Banking Checking Accounts

Top Checking Account Bonus Offers in August 2026: Open An Account, Earn Cash

These banks offer an upfront bonus plus ongoing value with rewards. Find out if one of these accounts is a good fit for you.

By Ben Luthi and Yahia Barakah, CEPF , Edited by Melinda Sineriz, ABFP®

Updated Aug. 10, 2026

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No one wants to go through the hassle of switching banks and opening a new account. Banks know that. So, to make the prospect more enticing, some offer introductory bonuses for new customers.

You're not going to fund your retirement with these checking account bonuses, but earning a couple extra hundred bucks for doing little more than completing an application form and a few qualifying activities certainly doesn't hurt.

Requirements for earning these bonuses vary from bank to bank. You may need to set up direct deposit, make a certain number of debit card purchases, or deposit a predetermined amount of cash and then maintain a minimum balance for a few months.

Regardless, if you're in the market for a new account, you may as well pick one that will pay you to open it. To help, we rounded up some of the easiest checking account bonus offers to earn.

Key takeaways

Truist One Checking's $500 bonus is the highest on our list, though it has both minimum direct deposit and debit card transaction requirements.¹ Terms and Conditions: Truist Checking $500 Offer: Offer Information: Open a new Truist One Checking account or Truist Marquee Checking account online, in a branch or by phone from 7/14/26 through 2/2/27 and earn $500 after you complete the following qualifying activities within 120 days of the account opening (the day after your account is opened is considered day 1). All required transactions for qualifying activities must post to the enrolled account within the 120-day qualification period. <ul> <li>Receive at least two qualifying direct deposits* totaling $2,000 or more, AND</li> <li>Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases**</li> </ul> Enrollment in the promotion is required (see Enrollment Instructions). A valid promo code must be applied at account opening to enroll in the promotion and cannot be added after the account is opened. Promo codes are single-use only, should not be shared, and once redeemed, the promo code will no longer be valid. *A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) deposited into your new checking account via ACH. Person-to-person payments (such as Zelle®), Real Time Payments (RTP), pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits. **Qualifying debit card purchases include any purchase made with a Truist debit card and posted to the new checking account within 120 days of account opening. ATM withdrawals using your debit card are not qualifying transactions. Zelle® transactions are not qualifying transactions. Bank fees are not included. Offer Eligibility: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 7/14/25 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts and Truist Marquee Checking accounts only. The new checking account cannot be changed to an account type not included in this client offer. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer is available only to U.S. residents with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. The client must have a physical address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC. Reward Processing: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met. The Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Reward forfeiture will occur if at the time of attempted payout the new checking account: (1) has a $0.00 or negative current balance or (2) is restricted or closed. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. Other Terms: The minimum opening deposit for Truist One Checking is $50. The minimum opening deposit for Truist Marquee Checking is $100. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: 1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and 2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. For Truist Marquee Checking, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 0.01% for all balances $0.01 and above. The APY is accurate as of 7/14/26 and subject to change at any time, including after account opening. Fees may reduce earnings. All standard account terms and conditions apply. Enrollment Instructions: Online: A valid promo code must be entered in the promo code field during account opening and the offer must be accepted when presented. By Phone or In Person: Request enrollment in the promotion using a valid promo code during account opening. Once enrolled in the promotion, progress updates are available through Truist Online and Mobile Banking or by calling 800-423-0948. Version 2 06032026 Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2026, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking offers $325 with a $1,000 qualifying direct deposit requirement within 90 days of account opening.² <style> .offer-copy p { margin: 0 0 12px; } .offer-copy p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } </style> <div class="offer-copy"> How to qualify for this offer: To be eligible: Offer is for new consumer checking customers only and is available only to the primary owner of the new checking account. The primary account owner is the owner whose Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security Number, is assigned to the account and has tax responsibility. Offer is not available to customers that received a bonus for a Wells Fargo consumer checking account within the past 12 months, are Wells Fargo employees, or are non-resident aliens or foreign entities signing any version of IRS Form W-8. Deposit accounts that are part of the Wells Fargo Private Bank experience are not eligible for this offer. To receive the $325 bonus: you must use your bonus offer code when opening a new Wells Fargo consumer checking account, which is subject to approval, by October 13, 2026 and receive $1,000 or more in qualifying electronic deposits within 90 calendar days of account opening (the “qualification period”). A qualifying electronic deposit is a deposit of funds, such as your salary, government benefit payment, or other income, that has posted to your account and is (1) a direct deposit made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, (2) an instant payment processed through the RTP® network (real-time payment system) or FedNow℠ Service, or (3) an electronic credit from a third party service that facilitates payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network (e.g., an Original Credit Transaction). Transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, Zelle®, or deposits made at a branch or ATM are not considered a qualifying electronic deposit. An ACH direct deposit made available early with Early Pay Day does not count toward the bonus requirements until it posts to your account and is no longer pending (e.g., scheduled payment date). Once you have met all requirements, we will deposit the bonus into your new account within 30 calendar days. Your new account must stay open through the time we attempt to deposit the bonus. We may close accounts with a zero balance without prior notice. You are responsible for any taxes due on the bonus. We will report the bonus as income to tax authorities, as required by applicable law. If you are subject to backup withholding at the time of payment, we may withhold the required amount and remit to tax authorities. Other Terms: This offer may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer (limit one bonus per customer/account). Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. If we suspect bonus or promotional offer abuse, we may close or restrict the account and decline or reverse any bonus. Talk with a banker or see the <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/online-banking/consumer-account-fees/">“Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule” and “Deposit Account Agreement”</a> available at wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures for complete checking account details, including the applicable monthly service fee and options to avoid it. The actions required for this bonus are separate from the actions available to avoid the monthly service fee. Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. </div>
Chase Total Checking^® account has a $1,000 minimum direct deposit requirement within 90 days for a generous $400 bonus.³ Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance within the last 3 years. You can receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last coupon enrollment date and only one bonus per account. Coupon is good for one-time use. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. Person to Person payments (such as Zelle®) are not considered a direct deposit. Micro-deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit for the bonus. Micro-deposits are small deposits, typically less than $1, that are sent to your account to verify it is the correct account. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 15 days. To receive this bonus, the enrolled account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout. Eligibility may be limited based on account ownership. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). Offer availability subject to change. Other Chase checking bonus offers may exist concurrently.
SoFi Checking and Savingsoffers either $50 or $400 depending on how much you receive in eligible direct deposits within the first 25 days.⁴ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a>
Consider the bonus offer requirements, account features, banking options, and availability before deciding on a checking account bonus offer.

Compare top checking account bonus offers

Bank account	Bonus amount	Bonus eligibility requirements	Bonus offer expiration date
Truist One Checking	$500¹ <p><u><b>Terms and Conditions: Truist Checking $500 Offer: </b></u></p><br> <p><b><u>Offer Information</u></b>: Open a new Truist One Checking account or Truist Marquee Checking account online, in a branch or by phone from 7/14/26 through 2/2/27 and earn $500 after you complete the following qualifying activities within 120 days of the account opening (the day after your account is opened is considered day 1). All required transactions for qualifying activities must post to the enrolled account within the 120-day qualification period.</p><br> <ul> <li>Receive at least two qualifying direct deposits* totaling $2,000 or more, <b>AND</b></li> <li>Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases*</li> </ul> <p>Enrollment in the promotion is required (see Enrollment Instructions). A valid promo code must be applied at account opening to enroll in the promotion and cannot be added after the account is opened. Promo codes are single-use only, should not be shared, and once redeemed, the promo code will no longer be valid.</p><br> <p>A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) deposited into your new checking account via ACH. Person-to-person payments (such as Zelle®), Real Time Payments (RTP), pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits.</p><br> <p>**Qualifying debit card purchases include any purchase made with a Truist debit card and posted to the new checking account within 120 days of account opening. ATM withdrawals using your debit card are not qualifying transactions. Zelle® transactions are not qualifying transactions. Bank fees are not included.</p><br> <p><b><u>Offer Eligibility</u></b>: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 7/14/25 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts and Truist Marquee Checking accounts only. The new checking account cannot be changed to an account type not included in this client offer. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer is available only to U.S. residents with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. The client must have a physical address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC.</p><br> <p> </p> <p><b><u>Reward Processing</u></b>: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met. The Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Reward forfeiture will occur if at the time of attempted payout the new checking account: (1) has a $0.00 or negative current balance or (2) is restricted or closed. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. </p><br> <p><b><u>Other Terms</u></b>: The minimum opening deposit for Truist One Checking is $50. The minimum opening deposit for Truist Marquee Checking is $100. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: 1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and 2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. For Truist Marquee Checking, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 0.01% for all balances $0.01 and above. The APY is accurate as of 7/14/26 and subject to change at any time, including after account opening. Fees may reduce earnings. All standard account terms and conditions apply.</p><br> <p><b><u>Enrollment Instructions</u></b>: Online: A valid promo code must be entered in the promo code field during account opening and the offer must be accepted when presented. <b>By Phone or In Person</b>: Request enrollment in the promotion using a valid promo code during account opening. Once enrolled in the promotion, progress updates are available through Truist Online and Mobile Banking or by calling 800-423-0948.</p><br> <p>Version 2 06032026</p><br> <p class="">Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2026, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.</p>	At least two qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more and 20 qualifying debit card purchase transactions within 120 days of account opening (offer not available in all states)	Feb. 2, 2027
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking² <style> .offer-copy p { margin: 0 0 12px; } .offer-copy p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } </style> <div class="offer-copy"> <p><b>How to qualify for this offer:</b></p> <p><b>To be eligible</b>: Offer is for new consumer checking customers only and is available only to the primary owner of the new checking account. The primary account owner is the owner whose Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security Number, is assigned to the account and has tax responsibility. Offer is not available to customers that received a bonus for a Wells Fargo consumer checking account within the past 12 months, are Wells Fargo employees, or are non-resident aliens or foreign entities signing any version of IRS Form W-8. Deposit accounts that are part of the Wells Fargo Private Bank experience are not eligible for this offer.</p> <p><b>To receive the $325 bonus</b>: you must use your bonus offer code when opening a new Wells Fargo consumer checking account, which is subject to approval, by October 13, 2026 <b>and</b> receive $1,000 or more in qualifying electronic deposits within 90 calendar days of account opening (the “qualification period”). A qualifying electronic deposit is a deposit of funds, such as your salary, government benefit payment, or other income, that has posted to your account and is (1) a <b>direct deposit</b> made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, (2) an <b>instant payment</b> processed through the RTP® network (real-time payment system) or FedNow℠ Service, or (3) an <b>electronic credit</b> from a third party service that facilitates payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network (e.g., an Original Credit Transaction). Transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, Zelle®, or deposits made at a branch or ATM are not considered a qualifying electronic deposit. An ACH direct deposit made available early with Early Pay Day does not count toward the bonus requirements until it posts to your account and is no longer pending (e.g., scheduled payment date).</p> <p>Once you have met all requirements, <b>we will deposit the bonus into your new account</b> within 30 calendar days. Your new account must stay open through the time we attempt to deposit the bonus. We may close accounts with a zero balance without prior notice. You are responsible for any taxes due on the bonus. We will report the bonus as income to tax authorities, as required by applicable law. If you are subject to backup withholding at the time of payment, we may withhold the required amount and remit to tax authorities.</p> <p><b>Other Terms</b>: This offer may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer (limit one bonus per customer/account). Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. If we suspect bonus or promotional offer abuse, we may close or restrict the account and decline or reverse any bonus.</p> <p>Talk with a banker or see the <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/online-banking/consumer-account-fees/">“Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule” and “Deposit Account Agreement”</a> available at wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures for complete checking account details, including the applicable monthly service fee and options to avoid it. The actions required for this bonus are separate from the actions available to avoid the monthly service fee.</p> <p>Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.</p> </div>	$325	Qualifying direct deposit totaling $1,000 or more within 90 calendar days of account opening.	Oct. 13, 2026
Chase Total Checking^®	$400³ <p>Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance within the last 3 years. You can receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last coupon enrollment date and only one bonus per account. Coupon is good for one-time use. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. Person to Person payments (such as Zelle®) are not considered a direct deposit. Micro-deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit for the bonus. Micro-deposits are small deposits, typically less than $1, that are sent to your account to verify it is the correct account. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 15 days. To receive this bonus, the enrolled account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout. Eligibility may be limited based on account ownership. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). Offer availability subject to change. Other Chase checking bonus offers may exist concurrently.</p>	Qualifying direct deposit totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment	Oct. 14, 2026
SoFi Checking and Savings	$50 or $400⁴ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a></p>	Qualifying direct deposit within 25 days of $1,000 to $4,999.99 for a $50 cash bonus or $5,000 or more for a $400 cash bonus	Dec. 31, 2026

Truist One Checking: Earn $500¹ Terms and Conditions: Truist Checking $500 Offer: Offer Information: Open a new Truist One Checking account or Truist Marquee Checking account online, in a branch or by phone from 7/14/26 through 2/2/27 and earn $500 after you complete the following qualifying activities within 120 days of the account opening (the day after your account is opened is considered day 1). All required transactions for qualifying activities must post to the enrolled account within the 120-day qualification period. <ul> <li>Receive at least two qualifying direct deposits* totaling $2,000 or more, AND</li> <li>Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases**</li> </ul> Enrollment in the promotion is required (see Enrollment Instructions). A valid promo code must be applied at account opening to enroll in the promotion and cannot be added after the account is opened. Promo codes are single-use only, should not be shared, and once redeemed, the promo code will no longer be valid. *A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) deposited into your new checking account via ACH. Person-to-person payments (such as Zelle®), Real Time Payments (RTP), pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits. **Qualifying debit card purchases include any purchase made with a Truist debit card and posted to the new checking account within 120 days of account opening. ATM withdrawals using your debit card are not qualifying transactions. Zelle® transactions are not qualifying transactions. Bank fees are not included. Offer Eligibility: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 7/14/25 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts and Truist Marquee Checking accounts only. The new checking account cannot be changed to an account type not included in this client offer. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer is available only to U.S. residents with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. The client must have a physical address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC. Reward Processing: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met. The Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Reward forfeiture will occur if at the time of attempted payout the new checking account: (1) has a $0.00 or negative current balance or (2) is restricted or closed. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. Other Terms: The minimum opening deposit for Truist One Checking is $50. The minimum opening deposit for Truist Marquee Checking is $100. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: 1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and 2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. For Truist Marquee Checking, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 0.01% for all balances $0.01 and above. The APY is accurate as of 7/14/26 and subject to change at any time, including after account opening. Fees may reduce earnings. All standard account terms and conditions apply. Enrollment Instructions: Online: A valid promo code must be entered in the promo code field during account opening and the offer must be accepted when presented. By Phone or In Person: Request enrollment in the promotion using a valid promo code during account opening. Once enrolled in the promotion, progress updates are available through Truist Online and Mobile Banking or by calling 800-423-0948. Version 2 06032026 Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2026, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.

Best checking account bonus for in-person banking

Truist One Checking - $500 Bonus

4.3

2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Overdraft Protection

Truist One Checking Benefits

New checking clients can earn a $500 bonus with qualifying activities. Terms apply.¹ Terms and Conditions: Truist Checking $500 Offer: Offer Information: Open a new Truist One Checking account or Truist Marquee Checking account online, in a branch or by phone from 7/14/26 through 2/2/27 and earn $500 after you complete the following qualifying activities within 120 days of the account opening (the day after your account is opened is considered day 1). All required transactions for qualifying activities must post to the enrolled account within the 120-day qualification period. <ul> <li>Receive at least two qualifying direct deposits* totaling $2,000 or more, AND</li> <li>Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases**</li> </ul> Enrollment in the promotion is required (see Enrollment Instructions). A valid promo code must be applied at account opening to enroll in the promotion and cannot be added after the account is opened. Promo codes are single-use only, should not be shared, and once redeemed, the promo code will no longer be valid. *A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) deposited into your new checking account via ACH. Person-to-person payments (such as Zelle®), Real Time Payments (RTP), pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits. **Qualifying debit card purchases include any purchase made with a Truist debit card and posted to the new checking account within 120 days of account opening. ATM withdrawals using your debit card are not qualifying transactions. Zelle® transactions are not qualifying transactions. Bank fees are not included. Offer Eligibility: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 7/14/25 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts and Truist Marquee Checking accounts only. The new checking account cannot be changed to an account type not included in this client offer. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer is available only to U.S. residents with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. The client must have a physical address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC. Reward Processing: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met. The Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Reward forfeiture will occur if at the time of attempted payout the new checking account: (1) has a $0.00 or negative current balance or (2) is restricted or closed. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. Other Terms: The minimum opening deposit for Truist One Checking is $50. The minimum opening deposit for Truist Marquee Checking is $100. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: 1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and 2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. For Truist Marquee Checking, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 0.01% for all balances $0.01 and above. The APY is accurate as of 7/14/26 and subject to change at any time, including after account opening. Fees may reduce earnings. All standard account terms and conditions apply. Enrollment Instructions: Online: A valid promo code must be entered in the promo code field during account opening and the offer must be accepted when presented. By Phone or In Person: Request enrollment in the promotion using a valid promo code during account opening. Once enrolled in the promotion, progress updates are available through Truist Online and Mobile Banking or by calling 800-423-0948. Version 2 06032026 Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2026, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.
No overdraft fees to worry about
Minimum opening deposit is just $50
Balance Buffer for eligible clients⁵ The Balance Buffer is only available with Truist One Checking and allows clients to overdraw their account up to $100. There is no decision required as this feature is automatically available when a client qualifies. To INITIALLY QUALIFY for the Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met: <ul> <li>Account must be opened for a minimum of 35 calendar days</li> <li>Account must be funded with a positive balance</li> <li>A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days</li> </ul> To REMAIN QUALIFIED for the Balance Buffer, the requirement below must be met: <ul> <li>A single direct deposit of at least $100 made within the last 35 calendar days.  After qualifying, if 35 calendar days pass without a Direct Deposit of at least $100, you will no longer have access to the Balance Buffer.</li> </ul> For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer, once the account is overdrawn by $100, additional transactions will typically be declined or returned. For accounts that qualify for the Balance Buffer and also have Overdraft Protection, Truist will use the Balance Buffer first.  If the account has neither, transactions that exceed the account balance will typically be declined or returned.
Ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee⁶ The Monthly Maintenance Fee (MMF) can be waived for the Truist One Checking account for each statement cycle by any one of the following: Maintenance fees are waived for primary account owners under the age of 25 or age 62 and older. Making $500 or more in total qualifying Direct Deposits per statement cycle. A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit via ACH deposited to your account during the current statement cycle. Pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit card/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible to meet this requirement. Maintain a total combined ledger balance of $500 or more in your Truist related accounts. Your total combined ledger balance is the sum of the actual balances of all your Truist related accounts across personal deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, CD, or IRA) and brokerage accounts introduced through Truist Investment Services, Inc. (TIS) including TIS accounts managed by Truist Advisory Services, Inc., as reflected on the business day before your statement cycle end date (the actual balance in your account does not reflect any holds or pending transactions). Truist HSA is excluded from total combined ledger balance. Related accounts automatically include all applicable accounts associated with primary and secondary account owners. Having a personal Truist credit card, mortgage or consumer loan, including LightStream®. Having a linked Small Business Checking Account. Eligible Small Business account types include: Truist Dynamic Checking, Business Interest Checking, Simple Business Checking and Business Value 200. Primary account owner is a student. The waiver for a student requires they are listed as the primary account owner and they provide their anticipated graduation date. The waiver expires on the provided graduation date. On this date, the account is subject to the Monthly Maintenance Fee unless at least one waiver criterion is satisfied. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2026, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.
Member FDIC

4.3

Open a Truist One Checking account here

Truist is offering new checking account owners a $500 bonus with qualifying activities. To earn this bonus, you must use the promo code "LP0E7715EE2003P" when you apply for a Truist One Checking account online and meet the following requirements.

To earn $500: Enter a valid promo code and receive at least two qualifying direct deposits totaling $2,000 or more and complete 20 qualifying debit card purchase transactions within 120 days of account opening.¹ Terms and Conditions: Truist Checking $500 Offer: Offer Information: Open a new Truist One Checking account or Truist Marquee Checking account online, in a branch or by phone from 7/14/26 through 2/2/27 and earn $500 after you complete the following qualifying activities within 120 days of the account opening (the day after your account is opened is considered day 1). All required transactions for qualifying activities must post to the enrolled account within the 120-day qualification period. <ul> <li>Receive at least two qualifying direct deposits* totaling $2,000 or more, AND</li> <li>Complete at least 20 qualifying debit card purchases**</li> </ul> Enrollment in the promotion is required (see Enrollment Instructions). A valid promo code must be applied at account opening to enroll in the promotion and cannot be added after the account is opened. Promo codes are single-use only, should not be shared, and once redeemed, the promo code will no longer be valid. *A qualifying direct deposit is an electronic credit (greater than $5.00) deposited into your new checking account via ACH. Person-to-person payments (such as Zelle®), Real Time Payments (RTP), pre-authorized transfers made from one account to another, or deposits made via a branch, ATM, online transfer, mobile device, debit/prepaid card number or the mail are not eligible direct deposits. **Qualifying debit card purchases include any purchase made with a Truist debit card and posted to the new checking account within 120 days of account opening. ATM withdrawals using your debit card are not qualifying transactions. Zelle® transactions are not qualifying transactions. Bank fees are not included. Offer Eligibility: Clients that are the primary account holder on an existing personal checking account with Truist or who have closed a personal checking account with Truist on or after 7/14/25 are not eligible to participate. Offer valid for Truist One Checking accounts and Truist Marquee Checking accounts only. The new checking account cannot be changed to an account type not included in this client offer. Primary account holder must be 18 or older at the time of account opening. Truist employees, Directors, Officers, and Local Boards/Advisors are not eligible. Offer is available only to U.S. residents with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. The client must have a physical address in: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC. Reward Processing: The reward will be deposited to the new checking account within 10 business days after the qualification requirements have been met. The Promotion is only applicable once per checking account and per client. Truist may report the value of any offer reward received to the IRS as required by law. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the recipient. Reward forfeiture will occur if at the time of attempted payout the new checking account: (1) has a $0.00 or negative current balance or (2) is restricted or closed. An account is considered restricted if it has a temporary or permanent block that prevents credits from posting to the account. Other Terms: The minimum opening deposit for Truist One Checking is $50. The minimum opening deposit for Truist Marquee Checking is $100. The offer is non-transferable, may not be combined with any other checking offers, is subject to change, and may be discontinued at any time. Truist reserves the right, in its sole discretion: 1) to prohibit a reward payout for any offers claimed through third-party websites with no affiliation or prior authorization from Truist; and 2) to disqualify any account if Truist suspects accounts are being opened for the purpose of exploiting this promotional offer. For Truist Marquee Checking, the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is 0.01% for all balances $0.01 and above. The APY is accurate as of 7/14/26 and subject to change at any time, including after account opening. Fees may reduce earnings. All standard account terms and conditions apply. Enrollment Instructions: Online: A valid promo code must be entered in the promo code field during account opening and the offer must be accepted when presented. By Phone or In Person: Request enrollment in the promotion using a valid promo code during account opening. Once enrolled in the promotion, progress updates are available through Truist Online and Mobile Banking or by calling 800-423-0948. Version 2 06032026 Truist Bank, Member FDIC. ©2026, Truist Financial Corporation. Truist, Truist Purple and the Truist Logo are service marks of Truist Financial Corporation.

The reward will be deposited to your new checking account within ten business days after the qualification requirements have been met and verified. To receive the reward, your checking account must be open and in good standing with a balance of at least $0.01 at the time of Truist verification and at the time of payout.

Keep in mind that this is available only from Jul. 14, 2026 until Feb. 2, 2027. Offer not available in all states. Truist Bank is FDIC-Insured.

Open a Truist One Checking account.

Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: Earn $325

Best checking account bonus for in-person banking

Wells Fargo Everyday Checking - Earn a $325 Bonus

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Learn How to Qualify For A $325 Bonus. Open a New Checking Account with Wells Fargo today.
Account protections like 24/7 Fraud Monitoring
Multiple ways to avoid the $15 monthly fee
Apply online in minutes
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC

4.0

Learn More

Wells Fargo offers a flexible way to earn its bonus offer. The Wells Fargo Everyday Checking bonus can help you earn $325 with qualifying direct deposits on new accounts.

To earn $325: Open a new Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account online with your bonus code.

Receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 calendar days of account opening. Once all requirements are met, you'll receive your $325 bonus within 30 days.² <style> .offer-copy p { margin: 0 0 12px; } .offer-copy p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; } </style> <div class="offer-copy"> How to qualify for this offer: To be eligible: Offer is for new consumer checking customers only and is available only to the primary owner of the new checking account. The primary account owner is the owner whose Taxpayer Identification Number, such as a Social Security Number, is assigned to the account and has tax responsibility. Offer is not available to customers that received a bonus for a Wells Fargo consumer checking account within the past 12 months, are Wells Fargo employees, or are non-resident aliens or foreign entities signing any version of IRS Form W-8. Deposit accounts that are part of the Wells Fargo Private Bank experience are not eligible for this offer. To receive the $325 bonus: you must use your bonus offer code when opening a new Wells Fargo consumer checking account, which is subject to approval, by October 13, 2026 and receive $1,000 or more in qualifying electronic deposits within 90 calendar days of account opening (the “qualification period”). A qualifying electronic deposit is a deposit of funds, such as your salary, government benefit payment, or other income, that has posted to your account and is (1) a direct deposit made through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network, (2) an instant payment processed through the RTP® network (real-time payment system) or FedNow℠ Service, or (3) an electronic credit from a third party service that facilitates payments to your debit card using the Visa® or Mastercard® network (e.g., an Original Credit Transaction). Transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, Zelle®, or deposits made at a branch or ATM are not considered a qualifying electronic deposit. An ACH direct deposit made available early with Early Pay Day does not count toward the bonus requirements until it posts to your account and is no longer pending (e.g., scheduled payment date). Once you have met all requirements, we will deposit the bonus into your new account within 30 calendar days. Your new account must stay open through the time we attempt to deposit the bonus. We may close accounts with a zero balance without prior notice. You are responsible for any taxes due on the bonus. We will report the bonus as income to tax authorities, as required by applicable law. If you are subject to backup withholding at the time of payment, we may withhold the required amount and remit to tax authorities. Other Terms: This offer may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice and cannot be combined with any other consumer deposit offer (limit one bonus per customer/account). Offer cannot be reproduced, purchased, sold, transferred, or traded. If we suspect bonus or promotional offer abuse, we may close or restrict the account and decline or reverse any bonus. Talk with a banker or see the <a href="https://www.wellsfargo.com/online-banking/consumer-account-fees/">“Consumer Account Fee and Information Schedule” and “Deposit Account Agreement”</a> available at wellsfargo.com/depositdisclosures for complete checking account details, including the applicable monthly service fee and options to avoid it. The actions required for this bonus are separate from the actions available to avoid the monthly service fee. Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license. </div>

This is a simple offer to earn. Plus, Wells Fargo offers a top-rated mobile app and over 4,000 locations for in-person banking.⁷ Availability may be affected by your mobile carrier's coverage area. Your mobile carrier's message and data rates may apply.

Open a Wells Fargo Everyday Checking account.

Chase Total Checking^®: Earn $400

Best for a big bonus with low requirements

Open a New Checking Account With Chase

4.3

Chase Total Checking® Benefits

Get a $400 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities; offer valid through 10/14/2026³ Offer not available to existing Chase checking customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance within the last 3 years. You can receive only one new checking account opening related bonus every two years from the last coupon enrollment date and only one bonus per account. Coupon is good for one-time use. To receive the bonus: 1) Open a new Chase Total Checking account, which is subject to approval; AND 2) Have your direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more made to this account within 90 days of coupon enrollment. Your direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government. Person to Person payments (such as Zelle®) are not considered a direct deposit. Micro-deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit for the bonus. Micro-deposits are small deposits, typically less than $1, that are sent to your account to verify it is the correct account. After you have completed all the above requirements, we'll deposit the bonus in your new account within 15 days. To receive this bonus, the enrolled account must not be closed or restricted at the time of payout. Eligibility may be limited based on account ownership. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT (or Form 1042-S, if applicable). Offer availability subject to change. Other Chase checking bonus offers may exist concurrently.
Access to thousands of ATMs and branches
Monthly Service Fee as low as $0 when you meet qualifying electronic deposits or account balance minimums⁸ $15 Monthly Service Fee OR $0 with one of the following, each monthly statement period: $500+ in qualifying electronic deposits OR $1,500+ balance at the beginning of each day OR $5,000+ average beginning day balance in this account, or in combination with any linked qualifying personal deposits or in investmentsOR Link this account to a qualifying checking account
Member FDIC

4.3

Open an Account

While Chase isn't the only bank on this list offering a $400 bonus for opening a new checking account, the requirements for earning that bonus are lower than the only other account at the tier. New Chase checking customers can earn a $400 bonus after opening a Chase Total Checking^® account and meeting certain, relatively minimal requirements.

To earn $400: Open a Chase Total Checking account and use the provided coupon code when prompted. You can get your code via email or have it applied automatically while opening your account. Then, make direct deposits totaling at least $1,000 within 90 days of having received that coupon code to earn your bonus.

You can expect to receive your bonus within 15 days of meeting the deposit threshold.

Open a Chase Total Checking^® account.

SoFi Checking and Savings⁴ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a> : Earn up to $400

Best for high APY and bonus combo

Reach Your Savings Goals Faster

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2026 AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking

SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits

Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $400 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 3.80% APY on Savings (3.10% APY⁴ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a> with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.⁹ Earn up to 3.80% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.10% APY) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking & Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 12/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
No account, overdraft, or monthly fees¹⁰ We do not charge any account, service, or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge transaction fees for outgoing wire transfers, Instant Transfers, and global remittance transfers. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Bank Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a>.
Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit
Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million¹¹ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.

5.0

Open an account with SoFi® here

Here's an offer you can't miss. The SoFi Checking and Savings account can help you earn up to 3.10% APY¹² Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 5/28/26. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a> with qualifying direct deposits while also getting a bonus of up to $400.

You simply need to open a SoFi® account, set up a direct deposit, and complete qualifying activities.⁴ New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more) OR $400 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more). Cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit received within 25 calendar days of your first Eligible Direct Deposit of $1 or more. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 5/15/2026 and will be available through 12/31/26. See full bonus and annual percentage yield (APY) terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/">sofi.com/banking/checking-offer/</a>

To earn $50: Receive at least one qualifying direct deposit of $1,000 to $4,999.99 from an employer, payroll, benefits provider, or government agency. Keep in mind that check deposits, PayPal, Venmo, and external bank ACH transfers not from employers, don't count.

To earn $400: Receive a total of $5,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits from an employer, payroll, benefits provider, or government agency. Keep in mind that each direct deposit should be $1,000 or more to count toward the required activity for the bonus.

You have 25 days from the first direct deposit you receive to complete one of the activities above. Make sure to receive $5,000 or more within this period if you're aiming for the $400 bonus.

This is a simple bonus to earn. To qualify for this offer, apply for an account and submit at least one direct deposit with SoFi® before Dec. 31, 2026. SoFi is a Member, FDIC.¹¹ SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations. Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.

Open a SoFi Checking and Savings account.

How to pick which checking account bonus offer is for you

There's no single best checking account out there, and these are far from the only banks that provide checking bonus offers.

To determine which account is the best for you, think about the steps you need to take to earn the bonus:

Can you complete the requirements? If you think you might have a hard time meeting a spending requirement or deposit requirement, that could make it challenging to earn some bonuses. Compare the requirements to what you can easily make happen. That includes considering the specific transactions you make, as some might not count toward the bonus.
Is the account a good fit for your goals? Think about what you want out of a checking account beyond the initial bonus. If one account can give you more long-term value based on your spending habits, it could be a better fit.
Did you review the account details? You'll want to also consider monthly maintenance fees, interest rates, balance requirements, FDIC insurance, and other factors before you decide on a particular consumer checking account. If an account has a high monthly fee you can't waive, that may offset any bonus you get over time.
Do you prefer to bank online or in-person? Also, consider if you prefer online banking or if you want to do in-person banking on occasion. Online banks can offer a great deal if you don't feel a need to access a physical branch of your bank. But you still might want to find an institution with a large ATM network and cash deposit locations.
Does the bank operate in your state? Additionally, some of these banks only operate in certain states, so make sure to read their terms and conditions to see if the account you're interested in is available to you.

Lastly, it's important to understand that you don't have to limit yourself to just one account. Depending on your spending habits and goals, you may be able to maximize your rewards by using multiple accounts to take advantage of their unique features.

FAQs

Do all direct deposits count toward checking account bonuses?

Not necessarily. Banks may define qualifying direct deposits differently, and transfers from another bank account or payment app may not count. Check the offer terms to understand which deposits qualify before relying on them to meet a bonus requirement.

Is it worth switching banks just for a bonus?

It can be worth switching banks for a bonus if the new account also fits your everyday banking needs. Before making the move, consider whether you can easily meet the bonus requirements and whether the account has fees, balance requirements, or other drawbacks that could outweigh the incentive. You may also want to consider the convenience of moving direct deposits and recurring payments. A bonus can be a nice perk, but ideally, the account should provide value after the promotion ends.

What should I consider when comparing checking account bonuses?

Look beyond the size of the bonus. Consider how easy the requirements are to complete, monthly fees and ways to waive them, minimum balance requirements, ATM and branch access, online banking features, and whether the account is available where you live. A good bonus is most valuable when the account itself also works well for you.

Bottom line

Checking account bonuses aren't exactly rare, but it's not always easy to find them. If you're looking for both upfront and long-term value, the checking accounts from the financial institutions listed above offer some incredible opportunities.

However, it's important to take your time to shop around and compare multiple options based on their sign-up bonuses and other features that could add value to your banking experience. Check out our list of easiest bank accounts to open online for possible some options.

How we compared checking account bonuses

To determine the best checking account bonus offers, we compared checking accounts from dozens of banks, credit unions, and financial technology companies offering deposit products. We assessed each account's bonus offer by analyzing:

Bonus amounts: The larger the bonus, the more likely we were to rank it higher than others. We've only included offers for up to $300 or more on this list.
Bonus requirements: Many checking account bonuses have deposit activity requirements. Specifically, most of the best offers require you to meet a certain direct deposit threshold. We gave priority to bonus offers with lower or more flexible requirements.
Bonus payout timelines: For this list, we gave preference to bonuses that give you between 90 and 120 days to meet qualifications.
Checking account features: We looked beyond bonuses to understand the potential value of each account, factoring in perks like interest, early direct deposits, overdraft protection, and more.
Monthly service fees: We ranked accounts without monthly service fees higher than others for this list, but included some accounts with waivable fees from brick-and-mortar banks.

To learn more about how we arrive at star ratings for banking, see How FinanceBuzz Rates Deposit Products.