NewAlliance Bank offers bonus of as much as $150 when you open a personal checking account and suffice some banking activities online. The checking account bonus is still posted on the promo page of the bank as of May 5. Here are some details about the checking account bonus:

• You can earn $25 for using your debit card for 10 signature transactions
• Set up a direct deposit and receive $500 of direct deposit to earn another $25
• Another $25 can be yours for enrolling with Bill Pay
• If you can do all of the three requirements above before 31 July 2010, the bank will double what you are supposed to get and give you $150

When you visit the checking account promo page, do not forget to read the small prints. Here are some important details you should not miss:

• Open a personal checking account for at least $50 on or before 30 June 2010
• The bonuses for the promo will be deposited to your NewAlliance checking account by 15 September 2010; it is not transferable and cannot be redeemed as cash
• This offer can be withdrawn by the bank any time
• The bank limits the bonus to $150 per household

Those with an existing checking account may also qualify for the bonus given that you have not received a direct deposit through your personal checking account as of March 2010, or you have less than 4 debit card transactions that are signature based, or you are not enrolled for Bill Pay as of the end of March 2010.

It looks like you need to visit on of their branches to open an account. They have branches spread across South Central Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The financial rating of NewAlliance Bank is quite strong. It got 5 stars from BauerFinancial for soundness and safety while Bankrate.com issued 4 stars for a very good performance. The bank has a declared asset amounting to around $8.4 billion.

The bank is covered by the FDIC with certificate number 18261.