Some banks offer 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. 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 August 2018
- Chase Total Checking®, $200
- Chase SavingsSM, $150
- Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM, $300
- Discover Online Savings, $150 or $200
- HSBC Choice Checking, $200
- HSBC Advance Checking, $350
- HSBC Premier Checking, $750
- TD Bank Convenience or Premier Checking, $150 or $300
- Citizens Bank One Deposit Checking, $200
- Citibank Basic Bank Package or Account Package, $200 or $400
- Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking, $150
- Huntington 5 Checking, $200
- Amboy Direct eSavings, $50
- PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking: $50, $200 or $300
- Santander Bank checking: $225
- SunTrust Bank checking: $150 or $300
- Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking: $250
Checking account offers and savings promotions
Top picks
| Chase Bank: $200 |
| Chase Total Checking® NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Chase Bank: $150 |
| Chase SavingsSM NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
Also worth considering
| Discover: $150 or $200 |
| Discover Online Savings NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| Chase: $300 |
| Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| HSBC: $200 |
| HSBC Choice Checking |
| HSBC: $350 |
| HSBC Advance Checking |
| HSBC: $750 |
| HSBC Premier Checking |
| TD Bank: $150 or $300 |
| TD Bank checking NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| Citizens Bank: $200 |
|
Citizens Bank checking NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Bank of the West: $150 |
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Bank of the West checking NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Citibank: $200 or $400 |
| Citibank checking and savings NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Huntington Bank: $200 |
| Huntington 5 or 25 checking NerdWallet has rated this bank:
|
| Amboy Direct: $50 |
| Amboy Direct eSavings |
| PNC Bank: $50, $200 or $300 |
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PNC checking NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| Santander Bank: $225 |
| Santander Simply Right Checking NerdWallet has rated this bank:
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| SunTrust: $150 or $300 |
| SunTrust checking |
| Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking: $250 |
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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 Oct. 15, 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). The offer is available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
- 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 SavingsSM: $150 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Best savings bonus: through Oct. 15, 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 20 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).The offer is available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Chase SavingsSM account within the last 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 by 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 younger than 18.
» 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:
Discover Online Savings: $150 or $200 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through Sept. 5, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150 or $200
- How to get it: Open a Discover Online Savings Account using offer code NW818 by Sept. 5, 2018. Deposit at least $15,000 into your new account by Sept. 19, 2018, for a $150 bonus, or $25,000 for $200.
- Where to open: Online or by phone.
- How to qualify: You cannot currently have a Discover savings account, or any savings account that is co-branded or is an affinity account provided by Discover, or have had one in the past.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get your bonus by October 3, 2018.
- 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 9/5/18, online or by phone. Enter Offer Code NW818 when applying. Deposit 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 by 9/19/18. 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 10/3/18. 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.
Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM: $300 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Until Oct. 15, 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 promotional 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).The offer is available in the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
- 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: $200
Through Aug. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Choice Checking account through HSBC’s promotional page and deposit at least $1,500 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 June 30, 2017, to June 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: $15, avoided by having $1,500 across your HSBC deposit and investment balances, or having a direct deposit at least once a statement cycle.
"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
Through Aug. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $350
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Advance Checking account through HSBC’s 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 June 30, 2017, to June 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: $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
Through Aug. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $750
- How to get it: Open a new HSBC Premier Checking account through HSBC’s 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 June 30, 2017, to June 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: $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
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
Citizens Bank One Deposit Checking: $200
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through Sept. 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new One Deposit Checking account through their promotional page and make a single direct deposit of at least $500 within 60 days of opening.
- Where to open: Online
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Citizens Bank personal checking account within the last six months.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll receive your bonus within 90 days of your direct deposit posting.
- Monthly fee: $9.99, waived with one deposit each statement period.
Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking: $150
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through August 24, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150
- How to get it: Open a new Any Deposit Checking account online or at a branch using the coupon emailed to you from the promotional page. Get $100 for setting up direct deposit, and $50 for making 10 monthly debit card purchases of $3 or more for two months. Have at least $250 in direct deposits posted to your account by October 31st, 2018.
- Where to open: Online or at a branch.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Bank of the West checking account open as of July 13th, 2018 in order to qualify for the offer.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll receive your bonus in your new account by November 30th, 2018.
- Monthly fee: $10, waived if you make a deposit of any amount into your account through any means, excluding transfers from other Bank of the West accounts.
Citibank Account Package or Basic Banking Package: $200 or $400
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through Sept. 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200 or $400
- How to get it:
- For $200: open a new eligible Citi checking account in the Basic Banking Package and deposit at least $5,000 in new funds within 30 days of opening. Maintain that balance for at least 60 days.
- For $400: open new eligible Citi checking and savings accounts in the Citibank Account Package and deposit at least $15,000 in new funds within 30 days of opening. Maintain that balance for at least 60 days.
- Where to open: Online via the promotional page, phone or in a branch.
- How to qualify: You must not have had a Citibank personal checking account within the last six months.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll receive your bonus within 90 days of completing the requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Basic Banking Package: $12, waived if you maintain at least $1,500 in combined average monthly balance across eligible linked accounts, if you make one direct deposit and one bill payment per statement period, or if you are 62 or older.
- Account Package: $25, applied to the checking account, waived if you maintain a combined average monthly balance of at least $10,000.
Huntington 5 or 25 checking: $200 or $500 bonus
Through September 30, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200 for Huntington 5 or $500 for Huntington 25
- How to get it: Open a new Huntington 5 or 25 Checking account and deposit at least $1,000 for a 5 Checking account, $15,000 for a 25 Checking account 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, and not have had a Huntington checking account within the past 6 months.
- When you’ll get it: You’ll get your bonus within 14 days of meeting requirements.
- Monthly fee:
- Huntington 5: $5, avoided with a minimum balance of $5,000 across all Huntington accounts.
- Huntington 25: $25, avoided with a minimum balance of $25,000 across all Huntington accounts.
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.
PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking: $50, $200 or $300 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through Sept. 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: $225 bonus
NerdWallet has rated this bank:
Through Sept. 30, 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
SunTrust Bank checking: $150 or $300 bonus
Through October 15, 2018
- What you’ll get: $150 or $300
- How to get it: Open a new account online using promo code Q318CHECKINGOL. You’ll get $150 for opening a Select Checking account or $300 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 February 2, 2018.
- 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: $200
Through Sept. 30, 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 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.
Best Bank Account Bonuses and Offers August 2018
Here’s another recap of this month’s best bank bonuses.
| Bank | Offer amount |
|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | $200 |
| Chase Savings | $150 |
| Discover Online Savings | $150 or $200 |
| Chase Premier Plus Checking | $300 |
| HSBC Choice Checking | $200 |
| HSBC Advance Checking | $350 |
| HSBC Premier Checking | $750 |
| TD Bank Convenience or Premier Checking | $150 or $300 |
| Citizens Bank One Deposit | $200 |
| Citibank Basic Bank Package or Account Package | $200 or $400 |
| Bank of the West Any Deposit Checking | $150 |
| Amboy Direct eSavings | $50 |
| PNC Bank Virtual Wallet checking | $50, $200 or $300 |
| Santander Bank checking | $225 |
| SunTrust Bank checking | $150 or $300 |
| Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking | $250 |
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, Santander, Simple, SunTrust, Synchrony Bank, TD Bank, Union Bank, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo.
