Dear Liz: I’m receiving numerous email offers from big banks offering significant incentives and bonuses to open checking and savings accounts. I usually don’t pay much attention to them but the latest one is offering $900 to open these accounts. Answer: Banks offer these incentives to lure in new customers, but you’re wise to consider all the potential costs because the bonuses may be less lucrative than they appear. Plus, many banks that offer sign-up incentives pay a paltry interest rate or no interest at all. Answer: Qualified charitable distributions can be a great solution for people who have saved more in their retirement accounts than they need and who want to benefit good causes.
