Extended to 6/30/2025
Update 3/13/25: Deal is back now $200.
Extended to 12/31/2024
Extended to 9/30/2024
Extended to 6/30/2024
Update 2/18/24: Deal is back and valid until 3/31/2024
Update 11/1/23: Bonus extended to 31-Dec-2023.
Update 9/11/23: Extended until 10/31/2023.
Update 7/4/23: Extended until 8/31/2023.
Update 4/8/23: Extended until 6/30/2023. Hat tip to Woody
Update 11/20/21: Deal is back and valid until 12/31/21. Now Limit of one consumer checking-related bonus per household every 2 calendar years. Hat tip to reader BS
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:
- Availability: LA, MS, FL, AL, & TX only. Can apply online now
In branch only [Branch locator] - Direct deposit required: Yes, $300+
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: No
- Credit card funding: None
- Monthly fees: $12, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: $20, 180 days (bonus forfeit)
- Household limit: Limit of one consumer checking-related bonus per household every 2 calendar years. (this is enforced),
- Expiration date:
December 31, 20206/30/2023
Contents
The Offer
- Hancock Whitney Bank is offering a bonus of $200 when you open a Freestyle checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Set up and receive qualifying monthly direct deposits totaling at least $300 each month by 5/31/2025
The Fine Print
- Use the promo code referenced above when opening a new Connect Checking account with money not currently on deposit at Hancock Whitney Bank by the offer expiration date of 12/31/2020.
- The promo code is required at account opening. The following criteria must be met by 2/28/2021: set up and receive a qualifying monthly direct deposit of at least $250 per deposit.
- A qualifying direct deposit includes a salary, pension, social security or other recurring, monthly income amount of $250 or more, electronically deposited by your employer or outside agency.
- Transfers from one account to another or deposits made at a financial center or ATM do not qualify. Limit of one consumer checking-related bonus per household every 2 calendar years.
- The Bank may change or discontinue the offer at any time and without notice.
- This offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with other offers.
- The email given at account opening must match the email address submitted to get the offer promo code.
- If your account meets the criteria, and remains open and active, we will deposit the earned bonus into your new Connect Checking account within 6 weeks after the qualification period of 2/28/2021.
- Bonuses may be considered interest and may be reported on IRS form 1099.
- 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 a $12 monthly fee. This is waived if you do any of the following:
- primary account holder under 18 or age 64 and over or
- make one or more client-initiated debit or credit transactions per statement cycle to waive the service charge.
Early Account Termination Fee
$20 fee is charged for each account if the account is closed within 180 days. Looks like you might also forfeit the bonus.
Our Verdict
Hancock also offers a $500 bonus, but that is more difficult to keep fee free. There was also a $300 bonus in the past that was easier to keep fee free, but I don’t think that account is still available and to be honest this connect checking account isn’t that difficult to keep fee free either. This is probably an easier option for most people and as such we will add this to our list of the best bank account bonuses.
Hat tip to reader Natanael
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
Opened a Freestyle checking account in Oct 2024, never had direct deposit though. Just opened a second Freestyle account today with promo code, seamlessly, and set up DD. Nothing seemed to flag me for already having an account.
Anyone have experience to say that this may still work for me? I may leave it for a month, DD in April, and call in May to confirm the promo is active on my account.
Opened with chex frozen, was in state but pretty far from a physical branch. Instant approval. Credit was all unfrozen.
If I open online, do I have to have an opening deposit by linking another bank and if yes, what is the minimum opening deposit?
Interesting, they didn’t mention anything about the 2 years lock period or household limit in the fine print
4th paragraph on footnote 1.
CredWallet
“Limit of one consumer checking-related bonus per household every 2 calendar years.”
If you’re viewing the terms at the “Direct link to offer” page, then you have to click “View Details” and then scroll to the bottom to see the footnote Gadget mentioned.
Dang, thanks now I can see it. I checked the first paragraph. I recall that terms; while doing the bonus on 2023. Hopefully can do that again this year. I think I have to wait until October (since that’s when I got the bonus last time).
It was $300 back then, and for some reason, they posted the bonus twice, so got $600 by mistake lol. Thanks Pickle Rick and Gadget!
I am in state. After I received the email, I keep getting “Online account opening and enrollment are currently unavailable due to scheduled maintenance. Thank you for your patience” over the past 2 days. Anyone else getting this message?
Has anyone whos been approved semi recently in state, but far away from their physical branches? Wondering if it’s even worth the EWS pull with all the denials people are reporting
Must be US Citizen to apply online. FYI.
I am in State
March 2025 – declined online – told to visit branch to apply
Nov 2022 – declined online – told to visit branch to apply
Aug 2022 – declined online – told to visit branch to apply
Nov 2021 – declined online – told to visit branch to apply
Declined!
Thank you for your application. We’re sorry but we are unable to open your account at this time. Our decision was based on information provided by Equifax Credit Information Services, Inc. Equifax did not make this decision and is unable to provide you with specific reasons why. We will send you an email with information on how you can request a free copy of your consumer file.
Chex frozen
They don’t pull Chex. They pull Early Warning Services. They might have tried to soft pull your Equifax, and if it’s frozen, they can’t get it.
Erv
Citizens Bank likes to throw that “Credit Information Services” error up for people they don’t like due to whatever past mistake, I assume. My P2 had a bad case of that error there.