Best Bank Promotions and Bonuses of 2026

16 checking bonuses, 4 savings bonuses and 5 business checking bonuses, with the requirement, monthly cost and end date for each. Offers checked October 13, 2026.

The biggest bank promotion we could verify right now is $650 from Chase. You'd need to move $15,000 in to get it, though.

Don't have that kind of cash sitting around? Huntington pays $400 for $500 in direct deposits, and Fifth Third pays $300 for the same $500. Those are the two easiest bonuses on this page.

Below are 16 checking bonuses, 4 savings bonuses and 5 business checking bonuses. For each one you get the amount, exactly what you have to do, what the account costs and the day the offer ends.

We read every offer on the bank's own page on October 13, 2026. Banks pull these without warning, so look at the bank's page before you open anything.

Key takeaways
  • Checking bonuses run from $75 to $650. Most of them want direct deposit.
  • The easiest ones we found: $400 at Huntington or $300 at Fifth Third for $500 in direct deposits within 90 days.
  • No direct deposit? Chase Secure Banking pays $175 for 10 transactions, and Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking pays $125 for 10.
  • Three offers end this month: U.S. Bank on October 20, Citi on October 26 and Raisin on October 31.
  • Several big ones only work in certain states. Check the “where” line before you get your hopes up.
  • A bank bonus is taxable. Most banks report it as interest on Form 1099-INT.
The 6 biggest checking bonuses we verified
Chase
Biggest bonus, and one with no direct deposit
$650Top bonus$15,000 in new money
See details
BMO
Paid $100 a month
$600Top bonus$1,000 a month in direct deposits
See details
Huntington Bank
$400 for $500 in direct deposits
$600Top bonus$25,000 in new money
See details
Truist
Longest window to qualify
$500Top bonus$2,000 in direct deposits and 20 purchases
See details
KeyBank
$300 on an account with no monthly charge
$500Top bonus$5,000 in direct deposits
See details
Santander Bank
Needs a balance and a branch visit
$500Top bonus$5,000 balance and a direct deposit
See details

Bank promotions at a glance

Here's every personal offer in one place, biggest bonus first in each group. When two pay the same, the one that asks for less goes first.

BankBonusWhat you doExpires
Checking bonuses
ChaseUp to $650$15,000 in new money for $650, $1,000 in direct deposits for $400, or 10 transactions for $175January 27, 2027
BMOUp to $600$1,000 or more in direct deposits each month, $100 a month for up to 6 monthsDecember 15, 2026
Huntington BankUp to $600$500 in direct deposits for $400, or $25,000 in new money for $600, within 90 daysJanuary 15, 2027
Truist$5002 or more direct deposits totaling $2,000, plus 20 debit card purchases, within 120 daysFebruary 2, 2027
KeyBankUp to $500$2,000 in direct deposits for $300, or $5,000 for $500, within 90 daysDecember 11, 2026
Santander BankUp to $5001 direct deposit plus a $2,000 average balance for $300, or $5,000 for $500, over 90 daysDecember 18, 2026
U.S. BankUp to $4502 or more direct deposits within 90 days: $2,000 for $250, $5,000 for $350, $8,000 for $450October 20, 2026
Navy Federal Credit Union$400Join with code CHK26SRC, open checking by December 31, set up direct deposit by April 30, 2027December 31, 2026
PNC BankUp to $400$500 in direct deposits for $100, or $5,000 for $400, within 60 daysJanuary 7, 2027
SoFi Checking and SavingsUp to $400$5,000 or more in direct deposits within 25 days for $400, or $1,000 to $4,999.99 for $50December 31, 2026
Wells Fargo$325$1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 daysJanuary 13, 2027
Citi$3252 or more Enhanced Direct Deposits totaling $3,000 within 90 daysOctober 26, 2026
Fifth Third Bank$300Direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 daysJanuary 4, 2027
TD BankUp to $300$2,500 in direct deposits for $300, or $500 for $200, within 60 daysNovember 30, 2026
Capital One 360 Checking$250Code CHECKING250, then 2 direct deposits of $500 or more each within 75 daysNo end date listed
Current$75Code WELCOME75, then $1,500 or more in direct depositsNo end date listed
Savings bonuses
RaisinUp to $1,000Code STACK, $10,000 or more within 14 days, held for 90 days. $40 at $10,000 up to $900 at $200,000, plus up to $100 for adding a CDOctober 31, 2026
Chase SavingsUp to $200$5,000 to $9,999 in new money for $100, or $10,000 or more for $200, held for 90 daysJanuary 27, 2027
TD Signature Savings$200$10,000 within 20 days, then keep $10,000 for 90 more daysNovember 30, 2026
Alliant Credit Union$100Put in $100 or more every month for 12 months in a rowNo end date listed

Expiration dates are the ones each bank lists. “No end date listed” means the bank's page didn't give one, and those can end at any time.

Best checking account bonuses

Checking is where the money is. Banks pay the most here because they want your paycheck, so nearly all of these need direct deposit.

Before you pick the biggest number, look at what it asks for. A $300 bonus you can actually finish beats a $600 one you can't. If monthly cost and ATM access matter more than the bonus, see the best checking accounts.

1. Chase

Biggest bonus, and one with no direct deposit
BonusUp to $650
ExpiresJanuary 27, 2027
Monthly cost$4.95 to $25, each can be $0
What you do$15,000 in new money for $650, $1,000 in direct deposits for $400, or 10 transactions for $175
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Chase has three checking bonuses going, and they ask for very different things.

The big one is $650 on Chase Premier Plus Checking. You deposit $15,000 or more in new money within 30 days and keep $15,000 there for 90 days. The account is $25 a month, or $0 if you keep a $15,000 average balance.

Most people will want Chase Total Checking instead. It pays $400 once your direct deposits total $1,000 or more within 90 days. The monthly charge is $15, and $500 or more in electronic deposits each month makes it $0.

No direct deposit at all? Chase Secure Banking pays $175 for 10 qualifying transactions in 60 days. Debit card purchases, online bill payments, Zelle and mobile check deposits all count. That account is $4.95 a month, or $0 with $250 in electronic deposits.

All three are for new Chase checking customers, and Chase pays within 15 days after you finish. You can only get one new checking bonus from Chase every two years.

See the Chase checking offer

2. BMO

Paid $100 a month
BonusUp to $600
ExpiresDecember 15, 2026
Monthly cost$0 on Smart Advantage Checking
What you do$1,000 or more in direct deposits each month, $100 a month for up to 6 months
Where14 states. Offer read October 13, 2026.

BMO does this one differently. There's no lump sum. You get $100 for each month that $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits lands in the account, for up to six months in a row.

Miss a month? You just don't get paid for that month. You aren't kicked out of the rest.

The account has to be opened between September 9 and December 15, 2026 with BMO's promo code. Apply through the offer page and the code is added for you.

You can pick BMO Smart Advantage Checking, which has a $0 monthly maintenance charge, Smart Money Checking at $5, or Relationship Checking at $25.

The catch is where you live. The first person on the account has to live in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wisconsin.

See the BMO checking offer

3. Huntington Bank

$400 for $500 in direct deposits
BonusUp to $600
ExpiresJanuary 15, 2027
Monthly cost$10 or $25, each can be $0
What you do$500 in direct deposits for $400, or $25,000 in new money for $600, within 90 days
Where21 states. Offer read October 13, 2026.

The $600 headline needs $25,000 in new money in a Platinum Perks Checking account within 90 days. That's a lot of cash to park.

The better deal is the smaller one. Huntington Perks Checking pays $400 when your direct deposits total $500 or more within 90 days. That's one of the lowest bars on this page for a bonus that size.

Either way the account has to stay open for at least 90 days, and Huntington pays within 14 days after you qualify.

Perks Checking is $10 a month, or $0 with $1,000 in monthly deposits. Platinum Perks is $25, or $0 with $25,000 in total relationship balances.

You have to live in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia or Wisconsin. Use the Apply buttons on Huntington's offer page, because that's what attaches the promotion code.

See the Huntington checking offer

4. Truist

Longest window to qualify
Bonus$500
ExpiresFebruary 2, 2027
Monthly cost$12, can be $0
What you do2 or more direct deposits totaling $2,000, plus 20 debit card purchases, within 120 days
Where17 states and DC. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Truist pays $500 on a new Truist One Checking or Truist Marquee Checking account opened from July 14, 2026 through February 2, 2027.

There are two things to do. Get at least two qualifying direct deposits that total $2,000 or more, and make at least 20 debit card purchases. You get 120 days, which is the longest window we saw.

Don't skip the promo code. It has to be applied when you open the account, and Truist says it can't be added later.

Truist One Checking is $12 a month. That goes to $0 with $500 or more in direct deposits per statement cycle, or a $500 combined balance.

You need a physical address in AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV or DC. Truist pays within 10 business days after you qualify.

See the Truist checking offer

5. KeyBank

$300 on an account with no monthly charge
BonusUp to $500
ExpiresDecember 11, 2026
Monthly cost$0 on Key Smart Checking
What you do$2,000 in direct deposits for $300, or $5,000 for $500, within 90 days
WhereGeographic limits apply. Offer read October 13, 2026.

KeyBank has two tiers, and each has its own offer code.

Key Smart Checking pays $300. Use code KDMA0526, put in the $10 minimum opening deposit, and get $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within 90 days. There's no monthly maintenance charge on that account.

Key Select Checking pays $500. That one is code KDMB0526, a $50 opening deposit and $5,000 or more in direct deposits within 90 days. It's $25 a month after the first three months, unless you bring in $3,000 in direct deposits each cycle or keep $15,000 across your KeyBank accounts.

Both have to be opened by December 11, 2026, and the offer is online only. KeyBank pays within 60 days after you qualify.

KeyBank says geographic restrictions apply but doesn't list the states on the offer page. You'll find out when you enter your address.

See the KeyBank checking offer

6. Santander Bank

Needs a balance and a branch visit
BonusUp to $500
ExpiresDecember 18, 2026
Monthly cost$10 on Simply Right Checking, can be $0
What you do1 direct deposit plus a $2,000 average balance for $300, or $5,000 for $500, over 90 days
Where9 states. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Santander's bonus is about your balance more than your paycheck.

You need at least one direct deposit in the first 90 days. Then it comes down to your average daily balance over those 90 days: $2,000 or more gets you $300, and $5,000 or more gets you $500.

There's some legwork. You enter your name and email on Santander's page to get a promo code, then use that code to open the account in a branch by December 18, 2026.

Simply Right Checking is $10 a month, and one transaction of any kind during the month makes it $0.

The offer is only for residents of NH, MA, RI, CT, DE, NY, NJ, PA or FL.

See the Santander checking offer

7. U.S. Bank

Ends first: October 20
BonusUp to $450
ExpiresOctober 20, 2026
Monthly cost$12, can be waived
What you do2 or more direct deposits within 90 days: $2,000 for $250, $5,000 for $350, $8,000 for $450
WhereMay not be offered outside its footprint. Offer read October 13, 2026.

This is the one with the shortest fuse. You have to apply for a U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account by October 20, 2026.

The bonus depends on how much you direct deposit in the first 90 days, across at least two deposits. $2,000 to $4,999.99 pays $250. $5,000 to $7,999.99 pays $350. $8,000 or more pays $450.

You also have to put at least $25 in within 60 days and sign up for the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days.

The account has a $12 monthly maintenance charge that U.S. Bank says can be waived. Check the ways on its page before you apply.

U.S. Bank pays within 60 days after you finish. It also says the offer may not be available if you live outside its footprint.

See the U.S. Bank checking offer

8. Navy Federal Credit Union

For military families
Bonus$400
ExpiresDecember 31, 2026
Monthly costNo monthly service charge on most checking
What you doJoin with code CHK26SRC, open checking by December 31, set up direct deposit by April 30, 2027
WhereMembers only. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Navy Federal is paying new members $400, and there are three steps.

Join between October 1 and December 31, 2026 with promo code CHK26SRC. Open a checking account as the primary owner by December 31, 2026. Then complete qualifying direct deposit by April 30, 2027.

It's slow to pay. Navy Federal says the bonus goes into your Membership Savings Account by July 30, 2027.

You can't already be a member. And you have to be eligible to join: the Coast Guard, all Department of Defense uniformed personnel, reservists, veterans, National Guard, DoD civilian employees and contractors, and their immediate family.

Navy Federal says its checking has no monthly service charge. The exception is Flagship Checking, which is $10 when your average daily balance is under $1,500.

See the Navy Federal checking offer

9. PNC Bank

Shortest window: 60 days
BonusUp to $400
ExpiresJanuary 7, 2027
Monthly cost$7 or $25, each can be $0
What you do$500 in direct deposits for $100, or $5,000 for $400, within 60 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

The $400 is for Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, and it takes $5,000 in qualifying direct deposits to the Spend account.

The regular Virtual Wallet pays $100 for $500 in direct deposits. That's a low bar, but it's a small bonus next to others on this page.

You only get the first 60 days to do it, which is the shortest window here.

Virtual Wallet is $7 a month or $0. Performance Select is $25 or $0. PNC lists the ways to avoid each charge on the offer page.

Open the account from PNC's offer page, or take a coupon code to a branch, by January 7, 2027.

See the PNC checking offer

10. SoFi Checking and Savings

Online only
BonusUp to $400
ExpiresDecember 31, 2026
Monthly costListed on SoFi's site
What you do$5,000 or more in direct deposits within 25 days for $400, or $1,000 to $4,999.99 for $50
WhereOnline. Offer read October 13, 2026.

SoFi's direct deposit bonus is all or almost nothing.

Once your first eligible direct deposit lands, SoFi adds up what comes in over the next 25 calendar days. $5,000 or more pays $400. $1,000 to $4,999.99 pays $50. Less than $1,000 pays nothing.

So if your paychecks won't add up to $5,000 in 25 days, this is really a $50 bonus.

That first direct deposit has to arrive on or before December 31, 2026. It's for members who have never set up direct deposit with SoFi.

SoFi keeps its current rates and terms on its own site, so read those there before you sign up.

Open SoFi Checking and Savings

11. Wells Fargo

Simple: $1,000 in direct deposits
Bonus$325
ExpiresJanuary 13, 2027
Monthly cost$15, can be $0
What you do$1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Open a new Everyday Checking account from Wells Fargo's offer page and get $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. That's it.

The bonus shows up within 30 days after you qualify.

The $15 monthly service charge goes away with $500 or more in electronic deposits, a $1,500 minimum daily balance, or if the primary owner is 17 to 24.

Wells Fargo has a smaller one too. Its Clear Access Banking account pays $125 for 10 or more posted transactions in 60 days, with no direct deposit needed. That account is $5 a month, or $0 with $250 in electronic deposits.

You're out if you got a Wells Fargo consumer checking bonus in the past 12 months.

See the Wells Fargo checking offer

12. Citi

Ends October 26
Bonus$325
ExpiresOctober 26, 2026
Monthly cost$15, can be waived
What you do2 or more Enhanced Direct Deposits totaling $3,000 within 90 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Citi pays $325 on a new Regular Checking account, and it has to be opened from Citi's offer page by October 26, 2026.

You need at least two Enhanced Direct Deposits that add up to $3,000 or more within 90 calendar days.

Don't expect it fast. Citi credits the bonus between day 90 and day 120 after you open the account.

The $15 monthly service charge is waived in any month the account gets $250 or more in Enhanced Direct Deposits. That's a different number from the $3,000 you need for the bonus, so don't mix them up.

See the Citi checking offer

13. Fifth Third Bank

Easiest $300 here
Bonus$300
ExpiresJanuary 4, 2027
Monthly costNone
What you doDirect deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

This is about as easy as a bank bonus gets.

Open a Fifth Third Momentum Checking account by January 4, 2027 and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days. You get $300 within 10 business days of finishing.

The account has no monthly service charge, so there's nothing to keep track of after that.

The offer code is added when you click through from Fifth Third's page. You can also have the code emailed to you and take it to a branch.

See the Fifth Third checking offer

14. TD Bank

Two checking tiers
BonusUp to $300
ExpiresNovember 30, 2026
Monthly cost$15 or $25, each can be $0
What you do$2,500 in direct deposits for $300, or $500 for $200, within 60 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

TD Beyond Checking pays $300 for $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days. TD Complete Checking pays $200 for $500.

Each direct deposit has to be a payroll, pension or government benefit payment of at least $250.

TD Complete is $15 a month, and $500 in direct deposits per statement cycle or a $500 minimum daily balance makes it $0. TD Beyond is $25, waived with $5,000 in direct deposits or a $2,500 minimum daily balance.

Two warnings. TD can take up to 180 days from account opening to pay. And if the account is closed within 6 months, TD can take the bonus back.

Had a TD checking bonus before? Then you don't qualify, no matter how long ago it was.

See the TD Bank checking offer

15. Capital One 360 Checking

No end date listed
Bonus$250
ExpiresNo end date listed
Monthly costNone
What you doCode CHECKING250, then 2 direct deposits of $500 or more each within 75 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Open a 360 Checking account with promo code CHECKING250, then get at least two direct deposits of $500 or more each within 75 days.

360 Checking has no monthly charge and no minimum balance, so the $250 is yours to keep.

It takes a while to arrive. Capital One checks your account after the 75 days and can take up to 60 more days to pay.

You won't qualify if you've had a 360 Checking account open on or after January 1, 2024.

Capital One doesn't list an end date, and it says it can end the offer at any time.

See the Capital One 360 Checking offer

16. Current

Smallest, and it needs a code
Bonus$75
ExpiresNo end date listed
Monthly costNot listed
What you doCode WELCOME75, then $1,500 or more in direct deposits
WhereOnline. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Current pays $75 when you sign up with code WELCOME75 and set up direct deposits of $1,500 or more.

The code matters. Sign up without it and you don't get the bonus.

You won't find this one on current.com. It comes from Current's partner program terms, so check that the code is accepted when you sign up.

Current is a financial technology company, not a bank. It also has a Paycheck Advance of up to $1,000 for eligible customers. We compare it with other apps in our list of online banks that pay early.

Sign up for Current

Best savings account bonuses

Savings bonuses work differently. Nobody asks for your paycheck. They want a chunk of new money, and they want it to sit there for about three months.

That means the math matters more. A $200 bonus on $10,000 held for 90 days is a nice bump, but a low rate on the account can eat into it.

17. Raisin

Biggest savings bonus, ends October 31
BonusUp to $1,000
ExpiresOctober 31, 2026
Monthly costNone
What you doCode STACK, $10,000 or more within 14 days, held for 90 days. $40 at $10,000 up to $900 at $200,000, plus up to $100 for adding a CD
WhereOnline. Offer read October 13, 2026.

The $1,000 headline is for people moving $200,000. Here's what the rest of us would get.

Sign up with code STACK, make your first deposit by October 31, 2026, and get to $10,000 or more within 14 days. Hold it for 90 days. $10,000 to $24,999 pays $40. $25,000 to $49,999 pays $100. $50,000 to $99,999 pays $200. $100,000 to $199,999 pays $425. $200,000 or more pays $900.

There's a small extra if you split the money. Put at least $1,000 in a second kind of product, like a savings account plus a CD, and Raisin adds $10 to $100 depending on your tier.

Pull money out during the 90 days and the bonus is based on your lowest balance. Drop under $10,000 and you can lose it.

Raisin isn't a bank. It's a free platform where you open savings accounts and CDs at partner banks and credit unions, and those institutions hold your money.

See the Raisin savings bonus

18. Chase Savings

$100 or $200 for parking cash
BonusUp to $200
ExpiresJanuary 27, 2027
Monthly cost$5, can be $0
What you do$5,000 to $9,999 in new money for $100, or $10,000 or more for $200, held for 90 days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Deposit new money into a new Chase Savings account within 30 days. $5,000 to $9,999 earns $100, and $10,000 or more earns $200.

Then leave it alone for 90 days. Chase adds the bonus within 15 days after that.

The account is $5 a month, or $0 if you keep $300 or more in it.

Is it worth it? Only for the bonus. If you want a good rate too, look at the best high-yield savings accounts first.

See the Chase Savings offer

19. TD Signature Savings

Pairs with the TD checking bonus
Bonus$200
ExpiresNovember 30, 2026
Monthly costListed on TD's site
What you do$10,000 within 20 days, then keep $10,000 for 90 more days
WhereNo state limit listed. Offer read October 13, 2026.

Deposit at least $10,000 within the first 20 days of opening a new TD Signature Savings account. Then keep at least $10,000 in it for 90 more days.

You can stack this with TD's checking bonus, which is how TD gets to its “up to $500” headline.

It's only for people who haven't had a TD savings or money market account in the past 12 months and have never been paid a TD savings bonus.

See the TD Signature Savings offer

20. Alliant Credit Union

Pays you to build a habit
Bonus$100
ExpiresNo end date listed
Monthly costNot listed
What you doPut in $100 or more every month for 12 months in a row
WhereMembers only. Offer read October 13, 2026.

This one rewards a habit instead of a pile of cash.

Put $100 or more into The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account for 12 consecutive months and Alliant gives you a $100 savings bonus.

So you save at least $1,200 over a year and get $100 on top. That's a nice push if you're starting from zero.

Alliant is a credit union. We could read the offer on Alliant's help page, but its full terms page wouldn't load for us, so we can't tell you the end date. Read the terms before you open it.

See the Alliant savings bonus

Good savings accounts with no cash bonus

Not every account worth opening comes with a bonus. These two don't pay one today. We list them because the rate does the work instead, and there's nothing to qualify for.

CIT Bank Platinum Savings

No cash bonus
APY on $5,000 or more3.75%
Under $5,0000.25% APY
Minimum to open$100

CIT Bank doesn't pay a cash bonus on Platinum Savings. It's here because of the rate.

Platinum Savings pays 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000 or more and 0.25% APY on balances under $5,000. It takes $100 to open. APYs are accurate as of July 1, 2026.

A limited-time promotional rate may be available at sign-up. You can see everything CIT Bank has going on our CIT Bank offers page.

Open CIT Bank Platinum Savings

Disclosures

Platinum Savings: Platinum Savings is a tiered interest rate account. Interest is paid on the entire account balance based on the interest rate and APY in effect that day for the balance tier associated with the end-of-day account balance. APYs (Annual Percentage Yields) are accurate as of July 1, 2026: 0.25% APY on balances of $0.01 to $4,999.99; 3.75% APY on balances of $5,000.00 or more. Interest rates for the Platinum Savings account are variable and may change at any time without notice. The minimum to open a Platinum Savings account is $100.

For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures. Member FDIC.

Quontic High Yield Savings

No cash bonus
APY3.20%
Minimum to open$100
Monthly chargeNone

Quontic doesn't have a sign-up bonus right now either.

Its High Yield Savings account pays 3.20% APY, takes $100 to open and has no monthly service charge.

That's it. It's a simple account for people who don't want to jump through hoops for a bonus.

Open Quontic High Yield Savings

Want more choices? Compare the best high-yield savings accounts, the best money market accounts and the best CD rates. The savings calculator shows what a rate is worth on your balance.

Business checking bonuses

Run a business, even a small one? These are for new business checking customers. They're built around deposits and account activity, not payroll.

BankBonusWhat you doExpires
U.S. Bank$400 or $1,200Code Q4DIG26. $5,000 in new money for $400 on Business Essentials, or $25,000 for $1,200 on Platinum Business Checking, within 30 days. Keep it for 60 days and make 6 qualifying transactions.January 13, 2027
PNC Bank$400 or $1,000For each of the first three statement cycles: a $2,000 average ledger balance and 10 qualifying transactions for $400, or a $30,000 average ledger balance on Treasury Enterprise Plan or Analysis Business Checking for $1,000.December 31, 2026
Wells FargoUp to $825$2,500 by day 30 for $400, $10,000 for $550, or $25,000 for $825. Keep the balance through day 60 and make 5 or more posted transactions.November 10, 2026
Chase$400 or $500$2,000 in new money for $400, or $10,000 for $500, within 30 days. Keep it for 60 days and make 5 qualifying transactions within 90 days.January 21, 2027
Axos BankUp to $200Code START200. $50 for each month your average daily balance is $3,000 or more, in up to four of your first five statement cycles.January 31, 2027

Sorted by the top bonus. Each bank name links to its offer page, read October 13, 2026. Business accounts come with their own monthly charges and transaction limits, so read those before you move money.

How do bank bonuses work?

A bank bonus is cash a bank pays you for opening an account and doing something with it. Usually that's getting your paycheck sent there, or keeping a balance for a few months.

It's a marketing cost for the bank. It's betting you'll stay once your direct deposit and bills are set up.

The steps are almost always the same. Open the account from the bank's offer page so the code gets attached, do the thing it asks inside the window, keep the account open, then wait for the money.

Are bank bonuses taxable?

Yes. A cash bonus counts as income, and most banks treat it as interest.

U.S. Bank, Capital One, Huntington and KeyBank all say on their offer pages that the bonus gets reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. Axos says its business bonus may go on a 1099-MISC or a 1099-INT.

The IRS says you should get a Form 1099-INT when a bank pays you $10 or more in interest. No form in the mail? You still have to report it on your federal return.

So a $400 bonus isn't quite $400. What you keep depends on your tax bracket.

What counts as a direct deposit?

This is where people lose bonuses. To a bank, direct deposit means your paycheck, pension or government benefits sent electronically by your employer or the government.

Moving money over from another bank usually doesn't count. Chase says check deposits, Zelle, wire transfers and transfers from another bank or brokerage account don't qualify. PNC and Wells Fargo say about the same thing.

There are exceptions. Citi counts Zelle and other payments that come in through ACH as Enhanced Direct Deposits. Navy Federal has a few ways to qualify besides payroll.

Bottom line: read the bank's own definition before you count on a transfer working.

What happens if you close the account early?

You can lose the bonus, or have to give it back.

  • TD Bank says it can deduct the bonus if the account is closed within 6 months of opening.
  • Huntington needs the account to stay open for at least 90 days before it pays.
  • Chase, KeyBank and SoFi all say the account has to be open when the bonus is paid.
  • Chase Savings and TD Signature Savings need the money to stay put for 90 days.

A good rule: leave the account open for at least six months, and keep enough going through it to avoid the monthly charge. A $15 charge for six months is $90, which takes a real bite out of a $325 bonus.

How to pick a bank promotion

Start with what you can actually do, not the biggest number.

  • Add up your direct deposits for the window. If you bring home $3,000 a month, a $5,000 requirement in 25 days is out of reach, but $2,000 in 90 days is easy.
  • Check where the offer works. BMO, Huntington, Truist and Santander all limit theirs to certain states.
  • Look at the monthly charge and how to get it to $0. Then decide if you can keep doing that.
  • Note the end date. Three of these are gone before November.
  • See how long the bank takes to pay. Chase pays within 15 days. TD can take up to 180.

And don't open five at once. Each one needs its own direct deposit, and splitting a paycheck five ways is how you miss all of them.

How we picked

On October 13, 2026 we opened the offer page of each bank, credit union and app on this list and wrote down the bonus, what you have to do to get it, the monthly charge and the end date the way the bank states it. Here's more on how we check rates.

Each group is sorted by the largest bonus you can get. Ties go to the offer that asks for less.

We looked at more banks than these. Some had no public offer when we checked, and a few had pages we couldn't read, so we left them off. One business offer was a day from ending, so we skipped it.

Two entries don't come from a bank's public page. Current's $75 bonus and its code come from Current's partner program terms. CIT Bank's figures and disclosures come from CIT Bank.

We don't score or rate banks. You get the bonus, the requirement and the end date, and you can check every one of them in the sources at the bottom of the page.

Bank promotions FAQ

What bank gives you money for opening an account?

Plenty of them do. On October 13, 2026, Chase, BMO, Huntington, Truist, KeyBank, Santander, U.S. Bank, Navy Federal, PNC, SoFi, Wells Fargo, Citi, Fifth Third, TD Bank and Capital One all had a checking bonus of $250 or more for new customers.

Which bank bonus is the easiest to get?

Fifth Third and Huntington. Fifth Third pays $300 and Huntington pays $400, and each one asks for direct deposits totaling $500 within 90 days. Huntington's is limited to 21 states.

Can you get a bank bonus without direct deposit?

Yes. Chase Secure Banking pays $175 for 10 qualifying transactions in 60 days, and Wells Fargo Clear Access Banking pays $125 for 10 posted transactions in 60 days. Chase Premier Plus Checking and the savings bonuses on this page need a deposit of new money instead of a paycheck.

Do you have to pay taxes on a bank bonus?

Yes. Banks report cash bonuses to the IRS, most often as interest on Form 1099-INT. You owe tax on it even if a form never shows up.

Can you get the same bank bonus twice?

Usually not right away. Chase allows one new checking bonus every two years. Wells Fargo won't pay you if you got a consumer checking bonus in the past 12 months. TD Bank won't pay a second checking bonus at all.

How long does it take to get a bank bonus?

It depends on the bank. Chase pays within 15 days of finishing the requirements and Fifth Third within 10 business days. Citi pays between day 90 and day 120. TD Bank can take up to 180 days from the day you open the account.

Disclosures

CIT Bank: For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account disclosures. Member FDIC.

Sources (32)

We use primary sources: each company's own product pages and legal terms.

  1. Chase. Chase Total Checking offer. chase.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  2. Chase. Chase Premier Plus Checking offer. chase.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  3. Chase. Chase Secure Banking offer. chase.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  4. Chase. Chase Savings offer. chase.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  5. Chase. Business checking account bonus. chase.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  6. BMO. Checking account bonus offer. bmo.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  7. Huntington Bank. Checking account offer. huntington.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  8. Truist. Checking account bonus offer. truist.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  9. KeyBank. New checking account bonus offers. key.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  10. Santander Bank. Checking account bonus. santanderbank.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  11. U.S. Bank. Earn a checking bonus. usbank.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  12. U.S. Bank. Business checking bonus. usbank.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  13. Navy Federal Credit Union. New member checking offer. navyfederal.org. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  14. PNC Bank. Checking account bonus offer. pnc.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  15. PNC Bank. Business checking account offers. pnc.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  16. SoFi. SoFi Checking and Savings. sofi.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  17. Wells Fargo. Everyday Checking bonus offer. wellsfargo.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  18. Wells Fargo. Clear Access Banking bonus offer. wellsfargo.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  19. Wells Fargo. Business checking bonus offer. wellsfargo.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  20. Citi. Regular Checking offer. citi.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  21. Fifth Third Bank. Checking account bonus. 53.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  22. TD Bank. Checking and savings account offers. td.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  23. Capital One. 360 Checking bonus offer. capitalone.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  24. Current. Current. current.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  25. Raisin. Savings bonus with code STACK. raisin.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  26. Alliant Credit Union. The Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account. alliantcreditunion.org. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  27. Quontic. High Yield Savings. quontic.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  28. Axos Bank. Basic Business Checking. axosbank.com. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  29. IRS. Topic no. 403, Interest received. irs.gov. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  30. IRS. Publication 550, Investment Income and Expenses. irs.gov. Accessed October 13, 2026.
  31. Current. $75 bonus and code WELCOME75 from Current's partner program terms.
  32. CIT Bank. Platinum Savings rates and product disclosure provided by CIT Bank, aligned with cit.com September 29, 2026.
Brian Meiggs
Brian Meiggs
Brian is the guy behind TopSavings and is a personal finance expert who has spent the last few years writing about how people can save and make more money. He has been quoted in several online publications, including Yahoo! Finance, WSJ, Entrepreneur, Forbes, NASDAQ, MSN Money, AOL, Discover Bank, GOBankingRates, Student Loan Hero, Fit Small Business, Cheapism, SmartAsset, Bankrate, RISE Credit, AllBusiness, Cheddar, Commonbond, Niche, Rewire, Credit Donkey, Debt.com, and more.