This bonus has expired and is no longer available. Best checking bonuses are found here.
Update 01/23/18. Reposting because it’s back for 2018.
- Maximum bonus amount: $125
- Availability: FL, MA, NJ, NY, VT, must open in branch [Branch locator]
- Direct deposit required: Yes, full paycheck/benefits
- Additional requirements: Open health savings account and enroll in eStatements
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: Unknown
- Expiration date:
November 30th, 2016February 28th, 2018
The Offer
- Trustco Bank is offering three different checking bonuses:
- Personal:
- Earn $100 when you open a Home Town Premier Checking Account with Direct Deposit of Social Security, Payroll or Pension
- Earn $125 when you open a Home Town Premier Checking Account with Direct Deposit of Social Security, Payroll or Pension with a new Savings Account
- Business:
- Earn $100 When you open a Home Town Business Checking Account and complete 10 transactions after two statement cycles.
The Fine Print
- All offers valid until 2/28/18.
- To receive the $100, you must open a Home Town Premier Checking Account with Direct Deposit. Minimum of $50 to open a Home Town Premier Checking Account. Monthly maintenance fees may apply and may have a minimum balance requirement.
- To receive the $125, you must open a Home Town Premier Checking Account with Direct Deposit and a new Savings Account (Club Accounts excluded).
- Minimum of $50 to open a Home Town Savings Account. Minimum balance of $200 to Earn Annual Percentage Yield (APY). Interest accrues daily and credited monthly.
- Monthly service charge or fee may reduce earnings and rate may vary.
- Direct Deposits must be the entire amount from a recurring Payroll, Social Security, and/or Pension (minimum of $100 monthly Direct Deposit).
- Direct Deposit must be completed within 45 calendar days from end of promotion.
- Bonuses will be paid within 30 days of verification of Direct Deposits.
- To receive the $100, you must open a Home Town Business Checking Account and complete 10 transactions after two statement cycles.
- Minimum of $50 to open a Home Town Business Checking Account.
- Bonus will be paid within 30 days of verification of transactions.
- Initial debit card supplied at no cost. A fee may apply for replacement cards. Please speak with a Branch Manager for details and requirements on specific checking accounts.
Avoiding Fees
It says there is a $5 monthly fee on the personal account this is waived with Direct Deposit of Payroll, Social Security or Retirement Income Or a $500 monthly average collected balance. Personal savings account has no monthly fees. Business account has a $5 monthly fee that doesn’t look to be waived.. I’m not sure if there is an early account termination fee or not as I can’t find the fee schedule.
Our Verdict
Previously they offered a sign up bonus of $110 but with more requirements. This bonus is better, but I still don’t think I’d recommend it as it requires going in branch and they require a direct deposit of a full paycheck/government benefit (typically when they list this it means they are manually checking direct deposits). Because of this I’m not adding it to the list of bonuses we recommend.
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View Comments (10)
Home Town Premier Checking Monthly Fees: $5 or $0*
*No Monthly Service Fee with: Direct Deposit of Payroll, Social Security or Retirement Income Or a $500 monthly average collected balance.
Home Town Basic Checking monthly fees: $3
https://www.trustcobank.com/page/home-town-checking-35.html
FYI: Trustco Bank manually reviews the direct deposits. It is best to do multiple direct deposits with cents (Schwab, Discover ACH, etc.) to trigger the bonus.
I have gotten the bonus two years running. In addition, you have to call multiple times to ask them to verify the direct deposits and "release" the bonus. Trustco Bank are a bit of hustle to deal with, but the branch is a close...
Early account termination fee: 90 days
I thought it was 6 months, but it was confirmed by bank employee that it is 90 days.
$125 bonus isn't enough with DD being required. I'll wait for something better.
How are they able to determine that the entirety of your DD is going to them, rather than just a portion? I'm happy to put 1000 of my employer's DD (monthly - 500 biweekly) into this
They won't as long as it isn't a whole number. Just make sure it looks like a realistic number. Like 672.43.
No branch in metro area of NYC
There are several branches in Westchester.
This one is "iffy" for me considering I just did Hancock-Whitney. But, I actually could get to a branch in FL easily.
I do agree with not putting it on the "bestie" list, too.
There are no branches within 100 miles of Boston. Are there really branches in MA?
3-4 branches in Berkshire county.