Citi $300/$325/$400 Checking Bonus

Update 9/2/24: There is another $400 bonus but requires a $10,000 deposit that must be maintained for 45 days.

Update 7/11/24: There is another variation for $325 but requires $3,000 in direct deposits.

Update 7/9/24: Extended until 10/8/24

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $300
  • Availability: Nationwide
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,500+
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Yes
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: $12, avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: None
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: 7/8/24

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Citi is offering a $300 checking bonus when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
    • Open a new eligible Citi® Checking account with Enhanced Direct Deposits, and enroll in this offer by applying directly from this page. Offer valid from 1/10/24 to 7/8/24.
    • Deposit at least two (2) Enhanced Direct Deposits directly into your new checking account within 90 calendar days from account opening. Your total combined Enhanced Direct Deposits must equal $1,500 or more.
    • Your cash bonus will be deposited into your open, eligible Checking Account within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.

The Fine Print

  • An EDD is an electronic deposit through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network of payroll, pension, social security, government benefits and other payments to your checking or savings account. An Enhanced Direct Deposit also includes all deposits via Zelle® and other P2P payments when made via ACH using providers such as Venmo or PayPal. Teller deposits, cash deposits, check deposits, wire transfers, transfers between Citibank accounts, ATM transfers and deposits, mobile check deposits, and P2P payments using a debit card do not qualify as an Enhanced Direct Deposit. (Note: see this comment about Zelle.)
  • So long as you have not owned a Citi checking account in the last 365 days, meet Tax Requirements, and are at least 18 years old, you can apply to participate in the Enhanced Direct Deposit Checking Acquisition Offer (“Enhanced Direct Deposit Offer”) (click the Offer, Product & Pricing Information link at the top of the fine print to see this)
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Regular & Access Checking fee waived:

  • in the month of account opening and for 3 months after account opening or
  • each month the account has $250+ in Enhanced Direct Deposits

Early Account Termination Fee

In the past, Citi has not charged any ETF, and none is mentioned for this offer.

Our Verdict

This is better than the $200 checking bonus we previously saw. There is also a checking bonus for up to $2,500 but that requires huge deposits. This smaller bonus will be a better option for most people as those huge deposits aren’t required. I do think now that this is $300 it’s worth doing and we will add it to our best bank bonus page. You can see the definition of an enhanced direct deposit here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On September 2, 2024, 21:20
Tags: direct deposit requirednationwide bank bonuses

View Comments (2342)

  • 8/14: Opened account
    8/20: $100 push from Robinhood
    8/27: $2.9k push from Robinhood
    9/8: $325 bonus posted

  • 08/26: x.xx RTP from Chase (real time for those searching)
    08/28: ACH microdeposit test
    08/30: 9xx.xx RTP from Chase
    08/30: 6xx.xx RTP from Chase

    9/6: Bonus posted

  • 08/06 2x750.05 CMA
    08/13 Interest Adj Q3 2024 Direct Deposit $300 Cash Offer

    protip: if the app tries to force you to put in the debit card, you can use app shortcuts on android to bypass. I use the "deposit check" app shortcut, then just closed out of check deposit to get to my account without having to put in my debit card stuff (which wasn't working)

  • I was able to open the $400 offer access checking for P1(have CC with citi) and P2 (new customer) with 3/1, 4/3, 20/9, lol/24 chex

    • The Citi member that refers a new member receives a bonus. From a previous Citi Member-Get-Member (MGM) promo:

      Citigold® Private Client (CPC) members get $500 per member referred.

      Earn $500 for every referral When you refer new-to-Citi friends or family, and they open an eligible Citibank® consumer checking account, you can earn $500 for every qualified referral, up to a maximum of 20 referral bonuses.

      https://web.archive.org/web/20240219162224/https://online.citi.com/JRS/popups/MGM_CPC.pdf

      Citigold® members get $200 per member referred.

      Earn $200 for every referral When you refer new-to-Citi friends or family, and they open an eligible Citibank® consumer checking account, you can earn $200 for every qualified referral, up to a maximum of 20 referral bonuses.

      https://web.archive.org/web/20240722040324/https://online.citi.com/JRS/popups/MGM_Citigold.pdf

      Citi Priority and Everyday Benefits members get $100 per member referred.

      Referrers are limited to twenty (20) Referral Bonuses within the lifetime of their checking and savings account relationship with Citibank.

      You may receive a shareable referral link by email or be able to get one by speaking to a Citi banker.

  • Going through the Citi app on my phone I see an offer for $500 for maintaining a balance of $30,000 for 45 days. Worth a check if you’re an existing Citi customer.

  • 8/18: Opened account
    8/21: $50 Push from Ally for initial funding
    8/21: $800 Zelle from Ally
    8/24: $800 Zelle from Ally
    9/6: $300 Bonus posted

    Super easy! :)

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