National City Bank just released a new checking account promotion—”the best promotion“—as rated by one of the National City branch manager. I received this information from one of the local branch manager in an email. From what I can tell, you can get $163 bonus for opening a new National City Work Perks Checking Account with at least $250 direct deposit.
Following is the email I received:

I wanted to see if you would pass some information on to your readers concerning the best promotion I have seen in my 4 years here at National City. We are now offering $163 to any customer that opens up a Work Perks account and has at least $250 direct deposited. This offer is better than any other bank that I have seen so I wanted to ensure that I let you know so I can give as many of your readers $163 as possible. This is only for new relationships to National City so anyone who has already opened there accounts are not eligible unfortunately. I have attached a flyer that tells a little about it……..Of course with this account they can get the free savings, check card, online banking, online bill payment, free checks, and Credit Card.

According to the flyer, you can get $163 bonus in 60 days after you open a work perks checking account and make first direct deposit (>$250).

Some of you might be not familiar with the Work Perks Account which I currently have. There are three Work Perks Checking Account: Work Perks Interest Checking, Work Perks Preferred Interest Checking, Work Perks Elite Checking. Only the Work Perks Interest Checking doesn’t require monthly maintenance fees and there is no minimum balance requirement for this account. Both of the preferred and elite accounts require minimum balance to avoid monthly fees. The Work Perks Interest Checking account also provide free checks. However, this account requires you to maintain direct deposit from your employer to your account. Otherwise, your account will be converted to Free Checking account. You can visit www.nationalcity.com/workperks to get more information.

Fine print about this offer:

$163 offer available for new Work Perks checking accounts opened within two weeks of a National City onsite event at any qualifying company location. Offer limited to one per household and available only to households without an existing personal checking account at National City. A Visa® Check Card must be issued, and an ACH direct deposit of your paycheck for at least $250 must be received within 60 days of account opening to qualify for this offer. Your account must be open to receive the bonus. $163 will be credited to your checking account within 60 days after all conditions have been met. $163 credit is subject to 1099 reporting. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer and may be withdrawn at any time. Rates and minimum balance to earn interest may vary, depending on Work Perks checking account opened. For example, Work Perks Interest Checking requires a minimum balance of $1,500 to earn interest. 0.10% Annual Percentage Yield for Work Perks Interest Checking is accurate as of 8/8/08 and may change before and after account opening.

It seems this is an in-branch only offer. You might have to print out the flyer and take with it to your local National City Bank. The flyer about this promotion can be downloaded from MyCardBlog.Com.

As of 2007, National City Corp. ranked number 188 on the Fortune 500 list, and 9th in terms of revenue in the commercial banks industry with total assets of about $140 billion and a market cap of $24.542.1 billion.