Bank promotions often consist of cash bonuses when you open a new checking or savings account. To qualify, 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 requirements than others, as you’ll see below.
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 December 2018
- Chase Total Checking®, $200
- Chase Savings℠, $150
- Chase Premier Plus Checking℠, $300
- Finn by Chase℠, $100
- 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
- TD Bank Convenience or Premier Checking, $150 or $300
- Huntington Bank 5 checking, $200
- PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking: $50, $200 or $300
- Santander Bank checking: $225
- Regions Bank checking, $200
- Fifth Third Bank Essential 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℠
|
| Finn by Chase℠: $100 |
| Finn by Chase℠ Nerdwallet has not yet rated this product.
|
| Bank of America: $100 |
|
Bank of America Core Checking and Interest Checking
|
| Citibank: $200, $400 or $600 |
|
Citibank Basic Banking, Account or Priority Account Packages
|
| Capital One 360: $200 |
|
Capital One 360 Money Market Account
|
| Huntington Bank: $200 |
| Huntington Bank 5 checking
|
| PNC Bank: $50, $200 or $300 |
|
PNC checking
|
| Santander Bank: $225 |
| Santander Simply Right Checking
|
| Regions Bank: $200 |
| Regions Bank LifeGreen Checking
|
| Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking: $200 |
|
Fifth Third checking
|
Savings accounts with high annual percentage yields are another way to boost your bank balance. The higher the APY, the more your savings will grow. Check out NerdWallet’s best high-yield online savings accounts for our favorite options. Many of these accounts have APYs of around 2%, which is about 20 times higher than the national average.
If you’re set on securing a bank bonus, just 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 are an excellent way to make extra cash.
Here are more details on NerdWallet’s favorites this month.
Discover Online Savings: $150 or $200 bonus
Through Jan. 14, 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 NW1218 by Jan. 14, 2019. Deposit at least $15,000 by Jan. 28, 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 Feb. 11, 2019.
- Monthly maintenance fee: No monthly maintenance fee.
"To get your $150 or $200 bonus offer:
"What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account by 1/14/19, online or by phone. Enter Offer Code NW1218 when applying. Deposit a total of $15,000 to earn a $150 bonus or deposit a total of $25,000 to earn a $200 bonus by 1/28/19. 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 2/11/19. 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 Dec. 28, 2018
- 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 days. Funds must be new to HSBC and maintained for at least 90 calendar days.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer bank account from Nov. 2, 2017, to Nov. 2, 2018. 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: $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 Dec. 28, 2018
- 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 days of creating your new account. Funds must be new to HSBC and maintained for at least 90 calendar days.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer bank account from Nov. 2, 2017, to Nov. 2, 2018. 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: $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 Dec. 28, 2018
- 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 and savings accounts within 30 days of creating your new account. Funds must be new to HSBC and maintained for at least 90 calendar days.
- How to qualify: You must not have had any HSBC consumer bank account from Nov. 2, 2017, to Nov. 2, 2018. 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: $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 Jan. 14, 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. 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).
- 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 Jan. 14, 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 within 20 business days, 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 Jan. 14, 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. 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).
- 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.
Finn by Chase℠: $100 bonus
NerdWallet has not yet rated this product.
Through March 31, 2019
- What you’ll get: $100
- How to get it: Open a new account on Finn — this involves opening both a checking and a savings account — and deposit at least $25 into the checking account. Then complete at least 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of account opening. These can be direct deposits, bill payments or debit card purchases, among others. The account must remain open for six months, or Chase will deduct the bonus at closing.
- Where to open: Apply online at Finn’s homepage.
- 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 the transactions post to your account.
- Monthly fee: None.
Bank of America Core or Interest Checking: $100 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $100
- How to get it: Open a Bank of America Core or Interest Checking account through the promotional page by Dec. 31, 2018. 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 maintenance fee:
- Bank of America Core Checking: $12, waived with at least $250 in monthly direct deposits or a $1,500 minimum daily balance. Customers under the age of 24 who are enrolled in high school, college, university or a vocational program, as well as Preferred Rewards clients, don’t have to pay the $12 fee.
- Bank of America Interest 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 Dec. 31, 2018
- 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. Maintain that balance for 60 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 been the owner of a Citibank checking account within the last 180 days.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll receive the bonus within 90 days of meeting the requirements.
- Monthly maintenance 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.
- 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 bonus
Through March 31, 2019
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new 360 Money Market Account using promotional code OFFER200 and deposit at least $10,000 by 11:59 PM ET on March 31, 2019. 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 of your deposit, provided your account is still in good standing.
- Monthly fee: None.
Huntington Bank 5 checking: $200 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new Huntington 5 Checking account online or at a branch using the coupon emailed to you from the promotional page. Deposit at least $500 within 60 days of doing so. Keep your account open for at least 90 days.
- Where to open: Online or in person.
- How to qualify: You must be a new Huntington checking customer; you cannot have had a Huntington checking account within the last six months.
- When you’ll get it: Within 14 days of meeting requirements.
- Monthly fee: $5, avoided with a minimum balance of $5,000 across all Huntington accounts.
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking: $50, $200 or $300 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 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 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 90 days after all criteria have been met.
- Where to open: Online, or have a coupon emailed to you. 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: $225 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 2018
- 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, 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
Regions Bank LifeGreen Checking: $200 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new LifeGreen checking account by Dec. 31, 2018. Receive at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits and make at least 10 purchases with a Regions Visa Checkcard within 60 days. Your account must be open to receive the bonus.
- Where to open: Online using promotional code 200PD18Q3T or at a branch using a voucher emailed to you from this promotional page.
- How to qualify: You must not have been the owner of a Regions checking account on or after Oct. 1, 2017, and you must live in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Texas to qualify.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be deposited within 120 of completing the requirements.
- Monthly fee: $10, waived with a monthly average balance of at least $1,500 or at least one direct deposit of at least $500 each month (or combined direct deposits of at least $1,000 each month).
Fifth Third Bank checking: $200 bonus
Through Dec. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- 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, Enhanced, Preferred or Free 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 last 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: 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 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 | December 2018
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 |
| Finn by Chase℠ | $100 |
| Bank of America Core or Interest Checking | $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 |
| Huntington Bank 5 checking | $200 |
| PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking | $50, $200 or $300 |
| Santander Bank checking | $225 |
| Regions LifeGreen Checking | $200 |
| Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking | $200 |
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, 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, Citizens Bank, 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, Regions Bank, Santander, Simple, SunTrust, Synchrony Bank, TD Bank, Union Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.
