[CT, DE, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, D.C., MD, FL] Citizens Bank $400 Checking Bonus

Extended to 8/3/2025

Update 5/19/25: New $400 link, $500 in branch offer also available. Hat tip to ShawntheShawn

Update 3/26/25: Deal is back until 7/3/2025. 

Update 3/13/25: Extended to 3/31/25.

Update 1/2/25: Bonus has been extended until 3/13/25

Update 11/6/24: Better version that only requires a $1,000 direct deposit.

Update 11/5/24: Extended to 1/16/2025

Update 9/25/24: Deal is back, just requires a $1,000 direct deposit for the full bonus. Hat tip to reader Peek

Update 6/20/24: Deal is back through 08/01/24. Hat tip to reader ShawntheShawn

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $400
  • Availability: CT, DE, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, VA, D.C., MD, FL
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull as long as you opt out of over draft protecton.
  • ChexSystems: Mixed data points
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: $9.99, avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: None
  • Household limit: None
  • Expiration date: November 26, 2020 10/28/21 4/14/2022 6/9/2022 1/20/23

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Citizens Bank is offering a bonus of up to $400 when you open a new checking account. Bonus is broken down as follows:
    • Get $400 when you open your first new personal checking account and make a direct deposit of $1,000 or more within 60 days.
    • Earn $2 for every debit card purchase you make, up to $100 within the next 60 days.

The Fine Print

  • To earn a $300 bonus, open your first new personal checking account between 08/17/20 to 11/26/20 and have at least one single direct deposit of $500 or more post to your new checking account within 60 days of account opening.
  • To earn up to $100: Get paid $2 per qualified debit transaction (up to $100) that post and clear your new checking account within 60 days of account opening.
  • Qualifications: Primary signer on the new checking account may not be or have been a signer on any Citizens Bank personal checking account within the previous six months.
  • The new account must be open and in good standing on the payout date stated in the table below to qualify for this offer.
  • Direct Deposit is recurring income electronically deposited into your Citizens Bank checking account and may include salary, pension, and other regular income.
  • Qualified debit card transactions include signature and PIN-based debit transactions in person directly at a merchant location or in app or online merchant sites.
  • Only one debit card per checking account eligible for bonus. Online Bill Payments, Zelle® transactions and ATM transactions do not qualify.
  • Eligibility: Customer must open their first new checking account via Citizens Bank’s online account opening system accessed by clicking on one of the links on this page.
  • Customer should print this screen for their records. Customer will only be paid a one-time bonus for this program.
  • Offers may be withdrawn without notice and cannot be combined with any other checking offer.
  • Payout: Bonus will be deposited to the new checking account by the date stated in the table below and will be labeled as “Balance Builder Bonus”.
  • Bonus will be reported to the IRS for income tax purposes.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Need to sign up for online statements otherwise there is a $3 fee.

Monthly Fees

Citizens Bank One Deposit Checking Account $9.99 Monthly Fee

The One Deposit checking account comes with a $9.99 monthly fee. Fee is waived by making one deposit each statement period. (According to this comment they really do count any deposit – even a transfer from another Citizens Bank account will trigger this.)

Early Account Termination Fee

As far as we know there is no early account termination fee.

Our Verdict

We’ve seen a $600 bonus in the past, but that required a $15,000 deposit to get the full bonus. This is a better option for those without that extra money sitting around. We will add this to our list of the best bank account bonuses.

Hat tip to reader Rob

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

Post history:
    William Charles
  • On May 19, 2025, 23:45
Tags: ct bank bonusesdc bank bonusesde bank bonusesdirect deposit requiredma bank bonusesmi bank bonusesnh bank bonusesnj bank bonusesno credit card fundingny bank bonusesoh bank bonusespa bank bonusesri bank bonusessoft pullvt bank bonuses

View Comments (4591)

  • This seems to be the most confusing part.

    I do not have the bonus tracker on either my mobile app or on my browser Internet account.

    I made the $500+ DD with a push from Ally. As with all the deposits to this account so far including those from other FIs, it says "Direct Deposit" on the transaction description. But from previous DPs that does not necessarily mean this description assures it is an acceptable DD.

    How can I confirm this is an acceptable DD? If I don't and just wait, I could lose this bonus.

    • Well, you could just wait. It's in the terms exactly what month to expect the bonus, and Citizens Bank is one of the MOST lenient on what counts as a direct deposit. @guest_2106099

      DP for Ally as a working: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ct-de-ma-mi-nh-nj-ny-oh-pa-ri-vt-citizens-bank-400-checking-bonus-2/#comment-2098785

      Mildly okay: You could ask Citizens support to just verify your are enrolled in a promo, and just ask why you don't see a bonus tracker.

      Not recommended: You could ask if you met qualifications, and when you are going to get your bonus. It's frowned upon.

      • Thanks, already confirmed I am enrolled. Have not yet asked about the bonus tracker.

        But if I wait, by the time I find out if I get the bonus it would be too late to try again and I will lose the opportunity to earn it.

        • That’s just the risk you have to take when faking DDs. You find what worked for others, or you try your own solution, and then you hope for the best.

          Attempting to confirm your fake DD worked with the bank just puts unnecessary eyes on the transaction, and hurts your fellow churners in the long run.

  • I see multiple DP's about a banner at the top of the mobile app. Was the banner always there since account opening? I met the $1,000 DD requirement back on 7/10 and I do not see any bonus tracker on the mobile app when I login.

  • I opened the accounts last week with a $300 + $300 code I received in the mail. Yesterday I got another mailer for the $1300 Private Client or $800 with Quest Checking + One Deposit Savings. Can P2 use this second code and open the accounts even if the mailer has my name on it but same address?

    • I received a mailer for the $300+$300 that was addressed to my address but a deceased family member. They accepted the code on the mailer and I have read several DPs that the name on the mailer doesn't matter; anyone who lives at that address is eligible and can use that code.

  • Can someone point me to the language that specifies those states or excludes other states? I am not seeing it.

    • It's based on the bank's footprint. Feel free to try applying from a different state, but the online application will stop you after you enter your address. OOS is possible in branch, however.

      • Interesting. I'm about to move forwards on a HELOC with them that has a discount for having a checking account. Would certainly be odd that I could have a line of credit with them but no checking account.

        • It’s not odd at all. Some FIs have nationwide eligibility for their credit products, but not deposit products. In these cases, the credit product can sometimes be a backdoor to establishing a relationship, and then becoming eligible for deposit products.

          I think you should be able to open a Citizens checking account online as an existing customer after opening the HELOC.

          • Thank you. The rep I am working with for the HELOC was able to open the account and said I can qualify for the bonus as well.

            This leads me to believe two things. 1. You can call a branch and may be able to open an account if you are outside the market. And 2. You can visit a branch to open an account even if you don't live in the market.

          • The first isn’t common, at least for a deposit product on its own. It might have been different for you since you were opening a credit product.

            The second is definitely true, but YMMV depending on the banker/branch. I am OOS and I opened my accounts during a trip.

  • Here's a laugh.
    I received a targeted mailed for $600: $300 for a single DD of 1k to a new checking account within 60 days, $300 for depositing $500 per month for three months into a new savings account.
    Was 3/24 at the time, have opened 1 other personal checking acct this year, 4 last year, 5 in 2023. Previously opened a Citizen's account in May 2024 and received the bonus in September 2024.
    6/21 - Accounts opened
    6/23 - Credit card charges $25 for funding each of two cards
    6/24 - Email notice that a document is available to view, but unable to access online
    6/25 - I see that both credit card charges of $25 have been refunded
    6/26 - Welcome emails for both accounts
    Separate mailers with PIN code and debit card arrive somewhere in here
    6/30 - Inability to log in leads to a phone call I learn my accounts have been closed, no one can explain why, redirected 4 times, seems pretty clear that this won't be happening, but no clear answer
    Early July, I receive a letter dated 6/25:
    "We regret to inform you that we have closed the Citizens account(s) referenced above. While it is never an easy decision to take this action, we recently reviewed this account(s) and have concluded that we can no longer maintain our banking relationship with you."

    I don't recall ever being asked on a date and then dumped before the date happened.

    So long, and thanks for all the fish!

    • Guessing that some accounts are manually reviewed and then closed; the criteria are not publicly known. Data points for that letter include people applying for the very first time, churners, and people whose accounts have been open for months.

  • Manhattan buildings are now receiving $1300 mailer expiring 9/11/25. $1300 requires Private Client (200k), so no good. $800 however is paid to combination of Quest Checking+One Deposit Savings. This $800 is the best Personal bonus today!!

  • still waiting on my bonus. Opened my account on 4/3 and made my deposit on 4/10. My promotional status in the app says I completed it.

    • If you opened your account in April, I think that you should receive your bonus by the end of August. There is a payout table under the terms of the bonus. It shows that you get your bonus by the end of the fourth month. Everyone that has reported receiving the bonus in July had opened their account in March.

  • My opening deposit pulled from Capital One got coded as DD. I wasn't sure as there wasn't a DP since at least 2021. Pushing from Chase is becoming a pain so I'm trying other sources.

      • Chase will frequently cancel outgoing transfers when pushing out of Chase, esp. on new accounts, or going to new accounts that they cannot verify (using EWS or other tools?). Other people have no issue, but it is a thing. @guest_1286505

  • 300+300=$600 mailer
    Checking: pushed $501 from Chase, immediately withdrew
    Savings: deposited $500 during each of 3 calendar months, immediately withdrew
    Made sure to flash $1501 Savings balance on last calendar day of the third month. Withdrew next day.
    7/11 $600 bonus. Planning close on 184th day. On-line transfering even 1c between Checking and Savings avoids monthly fees

      • Mailer wasn't addressed to me, but it was addressed to my Manhattan building. A new mailer (expires 9/11/25) is headlined $1300 (but only the $800 portion within it is profitable)

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