[Expired][AZ only] BBVA Compass $200 In Branch Checking Bonus

This deal has expired, you can view a current list of the best offers here.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: Eligible branches in AZ only or via phone.
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $300+
  • Additional requirements: None
  • Hard/soft pull: All recent DP say soft
  • ChexSystems: Unknown
  • Credit card funding: $300, no AmEx allowed (no credit card funding in branch)
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: Bonus forfeit, one year
  • Household limit: One
  • Expiration date: October 30th, 2017

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • BBVA Compass is offering a bonus of $200 when you open a new checking account at any eligible branch (or via phone on 1-800-Compass. Phone applications do not work)  and receive a qualifying direct deposit of at least $300 within 60 days of account opening. $25 opening deposit required and credit card funding isn’t allowed in branch so bring cash.

The Fine Print

  • You must be a new BBVA Compass consumer checking customer who has not had a BBVA Compass consumer checking account opened within the last 90 days or closed due to negative balance to be eligible for the bonus.
  • Eligible accounts include BBVA Compass ClearChoice Interest Checking, BBVA Compass ClearChoice Free Checking, and Easy Checking.
  • Within sixty (60) days of account opening, at least one electronic direct deposit from an unrelated 3rd party (e.g. your employer or a government agency) in the amount of at least $300 must post to the new checking account.
  • The account must be opened at one of the participating branches above or via 1-800-Compass, Option 2, with the account housed at a participating branch.
  • We reserve the right to deduct the bonus amount if the account is closed within 12 months of opening.
  • There is a maximum of one (1) bonus per household.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Easiest account to keep fee free is the BBVA Compass ClearChoice Free Checking account as this has no monthly fee to worry about.

Early Account Termination Fee

Account needs to be kept open for 12 months otherwise they reserve the right to deduct the bonus.

Our Verdict

I wonder if you can open an account if you live outside Arizona via phone. Seems like a pretty good deal if you’re eligible as it’s a $200 bonus for a direct deposit of $300+ and there are no monthly fees to worry about. All the recent datapoints point to it being a soft pull now as well which is great. I’ll be adding this to our list of the best checking account bonuses.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On October 20, 2017, 12:00

View Comments (20)

    • What? A hard pull for an account that you can't even be sure will pay out? Won't be trying it here, but I sincerely thank you for taking the time to report back! Maybe someday I'll be able to return the favor . Thanks again. Love in Christ.

  • I just called one of my local branches. Got to a rep right away, without any issues. Actually, I remember reading somewhere that they had good customer service.

    I specifically asked if it's a soft pull and that was confirmed. In that case, it's probably worth trying, assuming there won't be any unpleasant surprises after the fact (like actual hard pull). Even if PayPal ends up not working, not much money is tied up and not for too long. If you don't get the bonus after 60 days, you can simply close the account. Two of the simple checking accounts have no monthly fees, so it looks like you can get away with keeping only $325.

  • Heads up: the option to open an account by phone isn't currently available. I just called 1-800-COMPASS and selected 2, then 1 to open a new account. A recorded message said that due to Hurricane Maria their sales team is unavailable, and they anticipate opening Thursday, September 21 (over a month ago).

    I tried calling my local BBVA branch and again followed the prompts, and I got the same recorded message. When I go to their Contact Us page, the Request a Call option is unavailable and the Send Us a Message option is only for existing customers.

    • That's pretty pathetic, especially in the case of the local branch. I've been planning to call to make sure it's a soft pull (I don't want to do it otherwise), but the shared opinions here don't sound promising. Besides, I can only do PayPal and won't have a leg to stand on in order to dispute if it comes to their "discretion." Looks like it's gonna be just useless hassle.

  • Just want to confirm that after the $300 DD, I never have to use the acct again? I can take out the $300 plus the $200 bonus and just let the acct sit with no activity for a year??

    • Looks that way, but watch out for a "Dormant account fee" of $5/month
      Dormant Account. An account will be considered dormant if, for one year or more in the case of checking and NOW accounts (two years or more for an account maintained in Florida), or for two years or more in the case of savings and money market accounts (one year or more for an account maintained in Texas or California): no customer-initiated transaction activity has been conducted on the account, no correspondence regarding the account has been received by us, and no account owner has otherwise indicated an interest in the account. Recurring ACH credits (i.e., Direct Deposit) are considered to be automatic and, therefore are not considered to be customer-initiated transactions for this purpose.

  • Heads up everyone. I qualified for the BBVA bonus and they still haven't paid out. I did the PayPal method twice and now they're not paying out. I got a message stating that the "qualifications for promotion are based off our discretion" although I see that a reader had this method work successfully. Met all requirements but definitely going to dispute this. I'll be back once they reply

    • Confirmed. PayPal method does not work. They refuse to disburse bonus although many people have had success with it

      • Good to know, not to regret it. I gave up. Even the banker wasn't 100% sure it's a soft pull. Was talking about changing systems recently... It might differ from state to state. That, paired with the uncertainly of getting the bonus, made me pass on it. If I get a hard hit, I'd rather get a credit card - the money's for sure, no taxes, no hassle.

  • *Checking accounts are subject to approval which may include credit approval.*

    This is disturbing, though. It may end up being a hard pull.

  • Very sweet for those who have legitimate DD's. I live in AZ, but don't have DD from work. Looks like PayPal was still working in August. Perhaps it's something to think about.

    Thank you, Will.

Leave a Comment