[Expired] M&T Bank $200 Checking Bonus – Available Online [AZ, CT, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV]

This offer has expired but there is another offer for $150.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $200
• Availability: Limited to the following states:  AZ, CT, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV
• Direct deposit required: Yes, $100
• Additional requirements: None
• Hard/soft pull: Soft
• Credit card funding: None
• Monthly fees: Waive-able
• Early account termination fee: $50 180-days
• Expiration date:  September 23rd, 2016

The Offer

• Open a new M&T personal checking account by September 23rd, 2016 with the promotional code QF and receive a sign up bonus of $200 when you do the following:
  • Set up a qualifying direct deposit of $100 or more within 90 days of account opening

The Fine Print

• Qualifying direct deposits include but are not limited to electronic deposits such as payroll or social security and do not include electronic money transfers or credits such as account-to-account transfers or those made through internet payment services
• Bonus will post to the account within 90 days of meeting the direct deposit requirement
• Limited to one bonus per customer
• Offer may vary by region and product
• Offer is nontransferable
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

The bonus is available on any personal checking account, including: EZChoice Checking, MyChoice Checking, MyChoice Plus Checking, MyChoice Premium Checking, Classic Checking, Basic Banking. Let’s look at the easiest options for keeping fee free.

[Note that M&T Bank is one of the few banks that doesn’t give you a grace period, the requirements mentioned below must be completed your first month to keep it fee-free.]

EZChoice Checking

This account has a monthly fee of $9.95, soon changing to $6.95.

• Monthly fee is waived by making just ONE transaction such as a deposit, withdrawal, or debit purchase.

MyChoice Checking

This account has a monthly fee of $6.95 that can be waived with any of the following methods:

• Receive direct deposits totaling $200 or more
• Make 10 or more monthly debit card purchases
• Keep an average daily balance of $500 (might be $1,500 depending on your area) or more 

Basic Banking

This account has a non-waivable $3 monthly fee.

Early Account Termination Fee

Update: Looks to be $50 now.

Our Verdict

In the past people have received the bonus even if they didn’t receive the targeted mail out (the coupon code isn’t unique). They are currently offering a bonus of $150, that offer has a landing page if you feel more comfortable but you’re leaving $50 on the table. $200 is the biggest bonus M&T Bank have offered. Most people love this bonus because the bonus posts exceptionally fast after meeting the direct deposit requirement (and they aren’t exactly strict on that). Because of that we will add it to our best bank sign up bonus article.

Hat tip to reddit user billcard

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