Banks don’t merely want your money – they want your business! This is why banks try to entice you to open a new checking account with special promotions, bonuses, and even offers of free cash.
Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these special new checking account promotions. You’ll receive hundreds of dollars, and there are no strings attached – you can choose to keep your account, or accept the free money and move on. It’s the perfect way to make a little extra cash if you’re looking to switch banks or are considering your account options.
Chase Total Checking: $200 New Account Bonus
In 2018, Chase will continue its popular Total Checking promotion: open a Total Checking account with a minimum deposit of $25 and set up a recurring direct deposit. Once the direct deposit is made within 60 days of your account opening date, Chase will give you $200.
Keep in mind that a Chase Total Checking account does come with a $12 monthly fee. You can get that fee waived if you manage to meet one of the following requirements:
- Regular direct deposits (minimum of $500 per deposit)
- A minimum daily balance of $1,500
- An average daily balance of $5,000
- Paying $25 worth of services or fees to Chase
HSBC Choice Checking: $200 or More Cash Bonus
Though HSBC is often thought of as a bank for investors and those with sizable incomes, it’s also a great place to receive a little bit of extra cash when you open a new checking account.
Open a Choice Checking account at HSBC Bank and maintain a minimum balance of $1,500 for 90 days (3 months), and you’ll get a bonus of $200. Want more? Open an Advance Checking account, keep a balance of $10,000 for 90 days, and you’ll receive $350. If you truly have a lot of cash laying around, you can open up a Premier Checking account at HSBC, maintain a minimum balance of $100,000 for 90 days, and get a $750 bonus deposited into your account.
Capital One 360 Checking: Up to $400 Bonus
Think Capital One only offers credit cards? Well, this well-known lender is also entering the checking and savings space with new account options–and they’re trying to entice new customers with an impressive cash bonus.
Open a Capital One 360 Checking account and make a $1,000 initial deposit. That’s it– you just need to wait about 6 to 8 weeks to receive a $200 bonus. You can get another $200 in free cash if you open another account, the Capital One 360 Money Market account. This high-yield, interest-earning checking account also requires a $1,000 initial deposit, but it will bring your promotional perks to $400 total.
Key Bank Checking Account: $400 Direct Deposit Bonus
One of the most lucrative bonuses in the world of banking comes from Key Bank. Open a new checking account at any local branch and apply or mention the special offer code (RETK1117) during the transaction. Once you’re set up, make at least one direct deposit of at least $500 within your first 60 days (2 months) with Key Bank. This will earn you $400 for free–no strings attached.
The one downside to this financially fantastic offer is that Key Bank is a smaller bank chain. Only residents of the following states will be able to take advantage: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
BMO Harris Smart Money: $200 Bonus
If you have a BMO Harris bank branch in your neighborhood, you’ll want to take advantage of the $200 in bonus cash offered to new checking account signups.
Open up any BMO Harris checking account–Smart Money, Smart Advantage, or Premier–online or in person. Within the first 90 days (3 months), schedule a minimum of 2 direct deposits totaling at least $300 each. Once those deposits are completed, you just need to wait. After keeping your account open and in good standing for 120 days, BMO Harris will deposit your $200 bonus.
Get More Out of Your Bank and Checking Account
As 2018 gets started, increase your cash flow by capitalizing on bank bonuses, freebies, and incentives. Open a new checking account, and you can reap a reward totaling hundreds of dollars.
The best feature of banks’ various checking account promotions is that they’re entirely free. There’s no need to worry about getting charged or having to pay huge fees down the line. Designed for free checking accounts, or accounts that feature ways to waive monthly fees, these promotions are the perfect way to add a little bonus to your monthly income.
