U.S. Bank and SimonDelivers.com strike a marketing deal

Supermarkets have long had associations with banks, who want to provide 24/7 convenience to their customers while tapping into the supermarkets’ heavy traffic as a way to attract new customers. Now online grocer SimonDelivers.com has found a way to make a bank partnership work even when the supermarket is virtual.

Under a marketing agreement that launched this week, consumers who open a checking account with online bill payment with U.S. Bank at one of its traditional locations will receive a $30 gift certificate to SimonDelivers, with the opportunity to earn additional gift certificates. As part of the promotion, U.S. Bank and SimonDelivers are offering two winners a year of free groceries.

"This is what partnerships are all about," says Christopher Brown, CEO for Minneapolis-based SimonDelivers. "Both U.S. Bank and SimonDelivers will benefit from driving new customers while leveraging each other`s resources like marketing and communications and even employees."

Customers will also have the opportunity to earn additional SimonDelivers gift certificates for opening other accounts with U.S. Bank, such as Visa credit cards, home equity loans and lines of credit, CDs or savings accounts.

"We are always looking for creative new ways to offer value to our customers and this is one example of a clever collaboration that directly benefits new U.S. Bank customers and customers of our partner, SimonDelivers," says Christine Hobrough, region manager for U.S. Bank in the Twin Cities.