Bank promotions consist of cash bonuses when you open a new checking or savings account. To qualify for this one-time perk, you’ll likely have to set up direct deposit with the bank and keep the account open for at least a few months. Some banks have looser rules than others; we’ve outlined those requirements below.
For more sustained earnings on your balances, consider one of NerdWallet’s best high-yield online savings accounts. These accounts are free, and have annual percentage yields well above 2%. (The national average for savings accounts is just 0.10%.) A $10,000 balance would earn over $200 per year with one of these accounts.
Here are more details on NerdWallet’s favorite bonuses this month.
Checking account offers, savings promotions for April 2019
- Chase Total Checking®, $200
- Chase Savings℠, $150
- Chase Premier Plus Checking℠, $300
- HSBC Choice Checking, $200
- HSBC Advance Checking, $350
- HSBC Premier Checking, $750
- Bank of America checking, $100
- Citibank, $200, $400 or $600
- Discover Online Savings, $150 or $200
- Capital One 360 Money Market, $200 or $500
- TD Bank Convenience or Premier Checking, $150 or $300
- PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking, $50, $200 or $300
- Santander Bank checking, $225
- SunTrust Bank Advantage Checking, $250, $500 or $750
- Fifth Third Bank checking, $250
- Wells Fargo Everyday Checking, $400
- BMO Harris checking, $200
Checking account offers and savings promotions
| Discover: $150 or $200 |
| Discover Online Savings
|
| HSBC: $200 |
| HSBC Choice Checking
|
| HSBC: $350 |
| HSBC Advance Checking
|
| HSBC: $750 |
| HSBC Premier Checking
|
| TD Bank: $150 or $300 |
| TD Bank checking
|
| Chase Bank: $200 |
| Chase Total Checking®
|
| Chase Bank: $150 |
| Chase Savings℠
|
| Chase: $300 |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking℠
|
| Wells Fargo: $400 |
|
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking
|
| Bank of America: $100 |
|
Bank of America Advantage Banking
|
| Citibank: $200, $400 or $600 |
|
Citibank Basic Banking, Account or Priority Account Packages
|
| Capital One 360: $200 or $500 |
|
Capital One 360 Money Market Account
|
| PNC Bank: $50, $200 or $300 |
|
PNC checking
|
| Santander Bank: $225 |
| Santander checking
|
| SunTrust Bank: $250, $500 or $750 |
| SunTrust Bank Advantage Checking
|
| BMO Harris checking: $200 |
|
BMO Harris checking
|
| Fifth Third Bank checking: $250 |
|
Fifth Third checking
|
If you’re set on securing a bank bonus, keep in mind that chasing promotions may cost you in the long run if you’re unable to avoid monthly fees. (Check out a few other bonus-related pitfalls to be aware of.) But as long as you do your homework, bank promotions can be an excellent way to make extra cash.
Discover Online Savings: $150 or $200 bonus
Through May 6, 2019
- What you’ll get: $150 or $200
- How to get it: First-time savings customers can open a Discover Online Savings Account using offer code NW419 by May 6, 2019. Deposit at least $15,000 by May 20, 2019, for a $150 bonus, or $25,000 for $200.
- Where to open: Online or by phone.
- How to qualify: You cannot have previously opened a Discover savings account, or any savings account that is co-branded or is an affinity account provided by Discover.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get your bonus by June 3, 2019.
- Monthly fee: None.
“To get your $150 or $200 bonus offer: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account by 5/6/19, 11:59 PM ET, online or by phone. Enter Offer Code NW419 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 by 5/20/19, 11:59 PM ET. 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. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account by 6/3/19. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. Offer may be modified/withdrawn without notice."
See Discover's website for more details.
HSBC Choice Checking: $200 bonus
Through June 2, 2019
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Choice Checking account through its promotional page. Deposit at least $1,500 within 30 calendar days of opening the account. Funds must be new to HSBC and maintained for at least 90 calendar days from the day you deposited the minimum qualifying balance.
- Where to open: Online.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer deposit or investment account from March 29, 2016, to March 29, 2019. Your account must be open and in good standing at the time you receive the bonus, and you must have been a U.S. resident for the past three years to apply online.
- 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: $15, avoided by maintaining $1,500 across your HSBC accounts or having at least one direct deposit per month.
"Choice Checking: Get a $200 welcome deposit for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Choice Checking account with qualifying activities. Member FDIC."
HSBC Advance Checking: $350 bonus
Through June 2, 2019
- What you’ll get: $350
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Advance Checking account through its promotional page. Deposit at least $10,000 across all HSBC checking and savings accounts within 30 calendar days of creating your new account. Funds must be new to HSBC and maintained for at least 90 calendar days from the day you deposited the minimum qualifying balance.
- Where to open: Online.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer deposit or investment account from March 29, 2016, to March 29, 2019. Your account must be open and in good standing at the time you receive the bonus, and you must have been a U.S. resident for the past three years to apply online.
- 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: $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.
"Advance Checking: Get a $350 welcome deposit for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Advance checking account with qualifying activities. Member FDIC."
HSBC Premier Checking: $750 bonus
Through June 2, 2019
- What you’ll get: $750
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Premier Checking account through its promotional page. Deposit at least $100,000 across all HSBC checking, savings and eligible investment accounts within 30 calendar days of creating your new account. Funds must be new to HSBC and maintained for at least 90 calendar days from the day you deposited the minimum qualifying balance.
- Where to open: Online.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer bank account from March 29, 2016, to March 29, 2019. Your account must be open and in good standing at the time you receive the bonus, and you must have been a U.S. resident for the past three years to apply online.
- 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: $50, avoided by having $100,000 across your HSBC deposit and investment accounts.
"Premier Checking: Get a $750 Welcome Deposit for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Premier checking account with qualifying activities. Member FDIC."
TD Bank Convenience or Premier checking account: $150 or $300 bonus
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 earn $300, open a TD Premier account and receive cumulative direct deposits of at least $2,500 within 60 days of opening the account.
- Where to open: Online, via the bank’s promotional page. 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
Chase Total Checking®: $200 bonus
Through July 15, 2019
- 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 promotional page. You must have a direct deposit into the account within 60 days of opening the account. 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).
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase checking account within the last 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 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
Chase Savings℠: $150 bonus
Through July 15, 2019
- What you’ll get: $150
- How to get it: Open a Chase Savings℠ account online or in person using a coupon emailed to you through the promotional page. Fund with at least $10,000 in money that’s new to Chase within 20 business days of opening the account, and maintain the $10,000 balance for 90 days.
- Where to open: The account can be opened online or at a Chase branch (find a location near you).
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase checking account within the last 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 no more than 10 business days after you’ve met the requirements.
- Monthly fee: $5, avoided by maintaining an average daily balance of $300 or more, having a repeating automatic transfer of at least $25 from another Chase account you own, linking a premium Chase checking account or having an account owner under 18.
Chase Premier Plus Checking℠: $300 bonus
Through July 15, 2019
- What you’ll get: $300
- How to get it: Open a Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ account online or in person using a coupon emailed to you through the promotional page. You must have a direct deposit into the account within 60 days of opening the account. 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).
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase checking account within the last 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 no more than 10 business days after your direct deposit.
- Monthly fee: $25, avoided by maintaining an average daily balance of $15,000 between this and other linked Chase accounts or making automatic payments on a qualifying Chase mortgage from this account.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: $400 bonus
Through July 26, 2019
- What you’ll get: $400
- How to get it: Open an Everyday Checking account from this webpage with $25. Within 150 days of your account opening date, receive a cumulative monthly total of $3,000 in direct deposits for three consecutive months.
- Where to open: Online.
- How to qualify: You cannot currently have a Wells Fargo consumer checking account or have received a bonus for opening one within the past 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get your bonus within 45 days of meeting the requirements. Your account must be open to receive the bonus.
- Monthly fee: $10, waived with a $1,500 minimum daily balance, $500 or more qualifying direct deposits or at least 10 posted debit card transactions each fee period, among a couple other options.
Bank of America Advantage Banking: $100 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 2019
- What you’ll get: $100
- How to get it: Open a Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance, Plus or Relationship Banking checking account through the promotional page. Deposit $25 to open a SafeBalance account or $100 to open a Plus or Relationship account. Receive at least two direct deposits of at least $250 within the first 90 days of owning the account. Your account must be open to receive the bonus.
- Where to open: Online.
- How to qualify: You cannot have held a Bank of America personal checking account within the last six months.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get your bonus within 60 days of meeting the requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking checking: $4.95, may be waived as long as you’re enrolled in Preferred Rewards or are under the age of 24 and are enrolled in school.
- Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking checking: $12, waived with at least one qualifying direct deposit of at least $250 each month or a $1,500 minimum daily balance. Preferred Rewards clients or students under 24 may also qualify for a waiver.
- Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking checking: $25, waived with at least $10,000 in combined balances each statement cycle across linked checking, savings, IRAs and Merrill Edge and Merrill Lynch investment accounts. Preferred Rewards clients don’t have to pay the $25 fee.
Citibank Basic Banking, Account or Priority Account Package: $200, $400 or $600 bonus
Through June 30, 2019
- What you’ll get: $200, $400 or $600
- How to get it: Open a new checking (Basic Banking) or checking and savings (Account and Priority Account) account and deposit $5,000, $15,000 or $50,000, respectively, within 30 days of opening the account. Maintain that balance for 60 consecutive calendar days. Depositing $5,000 into the Basic Banking package earns you $200, depositing $15,000 into the Account Package earns you $400, and depositing $50,000 into the Priority Account package earns you $600. Funds must be new to Citibank. Your account must be open and in good standing to receive the bonus. (Earn an additional $100 if you open the Account Package and receive one direct deposit each month for two straight months within 60 days of opening the account.)
- Where to open: At a branch, over the phone or online. Basic Banking, Account and Priority Account packages all have different pages.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a checking account with Citibank for the last 180 days to take advantage of the offer.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll receive the bonus within 90 days of meeting the requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Basic Banking: $12, waived with one qualifying direct deposit per statement period and one qualifying bill payment per statement period or a combined average monthly balance or at least $1,500 across eligible linked accounts. Fees are also waived if the primary accountholder is 62 or older.
- Account Package: $25, waived with a monthly average balance of at least $10,000 across eligible linked accounts.
- Priority Account: $30, waived with a monthly average balance of at least $50,000 across eligible linked accounts.
Capital One 360 Money Market Account: $200 or $500 bonus
Through May 19, 2019
- What you’ll get: $200 or $500
- How to get it: Open a new 360 Money Market Account using promotional code EARN500 by 11:59 PM ET on May 19, 2019 and deposit at least $10,000 within the first 10 days of account opening. If you maintain a daily balance of $10,000.00-$49,999.99 in the 90 days following the initial 10, you’ll qualify for a $200 bonus. Maintain a daily balance of $50,000 or more in those 90 days, and you’ll qualify for $500. Funds must be new to Capital One 360.
- Where to open: Online.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Capital One savings product since Jan. 1, 2016.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll receive the bonus within 60 days after the 90-day period is over, provided your account is still in good standing.
- Monthly fee: None.
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking: $50, $200 or $300 bonus
Through May 31, 2019
- 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, depending on which account you’ve signed up for, within 60 days of opening. You must make at least 10 purchases with your PNC Bank Visa debit card in the same time period.
- How to qualify: To qualify, you must not have had a PNC account within the last 90 days or received a PNC promotional payment within the last 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited within 60-90 days after all criteria have been met.
- Where to open: Online, or have a coupon emailed to you.
- Monthly fee:
- Virtual Wallet: $7, waived with $500 in qualifying direct deposits each month or a monthly average balance of at least $500. Also waived with Virtual Wallet Student or if the accountholder is 62 or older.
- Performance Spend: $15, waived with $2,000 in qualifying direct deposits each month, a monthly average balance of at least $2,000 or a $15,000 combined average monthly balance between deposits, investments and and loans.
- Performance Select: $25, waived with $5,000 in qualifying direct deposits each month, a monthly average balance of at least $5,000 between Virtual Wallet and linked accounts or a $25,000 combined average monthly balance between deposits, investments and and loans.
Santander Bank checking: $225 bonus
Through June 30, 2019
- What you’ll get: $225
- How to get it: Open a Santander checking account online or at a branch using the coupon 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, starting the first business day after opening, 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 monthly direct deposits.
» MORE: NerdWallet’s review of Santander Bank
SunTrust Bank Advantage Checking: $250, $500 or $750 bonus
Through April 30, 2019
- What you’ll get: $250, $500 or $750
- How to get it: Open a SunTrust Advantage checking account online using code Q119ADVCHKOL or at a branch using the coupon emailed to you from the promotional page. Each bonus requires you to deposit at least $100 within 14 days of opening the account and complete at least $3,000 in direct deposits and make at least 10 debit card purchases within 60 days of opening the account. For a $250 bonus, you only have to complete those steps. For $500 or $750, deposit at least an additional $25,000 or $100,000, respectively, in new money across checking, personal savings, personal money markets, CDs and IRAs within 30 days and maintain the balance for 90 days of account opening.
- Where to open: Online or at a branch. Offer available to residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or the District of Columbia.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a personal checking account through SunTrust on or after July 6, 2018.
- When you’ll get it: Your bonus will be deposited within 8 weeks after you meet the criteria.
- Monthly fee: $20, waived with at least $3,000 in monthly qualifying direct deposits, $10,000 in combined balances across SunTrust, a linked SunTrust small business account or a linked SunTrust credit card, mortgage or other loan balance.
BMO Harris checking: $200 bonus
Through May 31, 2019
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a BMO Harris Smart Money or Smart Advantage Checking Account, and have at least two eligible direct deposits of $500 or more each within 90 days of opening the account. Have at least 10 debit card purchases post to your account within the same period.
- Where to open: Online, by phone or in a branch using the coupon from this promotional page.
- How to qualify: You must live in a state where BMO Harris operates retail branches, including Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. You must not have had a BMO Harris personal checking account within the past 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be credited within 120 days of account opening. Your account must be open and in good standing to receive it.
- Monthly fee:
- Smart Money: $5, waived if the primary accountholder is under age 25. There’s also a $2 paper statement fee, waived for accountholders under 25 and those who select paperless statements.
- Smart Advantage: $2 paper statement fee, waived if you select paperless statements.
Fifth Third Bank checking: $250 bonus
Through April 30, 2019
- 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 eligible checking account. Essential, Enhanced and Preferred Checking are all options. Deposit at least $500 within 45 days of opening the account, and maintain that balance for 60 days from the day you meet the requirement.
- Where to open: Account must be opened at a Fifth Third branch. The bank has branches in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia.
- How to qualify: You must not have an existing checking account with Fifth Third, or have had one in the last 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: Within 10 business days of completing the requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Essential Checking: $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.
- Enhanced Checking: $20, waived with a balance of at least $20,000 across Fifth Third deposit and investment accounts or monthly direct deposits totaling at least $5,000.
- Preferred Checking: $25, waived with a balance of at least $100,000 across Fifth Third deposit and investment accounts.
If these bonuses don’t entice you, you may want to look for a different account — see our picks for best checking accounts.
Best bank account bonuses and offers | April 2019
Here’s a recap of this month’s best bank bonuses.
| Bank | Offer amount |
|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking® | $200 |
| Chase Savings℠ | $150 |
| HSBC Choice Checking | $200 |
| HSBC Advance Checking | $350 |
| HSBC Premier Checking | $750 |
| Discover Online Savings | $150 or $200 |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ | $300 |
| Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | $400 |
| Bank of America Advantage Banking | $100 |
| Citibank Basic Banking, Account or Priority Account Package | $200, $400 or $600 |
| TD Bank Convenience or Premier Checking | $150 or $300 |
| Capital One 360 Money Market Account | $200 or $500 |
| PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking | $50, $200 or $300 |
| Santander Bank checking | $225 |
| Fifth Third Bank checking | $250 |
| Suntrust Bank Advantage Checking | $250, $500 or $750 |
| BMO Harris checking | $200 |
METHODOLOGY
We consider bonuses offered by brick-and-mortar and online banks and credit unions in the United States that NerdWallet has rated. Eligible bonuses are rated for inclusion based primarily on the population eligible and the potential return on money deposited. We also consider factors including bonus requirements, the amount of time the account must remain open and account quality.
