank deals for Black Friday. The bank deals include a certificate of deposit with a 2.0% annual percentage yield (APY), a $121 bonus for opening an Electric Orange checking account, and $683 off mortgage closing costs. Here are details of the offers:

• The Orange CD rate is for a 12-month certificate of deposit. You must fund the CD from an external checking account. Interest on CDs accrues daily and is compounded monthly. The penalty for withdrawing funds early is three months interest for a CD that has a term of 12 months or less. Certificates of deposit that have terms longer than 12 months have a penalty of six months interest. Funds are FDIC insured up to  $250,000 per depositor.
• The checking account offer requires you to use reference code EOSAVE when opening an account online. Once the account is opened, you must make three signature transactions with your debit card within the first 45 days. The $121 bonus is put into your account on day 50. Electric Orange checking accounts pay interest that depends upon your balance.
• The Easy Orange Mortgage is for people with good credit. You get a low five-year fixed rate that’s based on repaying over 30 years. All payments are made electronically.

All accounts must be opened or applied for by 11:59 p.m. tonight to take advantage of the special deals.