GTE Federal Credit Union, which operates as GTE Financial, is a credit union founded in 1935 and currently headquartered in Tampa, Florida. They primarily have branches in the Tampa- St. Petersburg area and insured by NCUA under charter number 196.
As is required by all credit unions, membership is “limited” but there are ways to become a member even if you don't live near one of their locations in Florida.
The easiest way to become eligible to join GTE Financial is by joining the CU Savers Club. CU Savers Club is a non-profit financial education club that costs just $10 to join. When you join CU Savers Club, you are entitled to become a member of GTE Financial.
GTE Financial – $50 Refer a Friend
The only active bonus we're aware of right now is a referral bonus where you need an existing customer to refer you. The requirements are quite simple – get a referral code, open an account, and you both get $50.
There are no other requirements listed.
GTE Financial – $200 [EXPIRED]
GTE Financial has $200 cash bonus offer when you open a new checking account with promo code JOIN200 and must have direct deposit set-up totaling $500 or more per month within the first 60 days of account opening.
As is the case with these types of offers, the direct deposit must be from an employer or government agency. You can't transfer funds from another account.
There is an early account closure fee if $25 if your balance drops below $25 or you close the account within 180 days.
WARNING: This credit union is known to use a hard inquiry on your credit report when you open an account. This can have an adverse affect on your credit score.
Get $200 from GTE Financial
(Offer expiration 10/31/2023)
GTE Financial – $100 No Direct Deposit Offer [EXPIRED]
Previously, GTE Financial had a $100 checking bonus offer that had no direct deposit requirement. For that offer, you just needed to open a new checking account using the promotion code GTE100 and then enroll and login to online banking by the end of the month of your new account.
This offer expired on 9/30/2021 and we're not sure when it will return. We will update this if they bring this no direct deposit offer back.
How Does This Compare?
The offer is good – $200 with a relatively easy direct deposit requirement is solid.
The only downside is that they're known to use a hard inquiry when opening an account. If you are planning on getting a loan anytime soon, you'll want to avoid this as getting a few bucks now and then paying more in interest (from a lower credit score) makes no sense.
As for other banks, here are a few of the offers we like:
Barclays – $200
Barclays Bank will give you a $200 if you open a new savings account and deposit $25,000 or more within 30 days and maintain at least $25,000 for the next 120 days. The savings account also pays a competitive interest rate of 4.35% APY while you wait.
BMO Relationship Checking – $400
BMO Bank is offering a $400 bonus* when you open a BMO Relationship Checking and when you have at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days. It is a very straightforward offer that is available nationwide.
*Conditions apply
Bank of America – $200 Bonus Offer
Bank of America offers a $200 Bonus Offer cash bonus if you open a new account and Set up and receive qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more into that account within 90 days of account opening. It has a monthly fee that is easy to have waived.
Chase Total Checking® – $300
Chase Bank will give you $300 when you open a Total Checking account and set up and receive direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days. There is a $12 monthly fee that is waivable with a monthly direct deposit of just $500, so no gotchas on this deal!
HSBC Premier Checking – up to $4,000
HSBC has an offer where you can get up to $4,000 for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Premier checking account, make a sizable deposit, and make recurring monthly qualifying direct deposits of at least $5,000 for 3 consecutive months.