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Some banks offer cash bonuses when you open a new checking or savings account. To qualify, you will most likely have to set up direct deposit with the bank, and you’ll probably have to keep the account open for at least a few months. Before signing up for a checking or savings account bonus, familiarize yourself with the bank’s fees, including monthly service charges, and how to avoid them.
Checking account offers, savings promotions for April 2018
- Chase Total Checking®, $200
- Bank of America Core Checking or Interest Checking, $100
- Chase SavingsSM, $150
- Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking, $150
- Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM, $300
- HSBC Choice Checking or Advance Checking, $200 or $350
Checking account offers and savings promotions
Top picks
| Chase Bank: $200 |
| Chase Total Checking®
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| Bank of America: $100 |
| Bank of America Core or Interest Checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| Chase Bank: $150 |
| Chase SavingsSM
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
Also worth considering
| Bank of the West: $150 |
| Bank of the West checking |
| Chase: $300 |
| Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| HSBC: $200 or $350 |
| HSBC checking |
| TD Bank: $150 or $300 |
| TD Bank checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| Connexus Credit Union: $50 |
| Connexus Credit Union checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Amboy Direct: $50 |
| Amboy Direct eSavings |
| M&T Bank: $150 |
| M&T Bank checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| PNC Bank: $50, $200 or $300 |
| PNC checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Santander Bank: $150 |
| Santander Simply Right Checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| SunTrust: $250 or $500 |
| SunTrust checking |
| Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking: $250 |
| Fifth Third checking
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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Chasing promotions may cost you in the long run, so it’s important to be aware of potential pitfalls. If you do your homework, bank bonuses are an excellent way to make a little extra cash. Here are more details on NerdWallet’s favorites this month.
» Need a place to stash your savings? Check out the best high-yield online savings accounts
Chase Total Checking®: $200 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Best checking bonus: through July 16, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a Chase Total Checking® account online or in person using a coupon emailed to you through the promotion page. Fund with at least $25. You must have a direct deposit into the account within 60 days. The account must remain open for six months.
- Where to open: The account can be opened online or at a Chase branch (find a location near you). These can be found mostly in the Northeast, on the West Coast and in parts of the Midwest, Texas and Florida.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase checking account within the past 90 days, had one closed with a negative balance, or have a fiduciary account.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be deposited into your account in no more than 10 business days after your first direct deposit.
- Monthly fee: $12, avoided by having monthly direct deposits of $500 or more, a minimum daily balance of $1,500, or keeping a daily average balance of $5,000 in your Chase Total Checking and qualifying linked Chase bank accounts.
» Want to see how Chase stacks up? Read NerdWallet’s review of Chase Bank
Bank of America Core Checking or Interest Checking: $100 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through May 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $100
- How to get it: Open a Bank of America Core Checking or Interest Checking account through Bank of America’s online offer page by May 31, 2018. Set up direct deposit and receive two or more installments of at least $250 within the first 90 days of opening. Your account must be open on the day the bonus is paid.
- Where to open: Online only.
- How to qualify: You must not already have had a personal checking account with Bank of America within the last six months in order to qualify. Since the bonus may be considered taxable income, you won’t be qualified for the bonus until you submit required tax forms.
- When you’ll get it: Bank of America will deposit the $100 bonus into your account within 60 days; If they are unable to, they’ll send you a check.
- Monthly fee:
- Core Checking: $12, avoided with one or more direct deposits of $250 or more each statement cycle or a minimum daily balance of $1,500. Free for students under age 24.
- Interest Checking: $25, avoided by keeping at least $10,000 across all eligible Bank of America and Merrill Lynch banking and investing accounts.
Chase SavingsSM: $150 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Best savings bonus: through July 16, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150
- How to get it: Open a Chase SavingsSM account online or in person using a coupon emailed to you through the promotion page. Fund the account with at least $10,000 in new money within 10 business days. Maintain a balance of at least $10,000 for 90 days. The account must remain open for six months.
- Where to open: The account can be opened online or at a Chase branch (find a location near you). These can be found mostly in the Northeast, on the West Coast and in parts of the Midwest, Texas and Florida.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase SavingsSM account within the past 90 days, had one closed with a negative balance, or have a fiduciary account.
- When you’ll get it: Chase will deposit your bonus into your account within approximately 10 days.
- Monthly fee: $5, avoided with maintaining a daily minimum balance of $300, having one or more repeating automatic transfer of $25 from your Chase personal checking account, or having a linked premium Chase checking account. Free for those under 18 years old.
» Avoid monthly fees with your checking account: Check out the best free checking accounts of 2018
Others bonuses to consider
These bank promotions didn’t quite make our list of favorites. Typically, these accounts have:
- Stiffer qualification requirements for the bonus
- Lower bonus amounts for comparable requirements and accounts
- High minimum balance requirements
Be sure you read the fine print if you click through. Here they are:
Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking: $150 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through April 13, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150
- How to get it: Open a new Any Deposit Checking account through Bank of the West’s website or have the promotion code emailed to you through the promotional page, print it out, and present it at your local branch. The bonus comes in two parts: You’ll get $100 for having a direct deposit of at least $250 posted to your account by June 29, 2018. Get the other $50 by making at least 10 purchases of at least $3 on your new debit card each month for two calendar months, all of which must be posted by June 29, 2018.
- Where to open: Online or in a branch. Must be a resident of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
- How to qualify: To qualify for either bonus, funds new to Bank of the West of at least $0.01 must be posted to your account by April 20, 2018 and your account must be open and have a positive balance as of June 29, 2018. You can’t have had an open checking account with Bank of the West as of March 4, 2018.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be posted to your account by July 31, 2018.
- Monthly fee: $10, waived by making a deposit of any amount into your checking account each statement cycle.
[Back to top]
» Sign-up bonuses aren’t the only rewards offered by banks. See the best rewards checking accounts of 2018
Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM: $300 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Until July 16, 2018
- What you’ll get: $300
- How to get it: Open a Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM account online or in person using a coupon emailed to you through the promotion page. Fund the account with at least $25 and have a direct deposit within 60 days. The account must remain open for six months.
- Where to open: The account can be opened online or at a Chase branch (find a location near you). These can be found mostly in the Northeast, on the West Coast and in parts of the Midwest, Texas and Florida.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase checking account within the past 90 days, had one closed with a negative balance, or have a fiduciary account.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited within 10 days of your direct deposit.
- Monthly fee: $25, avoided with an average daily balance of at least $15,000 across linked deposit and investment accounts, or by having automatic payments to a linked Chase mortgage.
HSBC Choice Checking or Advance Checking: $200 or $350
Through June 29, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200 or $350
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Choice Checking account for $200 or a new HSBC Advance Checking account for $350 through HSBC’s promotional page. Deposit at least $1,500 for Choice Checking or $10,000 for Advance Checking across all HSBC checking and savings accounts within 30 days of creating your new account, and maintain that balance for at least 90 calendar days. Funds must be new to HSBC.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer bank account from March 30, 2017, to March 30, 2018, to qualify for either offer. Your account must be open and in good standing at the time you receive the bonus.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited in your new account roughly eight weeks after you meet all the qualification requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Choice Checking: $15, avoided by having $1,500 across your HSBC deposit and investment balances, or having a direct deposit at least once a statement cycle.
- Advance Checking: $25, avoided by maintaining $10,000 across your HSBC deposit and investment accounts, or at least $5,000 with at least one recurring direct deposit per monthly cycle.
“Get a $350 welcome deposit for new customers with a new HSBC Advance checking account and qualifying activities. Limited time only.
"Open your new HSBC Advance checking account online by June 30, 2018; and
"Deposit a minimum qualifying balance of $10,000 or more in new money in combined checking and savings accounts within 30 calendar days of account opening; and
"Maintain at least the minimum qualifying balance for 90 calendar days from the date you deposited the minimum qualifying balance.
"You will automatically receive the $350 welcome deposit in your new HSBC Advance checking account approximately eight weeks after completing all qualifying activities.”
[Back to top]TD Bank Convenience or Premier checking account: $150 or $300 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:No expiration date listed
- What you’ll get: $150 or $300
- How to get it:
- To earn $150, open a TD Convenience account and receive cumulative direct deposits of at least $500 within 60 days of opening the account. To have the $15 monthly fee waived, maintain a minimum daily balance of $100.
- To earn $300, open a TD Premier account and receive cumulative direct deposits of at least $2,500 within 60 days of opening the account. To have the $25 monthly fee waived, maintain a minimum daily balance of $2,500.
- Where to open: Online. You must be a resident of Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia or Washington, D.C.
- How to qualify: To qualify, you must be a new TD Bank checking customer.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be paid no later than 95 days after you open the account.
- Monthly fee:
- TD Convenience Checking: $15, waived with a minimum daily balance of $100
- TD Premier Checking: $25, waived with a minimum daily balance of $2,500
» Want to see how TD Bank stacks up? Read NerdWallet’s review of TD Bank
Connexus Credit Union Xtraordinary or MyRewards Checking: $50 bonus
Through May 6th, 2018
- What you’ll get: $50
- How to get it: Open a Connexus Credit Union Xtraordinary or MyRewards checking account before May 6th, 2018 using code SWITCH50. You’ll need a $500 opening minimum balance and have a direct deposit post to your account within 45 days after you open it.
- Where to open: Online only.
- How to qualify: You must become a member of the credit union to join, which you can do by paying a $5 one-time fee to the Connexus Association. You must not currently have a Connexus Credit Union checking account or have had one closed on March 5th, 2018 onwards.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get your bonus within 45 days of the first direct deposit posted to your account.
- Monthly fee:
- Xtraordinary Checking: $5 inactivity fee, avoided with account activity and an account balance over $100 at the end of the month.
- MyRewards Checking: $5 inactivity fee, avoided with account activity and an account balance over $100 at the end of the month.
Amboy Direct eSavings account: $50 bonus
No expiration date listed
- What you’ll get: $50
- How to get it: Go to the Amboy Direct website and sign up with your email to receive a bonus reference code. Enter the code you received via email when you apply for an eSavings account. Keep a monthly average balance of at least $3,000 for 90 days in your account.
- Where to open: Online only.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be credited to you in the next statement cycle.
- Monthly fee: No monthly fee.
M&T Bank checking: $150 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:Through April 11, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150
- How to get it: Open an M&T checking account at the promotional webpage or have a coupon emailed to you from the page and use it to open an account at a branch by March 30, 2018. Have direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of opening the account. You will be charged $50 if your account is closed before 180 days from the day the account was opened.
- Where to open: Online or in person. Offer not available nationwide; enter your ZIP code at the top of the promotional webpage to see if you’re eligible.
- How to qualify: Offer not available if you’ve received a bonus from an M&T personal checking account in the past 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited within 90 days of your direct deposit.
- Monthly fee: $6.95, waived by making at least one deposit or withdrawal each monthly service charge cycle.
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking: $50, $200 or $300 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:Through June 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $50, $200 or $300
- How to get it: Your bonus amount depends on the type of account you open. Options include a Virtual Wallet account, a Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend account or a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select account. Direct deposits must total at least $500, $2,000 or $5,000 per month, depending on which account you’ve signed up for, within 60 days of opening. You must also make at least 10 purchases with your PNC Bank Visa debit card.
- How to qualify: To qualify, you must not have had a PNC account within the past 90 days or received a PNC promotional payment within the past 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited within 60 days after all criteria has been met.
- Where to open: Online only. Offer available to residents of Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
Santander Bank checking: $150 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:Through June 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150
- How to get it: Open a Santander checking account online using promo code DIGBONUSA5J, or at a branch using the coupon you got emailed to you from the promotional page. Qualifying checking accounts include Simply Right Checking, Santander Basic Checking and Santander Premier Plus Checking. Post direct deposits totaling at least $1,000 within 90 days of opening the account, and keep it open for at least that long.
- Where to open: Online or at a branch. Offer available to residents of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
- How to qualify: To qualify, you must not currently have a Santander checking account or have had one in the last 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited within 30 days after you meet the criteria.
- Monthly fee:
- Simply Right Checking: $10, waived by making any transaction into or out of the account in the calendar month.
- Basic Checking: $3, fee can’t be waived.
- Premier Plus Checking: $35, waive by keeping at least $75,000 across eligible deposit and investment accounts, or receive $6,000 in total direct deposits.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s review of Santander Bank
SunTrust Bank checking: $250 or $500 bonus
Through April 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $250 or $500
- How to get it: Open a new account online using promo code Q118CHECKINGOL. You’ll get $250 for opening a Select Checking account or $500 for opening a Signature Advantage account. Deposit at least $100 into your new account within 14 days of opening. Post direct deposits of at least $1,000 into a Select Checking account or $2,000 into a Signature Advantage account within 60 days of opening. Make at least 10 debit card purchases within 60 days of opening either account.
- Where to open: Online only. Offer available to residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
- How to qualify: You must not currently have a personal checking account with SunTrust or have had one on or since July 7, 2017.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be deposited eight weeks after you meet the requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Select Checking: $15, waived if you receive $2,000 in direct deposits a month, keep a daily minimum of that amount in your Select Checking account, maintain $10,000 across all SunTrust accounts, or have other qualifying SunTrust products.
- Signature Advantage: $25, waived if you hold at least $25,000 in total deposit balances.
Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking: $250
Through June 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $250
- How to get it: Enter your email on Fifth Third’s promotional page and bring the code you receive into any Fifth Third branch and open an Essential Checking account. Deposit at least $500 within 45 days and maintain that balance for 60 days.
- Where to open: Account must be opened at a Fifth Third branch.
- How to qualify: You must not have an existing checking or Express Banking account with Fifth Third, or have had one in the past 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get the bonus within 10 business days of completing the requirements.
- Monthly fee: $11, waived with a balance of $1,500 across Fifth Third deposit and investment accounts, by spending at least $500 on a Fifth Third credit card, or by having another qualifying Fifth Third product. Charge reduced to $8 if you have monthly direct deposits of $500 or more.
If it’s time to switch banks and you want to take advantage of a cash bonus, these options should help you decide. If these bonuses don’t entice you, you may want to look for a different account — see our picks for best checking accounts.
Updated April 6, 2018.
METHODOLOGY
We looked at the 15 largest banks by assets and eliminated those without a significant retail banking presence. We also included financial institutions in the country’s five largest metro areas and several of the largest online-only banks that offer a full suite of checking and savings products. We rounded off the list with some of the country’s biggest credit unions with broad-based membership requirements. Finally, we considered banks we’ve reviewed. Financial institutions surveyed: Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amboy Direct, Associated Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Bank of Internet USA, Bank of the West, Barclays, BB&T, BBVA Compass, BMO Harris Bank, Capital One 360, Chase, CIT Bank, Citibank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Discover Bank, Fifth Third Bank, HSBC, Huntington Bank, M&T Bank, Nationwide, Navy Federal Credit Union, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Santander, Simple, SunTrust, Synchrony Bank, TD Bank, Union Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.
