$150 in your pocket for opening up a checking account

Yep, you read the title correctly. National City Bank, soon to be PNC is offering a $150 VISA card if you open up a "free" checking account by 12/31/08.

There are two hoops you have to jump through to get the $150.

1. Withing 60 days of opening up the account, you have to have at least $250 from your paycheck direct deposited into your new National City account.
   
   
2. Within 60 days of opening up the account, you have to use your debit card 10 time.

Ok, these are the hoops, but are there any other benefits to the "free" checking account? Yes there are.

1. Free use of ATMs
2. Free unlimited personal checks
3. Free online banking and bill pay
   
4. No minimum balance

$150 is a lot of money and it's not often you get something for free. This is an offer worth considering.