6 Pros and Cons of Bank Account Bonuses (2024)

When economic times are tough, any extra money coming can help pay the bills. Free money is even better, and that’s exactly what you’ll get when you open a new account at a bank that offers a bonus for meeting certain eligibility requirements.

By taking advantage of a new account bonus offer, you could receive $100 to $300, or in some cases, much more. Bonus offers typically come with at least a couple of requirements, however. You may have to open an account with a large number of funds, for example. And most require a certain number of direct deposits from eligible sources within a specific time frame.

For example, as of September 2022, Chase Bank is offering a $200 bonus for opening certain new checking accounts and meeting certain transaction requirements. College students under 25 years old can earn a $100 bonus for opening the Chase College Checking Account and meeting certain requirements.

Other banks pay much larger bonuses for opening certain accounts and meeting direct deposit and/or other transaction requirements. For example, Citibank offers up to a $2,000 bonus if you open a new checking account by January 9, 2023. The bonus amount starts at $200 but has a minimum deposit amount of $10,000 and you must maintain at least that minimum balance.

With this offer, the more you deposit to open the account, the higher the bonus. If you meet all transaction requirements and make and maintain a $30,000 deposit, the bonus is $500. A $75,000 deposit earns a $1,000 bonus. And if you move a significant amount, you’ll really cash in: Make and maintain a $300,000 deposit and minimum balance to earn a $2,000 bonus.

If all that free money sounds too good to be true, it’s not. These offers are a win-win for the bank and account holders alike. However, that doesn’t mean the offers don’t come with a few drawbacks, too.

Here are six pros and cons to consider before opening a new bank account for the bonus offer.

Pros

1. Some bonus offers don’t have high requirements

For example, you can get a $200 bonus for opening a new Convenience Checking account at TD Bank through October 2022, receiving $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days and maintaining a $100 minimum daily balance. If you receive $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits in the same period on a new TD Beyond Checking account and maintain that amount as a minimum balance, the bonus is $300.

Find out: 7 Ways to Snag Up to Hundreds of Dollars in Free Money

2. You might prefer the new bank

If you’ve banked at the same bank for years, you may be out of the loop on today’s popular banking features. When you open an account at a new bank, you’ll learn about and likely receive new features that could line up more closely with your banking needs.

3. You can build savings

When you open a new account at another bank and begin receiving direct deposits, your account can grow quickly. This can allow you to build emergency savings or save for things like vacations, holiday spending and major purchases.

Find out: Why You Need to Be Careful About Moving Bank Accounts

Cons

1. You may not be eligible

Just because you find a great bank bonus offer online doesn’t mean you’ll qualify. Some bank bonus offers are only available to residents of certain states, for example. In many cases, you must also be a new customer of the bank.

2. There may be fees

Some banks offering bonuses for opening a new account also charge monthly fees. The bonus may still outweigh any fees, but ask if you can get the monthly fee waived and find out all requirements for the bonus offer, including account closure fees, before opening the account.

3. Requirements may be too high

Let’s face it. Not everyone has $75,000 to move to a new account so they can score a $1,000 bonus. You also may not be able to maintain a high balance to meet bonus requirements.

But keep in mind that there are offers out there that don’t require a large deposit or a high dollar for direct deposits. Before opening a new bank account, take some time to compare shop bank bonus offers online. Then apply for one that has a minimum deposit, minimum balance and transaction requirements that you can meet.

Find out: Which is Better, a Credit Union or a Bank?

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6 Pros and Cons of Bank Account Bonuses (2024)

FAQs

Are bank account bonuses worth it? ›

Bank bonuses are considered interest or taxable income. That means your $100 bonus will end up being less than that after you pay taxes on it. And when it comes to savings, a large signing bonus won't make up for a lackluster annual percentage yield over time — especially if you have a lot to deposit.

What are the pros and cons of a checking account? ›

The primary benefit of checking accounts is the ability to store money you intend on spending, either through debit card transactions, checks, or cash withdrawals. However, the downside is they typically don't pay interest.

What are the pros and cons of savings banks? ›

Savings Account: Pros & Cons
ProsCons
High interest earnings will grow your money exponentially over time.Limited to certain types and amounts of withdrawals and transfers.
You can withdraw at any time during your bank's business hours.May require a minimum balance to avoid paying fees.
2 more rows
May 29, 2024

What are the pros and cons of having two bank accounts? ›

Multiple checking accounts: pros & cons
ProsCons
Separates your cash for specific needs and goalsIs more complicated to keep track of your finances
Removes the temptation to spend the money needed on something elsePotential for fees if you go under a certain balance or use fee-bearing features with an account
2 more rows
Feb 20, 2024

Do you pay taxes on bank account bonuses? ›

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. When you earn a bank welcome bonus, it's considered taxable income. Buried in the fine print of the agreement, there's probably a statement about how you're responsible for any applicable federal, state, or local taxes.

Can I close my bank account after receiving a bonus? ›

Banks don't want clients who are going to take the money and run. An early account termination fee normally states that you forfeit your bonus if you close your account within six months or one year of account opening. If there's still money in the account, the bank will deduct the bonus from your remaining balance.

What are the pros and cons of banks? ›

In conclusion, traditional banking offers a range of advantages such as personalized customer service, physical branches, and a sense of security and trust. However, it also has its drawbacks, including potential fees, limited accessibility, and lengthy processes.

What are the pros and cons of saving money? ›

Savings account benefits include safety for your savings, interest earnings and easy access to your money. However, savings accounts may have drawbacks, such as variable interest rates, minimum balance requirements and fees.

What are the pros and cons of a high interest savings account? ›

Pros and cons of a high-yield savings account

A high-yield savings account offers a higher rate of return on your money compared to standard savings accounts. But some of these accounts charge fees, have minimum balances requirements, and offer variable interest rates that can go up and down over time.

What is the main disadvantage of bank account? ›

Fees – many checking accounts come with additional costs such as maintenance fees, ATM withdrawal fees and transaction fees. Overdraft fees – overdraft fees, when the balance goes below zero, are determined by each individual bank, making them difficult to understand and often very expensive.

What are two benefits of having a bank account? ›

Opening a bank account can be one of the most important steps you take toward reaching your financial goals. Why? Because putting your money in an FDIC-insured bank account can offer you financial safety, easy access to your funds, savings from check-cashing fees, and overall financial peace of mind.

Is it bad to have too many bank accounts? ›

The more accounts you have, the more you have to keep track of, which can complicate your finances. Depending on the number of banks you work with and the fees involved, you may have to pay a lot to keep your accounts open. You may also have to spend more time monitoring your accounts.

Is it worth switching banks for bonus? ›

While a potential cash incentive might seem tempting, it's important to remember that the bank offering the most lucrative switching offer might not be the right one for you. Even if a switching bonus is not on offer, there could still be a better bank account for you, so read on.

How do I get $400 from US Bank? ›

Deposits totaling $5,000-$24,999 earn $400; deposits totaling $25,000 or more earn $800. It has to be new money, or funds that are not currently held within a U.S. Bank account. Maintain that total account balance for 60 days after account opening.

Is bank account churning a risk? ›

But account churning can be risky. You could lose your bank account bonus, incur extra fees, and even lose your ability to open new bank accounts in the future. Don't let a few hundred dollars trip you up and hurt your financial reputation.

Are bonuses a good thing? ›

Bonuses help to increase team collaboration as every team member knows that every individual is important for better performance. Team collaboration plays an important role in improving performance. Consider offering a team bonus to your employees if your company's quarterly income rises for four straight quarters.

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