Gay Bank Offers $25 Checking Incentive

The gay-targeted G&L Internet Bank, which says it has already surpassed its account-opening goals, is offering $25 to customers who open a checking account with at least $100.

G&L said that since it opened Oct. 11 as one of the first national financial institutions for gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly communities, its site has drawn more than 23,000 visitors. The bank said it has opened about 1,200 accounts, roughly triple the amount it projected it would have by this date.

Surveys suggest there are about 21 million gays in the United States and that they have higher-than-average disposable income. The research firm Computer Economics estimates that 9.2 million gay men and women are on-line and that 17.1 million will be in 2005.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER