[Expired] [CA, OR, WA, In Branch only] UnionBank $300 Checking Bonus, Direct Deposit Not Required

Deal has ended, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $300
  • Availability: In branch only, locations are in California, Oregon and Washington State only [Branch locator]
  • Direct deposit required: Optional
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft
  • ChexSystems: Yes. They are sensitive to new accounts. Union Bank is known for being incredibly strict on opening accounts if you have opened even a few other checking accounts recently. Often they will approve you and then close the account a few days later. Read this posts for more information/examples.
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: None
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: June 18, 2021

The Offer

No direct link to offer, requires a referral. Post & share your referrals in this linked post.

  • UnionBank is offering a bonus of $300 when you open a new Bank Freely checking account at any Union Bank branch and complete one of the following within 90 days of account opening:
    • Make three direct deposits of $500 or more OR
    • Spend $1,000 in total on a minimum of ten purchases with your contactless-enabled Union Bank Debit Mastercard©

The Fine Print

  • 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

There is no early account termination fee according to this fee schedule.

Our Verdict

Nice deal, it’s a shame they seem to be so inquiry sensitive. It’s possible they will be less inquiry sensitive in branch but that remains to be seen. We will still be adding this to our list of the best bank account bonuses just with the caveat regarding recent inquiries.

Hat tip to Sinosoul

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On March 9, 2021, 13:00
Tags: ca bank bonusesdirect deposit not requiredno credit card fundingor bank bonusessoft pullwa bank bonuses

View Comments (295)

  • @will I just received a mailer saying that the offer ends on 2/28/2022, and the bonus has been increased to $350.

  • - 5/4: Opened in-branch with $10 cash
    - 5/21: $500 real DD
    - 5/24: Placed Chexsystems freeze
    - 7/2: $500 real DD
    - 7/16: $500 real DD
    - 8/10: $300 “Customer Incentive Payment”

    No idea if the Chex freeze helped. I did it because Union Bank is notorious for pulling your Chex post-opening and closing accounts if you have too many new inquiries. (I temporarily unfroze to open 2 Chex accounts.)

      • @guest_1243104 When I pull my Chex, I can see Union Bank under a heading called “Inquiries Viewed Only By You” with a date of 6/21.

        This section dates: “This section refers to transactions you may or may not have initiated. For this reason, you may not always recognize the source. Inquiries made by medical providers may also be included in this section. The information listed in this section is only viewable by you. It is not included in reports to others and does not negatively affect your consumer report.”

        This is in comparison to “Inquiries Viewed By Others,” which is explained as follows: “This section refers to transactions involving you and are the result of someone accessing your ChexSystems information, typically in connection with a business transaction you initiated with them. The company listed on this type of inquiry requested information from your consumer file on the date(s) specified. These inquires may impact your consumer report and may be included in reports to others. These inquiries remain on your file for up to 3 years.”

        Not sure why Union Bank would be it the “ Inquiries Viewed Only By You” and what it means when they are there. At least them showing up there does not appear to be a Chex hit for purposes of my Chex score.

    • My Chex is empty for 2021, so I'm hoping to get this one.
      Please share a referral link if you can! tsoib / icloud .com

  • Sharing a DP, Union bank taking their sweet time with bonus payout. Still haven’t received the bonus since completing requirements 6/11

    5/14 - $501 Real employer DD
    5/28 - $501 Real employer DD
    6/11 - $501 Real employer DD

    Bonus pays out within 120 days of completion, so latest I might get the bonus is 9/3.

    Been super careful not opening too many other bank accounts since they’re so Chex sensitive. Just want to get my bonus and run ASAP so I can move on to other bonuses.

    • 8/24 $300 bonus posted as CUSTOMER INCENTIVE PAYMENT

      Based on this and pakacat’s DP above, expect a long ish wait for the bonus

    • This would be my first one this year. Been holding off for this one too due to their sensitivity.

      Please share a referral if you've got one :) tsoib / icloud .com

  • Can someone please send an invitation to Maxfield @ pm.me ? Thank you so much in advance.

  • Does anyone have data points as to which transfers count as direct deposits at Union Bank?

Leave a Comment