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

Extended to 12/31/2025

Extended to 6/30/25

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:
    William Charles
  • On November 13, 2024, 13:00
Tags: dc bank bonusesde bank bonusesdirect deposit requiredmd bank bonusesno credit card fundingpa bank bonusessoft pullva bank bonuseswv bank bonuses

View Comments (296)

  • FYI, today is the last day to get the $100 referral to stack along with the $350 promo offer. As long as you can get registered you can still get the $100 referral. T&Cs of referral states the following..

    "**$100 referral bonus is only available for referrals submitted between 11/25/24 – 6/30/25.  Offer not valid on referrals submitted prior to 11/25/24. The referred person must open a membership with SECU via a share savings account and open at least one additional account within 60 days of the referral date. The referred new member's accounts must remain open for at least 60 days."

    So as long as you get referred by 6/30 you are register for it and have up to 60 days to open and get the additional $100. Otherwise it looks like they are downgrading the referrals to $50 after 6/30/2025. Hop on if you can it's a $50 difference if it matters.

  • Anyone have trouble registering after getting approved? Will not let me register for online access.

    • Did you receive your "Welcome to SECU.." email? If so you should be good to go. Make sure when you confirm your identity that everything is correct (typos happen). Could also be a maintenance issue. VPN is also another overlooked factor, rare and could prevent registration. Give it a 1-3 days then contact them if it still gives you issue with registering for online access.

  • I can confirm that a push from Fidelity CMA worked as a direct deposit for the SECU interest adjustment $350 credit as of 6/26/25. Took one week to post.

  • 5/21 opened account
    5/27 real direct deposit
    6/9 real direct deposit
    6/10 $350 bonus posted

  • P1 and P2 did this bonus. Opened on same day, had the same real DD amounts on the same days, and signed up for e-statements.

    P1 got the bonus 24 hours after the 2nd real DD, but P2 did not and it has now been 3 days after the 2nd real DD.

      • There were 2 real DD of $250 and a 3rd is coming next Monday so that shouldn't be the issue

    • Could you spare some more details (opened, timeline, dates, deposit amt., etc.)?

      • Both opened on 5/9

        Both had a real DD of $250 on 5/27 and 6/9 from the same place.

        P1 got the $350 on 6/10 and P2 has yet to get the $350

        • Where any OOS?

          Here's also a likely reason in SECU T&C..

          "SECU will credit one cash bonus of $350 to the primary owner of the new SECU checking account within 60 days of meeting the requirements."

          You made it into the "early bird" list and P2 is still within SECU terms for bonus payout. Nothing state they should post bonus the same as yours did, just within the 60 days. I hear you and can create bonus anxiety fatique. DPs do show some of us got it quick while others got it later.

          If everything for P2 meets requirements and QDD is really legit, just make contact with them and inquire about when P2 should expect the bonus to post. They are an approachable and friendly CU and not hostile about bonus inquiries. HTH, GL!

          • Located in MD, so that shouldn't be the issue. I guess it's just a timing thing and P2 was unlucky!

          • Doesn't hurt to get P2 to just do a courtesy contact to ensure that the promo offer is attached anyway. This way both parties have it notated to the account, just me.

  • 5/18/25 - Account opened
    6/5/25 - 2 x $250 Discover checking pushes
    6/9/25 - Interest Adjustment $350 checking promo

  • 4/20: Account opened with referral, $25 opening deposit
    4/24: 2X $50 Wealthfront Push
    5/7: $26.78 Chase Personal Push
    5/8: $23.22 Chase Personal Push
    5/15: $26 Real DD
    5/21: $100 Referral Bonus
    5/29: $26 Real DD
    5:30: $350 Bonus Posted

    Seems to have needed real DD, at least for me.

  • 5/15 - account open
    5/27 - $251 deposit from Schwab brokerage
    5/28 - $251 deposit from Schwab brokerage
    5/30 - $350 bonus received

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