Deal has expired, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200 for both parties
- Availability: MA only
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,000 minimum specified
- Additional requirements:
- Hard/soft pull: Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: Unknown
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: June 29th, 2019
Contents
The Offer
Direct link to offer (scroll to bottom)
- Watertown Savings Bank is offering a referral bonus of $200 (both the person referring and person being referred can receive up to $200 each). Bonus is broken down as follows:
- Receive the first $100 bonus when you’re referred be a current customer and you open any new WSB checking account with eStatements. Referral must also set up a recurring direct deposit of payroll and receive direct deposits totaling at least $1,000 or more within 60 das of account opening
- To receive the second $100 bonus the referral must use their debit card at least six times during the first 60 days of account opening, set up bill pay and add at least one recurring bill to the account and make at least 1 payment within 60 days of account opening
The Fine Print
- To qualify for the FIRST $100 bonus each, the following two steps must be taken: 1. The person you refer (“referral”) needs to be a new Watertown Savings Bank (WSB) customer and open any new WSB checking account with eStatements, which is subject to approval. Minimum account deposit is $10. To open an account the referral should visit watertownsavings.com and use code: FRIEND or visit a WSB branch location and mention code “FRIEND” at the time of account opening.The referral must set up a recurring direct deposit of payroll and receive direct deposits totaling at least $1,000 or more within 60 days of account opening. The first $100 bonus will be deposited to your WSB account and the referral’s new WSB checking account within 4-6 weeks after requirements have been met. Not valid if combined with other offers.
- To qualify for the SECOND $100 bonus each, the following two steps must be taken: 1. The referral must use their debit card at least six times during the first 60 days of account opening. 2. The referral must setup Bill Pay, add at least 1 recurring bill to the account, and make at least 1 payment through Bill Pay within 60 days of account opening. The second $100 bonus will be deposited to your WSB account and the referral’s new WSB checking account within 4-6 weeks after requirements have been met. Not valid if combined with other offers. Offer valid until June 29, 2019. Offer subject to change without notice. Any taxes due on this gift are the responsibility of the recipient.
- The Refer a Friend program discloses that each party has an account at Watertown Savings Bank. To participate both parties agree to waive their rights to privacy in that regard. By submitting this sign up form, you give permission to the bank, in the context of the Refer a Friend program, to make it known to each other that you have an account at Watertown Savings Bank and completed the requirements to receive the bonus described above.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
The WSB free checking account has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a full fee schedule so I’m unsure if there is any early account termination fee or not.
Our Verdict
We’ve seen Watertown Savings bank offering a $100 checking bonus, this $200 bonus for both parties is significantly better especially if you’re being referred by somebody you know and they will split some of their $200 with you. We still need to know if it’s a hard or soft pull in the comments. Feel free to share your referral information in the comments but please provide some additional information as well such as if it’s a hard/soft pull to open.
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
Can anyone who did this bonus (or the 300) report whether if they have received their bonus or not (and what the timeline was)? I did the 300 bonus and just getting close to the 6 weeks mark (I have passed it by my calculations but giving some leeway)?
Thanks!
William Charles Chuck
The referral offer seems to be going on until 9/30 (like the $300 offer). This one still seems to be able to be opened both online or in-branch (code “FRIEND”), while the $300 offer now seems to only be available in branch with code “CHECKING” as mentioned by @gm https://www.doctorofcredit.com/ma-only-watertown-savings-bank-300-checking-bonus/#comment-805846
Looks like a $300 offer has popped up, for anyone that hasn’t done the referral one yet https://www.watertownsavings.com/offer
They are Chex sensitive, at least for higher inquiry numbers (23/12). While it appeared like I was initially approved pending receipt of mailed paperwork, I just received a denial letter in the mail with a refund of the initial deposit.
when I applied online, there’s no place to put the referrer information. How can the referrer get the bonus?
The referrer gives both their own email and the email of the person they are referring. If you use the code FRIEND when applying they must check to see who submitted your referral.
If anyone wants to share the love I can hook you up with a referral. Send first name, last name, phone number and email to [email protected] and I can get it for you. Thanks!
I’ll give this one a shot, as well, if anyone wants to provide an invitation. Will post on DPs with my results.
Please send your info to: [email protected] and I’ll send an invite.
According to the referral form I need these info to in order to send:
first name, last name, email, and phone number.
Thanks!
Invite sent!
After submission, it said:
“We appreciate you reaching out to Watertown Savings Bank. We will contact you back within one business day.”
Although, not sure whether it means you or me.
Would like to give it a shot on Tuesday. Would anyone like to provide a referral?
Please send your info to: [email protected] and I’ll send an invite.
According to the referral form, I need the following info in order to refer:
first name, last name, email, and phone number
Thanks!
At the end of the application process, you are given a PDF application to print, sign, and mail. The application is not processed until the bank receives the hard copy in the mail.
At least with the free checking account, credit card funding caps out at $15 (!). I see the pending charge which looks like a purchase, but won’t know for sure until it posts.
I’ll update with more info as the application progresses.
I just opened a Watertown free checking account and I was basically approved (just need to send their form with my signature via snail mail).
Does anyone want an referral invitation?
PS: CC funding up to $15 with Visa, Mastercard, and Discover.
Not Chex sensitive (I’m 15/12) and seems to be soft pull from all credit bureaus (received no inquiry alerts).
yes please ill give it a go
According to the referral form I need these info to in order to send:
first name, last name, email, and phone number.
Please send your info to: [email protected]
I will refer you right away and so you should expect email (or call) from the bank.
Thanks!
Yes, please! mailid: [email protected]
According to the referral form I need these info to in order to send:
first name, last name, email, and phone number.
Please send your info to: [email protected]
I will refer you right away and so you should expect email (or call) from the bank.
Thanks!
Were you still successful opening your account after the paper form was processed or did they deny for the 15/12 Chex?
Some ppl are saying they received instant approval online but rejected after they mailed in the form.