[Expired] [NJ, NY & PA, In Branch Only] Ocean First Bank $250 Checking Account Bonus – Direct Deposit Not Required

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Offer at a glance

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Ocean First Bank is offering a bonus of $250. To receive the bonus you need to complete the following requirements:
    • Open a new Simply Great Checking account
    • Request a debit card and receive $50
    • Make a debit card transaction of $25+ and a mobile deposit of $25 or more within 60 days and receive a $100 bonus
    • On your 6 month account anniversary receive a $100 bonus

The Fine Print

  • Offer available to first-time Simply Great checking customers from 10/1/19 through 11/30/19 and subject to change at any time.
  • Business checking accounts do not apply to this offer.
  • Initial $50 cash bonus is paid at account opening when you take and use an OceanFirst Visa® Debit Card with your new account.
  • An additional $50 cash bonus will automatically be deposited into your account after 60 days, only after making a debit card transaction of $25 or more within 60 days of account opening.
  • An additional $50 cash bonus will be automatically deposited into your account after 60 days, only after making a mobile check deposit of $25 or more within 60 days of account opening.
  • An additional $100 cash bonus will automatically be deposited 6 months after your account opening date, as long as you continue to be an active mobile banking user by accessing the mobile banking app and utilizing the mobile banking features.
  • All cash bonuses are taxable.
  • $50 minimum to open any OceanFirst checking account.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees $7

Simply Great checking account comes with a $7.95 monthly maintenance fee. Fee is waived with a daily minimum balance of $5000. Fine print says it’s waived first year.

Early Account Termination Fee

Account needs to be kept open for one year or bonus is forfeit.

Our Verdict

We saw a similar bonus last October, but it was for $50 less but could be opened online. There was also a $300 bonus the previous year. Don’t think it really makes sense to wait for a better bonus to come along as it seems to be a strict one per year and looks like you might be able to churn them as well (although the accounts do need to be kept open for one year to avoid forfeiting the bonus). The deal itself is worth doing if you live near a branch as no direct deposit is required and the monthly fee is waived the first year. I’ll be adding this to the best checking bonus page.

Hat tip to PracticalEmployee

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On October 6, 2019, 15:00

View Comments (58)

  • I received an email from Oceanfirst today and it reminded me that my account was open almost a year. I was concerned about the fee being charged as I have only about $2 in my account. I called and was told that everyone's account is being converted to a free account this month. Has that happened for any of you get?

    • Still waiting, couple phone calls in. Finally was able to get the person at the branch who opened it (she actually remembered me) and she is on top of it, said I qualify. Hopefully will get it soon. Annoyed none of this is posting automatically but what can you do. So far it's 3 weeks after.

        • i never got this for p2. they are claiming she was not active on mobile which is total bs. i gave up on it and just waiting to close it.

    • My 6 month anniversary is Saturday, going to try and call next week if it doesn't show up(might have to wait on hold for another 6 months to which I can then close the account in the same call!)

      • Update, just got mine last night, next business day after my 6 month. Need to make sure to close as soon as a year hits, otherwise you need $5k a month in a zero interest checking account to avoid the monthly fee.. ROTFL!

  • For p2 - This bank asked her for w9 last month even though we gave ssn during opening.after a long discussion they made me visit branch with physical copy of ssn and all went good. Today again they sent her w9 but this time with ssn prefilled. This is making me uncomfortable as every month it becomes hostile. Anyone experienced this or is it okay to sign and send it back. Received 50 for opening account and no other transaction made so far. Thanks in advance

  • 10/11 - Opened account. Got $50 opening account bonus
    10/17 - $40 debit card purchase for an utility payment
    10/21 - $50 mobile check deposit
    12/11 - $100 combined bonus for debit card purchase and mobile deposit

    • Hm, I did:
      10/9 opened, $50 bonus
      10/9 $25 debit card purchase
      10/11 $200 mobile check deposit

      No $100 bonus yet.

  • Tried to open account for p2 and they declined to open it with offer. I was upfront regarding my account though. Any success with multiple account in same household ?

      • @guest_846627 I was in matawan branch. Which branch did you use if you dont mind sharing? Also did both of you get 50 bonus while opening . TIA.

        • We opened in the Pennington branch with the branch manager, Eric. We have both received the $50 opening bonus. They are open on Saturday til noon, according to the website. Pennington is a cute town. Maybe take a drive, open another account, then have lunch there.

          Good luck.

          • @guest_846803
            Thank you for replying. I used to work in Merrill lynch office there. The town indeed is cute small town.

  • Just want to report that the monthly fee is waived completely meaning they don't charge you the fee and then refund you right after. This is what people in the past reported happening.

  • all of my purchases code as a withdrawl… I wonder if this will affect getting the bonus for making a purchase. is anyone else experiencing this?

    • Interesting, I just checked mine and it posted as 'ATM POS WITHDRAWAL'. I did not use an ATM but instead purchased petrol.

      • I called them regarding that and they are aware of it. She said that it will be counted as pos . Dont worry.

  • Denied for an account in-branch. I am a PA resident and attempted to open an account in a branch about 50 miles from PA (just because I was already there).

    I don't think it's due to chex because I did not provide my SSN, just a driver's license and a passport. Probably due to being a foreign citizen (although I am a resident alien for tax purposes).

  • I opened an account in the Pennington NJ branch today. My banker did not seem interested in my Chex report; no mention of my many other accounts, especially the two other checking accounts I have opened within the past 10 days or so.

    After the first year, the fees can be waived by maintaining a $5,000 minimum balance. Or you can downgrade to a fee-free checking account.

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