[Expired] [OR, WA only] Columbia Credit Union $100 Referral Checking Bonus + $300 Bonus

Update 6/25/24: There is also a $300 bonus, should be able to stack. Requirements are as follows:

  • Complete 15 purchases using your Columbia CU debit or credit card
  • Have direct deposit of at least $500
  • Be enrolled in e-Statements

Hat tip to Robyn

Update 1/20/24: Bonus is back, $100 again but it’s a referral so both parties can get $100. Feel free to share referrals in the comments below. Hat tip to Chuck K

Update 7/4/22: Bonus is back and now $170 instead of $100.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $170
  • Availability: Must Live or work in Washington State or the Oregon community of Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah or Washington Counties [Branch locator]
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
  • Additional requirements: eStatements and 15 debit card purchases
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft. Now a report of a hard pull. Seems to be soft in branch and hard online.
  • ChexSystems: Unknown
  • Credit card funding: Fund up to $500 with a credit card per account
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: None listed
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: November 11, 2021 July 31, 2022

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Columbia Credit Union is offering a bonus of $170 when you open a new income checking account and complete the following requirements:
    • Enroll in eStatements
    • Make a direct deposit of at least $500
    • Make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia credit card in December

 

The Fine Print

  • You must open a new Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account between October 1, 2021 and November 11, 2021, and enroll in e-statements, make at least ONE Columbia Credit Union direct deposit of $500 or more, and make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia CU credit card during December 2021, to receive $100.
  • Visit www.columbiacu.org or a Columbia Credit Union branch for complete account information.
  • Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Fiduciary and business accounts are excluded from promotion eligibility.
  • Limit one payment per individual per household.
  • Offer not available to individuals who have had a Columbia Credit Union checking account in the last 12 months.
  • Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of payment are not eligible.
  • The payment will be deposited into your checking account by February 15, 2022, after meeting eligibility requirements and the value of your payment will be reported on IRS Form 1099- INT.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

This account has no monthly fees to worry about

Early Account Termination Fee

I wasn’t able to find an early account termination fee in the fee schedule

Our Verdict

Previously there was a $250 checking bonus. Personally I’d recommend waiting for a bigger bonus to return as this offer is so much worse and hardly worth doing. We won’t add this to the best bank account bonuses.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On June 25, 2024, 13:00
Tags: credit card fundingdirect deposit requiredor bank bonuseswa bank bonuses

View Comments (126)

  • FYI, this was a HP for me (Equifax).
    I did earlier offer for $300 and was able to charge $500 opening deposit via Chase Freedom Unlimited. I will keep this account as long as interest rate stays high (5.5% on $25k when you qualify with debits and DD). I like that the app has a tracker to show qualification progress so you know where you stand.
    If you would like a referral ($100) use link here: https://linktr.ee/b_squared to contact me and I can also answer any questions.

  • Columbia's Income checking account is 5.5%APY after meeting18 debits, $400 spend requirements and direct deposit

  • 6/28/24: opened account
    7/15/24: real $500 direct deposit
    7/16/24: 15x small prepay of utility bill
    7/31/24: real $501 direct deposit
    8/02/24: 15x small prepay of utility bill
    9/03/24: $300 bonus posted

    Also used someone's $100 referral but that has not shown up yet, and I suspect it will not.

  • I called in today to inquire about not receiving the bonus yet and was told that there was "a bit of a delay" in paying out the bonuses, and if it isn't posted by Monday, I should call back.
    We'll see.

    • I just chatted with a rep since I met all the requirements, including the weird 26th to 25th dates aspect, but was told I didn't qualify b/c the account was technically opened on July 1 after applying online over the weekend of June 29-30. In fact, he said all applications received weekend of 29-30 were disqualified, and management has told them no exceptions. Terms did not specify this, and when I applied the bonus page was still active, so seems like CFPB time?

  • I didn’t realize the timeframe for the deposit was from the 26th of the previous month to the 25th of the following month, so I messed up on the timing for the $300 bonus.

    Anyone receive the $100 referral bonus? When I inquired about it, they wanted me to send the name of the person who referred me, which I don’t have. So they’re basically not paying out that bonus either. I received their email confirming that I did sign up with the referral, But I guess that’s not good enough for them. Pretty dumb that they don’t have it tracked on their end. I’ll probably file a CFPB complaint.

  • I think we should be getting our bonuses today?
    "Bonus will be deposited into your Columbia CU Income Checking account the first business day of the month following the completion of the requirements listed above"

  • Not sure if I’ll the get bonus on this one because I forgot about this account for a little while after opening. However, I do have dps to share.

    *Fidelity CMA triggered the $500 dd requirement
    *cash app $1 loads triggered the debit transaction(was able to do 3x per day before the bank would decline, so did 3x for 5 days)

  • Easy $100 bonus using my referral.
    The only requirement is to make a $500 + direct deposit. $100 refer a friend bonus will be deposited within 10 days after completion

    Email me for referral

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