Whether you’ve got the big bucks or are working on it, it’s nice to know that some banks out there roll out the red carpet for loyal customers. Not only do they promise to manage your funds smartly, they offer a variety of services to make the experience that much better. Here, we’ve outlined some of the lesser-known perks that are currently lurking in Bank Land.
1. Bank of America Preferred Rewards
For those with a minimum $20,000 balance in their Bank of America and/or Merrill Edge or Merrill Lynch investment accounts, the company offers a three-tiered program aptly titled Preferred Rewards. Twenty-thousand smackeroos will grant you gold status, which means a helpful 5% interest hike on money market accounts, plus a 25% rewards bonus on credit cards.
With platinum status, which requires a minimum balance of $50,000, the perks include up to 12 no-fee transactions from any non-BOA ATM for a year, a 10% money market account boost and a 50% credit card rewards bonus. (Like the sound of credit cards that reward you for using them? See our roundup of the best ones in America here.)
2. Chase Private Client
Open to customers who maintain an average daily balance of $250,000 or more “in any combination of qualifying linked deposits and investments,” its site says, Chase Private Client is basically a dream concierge for your finances.
Members get the VIP treatment with a Private Client Banker, plus access to travel benefits such as rushed replacement of debit or credit cards almost anywhere worldwide, a 24/7 U.S.-based service line, a discount of $750 on closing costs on all home loans, and so on. For arts buffs, the access to local culture and events — think free admission to world-class museums like the MoMA — is also worth writing about.
3. Schwab Bank High-Yield Investor Checking Account
If ATM fees are slowly draining your checking account, perhaps a change of banks is in order. Schwab Bank offers no ATM fees worldwide with this checking account, plus there are no monthly service fees. Members also can earn interest on their balance. (Not sure where your finances stand? You can view two of your free credit scores, updated every 14 days, with a free snapshot of your credit report on Credit.com.)
4. TD Personal Checking
Considering applying for a home equity line of credit? If so, TD Bank has an offer to sweeten the deal: “Checking customers receive an extra 0.25% discount off our already low variable rates,” its site says. Be sure to check with your local branch for more details.
Remember, it’s important to read the fine print of any financial product you’re considering. If you’re interested in bank perks, you can also check what your current financial institution offers. There may be some options you don’t know about.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
