Update 9/23/23: Deal is back, no end date listed
Update 1/12/23: No end date listed now
Update 10/17/22: Extended until December 31, 2022 .
Update 8/14/22: Must open between August 15 and October 16, 2022
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200
- Availability: FL, GA only. Also past and present military members and their families all over the world
- Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum mentioned
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Yes
- Credit card funding: None
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: None
- Household limit: None
- Expiration date: October 16, 2022
Contents
The Offer
- VyStar Credit Union is offering a $175 bonus when you open a checking account and complete the following requirements:
- $25 credited within one business day of opening a VyStar free checking account
- $25 when you refer a friend who opens a free checking account (refer up to 10 friends)
- $150 for signing up for direct deposit and completing 15 debit transactions
The Fine Print
- $200 New Checking Account Cash Bonus offer valid for email or mail recipient.
- $5 deposit in a primary savings account required for membership.
- New checking account must be opened between August 15 and October 16, 2022 to qualify.
- Must mention the offer upon account opening.
- $25 credited on or around one business day following account opening, $150 credited for establishing a recurring Direct Deposit into the new checking account and completing at least 15 debit card transactions within 90 days of account opening (credit on or around 91 days from account opening), and $25 credited for referring a friend who opens a checking account (credited on or around one business day following friend’s account opening).
- Referred new member must present referring member’s contact information at time of account opening, for referring member to receive $25 incentive.
- Credit union programs, rates, services, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. Certain restrictions and limitations apply. **Posting is contingent on the originator releasing the payments into the network early. ©2022 VyStar Credit Union.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
This account has no monthly fees to worry about
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF or not.
Our Verdict
Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below along with your referrals.
Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
- A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
- Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
- PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
- Introduction To ChexSystems
- Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
- What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
- How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
- Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
- How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
- Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
- Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
- Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
- Bank Bonus Posting Times
It looks like this offer is gone and replaced with an offer for “$570 in annual savings” with the VyStar + Checking Account:
Check out these special benefits that help you earn up to $570 in annual savings:
All these offers, benefits and savings add up to amazing checking. And all for a low monthly fee of $5.99. Open a VyStar+ Checking Account today!
Now if that ain’t a steaming pile, I’m not sure what is. It’s too bad I actually needed this account for the coin machine.
Guess they need the promotional account money to pay the fine… See #1943321 .
I am sure the govt will put it to good use. Bank Account Bryan
CFPB Orders VyStar Credit Union to Pay $1.5 Million for Illegally Stranding Consumers from Accessing Their Money and Accounts
Dp: Ally bank works for Vystar. After 3 months of auto transfer, $100 a month, the $150 bonus is posted to the account. I did not expect it to work because I had to contact cs about the first $25 for opening an account, so they manually added, but it triggered.
Ally checking or savings ?
There is no reason to believe it would make a difference… It’s going to look the same at Vystar. Al kay
Application hit a snag. Location eligible, so it might be the Chex.
DP: Closed via Chat, same day. (No option to SM) Checking account disappeared from online banking immediately, savings stayed for now. Login currently works, but per rep, online access and statements will stop working once they mail check/close savings.
Other closing options: Call, or in branch.
Two weird security questions were asked: What the the middle eight digits of the debit card number? Year the membership was started?
Has anyone received a 1099 from Vystar Credit Union in Florida, either this year or in the past? Received $150 bonus; account now closed. A few weeks ago, Rep said it would be mailed by Jan 31 if one was issued. Didn’t receive. Will report the income but would be nice to have the 1099. Guess I will call again tomorrow to follow-up.
I got this from online app. I am in GA
We appreciate your interest in joining VyStar Credit Union, but we are currently unable to accommodate your request to establish membership. If you have questions regarding your application, please call us at (904) 777-6000 or 1 (800) 445-6289.
They only accept certain counties in FL & GA. https://vystarcu.org/why-join/become-a-member
If that’s not the issue, give them a call if you want more info. Might be Chex.
Opened September.
$5 membership fee to open (the $5 savings account requirement).
Had to call to link offer with account.
Debit card took 2 weeks to arrive.
Will update on payout time after 15 purchases.
Home address must be your current primary residence. A business or PO Box can’t be accepted.
Error on first page off app, with a GA home address. Whatever I’ll try in branch soon.
Denied due to Chex