Many online banks are offering incentives like frequent flier miles and even cold hard cash to new customers!
For example if you open a checking account with Chase and sign up for direct deposit you get a $125 bonus. Click here for the Chase $125.00 offer.
M and T Bank also pays you 100 dollars if you open a checking account that's free as long as you have direct deposit. Click here for details.
And Christian Community Credit Union pays you 50 dollars for opening an online checking account with direct deposit. So does ING.com.
By the way, Chase also offers a Visa card that give you a $100 bonus after you spend 500 dollars.