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Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen (@guest_2007038)
February 18, 2025 15:13

Is there some way to deposit $1 first? The website is hard to navigate/ seems like I can only transfer in funds? I don’t see a way to deposit funds from checking so I can make sure my initial funding period is Feb

Jimmy Johns 🔗
Jimmy Johns 🔗 (@guest_2009224)
February 21, 2025 01:05

I believe you have to ask them for a form to link external accounts. I’d imagine that form asks you how much you want to transfer. I did an ACATs and had to provide brokerage info and a statement. Maybe someone who funded via ACH could confirm

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_2009913)
February 22, 2025 03:27

Josh Rosen Jimmy Johns 🔗 For someone who doesn’t have a Citi Checking or Savings account, need to call CS to docusign some form or fill out form and email back to have them manually link the external account to Citi’s brokerage account, and need to call them to initiate the ACH transfer.

For someone who has a Citi Checking or Savings, ACH into the Checking or Savings and then transfer into the Citi brokerage account is considered new-to-citi money despite the middle step.

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_2009927)
February 22, 2025 04:51

You can also do a wire transfer into Citi brokerage account. Citi doesn’t charge fee for incoming wire. Call Citi and they will give you wire instructions. Some banks/brokerage like Fidelity doesn’t charge fee for outgoing wire. Fidelity’s online wire form doesn’t have all the fields that Citi gave, but call Fidelity CS and they can initiate the wire over the phone.

Mike
Mike (@guest_2006286)
February 17, 2025 15:11

How are you opening the account, in branch or calling in? I called the 1-833-350-2258 Citi Wealth Management number at 3:08pm ET and got a recorded reply with “the department you are calling is closed. Call during normal working hours” ….thats all, without even saying what are the hours.

John R🔗
John R🔗 (@guest_2006289)
February 17, 2025 15:13

Today’s a bank holiday.

Mike
Mike (@guest_2006355)
February 17, 2025 16:55

got it, thanks

CSF
CSF (@guest_2005459)
February 16, 2025 07:35

Has anyone done back to back quarters and received the bonus and if so how long after withdrawal of funds did you sign up for the current quarter? Thanks

Josh Rosen
Josh Rosen (@guest_2003846)
February 13, 2025 15:27

Opened account today. Is my understanding right?
Fund $1 by end of Feb.
Make sure I fully fund (i.e. ACAT) by end of Apr.
Hold funds through end of May.
Once June comes, I can withdraw funds; bonus will be credited by Sep 1.

Retired
Retired (@guest_2004886)
February 14, 2025 23:55

Sounds about right. I am in the same boat.

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_2004892)
February 15, 2025 00:06

Yes, just make sure those funds (including the initial deposit) are all new-to-citi funds

CSF
CSF (@guest_1999307)
February 6, 2025 12:39

My maintain funds period just ended 1/31/25 for Q4. Can I withdraw funds and then enroll in q1? I would then deposit a nominal amount later this month and fully fund by April 30.

Eric D
Eric D (@guest_1999425)
February 6, 2025 15:13

Better to withdraw fund this month, then enroll and have initial funding next month.

Maya
Maya (@guest_1999494)
February 6, 2025 16:22

Eric D Erik

I’m wondering the same thing. I’m curious whether Citi Wealth Management retrospectively reviews the account balance at a specific cutoff date to determine if the “new-to-Citi” money requirement has been met when customers enroll in these offers alongside existing accounts.

For example, many banks have a cutoff date for existing customer offers. Take Live Oak’s offer: customers must maintain the pre-existing balance as of 2/3/25 and deposit an additional $20K by 03/31/25 to qualify, whereas new customers only need to deposit $20K. In that case, if a customer already has $20K as of 2/3/25, they must add another $20K and maintain a $40K balance during the 60-day promo period. This practice—looking at the account’s balance at a specific point or aggregating balances across account types—is fairly common.

I wonder if Citi has a similar balance cutoff requirement, or if it only looks at the balance increase from the day of offer enrollment. If it’s the latter, a customer could theoretically withdraw funds before enrollment and then re-deposit a “clean” amount.

I reviewed Citi’s offer terms and didn’t see any reference to a retrospective balance look-back for brokerage accounts or across all accounts. The closest reference is the clause about new-to-Citi funds needing to be deposited into a Citibank checking or savings account on or after 1/1/2025 before being transferred into the eligible CPWM account:

“New-to-Citi funds may be deposited into a Citibank checking or savings account on or after 1/1/2025 and transferred to the eligible CPWM account during the Account Funding Period outlined in the chart above. However, transfers of funds held prior to 1/1/2025 from a Citibank checking or savings account are not considered New-to-Citi funds for the purpose of this promotion. The amount of the cash bonus reward is based on the total New-to-Citi funding received during the promotional period.”

This wording does not mention any look-back of pre-existing balances in the brokerage account itself. I might have missed something, though, so I’m interested to hear from others who have navigated this offer before.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

Jimmy Johns 🔗
Jimmy Johns 🔗 (@guest_2009230)
February 21, 2025 01:13

Maya I did some calculations on how to maximize the number of churns, and it seems you should be able to get 4x$500 bonuses if you had around 100k to churn with. Reading through DPs, looks like 2 accounts could be a sweet spot, and perform partial ACATs which are free.

Account 1: Open 2/2025 (Q1), maintain funds through 5/2025
Account 2: Open 6/2025 (Q2), maintain funds through 9/2025
Account 1: Enroll 7/2025 (Q3), maintain funds through 10/2025
Account 2: Enroll 11/2025 (Q4), maintain funds through 2/2026

Whole process takes around 13 months. You’ll have some periods where each account is enrolled in a different quarterly bonus (June is Q2, July is Q3), so you’ll need 100k to target both bonuses concurrently. Otherwise, you’re effectively draining the account after the maintenance period ends, then enrolling the other account in the next bonus right afterwards.

I’ll be trying this approach through the year and will report back on my datapoints.

Maya
Maya (@guest_2009263)
February 21, 2025 05:15

Thanks, Jimmy Johns 🔗. That makes a lot of sense.

I opened my first account in January, so based on your calculations, I believe I can open the second account in May and follow this adjusted timeline (shifting your timeline forward by one month since my first account was opened in January instead of February). Does this look correct?

Two-account strategy:

  • Account 1: 1/2025 – 4/2025
  • Account 2: 5/2025 – 8/2025
  • Account 1: 6/2025 – 9/2025
  • Account 2: 10/2025 – 1/2026

This setup is a lot more efficient than using just one account since it allows for four promotion periods within 13 months instead of only three in 14 months with a single account. Did I interpret this correctly?

Single-account strategy (three periods in 14 months):

  • 1/2025 – 4/2025
  • 6/2025 – 9/2025
  • 11/2025-2/2026
Jimmy Johns 🔗
Jimmy Johns 🔗 (@guest_2009395)
February 21, 2025 10:55

You have an two account openings scheduled in Q2 (May and June), only one bonus per quarter. I prefer June and July since it straddles two quarters and I can just hold the funds in the June account for an extra month

Maya
Maya (@guest_2009421)
February 21, 2025 11:30

Good catch! Thank you Jimmy Johns 🔗 !

So the timeframe should look like this?

  • Account 1: 1/2025 – 4/2025
  • Account 2: 5/2025 – 8/2025 or 6/2025 – 9/2025
  • Account 1: 7/2025 – 10/2025
  • Account 2: 11/2025 – 2/2026

Just realized one thing, don’t we need a month spacer between the end of the holding period of one account and the enrollment month of the other account? I mean, for example, the holding period for the 1st account ends in 4/2025, the funds can be pulled out in 05/2025, if the 2nd account is enrolled in 05/2025 as well, then wouldn’t the withdrawal from the 1st account be deducted from the “new money to citi” for the 2nd account? If so, it seems only one account is needed, and need one month space in between enrollments:

  • 1/2025 – 4/2025
  • 6/2025 – 9/2025
  • 11/2025 – 2/2026
Jimmy Johns 🔗
Jimmy Johns 🔗 (@guest_2009425)
February 21, 2025 11:33

I’m going off the assumption that pulling the funds at the start of a month has no impact on enrolling in the next bonus at the end of the month (while technically the same month, the actions are 20+ days apart)

Maya
Maya (@guest_2009451)
February 21, 2025 12:17

Thanks Jimmy Johns 🔗 . And I just saw Christopher’s comment in the link, it does look like the withdrawal at the start of the month has no impact on enrolling in the next bonus in the same month later.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/citi-wealth-management-up-to-3500-bonus/#comment-2009428

One more question, you mentioned “I prefer June and July since it straddles two quarters and I can just hold the funds in the June account for an extra month”, do you mean that the funds for Account 2: 6/2025 – 9/2025 should stay in the account till the end of 10/2025 since Account 1 is enrolled in the next promotion for 7/2025 – 10/2025?

Christopher Robin 🔗💰
Christopher Robin 🔗💰 (@guest_2009428)
February 21, 2025 11:37

Maya I pulled out my funds from the only account I have early this month after holding my funds through January for a Q4 promo.

After the withdrawal, I was assured over the phone that I can now enroll in February for the Q1 promo and make an initial deposit in February into the same account.

The rep did put me on hold twice to confirm this. The rep also emailed me to confirm my enrollment in the Q1 promo and attached the flyer.

I hope she is right.

Maya
Maya (@guest_2009445)
February 21, 2025 12:08

Thanks, Christopher Robin! So only one account is needed, and there’s no waiting period between promotions. That’s great news!

Christopher Robin 🔗💰
Christopher Robin 🔗💰 (@guest_2009480)
February 21, 2025 13:15

Maya If you end up going with my route, make sure to receive confirmation from the rep who enrolls you in the current quarter’s promo that your withdrawal earlier in the month for the prior quarter’s promo will have no impact.

Maya
Maya (@guest_2009914)
February 22, 2025 03:30

Thanks Christopher Robin . I just enrolled in my first promotion in January, and the holding period ends at the end of April. I’ll withdraw the fund in early May and call them in late May to ask them.

CSF
CSF (@guest_1999513)
February 6, 2025 16:55

Why do you say that?

Eric D
Eric D (@guest_1999755)
February 6, 2025 21:51

Just want to play on the safe side in case the system is looking for the net deposit/balance of each calendar month.

John R🔗
John R🔗 (@guest_2000792)
February 8, 2025 16:09

As of November 2024 (see my comment below from then), I believe there weren’t any DPs for this scenario. I’m in a similar situation as you, I just had my IRA funds freed up and am researching what to do next.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/citi-wealth-management-up-to-3500-bonus/#comment-1949745

edit – looks like there’s been a bunch of discussion on this since then

Fatbeard
Fatbeard (@guest_1999193)
February 6, 2025 10:34

“Market fluctuation will not impact eligibility for a particular bonus level.” I interpret this to mean that if you transfer in 50K of stocks, and and then their price dips to 49K, you’re still eligible for your bonus?

Christopher Robin 🔗💰
Christopher Robin 🔗💰 (@guest_2001679)
February 10, 2025 15:01

Fatbeard Correct

Maya
Maya (@guest_1993832)
January 29, 2025 21:30

Does Citi Wealth Management charge fee for partial ACAT out? Their fee schedule says $95 for ACAT outgoing transfer, I guess full ACAT out would result in such a fee, but I am wondering whether they charge it for partial.

Orin
Orin (@guest_1994205)
January 30, 2025 16:06

they don’t charge for partial

Maya
Maya (@guest_1994305)
January 30, 2025 18:46

Good to know, thank you Orin !

Retired
Retired (@guest_1993422)
January 29, 2025 10:38

How do you convince Citi Wealth Management advisor to open a self-directed brokerage account for this bonus? It seems that they just want to manage the money for you. Is this similar to the JP Morgan Chase where you just have to let them do it for the first time? Citi also has a separate self-directed brokerage deal with smaller bonus.

Orin
Orin (@guest_1994206)
January 30, 2025 16:06

i did it and just transferred my assets

EdwardD
EdwardD (@guest_2003534)
February 13, 2025 03:37

What is the difference between the Self Directed which can only be opened by Citi Wealth Management advisor (max $5000 bonus) and the Citi Self Invest brokerage which can be opened online ourself ($500 bonus)?

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_1994306)
January 30, 2025 18:49

When I called I didn’t need to convince them. The advisor asked whether I’d like a self-directed account or a managed account. They were pretty transparent about the options and you just need to tell them you want the self-directed account.

Retired
Retired (@guest_1994659)
January 31, 2025 09:51

Thanks for your suggestion. It depends very much on the person you talk to. The person I spoke with said I could just do a self-directed account without his help. I am not sure if that means the lower bonus deal or not.

Orin
Orin (@guest_1995531)
February 1, 2025 16:40

same deal. just ask to make sure they apply it

EdwardD
EdwardD (@guest_2003537)
February 13, 2025 03:45

Not sure which account you opened. Is advisor Self Directed different from Self Invest brokerage? Per their terms, the $5000 max bonus offer excludes Citi Self Invest. See below.

What accounts are eligible and ineligible for this offer?
The promotion is only available for certain account types, including individual and joint accounts. Accounts not eligible for this promotion, include but are not limited to:

Corporate and other business/entity accounts
Trust accounts (except Living Revocable Trusts and Family Revocable Trusts, which are eligible)
Retirement plan accounts (except IRAs and SEPs, which are eligible)
Estate accounts
UGMA/UTMA accounts
529 college savings plan accounts
Citi Wealth Builder and Citi Self Invest accounts
Insurance products (including annuities)

DrDeals
DrDeals (@guest_1992812)
January 28, 2025 07:25

Do I have it wrong or does the 50K tier not make financial sense? It’s about 120 total days of holding, which is about 775 bucks on a 4.5% APY account – more than the 500 reward.

DrDeals
DrDeals (@guest_1993342)
January 29, 2025 05:16

Sorry, this isn’t correct. It’s only 30 days of holding. So only about $216 in lost interest.

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_1993860)
January 29, 2025 23:07

It is a brokerage account, you can purchase money market fund that has 4.2% ish dividend so no lost interest

Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊
Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊 (@guest_1994173)
January 30, 2025 15:04

favo🔗 have you done this before and if so, what did you buy on the Citi Wealth site?

I’ll be transferring 50k from an external Savings account I linked (and already did a small initial funding transfer from) close to March 31st, and would need the funds for sth else by early May.
So only want to have it at Citi for the minimum needed time of the month of April.

Was thinking about just keeping it in cash, but if you (or anyone else reading) can instruct me how to get the APY for April while being able to easily transfer out cash back to my Savings account in early May, I’d appreciate it…

Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊
Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊 (@guest_1994179)
January 30, 2025 15:26

Update:
reading a bit further down, I see that you also just started your journey with Citi Wealth favo🔗 , so that answers my question above.

Would still be very much interested if you could share

  • your plan/steps on getting the mentioned dividend,
  • and once you do it your actual experience with it on Citi Wealth.

Thanks in advance…

Christopher Robin
Christopher Robin (@guest_1994263)
January 30, 2025 17:34

Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊 I purchased SGOV, short duration Treasury bills ETF.

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_1994297)
January 30, 2025 18:38

Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊 I tried to purchase some fidelity and vanguard money market fund but the system gave me an error. I called CS they told me those funds were not supported. However CS recommended a few funds that were supported, AEAXX, PINXX, IDSXX, FDUXX, MMAXX.
 
 
I went with AEAXX, which has a current 7 day yield of 4.24%. It holds 40% treasury, 19% treasury repos. I assume there is a percentage of the dividend waived for state tax. The system alerted the fund had a front load, but CS confirmed it didn’t. Overall I think it is comparable to similar vanguard or fidelity funds.

Also Christopher Robin is correct, you can purchase SGOV as well.

Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊
Jay - ⒿⒶⓨ 🙈 🙉 🙊 (@guest_1995315)
February 1, 2025 09:14

Thanks to both of you for your response.
Will look more into it once I do my full funding in late March…

scoreseasy
scoreseasy (@guest_1992382)
January 27, 2025 13:37

Could I transfer a combination of taxable and IRA ETFs to get a higher bonus? Ex. Transfer $50,000 taxable and $150,000 IRA assets via ACATS to get the $200,000 bonus?

favo🔗
favo🔗 (@guest_1993351)
January 29, 2025 07:03

The short answer is yes, but it takes some work talking to the financial advisor to get approved.

“Multiple contributions in the name of the same beneficial owner will not be aggregated for purposes of this offer, except under the following conditions:

  • Customer funds one account, which is an eligible non-managed brokerage account, and a second account which is an eligible managed account
  • Customer funds one account, which is an eligible IRA account, and a second account which is an eligible non-IRA account

In either of the above two cases, your Financial Advisor must request the exception and the eligible funding from the two accounts will be generally aggregated for bonus qualification purposes. Any additional accounts funded during the promotional period will not be eligible for bonus eligibility. If both IRA and non-IRA accounts are funded and aggregated, the bonus will be generally allocated between the IRA and non-IRA on a pro-rata basis based on the amount of funding. All requirements of the offer, including the dates in the above chart, pertain to both eligible aggregated accounts.”