New Checking Account Bonuses: Earn up to $3,000 for Opening a Checking Account in December

Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.We’ve gone through the best bank promotions and bonus offers among national, regional banks, and online banks, and selected our top picks for December 2023. Each bank account requires certain criteria to qualify for the cash bonus. For example, you may have to deposit a minimum amount of money by a certain date.Earn up to a $3,000 bonus when you open a new Chase Private Client Checking℠ account, transfer qualifying funds into a combination of eligible accounts within the first 45 days, and maintain your new money balance for at least 90 days from opening the account (offer expires 01/24/2024). Earn $1,000 when you deposit $150,000 – $249,999, earn $2,000 when you deposit $250,000 – $499,999, or earn $3,000 when you deposit $500,000 or more.$35 monthly service fee0.01% as of 9/29/2023Noneup to $3,000Chase Private Client Checking℠ could be a good fit if you want access to a Chase Private Banker, Business Relationship Manager, and discounts on auto and home loans. But if you don’t have at least $150,000 in a combination of your accounts, you won’t qualify to open an account or to waive the monthly fee.Earn up to a $2,000 cash bonus when you maintain a minimum eligible balance and complete required activities (open an eligible account by January 9, 2024)See website for detailsNone$200,000up to $2,000Citi® could be a good option if you live in one of the 42 states that offers Citi® Accelerate Savings because it pays a high interest rate. Citi® is also notably featured in our guides for best low credit score mortgage lenders and best credit cards.Earn up to a $2,000 cash bonus when you maintain a minimum eligible balance and complete required activitiesSee website for detailsNone$0up to $2,000Citi® could be a good option if you live in one of the 42 states that offers Citi® Accelerate Savings because it pays a high interest rate. Citi® is also notably featured in our guides for best low credit score mortgage lenders and best credit cards.Earn up to $4,100 with qualifying transactions: Open a Relationship Checking account and complete qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days to earn a $600 bonus. Maximize your bonus by adding a Relationship Plus Money Market Account to earn up to an additional $3,500$25 monthly service fee0.01%$25$600BMO is a great choice if you want a free savings or checking account. It also offers impressive checking account bonuses. But you’ll want to look elsewhere to earn high interest rates.Earn a $600 cash bonus for eligible new customers who open a new, qualifying Huntington Platinum Perks Checking account by Feb. 7, 2024 with qualifying activities$25 monthly service fee0.03%$0$600Huntington Bank is a good option if you live near a branch and prefer in-person banking.Earn up to $800 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and a Standard Savings account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 29, 2023. Member FDIC.$6.95 monthly service feeSee site for details$25up to $500 (earn up to $800 total if you qualify for both Smartly Checking and Standard Savings account offers)U.S. Bank is included in our best national banks guide as the best national bank in the Midwest and West. It’s a good choice if you want a brick-and-mortar bank with 24/7 live support. It also has a variety of credit card and lending options, and you can earn significant welcome bonuses when you open checking and savings accounts.Earn up to $3,900 with qualifying transactions: Open a Smart Advantage Checking account and complete qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days to earn a $400 bonus. Maximize your bonus by adding a Relationship Plus Money Market Account to earn up to an additional $3,500no monthly service feeNone$25$400BMO is a great choice if you want a free savings or checking account. It also offers impressive checking account bonuses. But you’ll want to look elsewhere to earn high interest rates.Earn up to $3,900 with qualifying transactions: Open a Smart Money Checking account and complete qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days to earn a $400 bonus. Maximize your bonus by adding a Relationship Plus Money Market Account to earn up to an additional $3,500$5 monthly service fee if you are over 25N/A$25$400BMO is a great choice if you want a free savings or checking account. It also offers impressive checking account bonuses. But you’ll want to look elsewhere to earn high interest rates.Earn a $400 cash bonus for eligible new customers who open a new, qualifying Huntington Bank Perks Checking account by Feb. 7, 2024 with qualifying activities$10 monthly service fee0.02%$0$400Huntington Bank is a good option if you live near a branch and prefer in-person banking.Earn $350 when you make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of account opening and present your unique offer code (offer ends 01/07/2024)no monthly service feeNone$0$350You may want to consider Fifth Third Bank if you live in the Southeast or Midwest. It has a strong free checking account with several overdraft protection options and a good range of CDs. You’ll earn the best CD rates at online banks, though.Earn a $325 bonus when you open a new account from the offer webpage with a $25 minimum opening deposit and receive a total of $1,000 or more in qualifying electronic deposits to your new checking account within 90 calendar days of account opening (offer ends 1/16/2024)$10 monthly service feeNone$25$325Wells Fargo is a solid choice if you’re looking for a brick-and-mortar bank with a national presence. It also offers some of the best checking and savings account bonuses out there for opening new accounts. But to earn high savings rates, you’ll want to look elsewhere.Earn $300 when you have $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days$25 monthly service fee0.01%$0$300You might like one of TD Bank’s three primary checking accounts if you prefer banking face-to-face and live near a branch along the East Coast.Earn $300 reward when you open a new account while refinancing your student loan with Laurel Road by 01/08/2024 and make one or more qualifying direct deposits via an Automated Clearing House transaction into the account totaling at least $2,500 within the first 60 days after account openingno monthly service fee0.01%$0$300Laurel Road has one of the best high-yield savings accounts right now. It also might be a good fit if you want an online bank account that offers discounts for student loan refinancing. Just keep in mind that when you refinance student loans with a private lender, you lose any benefits or protections you may have had with federal student loans.Earn $300 bonus after making a qualifying direct deposit of $2,500 or more within 60 days of opening your accountno monthly service fee0.01%$0$300Laurel Road has one of the best high-yield savings accounts right now. It also might be a good fit if you want an online bank account that offers discounts for student loan refinancing. Just keep in mind that when you refinance student loans with a private lender, you lose any benefits or protections you may have had with federal student loans.Earn up to a $300 welcome bonus when you use the promo code AXOS300 to apply for a Rewards Checking account and have qualifying direct deposit(s) by 12/31/23no monthly service feeup to 3.30%$50up to $300Axos Bank has strong high-yield savings, checking, and money market accounts if you’d like to avoid monthly service fees. But, you can find higher interest rates at some of the best online banks.Earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits for eligible customers through 6/30/24. Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) with direct depositno monthly service feeup to 4.60%$0up to $300SoFi Checking and Savings is a great account option if you don’t mind keeping your savings and checking in one account.Earn up to $240 during your first year of account opening ($20 per month for 12 months) when you get $750 or more in direct deposits each month. You will no longer qualify for the bonus after the first year or if you miss a month.no monthly service feeNone$100up to $240 ($20 per month for up to 12 months)Valley National Bank might be worth considering if you’re a resident of New York, New Jersey, Florida, or Alabama, who prioritizes a strong checking account. The Valley All Access Rewards Checking Account charges zero monthly service fees and offers a bonus of up to $240 for the first year if you meet specific requirements. If you don’t live in an eligible state, you may want to consider one of the best checking accounts online.Earn $200 bonus when you open an account using a coupon code and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment (offer expires on 01/24/2024)$12 monthly service feeNone$0$200There are several Chase checking accounts, and Chase Total Checking® is the bank’s most popular choice. It offers several ways to waive the monthly fee, and you may qualify for a $200 bank account bonus. But if you want perks like early direct deposit or waived out-of-network ATM fees, one of Chase’s other options could be a better fit.Earn $200 when you have $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days$15 monthly service feeNone$0$200You might like one of TD Bank’s three primary checking accounts if you prefer banking face-to-face and live near a branch along the East Coast.Earn $200 bonus when you make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account openingNoneNone$25$200M&T Bank is a solid option if you live near a branch and prefer in-person banking to online banking. It also offers CDs with fixed and variable rates.Earn $200 bonus when you make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account opening$14.95 monthly service feeup to 0.01%$25$200M&T Bank is a solid option if you live near a branch and prefer in-person banking to online banking. It also offers CDs with fixed and variable rates.Earn $200 bonus when you make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account opening$24.95 monthly service feeN/A$25$200M&T Bank is a solid option if you live near a branch and prefer in-person banking to online banking. It also offers CDs with fixed and variable rates.Earn $200 when you open your first USAA Classic Checking account with qualifying direct deposit of $100 or more within the first 180 days (offer ends 03/14/2024)no monthly service fees0.01% on balances of $1,000 or more$25$200USAA is one of the best banks for the military. Most notably, it has a strong checking account with a large ATM network, and it will also reimburse up to $10 in monthly out-of-network ATM fees.Earn $100 when you open a Chase Secure Banking account as a new Chase checking customer with qualifying transactions (offer expires 01/24/2024)$4.95 monthly service feeNone$0$100Chase is one of the best national banks out there. It has several types of checking accounts, but Chase Secure Banking℠ is the only one that offers early direct deposit so you can receive paychecks up to two days early. But if early direct deposit doesn’t matter to you, you may be more interested in another Chase checking account — one that lets you waive the monthly fee or enroll in overdraft protection.Earn $100 as a new Chase checking customer when you open a Chase College Checking℠ account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of coupon enrollment (offer expires 01/24/2024).$6 monthly service feeNone$0$100Chase is one of the best national banks out there, and it offers multiple checking accounts. Your best fit could come down to what perks you want and whether you can waive the monthly fee. Chase is a good option if you’re looking for a cash bonus — several of its checking accounts are featured in our best bank account bonuses guide.Earn up to $400: Earn $100 if you open Virtual Wallet® and establish total qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 in the first 60 days, $200 when you open Virtual Wallet® with Performance Spend and establish total qualifying direct deposits of at least $2,000 in first 60 days, or $400 when you open Virtual Wallet® with Performance Select and establish total qualifying direct deposits of at least $5,000 in direct deposits in the first 60 days (offer ends 01/02/2024)$7, $15, or $25 monthly service feeup to 4.00%$0$100, $200, or $400PNC Bank’s strongest products are its digital accounts, but your options will depend on where you live.Earn $50 bonus when you set up direct depositno monthly service feeNone$0$50The best checking accounts have low fees and are easy to use — Experian Smart Money offers both with zero fees, plus access to an extensive ATM network and a user-friendly mobile app. The account stands out because it helps you improve your credit score when you make everyday bill payments. For this reason, the account is best for people who are just starting to build credit or could use help improving it.New SoFi Checking and Savings customers, or existing customers who haven’t set up direct deposit yet, can get a $250 bonus if they receive direct deposits of $5,000 or more within the first 25 days.Yes. Wells Fargo is offering a $325 checking account bonus on its Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Account.New Chase personal checking account customers can get a $200 cash bonus by opening Chase Total Checking® with a coupon code and setting up a direct deposit in the first 90 days of account opening.Depending on your balance, a cash bonus could potentially allow you to earn more money than a high interest rate would. However, be mindful of common bank fees like monthly service fees or overdraft fees. Otherwise, these fees may cancel out the amount you earn as a bonus. If this is the case, you might prioritize opening one of the best high-yield savings accounts with no monthly fees instead.Banks have bank account bonuses to draw in new customers. Bonuses also help create a distinction between competing banks that may offer similar interest rates, monthly fees, or opening deposit requirements.You usually can’t receive more than one bank account bonus with the same bank within a certain amount of time. The bank account cash bonus disclosure will usually specify how long the time frame will be, but usually, it’s between a few months to a couple of years. However, if you have the funds, you may be able to receive one bank account bonus from multiple banks.Yes, you do have to pay taxes on your bonus. When you file taxes for the year, you’ll report the sign-up bonus as income and pay income tax.Bonus amount: $1,000 to $3,000Expiration date: January 24, 2024Who qualifies: Both new and existing Chase Private Client customers are eligible. Eligible accounts are Chase personal checking and savings accounts, and J.P. Morgan Wealth Management non-retirement accounts.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The money will show up in your account within 40 days of your completing the requirements.Bonus amount: Up to $2,000Expiration date: January 9, 2024Who qualifies: You qualify as long as you haven’t had a Citi® checking account in the last 180 days and you’re 18 years old.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.Bonus amount: Up to $2,000Expiration date: January 9, 2024Who qualifies: You qualify as long as you haven’t had a Citi checking account in the last 180 days and you’re 18 years old.What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.Bonus amount: $600 (BMO Relationship Checking), $400 (BMO Smart Money Checking), or $400 (BMO Smart Advantage Checking); Earn up to $4,100 total if you apply and meet the requirements for a BMO personal checking account and Relationship Plus Money Market AccountExpiration date: December 8, 2023Who qualifies: You must be a new BMO personal checking account customer or someone who hasn’t closed a BMO personal checking account in the last 12 months. What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The cash bonus will be deposited into your BMO checking account around 130 days after account opening. Bonus amount: $600Expiration date: February 7, 2024Who qualifies: You must open a new Huntington Bank customer to qualify. What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 14 days after you meet the requirements.Bonus amount: Earn up to $500 (earn up to $800 total if you qualify for both Smartly Checking and Standard Savings account offers)Expiration date: December 29, 2023Who qualifies: You must open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account online. You won’t be eligible if you currently have a U.S. Bank checking account, owned a U.S. Bank checking account in the last six months, or you received a bonus from a U.S. Bank checking account in the last two years. You’re eligible if you live in AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, WY. What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 60 days of meeting the requirements.Bonus amount: $400Expiration date: February 7, 2024Who qualifies: You must open a new Huntington Bank customer to qualify. What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 14 days after you meet the requirements.Bonus amount: $350Expiration date: January 7, 2024Who qualifies: You must be a new Fifth Third checking account customer. You won’t be eligible if you have an existing Fifth Third checking account or your closed a checking account in the last 13 months.What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 10 days after opening the account.Bonus amount: $325Expiration date: January 16, 2024Who qualifies: You must be a new Wells Fargo checking account customer. You aren’t eligible if you’ve received a Wells Fargo checking bonus in the last 12 months, and you can’t be a Wells Fargo employee.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: After the initial 90-day period ends, the money will appear in your account within 30 days.Bonus amount: $300Expiration date: December 31, 2023Who qualifies: You must be a new TD Bank customer to qualify.What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 180 days after opening the account.Bonus amount: $300Expiration date: January 8, 2024What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The $300 should hit your account within 60 days of your meeting the requirements. Note: You can only earn a bonus with one Laurel Road account, not both.Bonus amount: $300Expiration date: December 31, 2023Who qualifies: You must open an eligible account.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 10 business days following the end of the statement cycle in which the direct deposit requirement was met. You must keep your account open for at least 210 days or you’ll have to pay an early closure fee of up to $300. Bonus amount: up to $300 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (through 12/31/2023)Expiration date: December 31, 2023Who qualifies: If you’re a new customer, set up an account and enroll in direct deposit. You’re also eligible as an existing customer if you haven’t already set up direct deposit.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will show up in your account within seven business days after the 25-day evaluation period ends.Bonus amount: up to $240 ($20 per month for up to 12 months)Expiration date: OngoingWho qualifies: You’re eligible for this bonus if you are a new consumer checking customer at Valley National Bank and over age 18. Valley has branches in Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The $20 will be deposited into your account within 35 days of the monthly qualifying recurring direct deposit.Bonus amount: $200Expiration date:January 24, 2024Who qualifies: New personal checking account customers.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: You’ll receive the $200 within 15 days.Bonus amount: $200Expiration date: December 31, 2023Who qualifies: You must be a new TD Bank customer to qualify.What you need to do: When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 180 days after opening the account.Bonus amount: $200Expiration date: December 31, 2023Who qualifies: You don’t qualify if you’re already a personal M&T checking account customer, you’ve closed an M&T account in the last 180 days, you’ve received an M&T checking bonus in the last 12 months (unless it was from the Refer Friends Program), or are an employee of M&T or its affiliates.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The $200 will show up in your account within 90 days of completing the requirements.Bonus amount: $200Expiration date: March 14, 2024Who qualifies: You’re not eligible if you (as the primary account holder) have or had a USAA checking account in the last 12 months. The account also isn’t eligible for the bonus if it’s titled as an estate, trust account, UTMA, or other fiduciary account. Your account must remain in good standing to get the bonus. What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The $200 should show up in your account within 60 days of USAA processing your first direct deposit.Bonus amount: $100Expiration date:January 24, 2024Who qualifies: You must be a new checking account customer.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: You’ll get the money deposited into your account 15 days after you’ve completed 10 transactions. Bonus amount: $100Expiration date: January 24, 2024Who qualifies: This account is for college students ages 17 to 24. You cannot already be a Chase checking customer, have closed a Chase account in the last 90 days, or have closed a Chase account with a negative balance within the last three years. You won’t qualify if you’ve received another Chase sign-up bonus in the last two years.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The $100 will be deposited into your account within 15 days after you complete the qualifying transactionsBonus amount: $100 to $400Expiration date: January 2, 2024Who qualifies: This offer is only available in markets where there are PNC branches. You and any signer on the account must be a new PNC checking customer. You aren’t eligible if you’ve closed a PNC checking account in the last 90 days or received a PNC promotional offer in the last 24 months.What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account 60 to 90 days after you meet the requirements.Bonus amount: $50Expiration date: Experian may end the offer at any time. Who qualifies: This offer is available to new customers. You must be a United States resident and have a valid taxpayer identification number. What you need to do:When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 10 business days after you meet the requirements.We consulted banking and financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the best bank account bonus for your needs.Here’s what they had to say about bank account bonuses. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)What should I look for in a checking account bonus?Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com:”If you are using this bank as your main spending account, then you know that you will have less conflict with depositing money in there. It may be beneficial to look at specific things that are getting bonuses, specifically direct deposit.” Sophia Acevedo, certified educator in personal finance, banking reporter, Personal Finance Insider:”I would consider how much money is needed to obtain the bonus. Some banks may have several bonuses available, where you’ll earn bigger bonuses for a higher account balance or direct deposit. See if a particular bonus is right for you and you’re not going out of your way to qualify for it.”

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