Best Checking Account Bonuses

1. Visit the SoFi website using the link above.
2. Open a new SoFi Online Savings Account. Start your application using the link above.
3. Set up direct deposit. Direct deposits must be from your employer’s payroll or benefits service to qualify.
4. Deposit $1,000 or more. Make total qualifying direct deposits of $1,000 or more in the first 25 days to earn a $50 bonus, or make total qualifying direct deposits of $5,000 or more during that same period to earn a $250 bonus.
5. Get your bonus. You’ll receive the bonus within seven days of finishing the initial 25-day period.

The bonus is available to both new and existing members without a history of direct deposit into a SoFi checking or savings account. You must be 18 or older to open an account through SoFi. 

There is no minimum balance, and SoFi doesn’t charge monthly or overdraft fees. Members can take out cash at over 55,000 fee-free ATMs.  

1. Open a new checking account with the coupon code. You can do this online via the promotion offer page to make sure the correct coupon code is applied to your application. Alternatively, you can enter your email address to receive a coupon you can bring with you to a Chase branch if you want to open an account in person. 
2. Set up direct deposit. You’ll have 90 days to set up a direct deposit into your account in order to receive the bonus. Direct deposits could include paychecks from your employer or government benefits, but they don’t include transfers between other people or bank accounts.
3. Wait for the bonus. After you set up direct deposit, Chase will deposit the bonus to your new checking account within 15 days. 

• Not available if you currently have a Chase checking account
• Not available if you previously had a Chase checking account but closed it within the last 90 days, or closed it within the last three years while you had a negative account balance
• Not available if you already earned another checking account bonus from Chase within the past two years
• Chase Total Checking comes with a $12 monthly fee, but you can have it waived if you meet one of three requirements each month: have $500 or more in electronic deposits, a $1,500 balance at the start of each day, or an average daily balance of $5,000 across all of your linked Chase checking and savings accounts, if you have others.
• Chase Bank charges ATM fees if you use a non-Chase machine ($3–$5) and overdraft fees ($34, up to three times per day) for certain transactions.
• Chase Total Checking also comes with a variety of other fees, such as for stop payment orders ($30), money orders ($5), domestic wire transfers (up to $35), and many more.

1. Request a promo code. Before opening an account, you must visit BMO’s website and request a promotional code. To get the code, you must submit your name, email address, and ZIP code. 
2. Open a new account. Open a new BMO Smart Advantage account online or by visiting a local branch. You’ll need to provide your address, Social Security number, and employment information; you must enter the promo code to qualify for the bonus. 
3. Set up direct deposit. You must set up direct deposit and receive at least $4,000 in qualifying deposits within 90 days of account opening. 
4. Wait for the bonus. If you meet the promotion’s requirements, you’ll receive the bonus within 100 days of the account opening date.
   

The offer is limited to one bonus per customer, and is not available to existing BMO personal checking customers or those who have closed a BMO checking account within the past 12 months. 

The following fees apply to the Smart Advantage account: 

• Minimum opening deposit: $25
• Monthly fee: $0
• ATM fee: $3 fee at non-BMO ATMs; no fee at BMO and AllPoint ATMs
• Overdraft fee: $15

1. Open a new account. Open a new Beyond Checking account online or in person.
2. Set up and receive direct deposits. Receive at least $2,500 in direct deposits within 60 days. 
3. Wait for the bonus. The bonus is deposited into your account within 180 days of account opening.

You must be a new customer to get the bonus. Those with existing accounts or those who have had accounts in the past 12 months aren’t eligible. 

Each direct deposit must be of $250 or more, and must be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, government benefits, or pension payments.

The following fees apply: 

• Monthly maintenance fee: $25 (waived under any of the following circumstances: You set up direct deposits of $5,000 or more; you maintain a daily balance of $2,500 or more; you have a combined balance of $25,000 or more in TD Bank accounts)
• Overdraft fee: $35 for each item TD Bank pays
• ATM fee: $0

1. Open a new account with the promo code. You can open an online checking account with Axos Bank through its website; it will ask for your Social Security number and a copy of your driver’s license. When you open an account, enter promo code “SUNNYBONUS” to qualify for the bonus. 
2. Sign up for direct deposit. Set up direct deposit and receive at least $7,000 in qualifying deposits each month for seven calendar months after account opening.
3. Maintain a minimum balance. You must maintain a minimum average daily balance of $15,000 for seven months.
4. Receive the bonus. There is a 90-day waiting period. If you meet the promotion’s requirements, Axos Bank will disburse your cash bonus within 30 days after the waiting period ends.  

You can receive just one checking account promotional offer per year from Axos Bank. Your account must remain open for at least 210 days; otherwise, Axos Bank will charge you a $300 early closure fee. 

Qualifying direct deposits include employer payroll or government benefits paid through ACH deposit. Other deposits, such as check deposits, are not eligible. 

Axos Bank doesn’t charge monthly fees, nor does it charge overdraft fees. It also features unlimited domestic ATM reimbursement, so you don’t have to worry about finding network ATMs. There is a $50 minimum to open an account. 

1. Open a new Wells Fargo checking account. Open the account with at least $25. You can do this online or in person. To do it in person, enter your email address on the promotion page. Wells Fargo will email you a coupon code you can take with you to a branch location. 
2. Receive at least $1,000 in direct deposits. You’ll have 90 days to complete this requirement after you open the account. Direct deposits are automatic payments from places like your workplace or any government benefits you receive—not transfers that you make yourself, such as from other checking accounts or PayPal. To be on the safe side, fill out new direct deposit forms with the people paying you as soon as you can. 
3. Keep a balance in the new account for at least 90 days. If your account balance drops to $0, Wells Fargo will close your account and you won’t earn the bonus. To be safe, keep some money parked in there for this duration. If you keep at least $500 in the account, you can avoid a $10 monthly service fee. Otherwise, three months’ worth of service fees ($30) will wipe out your minimum deposit ($25)—in which case, you’d earn no bonus, and you’d also owe the bank $5. 
4. Earn the bonus within 30 days. Once you’ve met the requirements, Wells Fargo will verify everything and then deposit the bonus into your new account as long as it doesn’t have a zero balance. Wells Fargo states that this process can take up to 30 days. 

• Not available if you already have a Wells Fargo personal checking account, or if you earned another bonus for opening another Wells Fargo checking account within the past year
• Not available if you’re a Wells Fargo employee, or if you’re a non-resident alien
• You can’t combine this with any other Wells Fargo bonus offer.
• Wells Fargo charges many fees for its accounts, including a monthly service fee ($10), overdraft fees ($35, up to three times per day), out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees ($2.50 to $5), wire transfer fees ($15 to $30), among others. 
• You can qualify for a monthly fee waiver if you keep at least $500 in your new checking account each day, or if you receive at least $500 in direct deposits during the month. 
• You can also qualify for a monthly fee waiver if you’re between the ages of 17 and 24 or if you’re a college student with a linked Wells Fargo Campus ATM Card or Campus Debit Card. 

1. Open a new account with the offer code. Open a Bank of America SafeBalance Banking account using offer code DNE100CIS.
2. Set up direct deposits. Set up qualifying direct deposits to your new account.
3. Receive direct deposits. Receive $1,000 worth of direct deposits within 90 days of opening your new account.
4. Wait for the bonus. Bonus will be issued within 60 days of meeting these requirements

• You’ll need to make a minimum deposit of at least $25 to open a Bank of America SafeBalance Banking account.
• Qualifying deposits are deposits of regular monthly income, such as from a salary, pension, or Social Security benefits; teller deposits, wire transfers, and other deposits don't qualify.
• Those with an existing Bank of America checking account can’t qualify. To qualify, any previous accounts will need to be closed for 12 months.
• You’ll pay a $4.95 monthly maintenance fee unless you meet one of the following criteria each statement cycle: You’re a high school, college, or vocational school student; one of the account owners is under age 18; you’re a Preferred Rewards member.
• Fees for using out-of-network ATMs, making international transactions, or replacing a lost debit card may apply. 

1. Open a new account. Open an M&T EZChoice checking account with at least $25 as the opening balance.
2. Enroll in direct deposit. Make at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days after account opening. Qualifying direct deposits include electronic payroll, pension, or Social Security payments. 
3. Wait for the bonus. The bonus is credited to your account within 90 days of meeting the promotion requirements. 
   

The bonus is only available to new account holders. M&T Bank will only award one bonus per customer, regardless of how many accounts you open. You aren’t eligible for this bonus if you’ve received a bonus from M&T Bank due to opening a personal checking account within the past 12 months. M&T Bank employees and affiliates cannot receive the cash bonus offer. 

If you close your account within 180 days of its opening date, M&T Bank will charge you a $50 closeout fee. 

The EZChoice Checking Account charges no monthly maintenance fees and does not have a minimum monthly balance requirement. You can opt for paper or electronic statements at no charge. 

There is a $3 fee when you use non-M&T Bank ATMs. 

1. Open a new account. To qualify for the bonus, you must open a new Citi Basic Banking account through its promotions page; if you open one through another link, you will not be eligible for the bonus.
2. Deposit at least $10,000. Within 20 days of opening your new account, deposit at least $10,000 to get the bonus.
3. Maintain balance. Maintain a balance of $10,000 or more for an additional 60 days.
4. Wait for the bonus. Citi will deliver the bonus within 30 days of meeting the promotion’s requirements.

If you have not owned a Citi checking account within the past 180 days and you are at least 18 years old, you can qualify for the bonus. However, only residents of certain states qualify. 

The following fees apply: 

• Monthly fee: $12 (the fee is waived if you maintain a balance of $1,500 or more) 
• ATM fee: $2.50 non-Citi ATM fee