Ad's 'gravy' has a few lumps

The turkey is free," SunTrust Banks promises in newspaper ads. "The interest is gravy."

If so, the gravy's a bit thin.

In a nod to the days when banks gave away toasters to lure customers, the Atlanta bank is giving away $15 Publix certificates good for a free turkey to anyone in Florida opening up a money market "performance" account of $5,000 or more.

SunTrust's ad holds out the the large-print promise of a 1.9 percent annual return next to a section describing the $5,000 minimum investment.

Read the fine print, however, and it's less appetizing. Only customers with balances of $50,000 or more receive that 1.9 percent return. The return drops to 1.8 percent for balances of $25,000 to $49,999 and is an anemic 0.5 percent for balances less than $25,000.

Cara Kane, SunTrust regional marketing manager for the Tampa Bay area, said the bank traditionally advertises the highest rate in its promotions, as do other banks, and clarifies the different tiers with customers as they sign up.

"We never want anything to be misconceived," she said.

The promotion, which lasts till year's end, is only for Florida customers in part because of an existing relationship between the bank and Publix. The deal is being promoted in bank branches as well.

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