Banks used to offer t-shirts and toasters to get new customers to open an account.
Today, they offer bonus money for you to open an account and, in many cases, set up a direct deposit from your employer or government benefits. Some don’t even ask for that.
On this page, I’m going to share the best bank promotions I know about, both checking account offers and savings account offers and bonus sign up offers worth considering. We start with nationwide bonuses but also include a few high dollar bonuses from banks with a smaller geographic footprint.
The minimum promotional bonus is $100 to get on this list and most banks will do a soft pull of your credit report for identity confirmation purposes. Some may do a hard pull but it’s rarer, so check that first if it’s a concern for you.
The list only contains bonuses for personal bank accounts. If you need an account for your business, see our list of business bank account bonuses and promotions.
We share our favorite bonuses and you can scroll down for more details on each bonus:
💰 BMO Bank – $600
BMO Bank has a generous offer – get up to $600 when you open a new checking account and set up direct deposits that meet their requirements. Depending on the size of your direct deposit, you can make quite a tidy sum for not too much trouble.
Best Bank Bonus Offers
We list many on this page because we know you like to see them – but here is a list of the ones we like the most. They are high dollar amounts, widely available (geographically), and from banks you’ve heard of before. There are regional banks on the full list below but this list should have at least one or two (if not more) banks you can do business with:
Bank | Bonus* | Expiration Date | Direct Deposit Required? |
---|---|---|---|
🏆 BMO Harris | $400, $600 | 12/8/2023 | Yes |
Bank of America | $200 Bonus Offer | 1/31/2024 | Yes |
U.S. Bank | up to $1,000 | 10/31/2023 | Yes |
Fierce | up to $500 | none listed | No |
Citi® | up to $2000 | 1/9/2024 | No |
Discover | $150 or $200 | 12/14/2023 | No |
Wells Fargo | $300 | 9/26/2023 | Yes |
Chase | $200 | 10/18/2023 | Yes |
PNC Bank | up to $400 | 10/31/2023 | Yes |
SoFi Money | up to $250 | 12/31/2023 | Yes |
Axos Bank | $300 | 12/31/2023 | Yes |
PSECU | $300 | 12/31/2023 | Yes |
*Terms and conditions of each offer will apply
Table of Contents
- 🏆 BMO Bank
- BMO Smart Advantage Checking — $400 Bonus
- BMO Smart Money Checking — $400 Bonus
- BMO Relationship Checking — $600 Bonus
- Bank of America — Cash Bonus Offer
- U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking – up to $1,000
- Fierce Finance — up to $500
- Citi Priority Account — up to $2000
- Citigold® Checking Account — up to $2000
- Discover Bank — $150 or $200
- Chase Total Checking® — $200
- Chase Secure Banking℠ — $100
- Chase Private Client – up to $3,000
- PNC Bank — up to $400
- SoFi Checking & Savings — up to $250
- Axos Bank Rewards Checking – $300
- PSECU – $300
- Wells Fargo Checking Account — $300
- American Express® Rewards Checking – $250
- Laurel Road – up to $540
- Citizens Bank — up to $400
- mph.bank – up to $200
- Capital One 360 Checking – $350
- Old National Bank — $250 or $450
- South State Bank — $200
- KeyBank Checking Account — $200
- Associated Bank Checking — up to $600
- Truist Bank — $300
- Santander Select Checking — up to $500 [EXPIRED]
- Regions Bank — $100 [EXPIRED]
- M&T Bank Checking — $350
- Fulton Bank Simply Checking — $200 or 300
- FirstBank Bloom — $300
- Marcus by Goldman Sachs — $100 [EXPIRED]
- Columbia Bank Cash Back Checking — $300
- Unify Financial Credit Union — $150
- Conclusion
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
This content is not provided by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank advertiser.
🏆 BMO Bank
BMO Smart Advantage Checking — $400 Bonus
BMO Harris is offering a $400 bonus* when you open a BMO Smart Advantage Checking account and when you have a total of $4,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days. It is a very straightforward offer that is available nationwide.
The BMO Smart Advantage Checking account is great because there is no monthly fee if you used Paperless Statements.
*Conditions apply
(Offer expires 12/8/2023)
BMO Smart Money Checking — $400 Bonus
There is also the BMO Smart Money Checking account with a $400 cash bonus* when you open an account and have at least $4,000 or more qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days. There are no overdraft fees or NSF fees*. No minimum balance required and no monthly maintenance fee if you’re under 25 years old.
Available nationwide.
*Conditions apply
(Offer expires 12/8/2023)
BMO Relationship Checking — $600 Bonus
If you receive a larger paycheck, BMO Harris will give you a $600 bonus* when you open a BMO Relationship Checking account and when you have at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days. There are no additional requirements, it’s just a higher direct deposit total amount over the 90 days.
The account does have a $25 waivable monthly maintenance fee with unlimited non-BMO Harris ATM transactions plus $25 monthly rebate on ATM fees from other banks and a Relationship Package that provides increasing rewards across multiple products sets the deeper your relationship is with the bank. Also available nationwide.
*Conditions apply
(Offer expires 12/8/2023)
Bank of America — Cash Bonus Offer
Bank of America has a $200 Bonus Offer to new customers when they open a new checking account online through a Bank of America promotional page.
Three Bank of America banking accounts qualify for this bonus:
- Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® – $25 minimum opening deposit and $4.95 monthly maintenance fee. Fee may be waived for Students under 25 or when enrolled in Preferred Rewards.
- Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking® – $100 minimum opening deposit and $12 monthly maintenance fee. Fee may be waived when enrolled in Preferred Rewards or have at least one qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more, or maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $1,500 each statement cycle.
- Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking® – $100 minimum opening deposit and $25 monthly maintenance fee. Fee may be waived when you maintain a combined balance of at least $10,000 during each statement cycle in eligible linked accounts or when you are enrolled in Preferred Rewards.
All it takes is for you to open an account and Set up and receive qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more into that account within 90 days of account opening.
Also, don’t forget, the Bank of America promotional offer code is TWT200CIS. If you click through the links on this site, the code will be entered automatically for you.
Member FDIC.
(Offer expires 1/31/2024)
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking – up to $1,000
U.S. Bank has a new promotion on their U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account – it’s a great offer for new accounts and the requirements are straightforward.
Earn up to $1,000 when you open a new eligible U.S. Bank Smartly® checking account and complete qualifying activities, subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through 10/31/2023. Member FDIC.
Complete these steps within 60 days of opening your new U.S. Bank Smartly® checking account online:
Earn up to $500 with a new Bank Smartly Checking account. Complete the following within 90 days of account opening:- Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App
- Make two or more direct deposit(s)* totaling $5,000 to $9,999.99 to earn $300 or $10,000 or more to earn $500
- Make new money deposit(s) totaling $25,000 to $49,999.99 to earn $200 or $50,000 or more to earn $400 by November 30, 2023
- Maintain that balance until May 31, 2024
Applicant must reside in AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, or WY to be eligible for Checking account.
(Offer expires 10/31/2023)
Fierce Finance — up to $500
Fierce Finance is a fintech company that offers banking, brokerage, and cryptocurrency services and it’s their banking services that is offering a bonus of up to $500 as a deposit bonus.
Their banking services are provided by Cross River Bank (FDIC #58410), so you’re FDIC insured, and the bonus is based on cumulative new money deposits within 30 days of account opening:
Deposit Amount | Deposit Bonus |
---|---|
$1,000 – $9,999.99 | $25 |
$10,000 – $29,999.99 | $100 |
$30,000 – $99,999.99 | $200 |
$100,000+ | $500 |
The cumulative value must remain in your account for a minimum of 180 days and your bonus will be credited to your Fierce Cash account at the end of the following month. Your account must be kept open for 210 days from time of qualifying.
What’s fantastic about this offer is that while you wait, your Fierce Cash earns interest too – a very competitive 5.25% APY!
Citi Priority Account — up to $2000
The Citi Priority Account is offering up to $2000 when you open an eligible checking account and:
- Within 20 days of opening, deposit the minimum amount of new-to-Citi funds.
- Maintain a minimum balance for 60 consecutive calendar days from the 21st day.
- If your balance falls to a lower tier at any point during the maintenance period, the bonus changes.
- Bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.
The dollar amount of the bonus is based on the amount you deposit according to this schedule:
Minimum Deposit And Minimum Balance | Cash Bonus |
---|---|
$10,000 - $29,999 | $200 |
$30,000 - $74,999 | $500 |
$75,000 - $199,999 | $1,000 |
$200,000 - $299,999 | $1,500 |
$300,000 and above | $2,000 |
For example, if you deposit $50,000 and maintain it for 60 days following the 21st day, you get $500.
Member FDIC.
➤ Learn more about the Citi Priority Account offer
This content reflects the author’s opinion, analysis and/or assessment and is that of the author’s only. This content has not been provided or reviewed by Citi.Citigold® Checking Account — up to $2000
To earn this bonus, open a Citigold® Checking Account and deposit $10,000 or more in New-to-Citi funds in eligible linked accounts within 20 days and then maintain that balance for 60 days following the 21st day. The bonus you earn is based on the amount you deposit.
Minimum Deposit And Minimum Balance | Cash Bonus |
---|---|
$10,000 - $29,999 | $200 |
$30,000 - $74,999 | $500 |
$75,000 - $199,999 | $1,000 |
$200,000 - $299,999 | $1,500 |
$300,000 and above | $2,000 |
The cash bonus will be deposited to your open, eligible account within 30 calendar days after you complete all required activities.
So long as you have not owned a Citi checking account in the last 180 days, are at least 18 years old, and furnish or have a valid Form W-9 or Form W-8BEN on file with Citi® and are not subject to backup withholding, you can participate in the Welcome Checking Cash Bonus Offer in select markets.
Discover Bank — $150 or $200
Discover Bank is offering a generous $150 or $200 bonus if you open your first Discover Online Savings Account – open an account and enter the code WH923 when applying.
You must apply by 12/14/2023 to get this offer.
The bonus depends on how much you deposit within 30 days of account open date:
- Earn $150 if you deposit at least $15,000
- Earn $200 if you deposit at least $25,000
Your bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus.
And the best part about this bonus is that it’s on top of an excellent online savings account. You earn a high rate of interest and there is no minimum opening deposit. There is no maintenance fee, no excessive withdrawal fee, no stop payment order fee, and no insufficient funds fee. Discover charges no fees on this account.
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account, online, in the Discover App or by phone. Enter Offer Code WH923 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted to account within 30 days of account open date. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded, or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Eligibility is based on primary account owner. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account within 60 days of the account qualifying for the bonus. Bonus is interest and subject to reporting on Form 1099-INT. Offer ends 12/14/2023, 11:59 PM ET. Offer may be modified or withdrawn without notice.
👉 Get up to $200 from Discover Bank
(see advertiser website for full details)
Chase Total Checking® — $200
Chase has long been tops in promotional offers and their richest offer accessible to most consumers is the Chase Total Checking account. You haven’t seen high dollar bonuses until you’ve seen a Chase bank promotion! I’ve previously covered it on our Chase promotions page.
To get the $200, open a new account, set up, and set up and receive a direct deposit within 90 days. and you’ll be awarded the bonus within 15 business days. You must keep the account open for at least six months or they take back the bonus.
There is a $12 monthly service fee that is waived if you have a monthly direct deposit of $500+ or keep a minimum daily balance of $1,500 or have $5,000+ in any combination of qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other balances.
For this and other Chase bank promo offers, you can open your account online or request a coupon and bring it to a physical location to open your account.
Available online nationwide. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.Chase Secure Banking℠ — $100
Chase Secure Banking will give you $100 when you open an account and satisfy the qualifying activities. Those activities are to complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of enrollment – the activities include debit card purchases, online bill payments, Chase QuickDepositSM, Zelle® and ACH credits. Your bonus will appear within 15 days of completing these.
There is no minimum deposit requirement and no direct deposit requirements for this offer but you must keep the account open for at least six months after coupon enrollment or they will deduct the bonus.
There is a $4.95 monthly fee.
👉 Get $100 from Chase Secure Banking
Chase Private Client – up to $3,000
Chase Private Client has a bonus of up to $3,000 when you open a new Chase Private Client CheckingSM account with qualifying activities.
The bonus is based on how much you deposit.
Deposit Amount | Bonus Amount |
---|---|
$150,000 – $249,999 | $1,000 |
$250,000 – $499,999 | $2,000 |
$500,000 or more | $3,000 |
Within 45 days of enrollment, transfer qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible checking, savings and/or J.P. Morgan Wealth Management non-retirement accounts. This eexcludes Chase business checking and savings accounts, any J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing & Automated Investing, J.P. Morgan Personal Advisors Accounts, J.P. Morgan Wealth Management retirement accounts and CDs.
Your bonus will be determined on day 45. Then, maintain your new money for 90 days from coupon enrollment and it will be added to your account within 40 days.
👉 Learn More about Chase Private Client
PNC Bank — up to $400
PNC Bank will give you a up to $400 cash bonus if you open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select and establish total qualifying direct deposits above a certain limit.
The bonus has three tiers, with each tier has a different required direct deposit (and different account type) but the offer page will have all the details you need.
- Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend account and establish total qualifying direct deposits of $2,000+ and get $200.
- Open a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select account and establish total qualifying direct deposits of $5,000+ and get $400.
Also, the accounts have different fee structures so double-check what you need to do to avoid those.
Finally, this is available to residents of CA, TX, AZ, NM, CO, PA, FL, OH, WV, DE, NJ, SC, NC, GA, KY, IN, MI, IL, MD, DC, WV, and WI.
(Offer expires 10/31/2023)
SoFi Checking & Savings — up to $250
SoFi has a great promotion where you can get up to $250.
To get that offer, open a SoFi Checking and Savings Account and receive qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $1,000. The amount of your bonus will depend on the total of the direct deposits you receive in the 30-day evaluation window.
You will also earn 4.50% APY (unlocked with direct deposit or by depositing $5,000+ every 30 days, otherwise 1.20% APY) on your savings account and 0.50% APY on your checking account.
Total Qualifying Direct Deposits | Cash Bonus |
---|---|
$1,000 – $4,999 | $50 |
$5,000 or more | $250 |
👉 Learn more about SoFi Banking
(Offer expires 12/31/2023)
For a full review, click here to see our deep dive into the SoFi Checking & Savings account. We also compiled a list of other SoFi promotions too.
Axos Bank Rewards Checking – $300
Axos Bank is running a great promotion where you can get a $300 bonus when you open an Axos Bank Rewards Checking account with the promotion code SUNNYBONUS.
Then, fund your account within 30 days of opening. Then, receive qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $5,000 each calendar month during the first seven calendar months your account is open plus maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000. The bonus is paid out $50 a month for each month in which you satisfy the direct deposit and average daily balance conditions.
The account has a $50 minimum opening deposit but the high yield savings account has no minimum balance requirements, pays interest, and there are zero monthly maintenance fees.
(Offer expires 12/31/2023)
PSECU – $300
Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU) has an $300 bonus that has a few requirements, or “levels” to it:
Level 1 – Join PSECU by clicking this link to visit the site and joining them using the promo code LEVELUP. Once you’ve joined, add a free checking account ($5 minimum deposit) with a debit card and log into digital banking within 30 days to get the $100 bonus. Finally, activate your debit card.
Level 2 – Establish one or more qualifying payroll direct deposits that together total $200 per calendar month, all within 90 days of establishing membership.
Level 3 – Maintain the qualifying payroll direct deposit(s) for 90 days after initial deposit.
You can qualify if you attended, work in, or graduated from a partner college in PA or are a state or local government employee. You can also qualify if you have a relative who is already a PSECU member.
Finally, you can always join the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society to qualify. If you do that, it costs $20 but PSECU will cover $10 of it.
See terms and conditions at go.psecu.com/levelup. also see below*
(Offer expires 12/31/2023)
Wells Fargo Checking Account — $300
Get a $300 welcome bonus for new Wells Fargo Everyday Checking customers when you meet a few easy requirements:
- Open an Everyday Checking account online with a deposit of $25 or more,
- Then, receive a total of $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits into the new checking account within 90 days from account opening.
The Everyday Checking account has a $10 monthly fee that can be waived if you satisfy one of four conditions. Two of those conditions include maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance or receiving $500 or more in total qualifying direct deposits each period.
American Express® Rewards Checking – $250
American Express Rewards Checking has a welcome bonus of $250. All you have to do is open a Rewards Checking account by 10/31/2023 and when you have a total of $4,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days.
There is no minimum deposit required, no monthly fees, and the account even earns interest of 1.00% APY.
Laurel Road – up to $540
Laurel Road is best known for their student loans but did you know they have a bonus on their Laurel Road Loyalty Checking account?
First, you can earn $200 when you open an account and make qualifying ACH direct deposits totaling $2,500 or more within 60 days.
Then, you continue earning a $20 cash reward for every month you make qualifying ACH direct deposits during the first 12 months, and $10 for every month after that for as long as you have the account.
That’s up to $540 in your first year and you continue to get $10/month after that.
(This offer expires 1/08/2024)
Citizens Bank — up to $400
Citizens Bank will give you up to $400 to open a checking account and satisfy a few conditions. This offer is available in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington D.C..
The deal is a few steps – first, open a new Citizens Bank checking account and you get $300 when you receive a direct deposit of $500 or more within 60 days, get an additional $100 when use your debit card for purchases ($2 for every debit card purchase you make, up to $100, within the next 60 days)..
That’s how you get up to $400.
(This offer expires 10/23/2023)
mph.bank – up to $200
The promotion appears to have ended and they have paused all new account applications – “We are at capacity for processing new applications at this time. Please join our waitlist to get notified when applications are open again.“
mph.bank has a checking promotion where you can get up to $200 if you’re willing to satisfy some easy but long requirements (12 months!).
Open a new mph.bank “spend” account and then:
- Get $100 after opening any mph.bank Spend (checking) account AND setting up a monthly Early Pay3 AND maintaining an average balance of $1,000 for 3 consecutive months,
- Maintain your direct deposit and the average balance of $1,000** for another nine consecutive months
When you open an account, you pick whether it’s a Friends, First, Fresh or Free account. The Friends account has as $9 per month fee that is waived if you use your mphCard to make purchases at least 15 times a month (Friends account can earn interest and you can refer people). There is also a free account with no fees.
(Offer expiration not shown)
Capital One 360 Checking – $350
Capital One has a $350 bonus for a new Capital One 360 Checking Account that is super easy to get. Just open an account by 10/18/2023 with the promotion code BONUS350.
Then, 2 direct deposits each of $250 or more within 75 days of account opening and you’ll get $350 in your account. That’s it.
Valid for new 360 Checking account customers. If you had a 360 Checking account with Capital One on or after January 1, 2021, you are ineligible.
Old National Bank — $250 or $450
Old National Bank has two offers available, depending on how much your direct deposits can add up to. The first is a $450 bonus for their ONB Preferred Checking account and it requires that you make two or more ACH direct deposits totaling $10,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
If that amount is too high, you can get a $250 when you open a ONB Preferred Checking and make two or more ACH direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more.
There is a $50 minimum opening deposit.
👉 Get $250 or $450 from Old National Bank
(Offer expires 10/31/2023)
South State Bank — $200
South State Bank has an offer of $200 and you just have to satisfy one of two conditions with 60 days:
- make a minimum of 15 debit card purchases or payments, or,
- Have a monthly total of $250 qualifying direct deposit OR preauthorized automatic draft(s) of $25.
You must also be a resident of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Virginia.
👉 Get $200 from South State Bank
(Offer expires 3/31/2023)
KeyBank Checking Account — $200
KeyBank runs several promotions but the public one available to all gives you $200 when you open a Key Advantage Checking, Key Privilege Checking, or Key Privilege Select Checking® account with offer code ONAS0923 and make one direct deposit of at least $500 within 90 days.
Keep an eye on the monthly fees and what you need to do to get them waived. They differ based on the type of account and the minimum deposit amount is $50. Full details on the promotion page. Also, if you close your account within 180 days of opening it, they will charge a $25 account early closure fee.
Offer code ONAS0923 and enter your reservation number if prompted.
(Only available in AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, MA, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, and WA.)
👉 Learn more about the KeyBank promotion
(Offer expires 10/13/2023)
Associated Bank Checking — up to $600
Associated Bank has a promotion associated with their three tiers of checking and savings account – the Associated Access Checking, Associated Balanced Checking, and Associated Choice Checking. Just open an account with the required minimum balance (shown below) and get a bonus based on how much you have in your account after 60 days for a period of 30 days.
For the Associated Access Checking, you need to open it with at least $25.
For the Associated Balanced Checking, you need to open it with at least $100.
For the Associated Choice Checking, you need to open it with at least $100.
Then, after 60 days, get a bonus based on your average daily balance over days 61-90:
- For amounts $1,000 to $4,999.99 – you earn $300;
- For amounts $5,000 to $9,999.99 – you earn $400;
- For amounts over $10,000 – you earn $600;
Check the fees on each of those accounts because they will vary.
You can get an additional $200 when you open a new Associated Relationship Savings account along with the checking account.
Available for residents of IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, OH or WI.
👉 Learn more
(Offer expires 7/31/2023)
Truist Bank — $300
Truist Bank will give you $300 when you open up a new Truist Bright, Truist Fundamental or Truist Dimension checking account. If you recall, Truist Bank is the new name of the banka fter the SunTrust and BB&T merger.
To get the $300, you must open a new account and then receive two qualifying direct deposits totalling $1,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
Open to residents of AL, AR, GA, FL, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC. You cannot have an existing personal checking account with Truist Bank or have closed one on or after 7/26/22
The promotional code for this offer is TRUISTCHKQ223 and you can open it online or in a branch by requesting a coupon.
There is a $50 monthly fee on these accounts but you can get it waived.
(Offer expires 10/31/2023)
Santander Select Checking — up to $500 [EXPIRED]
Santander has a new bank account bonus that residents of the northeast United States may be interested in! Open a Santander Select Checking account with the promotion code that is shown after you enter your email address (you have to enter your first and last name plus an email address, then it shows a unique code).
Then, just satisfy a few conditions to get up to $500 from Santander Bank.
The conditions are easy:
- get $300 by having direct deposits totaling $4,000 or more in your account within the first 90 days; get $400 if the total is $6,000 or more; get $500 if the total is at least $8,000 or more;,
- keep the account open for at least 90 days,
- get paid!
You can’t be a current checking customer of Santander Bank or had a checking account in the last 12 months. There is also a $25 monthly fee that is waived if you have $25,000 in bank deposits and eligible investments held with Santander Investment Services (check the fine print for full details).
Available to residents of NH, MA, RI, CT, DE, NY, NJ, PA, or FL.
(Offer expires 7/6/2022)
Regions Bank — $100 [EXPIRED]
Regions Bank has a promotion for their LifeGreen checking account. You can can get up to $100.
You get $100 when you open a new Regions LifeGreen checking account with the promo code and make $1,000 in total deposits (funds new to Regions) that post to your account within 30 days of account opening. You have 60 days.
Available to residents of AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN, and TX. Make sure to read the terms very carefully to ensure you qualify.
(Offer expired n/a)
M&T Bank Checking — $350
M&T Bank is offering a new account promotion that’s easy to get. Open a new checking account and maintain an average monthly balance of at least $10,000 for the calendar months of September and October 2023. The bonus you get is based on the account type you open. You’ll get the bonus deposited within 90 days of the direct deposit.
This offer isn’t nationwide, go to the promotional webpage and enter your ZIP code to see if you qualify and for what amounts.
M&T Bank has branches in CT, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV.
(Offer expires 8/25/2023)
Fulton Bank Simply Checking — $200 or 300
Fulton Bank has two promotions, based on the checking account you open.
For $200, open a Simply Checking account and:
- Set up a recurring direct deposit totaling $500 or more within 60 days, OR,
- Make 15 debit card purchases within 60 days, spending $300 or more in total purchases.
Add a Statement Savings account and deposit $1,000 in new money within 60 days, get an additioanal $50.
The Simply Checking account has no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance, no minimum transaction requirements, and the Relationship Rewards Visa® Debit Card has no annual fee. You can open an account with just $25.
For $300, open a Relationship Banking account and, within 60 days, set up a recurring direct deposit totaling at least $1,500. The Relationship Banking account pays interest but has a $20 monthly fee unless you maintain a minimum balance of $5,000 daily or $25,000 in combined deposit and investment balances.
Available to residents of Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
(Offer expires 8/31/2023)
FirstBank Bloom — $300
FirstBank, with branches in Colorado, Arizona, and California; is offering a $300 bonus if you open a FirstBank Bloom Package with very simple requirements.
- Just open a Bloom package between now and December 31, 2023,
- Enroll in online banking,
- Have at least one qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more for 3 consecutive months.
You can enroll online or bring it to a branch to open. The direct deposit must be payroll, pension, Social Security or other recurring government benefits and must be a single direct deposit. You must keep the account open for at least 12 months or the bonus “can be revoked.”
(Offer expires 12/31/2023)
Marcus by Goldman Sachs — $100 [EXPIRED]
Marcus by Goldman Sachs is offering a bonus on their online savings account – they will give you $100 when you deposit $10,000 or more in new funds into a new or existing Online Savings Account within 10 days of enrollment.
This can be a new or existing account but the funds have to new to Marcus and then stay there for at least 90 days. If you have an existing account, you must add an additional $10,000 to the current balance at the time of enrollment.
A nice perk is that this account pays interest – 4.15% APY – not fantastic but better than zero!
👉 Learn more about about this offer
(Offer expires 2/15/2023)
Columbia Bank Cash Back Checking — $300
Columbia Bank will give you up to a $200 bonus when you open a new Cash Bank Checking checking account and have verified ACH credits totally $1,000+ within 60 days. The bonus will be credited within 60 days after you satisfy the conditions. You can open an account online or open in a branch.
You can get an additional $100 cash credit to your account after you’ve made $10 qualifying transactions (ATM withdrawal do not count) with your Columbia Bank debit card within 60 days.
You can avoid the $9 monthly service fee if you make at least 10 point of sale debit card transactions or maintain at least a $500 daily balance.
Unify Financial Credit Union — $150
Unify Financial Credit Union will give you up to $150 if you open up a qualifying UNIFY Checking Account. It’s a free checking account with no minimum balance fees or a direct deposit requirement. When you join, you also get a complimentary membership to the Surfrider Foundation or Friends of Hobbs. You can apply online but have to meet the membership requirements.
The bonus has several tiers:
- Get $50 just for opening a new checking account (excluding Right Start Checking and Right Start Debit)
- Get another $50 when you set up a recurring ACH Direct Deposit of at least $500 each month within 60 days
- Then, get an additional bonus up to $50 by earning $1 bonus for each debit card transaction that exceeds $5 with your new UNIFY Visa Debit Card within the first 60 days of account opening (maximum bonus of $50).
How do we pick what banks appear in the list? If the bonus is greater than $100 and it’s a reasonably large geographic footprint, we include it on the list. We want to show bonuses that most people can get either by visiting a branch or completing online. We don’t have an interest in a $20 bonus for a small regional bank only a handful of people will be interested in it. Sadly, few credit unions on this list because I haven’t seen any offer bonuses. I’ve also stuck with cash bonuses, rather than other giveaways like tickets because it’s easier to compare and has broader appeal.
The expired list of promotions is there to give you an idea of what was once available. Some banks run promotions all year, rolling over the expiration date every quarter or so. Some banks run them seasonally. I keep the expired list around so you have an idea of what that bank may have offered in the past.
Conclusion
Free money is great but there are some things to pay very close attention to when it comes to bank promotions. First, check out our guide on bank account bonuses. It’ll give you a sense of what you need to do to make sure you get your bonus money.
Also, make sure you find a bank that gives you all the services you need. Bonus money is a nice sweetener but you still need a bank that gives you exactly what you need.
OK go get that bonus money!
👉 This blog post is also available as a Web Story – “Best Bank Account Promotions.”
*Level Up – Up to $300 Bonus Terms and Conditions
From 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2023, PSECU is running a new member incentive bonus. To receive up to $300, new members must sign up with a promotional code and satisfy each of the requirements listed below. PSECU will deposit member incentive bonus into the Regular share within 45 days after the requirements are satisfied. Promotion open to U.S. Residents who are 18 years of age or older at the time the account is opened. Limit one (1) new member Level Up bonus per tax identification number used to open a new PSECU account. You will not be eligible for the Level Up bonus if you are a current PSECU member, have closed an account within the past 12 months, or have received a previous new member incentive bonus within the past 12 months. Members who open accounts and/or loans by fraudulent, suspicious, or illegal means, including but not limited to providing PSECU with fraudulent or fabricated information, are not eligible to participate in this bonus offer. PSECU may adjust the deposited bonus or remove the deposited bonus at any time if PSECU suspects accounts and/or loans were opened by fraudulent, suspicious, or illegal means, including but not limited to providing PSECU with fraudulent or fabricated information. $5 is required to open and maintain a Regular share account. This $5 share deposit is also required to be eligible to receive the $300, and the member must be in good standing as defined by PSECU’s Bylaws Article II, Section 1. A $5 minimum share purchase will be made on behalf of the new member by PSECU. If the member account is closed within the first year of membership, the initial $5 share will be retained by PSECU. The Annual Percentage Yield on PSECU’s Regular share account is 0.50%. This variable rate is current as of 2.1.23 and may change. Withdrawals and fees may reduce earnings on the account. The recipient of the bonus (up to $300) is solely responsible for payment of applicable taxes on that amount. If you have any questions, please seek the advice of a qualified tax professional. All decisions of PSECU regarding this promotion are final. PSECU may terminate or change the terms and conditions of this promotion without notice. Subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. See to learn more.
$100 Checking Bonus Requirements
You must be approved for savings and checking accounts, a PSECU debit card, and digital banking (online or mobile) account access and activate your debit card and log into digital banking within 30 days of establishing membership.
$100 Direct Deposit Set Up Bonus Requirements
You must meet the requirements of the $100 Checking Bonus and establish one or more qualifying payroll direct deposit(s) that together total $200 per calendar month, within 90 days of establishing membership. Qualifying payroll direct deposits are defined as paychecks, Social Security payments, and pension payments.
$100 Direct Deposit Bonus Requirements
You must meet the requirements of both the $100 Checking Bonus and $100 Direct Deposit Set Up Bonus and maintain the qualifying payroll direct deposit(s) for a minimum of 90 days after the first qualifying payroll direct deposit.