Certain 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. 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 October 2018
- Chase Total Checking®, $200
- Chase Savings℠, $150
- Chase Premier Plus Checking℠, $300
- Discover Online Savings, $150 or $200
- HSBC Choice Checking, $200
- HSBC Advance Checking, $350
- HSBC Premier Checking, $750
- 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
- BMO Harris checking: $200
- M&T Bank checking: $100 or $250
- 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℠
|
| 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
|
| BMO Harris Bank: $200 |
| BMO Harris checking
|
| M&T Bank: $100 or $250 |
| M&T checking
|
| Fifth Third Bank Essential Checking: $200 |
|
Fifth Third checking
|
Chasing promotions may cost you in the long run if you’re unable to avoid monthly fees. But if you do your homework, bank bonuses are an excellent way to make extra cash.
High-yield savings accounts can also boost your bank balance. Check out NerdWallet’s best high-yield online savings accounts for our favorite options. Many of these accounts have annual percentage yields near 2%, which is about 20 times higher than the national average.
But if you’re focused on the best bank bonuses, here are more details on NerdWallet’s favorites this month.
Discover Online Savings: $150 or $200 bonus
Through Oct. 31, 2018
- 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 NW1018 by Oct. 31, 2018. Deposit at least $15,000 by Nov. 14, 2018, 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 Nov. 28, 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 10/31/18, online or by phone. Enter Offer Code NW1018 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 11/14/18. 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 11/28/18. 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.
HSBC Choice Checking: $200
Through Nov. 2, 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 Aug. 31, 2017, to Aug. 31, 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 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
Through Nov. 2, 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 Aug. 31, 2017, to Aug. 31, 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 Nov. 2, 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 Aug. 31, 2017, to Aug. 31, 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
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.
Capital One 360 Money Market Account: $200
No expiration date listed
- 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 before Dec. 15, 2018. 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
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
BMO Harris Bank checking: $200
Through Oct. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $200
- How to get it: Open a new checking account online through the bank’s promotional page or at a branch with a coupon emailed to you from that page. Have at least two direct deposits of at least $500 each into the account and make at least 10 debit card purchases within 90 days of opening. Your account must be open and in good standing to receive the bonus.
- Where to open: At a branch or online, but you must live in a state where BMO Harris has branches: Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- How to qualify: You must not have a BMO Harris checking account or have had one within the past 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: If you qualify, the bonus will be deposited about 120 days after you open the account.
- Monthly fee:
- Smart Advantage: None.
- Smart Money: $5, waived if you’re under 25.
- Premier: $30, waived if you have a $25,000 minimum daily balance, $50,000 in combined balances with a Relationship Waiver or a BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Inc. investment account.
M&T Bank checking: $100 or $250
Through Oct. 31, 2018
- What you’ll get: $100 or $250
- How to get it: Open a new checking account online through the bank’s promotional page or at a branch. Have at least $500 in direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account. Your account must be open to receive the bonus. The Basic Banking, EZChoice and M&T Classic With Interest accounts earn $100 while the MyChoice Plus and MyChoice Premium accounts earn a $250 bonus.
- Where to open: Online or in a branch. M&T has locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C.
- How to qualify: You must not have received another M&T checking bonus within the last 12 months.
- When you’ll get it: The bonus will be deposited within 90 days after you qualify.
- Monthly fee:
- EZChoice Checking: None.
- Basic Banking: $3.
- MyChoice Plus: $14.95, waived with at least $1,500 in monthly direct deposits or an average balance of at least $2,500.
- MyChoice Premium: $24.95, waived with an average balance of at least $7,500 or at least $25,000 in combined balances.
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 | October 2018
Here’s a 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 |
| 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 |
| BMO Harris checking | $200 |
| M&T Bank checking | $100 or $250 |
| 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.
