Deal has expired, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.
Update 5/5/19: Deal is back and valid until July 15, 2019. Now contains targeted language stating ‘These bonus offers are only available to the person to whom the postcard was mailed living at the address specified in the mailing and offers are not transferable.’ Hat tip to reader Nate P
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200
- Availability: NJ & PA
- Direct deposit required: Yes, ACH debit also accepted
- Additional requirements: Deposit $50 at account opening
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Up to $2,500. Visa or Mastercard only
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: $15, six months
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date:
May 31st, 2018July 15th, 2019
The Offer
- Provident Bank is offering a $200 checking bonus when you open a new FREE $mart Checking and complete the following requirements:
- Deposit $50 or more at account opening
- Have your direct deposit or one ACH automatic debit made to this account within 60 days of account opening
The Fine Print
- To receive the $200 checking bonus: open a new Provident FREE $mart Checking account; deposit $50 or more at account opening; have your direct deposit or one ACH automatic debit made to this account within 60 days of account opening. After you have completed all the above requirements, we’ll deposit the cash bonus in your new account within 75 days of the last day of the promotion (May 31, 2018).
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
This account has no monthly fees to worry about. According to this comment there is an early account termination fee of $15 if closed within 6 months.
Our Verdict
Looks like you can open the eligible account only if you live in the service area, otherwise it won’t show up as an option. Seems like a great deal given it’s a soft pull, has a good amount of credit card funding and no direct deposit requirement (ACH debit will work) or monthly fees to worry about. This is definitely being added to the best checking bonuses.
Big thanks to reader, GG who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.
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- 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?
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View Comments (155)
This bonus is back and publicly available in branch, now its $250 and requirements are easier. Saw a local flyer, can find more info if anyone is interested
I was targeted for this bonus, and went to the branch with specific questions about DD requirements. After a fiasco of trying to get the info, the rep said DD would not be satisfied with an ACH transfer from another bank. Called Provident's main office and that rep confirmed with a senior that transfer WOULD meet requirements.
2019: Has anyone been 'denied' the bonus by not having been targeted? Anyone able to provide a 2019 scan of the offer?
I've tried in the past to open. They enforce the targeted nature.
They don’t have CC funding anymore.
Anyone have access to a spare mailer? Anyone with DP on getting this to work if not targeted? I am in the footprint, but no mailer.
Just a heads up - when I had a checking account with Provident, there was a debit card inactivity fee that most people did not pay attention to. I believe it was a $1.50 inacivity fee if not used in 60 days but don't remember exactly.
So pay attention to the schedule of fees.
"Now contains targeted language stating ‘These bonus offers are only available to the person to whom the postcard was mailed living at the address specified in the mailing and offers are not transferable" lol so they learned from last year? Terrible bank though, awful phone customer service, branch is ok but mostly cause branch is empty.
Successfully closed via secure message after zeroing out account. Good riddance!
Bonus posted for wife and I. Now the question is to just pay the $15 and be done with this awful bank, or go activate the debit cards and watch out for other bs fees that may pop up.
So I still haven't gotten around to closing mine from the 2018 bonus. I just checked and I don't see any inactivity fees in my account. I think I never activated the debit card at all.
or maybe activating the debit card stops the 1.50 fee... but you don't have to use it? I can't remember. I see no charges in past 90 days though and I haven't touched the account in forever
Same here. Is it for not activating them or not using them?
I got hit with a "debit card inactivity" fee. Years of churning and this is the first one where I got dinged for not using the piece of trash plastic.
Bank bonuses are bribes to deal with their fee crap.