Deal has ended, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $500
- Availability: OH
- Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum
- Additional requirements: Deposit $10,000 and maintain for 90 days
- Hard/soft pull: Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: $15, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: Unknown
- Household limit: One
- Expiration date: November 30, 2023
Contents
The Offer
- CenterBank is offering a bonus of $500 when you open a new Optimum checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Maintain at least a $10,000 daily balance in your eligible checking account for 90 days, from the offer enrollment
- Meet the direct deposit requirement
The Fine Print
- Offer available on new Optimum checking accounts with electronic statements opened
between October 1 – November 30, 2023, in person or online where the owner(s) meet all approval criteria. - This offer is limited to joint and individual consumer account holders residing in the Greater
Cincinnati area that are at least 18 years old and have not owned a CenterBank checking account in the last 180 days. - Only one Optimum Checking offer per household is allowed. To receive the Optimum Checking offer, you must 1) Maintain at least a $10,000 daily balance in your eligible checking account for 90 days, from the offer enrollment, and 2) You meet the direct deposit requirement. If the balance falls into a lower balance for even one day during the maintenance period, you will no longer be eligible for the bonus offer. New-to-CenterBank Funds are funds deposited from account(s) external to CenterBank that are 1) payroll, pension, or government benefi ts direct deposits, 2) via check, or 3) through wire transfers. Person-to-Person payments and micro-deposits do not qualify as direct deposit for the bonus. After you have completed all the above requirements, the bonus offer will be deposited into your new account by the 100th day. The bonus offer is considered interest and will be reported on IRS form 1099 INT to the primary owner on the account. CenterBank reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice. Product terms subject to change. For more information, please see or contact a banker. The Optimum Checking account may have account fees. You cannot use another CenterBank account to maintain your balance as part of this offer.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Optimum has a $15 monthly fee. This is waived with a
- $2,000 daily balance or
- $5,000 average monthly balance $25,000 combined balance in checking, savings and CD accounts
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF or not.
Our Verdict
There is a $750 business checking bonus as well.
Hat tip to Bockrr
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
EATF = $20 if closed within 90 days
Applied for account, was going to fund via ach. I confirmed the trial deposits then next day rep from bank calls and said they’re having system problems and can’t process ach deposit. I need to go into bank and deposit check. Not a good first impression. I have a feeling even if I deposit the check the bonus won’t track and this might be more hassle than it’s worth.
Thanks for posting. Was getting ready to apply, but might skip it now as I don’t really feel like going into a branch.
Anyone know how strict they are about being in the “Greater Cincinnati Area?” Or how they define that?
I think I’ve got a strong case that Minneapolis is just a suburb of Cincinnati….
They could deny your bonus later per this requirement.
I’d say if you are in this, you’re safe – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_metropolitan_area. I’m in Norwood, so I think I qualify 🙂
Link to application: https://centerbank.csinufund.com/home/newUser
It says, “2) You meet the direct deposit requirement.” But it doesn’t ever say what that requirement actually is.
I would assume any DD would suffice. Always good to screen shot the offer just in case.