• January 25, 2012

Bank of America is testing a new service that will allow customers to save on retail purchases based on their previous spending patterns.

Through the new service, called BankAmeriDeals, customers will receive offers through the bank's online banking Web site. The discounts will be awarded in the form of cash payments once a month. Customers need not sign up for emailed coupons or check a separate Web site, as bargain hunters do with offerings from Groupon, Living Social and the like.

Bank of America began testing the service this week with its own employees in North Carolina, South Carolina and Nevada. It will roll out the program to the rest of its workforce in February. No time frame has been given for when the program will be available to other customers.--Tanya Irwin