Damn Finnish banks, I never recall seeing anything like this from them, ever.

In fact, I remember the controversy when one big bank manager here once said that individuals with a mere savings accounts are a mere liability to them, and they (the banks) would be better off without such customers. This was awhile ago though (in the 90s I think), but still even back then I remember being told that in e.g. UK the banks try to lure you to open a savings account by handing you money. What???

Here, unless you get a big housing loan from a bank or invest into their overpriced pension accounts or stock funds, you are nothing to them.

I guess that's what you get by Finnish banks not investing as heavily (frankly, almost nothing) to Greece and other problem countries, like UK banks have done. Dammit!

As for the extra perks like credit cards... I could even do without the basic MasterCard that my bank has given me, because it seems to be easy to get free credit cards elsewhere as well. I got a Visa from a local department store chain (Stockmann), no monthly/annual fees. The interest rates are high though, but that doesn't matter as long as I pay all the purchases within 30 days, as then the interest rates don't apply.

I got that just before I was informed by my bank that I'm entitled to their MC, so now I have two credit cards. Both work on GoG, that's all that really matters as I don't use them elsewhere (only debit card or cash).

There's a war among retail banks in the UK, with substantial bonuses like this being offered for account switching. Banks compete on their asset value, and Co-Op is trying to move up the ladder.

If you think Co-Op's structure, policies, and reputation ("ethical banking", co-operative ownership, decent customer service) are Good Things, and the account terms and perks are a good fit for your needs, then I can think of no reason not to take them up on their offer.