Update 10/3/24: Extended until 12/31/24.
Update 7/6/24: Bonus has been increased to $300 again. Still has targeted language but shows in google search result.
Update 6/23/24: Bonus is back, $250 again. Still has targeted language but shows in google search result. Hat tip to kas141
Update 4/8/23: Bonus now up to $300
Update 2/19/22: Available again.
Update 9/24/21: Available again, still has targeted language. Should show up if you do the following search ‘https://www.google.com/search?q=fulton+%24200‘. Hat tip to reader Gadget
Update 7/15/21: New link now available. Does have targeted language ‘To be eligible for this offer, you must have accessed this page via a direct communication (email or digital ad) from Fulton Bank.’
Update 2/1/21: Deal is back for 2021. Hat tip to kas141
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $250
- Availability: DE, MD, NJ, PA, DC & VA only. May need to live in one of the counties
- Direct deposit required: Optional
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Soft. Make sure to opt out of overdraft protection
- ChexSystems: Yes.
- Credit card funding: Up to
$500$50 - Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: None
- Household limit:
One (is enforced/isn’t enforced (2))None - Expiration date:
None ListedDecember 31, 2021December 31, 2022
Contents
The Offer
- Fulton Bank is offering a bonus of up to $300:
- Earn $300 when you open a Relationship Banking checking account online and within 60 days of account opening:
- Set up a recurring direct deposit totaling at least $500.
Earn $200 when you open a Simply Checking account online and within 60 days of account opening do one of the following:Set up a recurring direct deposit totaling at least $500. ORUse your contactless debit card to make a purchase at least 15 times, spending $300 or more in total purchases. This includes in-store and online purchases.Earn an extra $50 when you open a Simply Checking account and when you also open a Statement Savings5 account online and deposit at least $1,000 in new money within 60 days. Just select Statement Savings within the “Your Offers” page during the online account opening process.
- Earn $300 when you open a Relationship Banking checking account online and within 60 days of account opening:
The Fine Print
- This offer is valid for new consumer checking account customers only that have not had a checking account with any affiliate of Fulton Financial Corporation within the last 24 months.
- Promotion is limited to one cash bonus per person.
- If multiple accounts are opened for the same owner, only the first account will be eligible for the bonus.
- Fulton Financial Corporation employees and immediate family members sharing a household are not eligible.
- May not be combined with any other offer.
- Offer may be withdrawn without notice.
- Customers are responsible for possible tax implications.
- 25 minimum deposit to open a checking account online.
- This offer is valid when you open a new Simply Checking account and complete a minimum of 15 debit card purchases within 60 days after account opening (transactions must be posted to the account within the 60 day timeframe); or, set up recurring direct deposit in the cumulative amount of $250 or more within 60 days after account opening.
- The direct deposit must post to your account within this timeframe and is limited to Social Security, pension, payroll, or unemployment. $200 cash bonus will be credited to your checking account four to six weeks after the conditions above have been met.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
- Simply checking has no monthly fees to worry about
- Relationship Banking has a $20 monthly fee
- $5,000 minimum daily balance and one customer-initiated transaction posted each statement cycle OR
- $25,000 combined deposit and investment balance for the primary or secondary account owner on the last day of the statement cycle and one customer-initiated transaction6 posted each statement cycle
Early Account Termination Fee
I can find no references to an early account termination fee on their website.
Our Verdict
Previous best bonus was $150. This is an extra $50 for the same requirements. Definitely think this is worth doing if you live in a targeted area, I’ll be adding this to our list of the best checking account bonuses.
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
12/6 opened via link in DoC
12/13 500 DD payroll
12/18 300 bonus posted
did not have to do anything special, though i do live in a targetted zip code
Fast payout, I love it!
11/18 – Applied directly, did not find a targeted ad. A day later requested to securely upload DL, and then they asked for me to upload SSN card, which is rare. Buried in the last page of one of the many disclosures were the terms of the bonus, confirming it was applied correctly. $50 CC funding on Fidelity 2% coded as purchase.
11/20 – Approved, set up online access using old ID from first time bonus with them in 2020.
11/29 – $501 real DD
12/4 – $300 bonus posted.
I had another real DD set up for 12/6 in case, but already cancelled more after that. I would never want this bank for any real accounts, they use the 1990s looking outdated system that some banks use, and to get online access you have to fill out a ton of information and it all has to match to the T. Real DDs don’t post till Friday, over half now seem to post early on Wed or Thurs. I had forgotten about them, I churned them last in 2021. Will sign up and do this for P2 before the end of the year, very fast and easy $300.
Just successfully repeated w/ P2 on a similar timeline. Used real work DD, despite my name showing up in the transaction, credited $300 bonus no problem, 3 business days after DD.
One of the fastest bonus payouts I’ve ever gotten.
11/18 acct. opened using DoC link
11/29 $501 real employer DD
12/4 $300 bonus posted
My experience for reference without getting into the gory details on how I had to set up in the first place:
Sep 18th opened
Sep 25th Disc Prearrange ACH
Oct 11th real job DD
Nov 7th Cash bonus 24CH/MISC Credit $300
Not sure if the Discover transfer counted. But it came across as ACH for this bank.
-M
Got an email today from Fulton:
Special gift for you:
A BONUS OF 1,000 REWARDS POINTS!
Of course, I closed my account a few days ago and no longer able to access the rewards. I assume $10 down the tubes…
What’s the best and easiest way to close this account?
Zero the balance and send SM via online banking. Voyager
Just got my bonus, and want to keep in good standing for future bonuses so I’m planning to wait a few months before closing. Since there’s no minimum, is there a rule of thumb for a minimum amount to keep in there to stay in good standing? $25? What do you usually do?
What were the specifics for achieving the bonus?
Opening date?
More than one dd?
Time frame between dd and bonus?
Thanks
-M
You should be fine with just $1. Some people go all the way down to $0.01. If you’re lazy, just leave it at $0 and they may even autoclose it for you!
New link for this offer from sponsored google search ad, exp 12/31:
https://www.fultonbank.com/offers/checking2024
Chuck
…
Was working 2 days ago.
Anyone know of current links for this promotion, or how to get targeted?
any update on this?
I googled it earlier… and via Bing… not seeing it. Very possible it’s dead. This isn’t WF or Citi where the promo stays running year around. edy pr
Google was showing the ad for me today by searching for “Fulton $300”. Top of the search page…
“Sponsored
Earn $300 Bonus | Fulton Bank | Fulton Bank $300 Checking
Fulton Bank
$300 Bonus! Fulton Bank Checking Offer. Act Now. Member FDIC. Don’t Miss Out On This Exclusive $300 Offer. Open Your Account Online Now. 200+ Branches. Community Commitment. Online & Mobile Banking. Great Customer Service.”
Besides the fact people have used the non-sponsored link and got the bonus…. Myself & P2 included. YMMV.
Opened with link on this page on September 1, 2024 with $25 opening deposit.
Real DD on 9/13/24 of $500.
The $300 bonus posted on 9/25/24.
Opened using a link on this page.
Real DD on 9/12/24.
No bonus yet.
Account opened: 9/8/24
Real DD:9/12/24.
Cash Bonus 24CH / MISC CREDIT: Posted overnight, with yesterday’s date.
Still have not received mine. Not surprising.
Opened 9/18
Reall DD: 10/11
Looks like I will have to call them up.
It seemed to be an online deal.
But I did in branch with a headache and I have the branch manger info.
Will see how it goes.
-M