Deal has expired, view more checking bonuses by clicking here.
Update 2/21/20: This offer is available online as well with promo code FEB20P. I’m assuming only NY and CT, let us know if it works for you elsewhere. (Note: Only the $200 and $300 offers are available online, the $100 deal is only in Stop&Shop locations.)
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $300
- Availability: NY & MA
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,500
- Additional requirements: Use promo code
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: $10-$35, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: Six months, bonus forfeit
- Household limit: One per household
- Expiration date: March 20, 2020
Contents
The Offer
- People’s United Bank is offering a bonus of up to $300 when you open a new checking account. There are three different bonuses:
- Receive a $100 bonus when you open a new Plus Checking account with the promo code FEB20SS and receive direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more within 90 days of account opening.
- Receive a $200 bonus when you open a new Advantage Plus Checking account with the promo code FEB20SS and receive direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more within 90 days of account opening.
- Receive a $300 bonus when you open a new Premier Advantage Checking account with the promo code FEB20SS and receive direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more within 90 days of account opening.
The Fine Print
- Offer available only at People’s United Bank branches located within Stop & Shop in Connecticut and Long Island, New York.
- To receive this offer, you must mention a promo code (specific to the checking account you are opening) when you open your new Plus Checking, Advantage Checking, Advantage Plus Checking or Premier Advantage Checking accounts.
- This offer is not available to existing People’s United Bank personal checking account customers.
- It is for new personal checking customers only, which means any account owner cannot currently have a People’s United personal checking account or have had a People’s United personal checking account within the last 365 days.
- One reward per household.
- Reward will be credited by 7/24/20.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them.
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Plus Checking ($100 Bonus)
This account does not have any monthly fees.
Advantage Plus Checking ($200 Bonus)
This account has a $25 monthly service fee. Fee is waived when you maintain a Combined Average Balance of $7,500 or more in personal deposit or CD accounts, Home Equity or Home Equity Line of Credit balances and/or investments held at People’s Securities, Inc*. (PSI) during your statement cycle
Premier Advantage Checking ($300 Bonus)
This account has a $30 monthly service fee. Fee is waived when you maintain a Combined Average Balance of $75,000 or more in personal deposit or CD accounts, Home Equity or Home Equity Line of Credit balances and/or investments held at People’s Securities, Inc*. (PSI) during your statement cycle
Early Account Termination Fee
If the account is closed within 6 months of opening they will deduct the bonus at closing.
Our Verdict
I don’t think the $300 bonus is worth considering due to the $75,000 required to keep fee free. For the $200 bonus you’re locking up $7,500 for an extra $100 bonus, keep in mind the account needs to be kept open for six months. If you put that $7,500 into a 2% account you’d end up earning $75 so that might be worth considering (keep in mind the $100 bonus also requires $1,000 to keep fee free or direct deposit so the opportunity cost is actually even lower). I’m not sure I’ll add this to our list of the best checking bonuses given there’s no online signup option, but could be worthwhile for some.
Big thanks to reader, bmanamex who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.
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
Any DP of either sending a secure message or calling to close an account? Tried to call to downgrade so I don’t have to keep $7500 parked but was told I had to come in to sign a form. If not, I will report back next month. Thanks.
Received $200 bonus today 7/23.
Account opened 3/10
Waited until 4th actual DD hit before stopping DD
Will call the bank next week to downgrade then close out in September.
Was charged the $25 monthly fee during the first statement period. Opened with $100 in branch then transferred in $7500 within 1 week. They reversed the fee as a one time “favor”. Most banks I’ve dealt with waive the minimum balance fee in the first month. The banker I dealt with (branch now temporarily closed due to covid) even told me not to worry about fee. Hopefully the bonus won’t be an issue.
“The account must remain as the original account type opened through 7/24/20 to receive the reward payment.” Looks like after 7/24 you can downgrade account types.
It’s one per household, but separate from this bonus, you can refer other members of your household for the no-fee account and each get $50.
FYI Chex and MO sensitive
Chuck “This account has a $30 monthly service fee. when you maintain a Combined Average Balance of $75,000 or more”,- do you mean, “or less”? That’s referring to the Premier Advantage Checking account
Fixed, thanks
Chuck This is available online as well (at least using a NY zip code online).
https://www.peoples.com/personal/checking
Promo Code: FEB20P
Exp: 3/20/20
Also, their Plus Checking account is a free account – there are no fees or minimum balance.
Thanks! I’ll update.
Looks like the $100 bonus is not showing online, only the $200 and $300.