[DC, DE, PA, VA, WV, MD] SECU $350 Checking Bonus

Update 11/13/24: Deal is back until 3/31/25. Now for $350. Anti-churn language increased from 12 months to 24 months this time around Hat tip to reader L

Update 2/21/24: Extended until 3/31/24

Update 11/13/23: Extended until 12/31/23.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $350
• Availability: DC, DE, PA, VA, WV, MD
• Direct deposit required: Yes, two direct deposits
• Additional requirements:
• Hard/soft pull: Soft Pull
• ChexSystems: Unknown
• Credit card funding: None
• Monthly fees: None
• Early account termination fee: None listed
• Household limit: None
• Expiration date: 10/31/23

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• SECU is offering a $250 checking bonus when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
  • Must set up e-statements and have at least 2 qualifying payroll Direct Deposits within 90 days of opening the account

 

The Fine Print

• $250 offer valid from 7/17/23 – 10/31/23 for new or existing SECU members that open a new SECU Total™ Checking & Rewards account and meet the following criteria.
• New SECU Members: 1) Join SECU and open a checking account during the promo period; 2) Within 90 days of opening checking: Set up e-statements and have qualifying payroll Direct Deposits totaling at least $500/month and at least 2 separate direct deposits post to your checking account*.
• Existing SECU Members that do not already have a checking account: 1) Open a checking account during the promo period; 2) Within 90 days of opening checking: Set up e-statements and have at least 2 qualifying payroll Direct Deposits totaling at least $500/month post to your checking account*. Members that already have a checking account or had a checking account after 1/17/23 are not eligible for this offer.
• Offer is only available to Maryland residents and residents of surrounding states (DC, DE, PA, VA, WV), as well as University of Maryland College Park students. Residents of other states not listed are not eligible.
• Qualifying direct deposits include recurring electronic deposits of payroll, pension or Social Security. Person to person, bank transfers or other electronic money transfers, such as those made through internet payment services, do not qualify.
• All criteria must be met within 90 days of opening checking.
• SECU will credit one cash bonus of $250 to the primary owner of the new SECU checking account within 60 days of meeting the requirements.
• Membership and accounts must be in good standing to receive the bonus.
• Promotional period and offer are subject to change at any time without notice.
• The promotional bonus is limited to one per member.
• If you received a bonus for a SECU checking promo in the last 12 months, you are not eligible for this offer.
• Advertised bonus cannot be combined with any other offer.
• Membership eligibility required.
• Bonuses are considered miscellaneous income, and may be reported as income to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC. SECU’s determination of offer eligibility is final. Federally insured by NCUA.
• 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 EATF in the fee schedule.

Our Verdict

Last time SECU offered a bonus it was available nationwide with a donation, but terms have specific states listed this time unfortunately. This is an extra $50 and requirements are roughly the same. Worth doing and we will add it to the best bank bonuses.

Hat tip to jd

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
• PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
• Introduction To ChexSystems
• Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
• What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
• How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
• Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
• How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
• Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
• Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
• Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
• Bank Bonus Posting Times