Yesterday, I noted that TD Waterhouse was giving away iPod nano’s for new accounts. Well, it turns out that is nothing in the high-stakes game of bagging higher-balanced brokerage accounts.

In the middle of its homepage, Charles Schwab <schwab.com> is offering a night on the town in NYC, including 2 or 4 Broadway show tickets, dinner, and even a night in a luxury hotel. What’s the  catch you ask?

Just $100k, $250k, or $750k in new money depending on just what level of "free" you’d like (click on inset for details). The deposit does NOT have to made to a new account, but like TD, all retirement and institutional account are excluded. (Click to view the homepage screenshot, links do not work)

Start saving your pennies, you’ve got until March 15, 2006 to qualify. 

—JB