[Expired] [FL, SC] Grow Financial Federal Credit Union $200 Checking Bonus, No Direct Deposit Required

Deal has ended, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: Florida or South Carolina only
  • Direct deposit required: No
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/Soft Pull: Soft pull
  • Chex Inquiry: Yes
  • Credit Card Funding: Yes, $500 Limit
  • Monthly fees: $5, avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: None listed
  • Household limit: None
  • Expiration date: Must complete 5 debit card purchases by 2/15/22

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Grow Financial is offering a $200 checking bonus when you open a Grow CashBack Checking or Grow Checkless Checking and complete the following requirements:
    • Open a savings account and a checking account
    • Obtain a debit card
    • Make five (5) Grow Visa debit card purchases totaling $200 or more by 02/15/2022

The Fine Print

  • To qualify for the bonus, you must open a Grow CashBack Checking or Grow Checkless Checking Account online.
  • Accounts opened at our stores will not be eligible for the bonus.
  • This offer is not available to existing Grow Financial members, only one bonus per person.
  • This offer is limited to individuals residing in Florida or South Carolina only.
  • To receive the bonus: 1) Open a savings account and a checking account; 2) obtain a debit card; and 3) make five (5) Grow Visa debit card purchases totaling $200 or more by 02/15/2022.
  • Qualified Visa debit card transactions include signature or PIN-based point-of-sale purchases, bill payment made with your Grow Visa debit card, and online purchases. Excludes ATM withdrawals, transfers and deposits.
  • After you have completed all the above requirements, we will deposit the bonus in your account no later than 04/01/2022.
  • Your checking account must remain open and be in good standing in order to receive the bonus.
  • This offer is effective as of 12/31/2021 and subject to change without notice at any time.
  • Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Grow checkless account has a $5 monthly fee. This is waived if you do any of the following:

  • You are a minor (younger than 18 years old)
  • You have a Grow Checkless Checking Account
  • You have a Grow loan
  • You have a Grow Visa® credit card with 5 or more
    monthly transactions or an outstanding balance
  • You have a Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • You maintain an average monthly account balance of $200 or more (average monthly balance is defined as the average balance for all shares)
  • You maintain an average monthly balance across multiple accounts of $400 or more (multiple accounts is defined as having two or more primary membership accounts)

Early Account Termination Fee

According to the fee schedule, there is no EATF.

Our Verdict

Seems like a great deal. We will add this to our list of the best checking account bonuses.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On January 16, 2022, 17:15
Tags: credit card fundingdirect deposit not requiredfl bank bonusessc bank bonusessoft pull

View Comments (47)

  • Opened on Jan 24
    Made 6 debit transactions by 02/14
    Bonus posted on 02/28
    Checked with CSR and he confirmed there is no EATF so will close it this week

  • approved 1.26.22 - took the opening deposit - then locked me out of accounts and will not discuss anything over phone... they have my DL and everything - they never sent the debit card - no one will talk to me... never have I ever had this wonderful experience in banking. Complete buffoonery. no way I can make the 2.15.22 debit cutoff.

    • anytime I try to say -what is the issue etc.. on the phone - they say that I have to write them or fax them any questions I may have... I asked them why and what century they are doing business in... "this is our policy".... brick wall of idiocy. Emails sent/faxes sent - will see if they can manage to communicate with their customer...

      • Oh.. now I have to correspond only via mailed letter notarized ... what a joke - NCUA complaint filing immediately. Stay away from this incapable bank.

        • Finally. forced my way to management CS and they looked into it - they said somehow - I was flagged for fraud when they deposited my opening deposit (no other transactions - I do not even have a debit card) They said I had to travel to a branch and provide full SS card and notarized letters for all conversations etc... I said - I can show you the ACH pulls from my bank of 20 years with my name on it - they offered to just close the account and send me back my $275... I said - so you will mail that check to my mailing address that you do not think is really me? Total bat-dropping logic.

          So I managed to close the account apparently and they are mailing me my money back. Awful experience would not recommend at all.

  • Declined for both P1 and P2. Waste of time after uploading all documents. Why do they ask for these sensitive documents when they don't even want to open your account?
    Both P1 and P2 have less than 10 new account in previous 12 months

    • I think they are just looking for excuses to close accounts out of their local region... they approved me - pulled my opening deposits and then froze my account: Finally. forced my way to management CS and they looked into it – they said somehow – I was flagged for fraud when they deposited my opening deposit (no other transactions – I do not even have a debit card) They said I had to travel to a branch and provide full SS card and notarized letters for all conversations etc… I said – I can show you the ACH pulls from my bank of 20 years with my name on it – they offered to just close the account and send me back my $275… I said – so you will mail that check to my mailing address that you do not think is really me? Total bat-dropping logic.

      So I managed to close the account apparently and they are mailing me my money back. Awful experience would not recommend at all.

    • The current promotion is an extension of the same promotion that ended December 30, 2021. They committed (in writing, in the bonus language) to pay out on that bonus no later than January 21, 2022. That bonus has not yet been paid. Now they are saying those bonuses will pay out on April 1, 2022 - so we'll see. I would just make readers aware that this CU has at least one data point of failing to meet a bonus deadline.

      • After I qualified I sent a secure message asking them to verify I would receive the bonus. I received a confirmation, so if I don't get the bonus I have their email as proof. So wait and see.

  • Update: my official hold on funds is now 7 days. I really hope this works out with a debit card that arrives soon thereafter the hold falls off the account.

      • Thank you, Hank. It's always a bit disconcerting when the online banking page changes with the funding showing "all set" one day and then in the minus for almost a week and a debit card that goodness knows whether IT'S going to make it "on time" to do the qualifying activities.

        I know this is off topic but I had an excellent experience with First Home Bank (in FL). I share it to off set the current experience with Grow Financial. Except for the location of the First Home branches which were far away and my debit card that never worked, I got the benefit of not just the $250 bonus ONCE, but twice!

        When I inquired about closing my account after the initial time requirement because it just wasn't working out for me, I was informed that I had an additional $250 in my final balance.

        I told the rep that I already received the correct bonus and was informed the automated system put the additional funds in my account and it was legit. In fact, I was creating more a problem for the rep when I asked for a review because I wasn't supposed to have the second funding! I ended up getting a FedEx with the check including the extra money, two days later. Incredible and I thank God for providing the extra money which was used to help fund a trip for an unexpected family funeral many miles away. Have to include it in my tax return, too.

        Yes, there were bumps along the way with First Home Bank but it was the best bonus experience in terms of dollars.

  • This same promotion was available last month, December. The promotional language stated the bonus would be paid out no later than January 21. I met the requirements by the deadline of December 30. January 21 came and went, I did not receive the bonus. I sent a message, hoping to hear back.
    Anyone else have a similar experience or data point to share?

  • Really had a bumpy start with this one but things did improve once I went in person to a branch. Waiting for my funding from BOA to clear so that I actually have a balance. They will honor the promotion since I did 95% of the onlinr requirements. Asked me to add a positive google review. We'll see but so far, so good.

  • Said I was approved, then an email asking for a copy of ID, SSAN card, and power bill. So wait and see?

  • Instantly approved at application. seemingly, but wasn't able to create online login access. Got a Docusign agreement the next day with my member number and was able to make an account.

    I funded with an Amex card, seemed like they had no issue with it but I don't see any sign of the deposit in my online account or in my pending transactions at Amex.

    Anyone had their credit card funding actually show up in their accounts yet?

    • @guest_1317666 Any updates on funding with an Amex credit card? Did it code as a purchase or cash advance? Which Amex credit card did you use?

    • Per my customer rep,, it could take 2-3 days for them to actually receive the funding. Weekend is on the way. Advice: wait til after Monday.

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