Deal has ended, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:Â $500
- Availability: MA, NH only. It’s actually available nationwide if you join the ACC (free to join) first
- Direct deposit required:Â Yes, $500-$1,500+ depending on the bonus. Terms do state it has to be your net pay
- Additional requirements:Â None
- Hard/soft pull:Â Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Unknown, not sensitive
- Credit card funding:Â Can fund up to
$1,500$250 with a credit card - Monthly fees:Â None
- Early account termination fee:Â None
- Household limit:Â None
- Expiration date:Â 03/31/2024
Contents
The Offer
- Service Credit Union is offering a checking bonus of up to $500. Requirements are as follows:
- Receive a $200 bonus when you receive a direct deposit of at least $500 each month for at least 90 days
- Receive a $500 bonus when you receive a direct deposit of at least $1,500 each month for at least 90 days
The Fine Print
- Must be a member of Service CU with at least $5 in a Primary Savings account and open a new Everyday or Dividend checking account.
- Must establish reoccurring direct deposit of net pay active for at least 90 days (about 3 months), minimum one deposit each month for three consecutive months.
- Direct deposit of net pay includes but is not limited to payroll deposits, social security deposits, and retirement payments.
- Direct deposit of at least $500.00 each month will result in a bonus of $200.00; direct deposit of at least $1,500.00 each month will result in a bonus of $500.00.
- All criteria must be met within 90 days of account opening; bonus will be deposited into member’s Primary Savings account within 90 days of all criteria being met.
- Â If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with this offer in any way or that you intend to do so, we may not credit the bonus to, we may freeze the bonus to, or we may take away bonus from your account.
- The credit union will issue a 1099-INT for tax purposes.
- This promotion is exclusively for members that do not currently, or have not previously, held any consumer checking account product with Service CU within the past 12 months.
- To qualify for this offer, checking account must be opened via the promotional webpage listed in the offer, or if checking account is opened at a branch office or the Contact Center, member must mention this offer to the representative at the time of account opening.
- Offer valid from 01/01/2024 to 03/31/2024 and subject to change or be discontinued at any time without notice.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
The everyday checking account has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find any early account termination fee in the fee schedule.
Our Verdict
The terms do state your direct deposit must be your net pay, so keep that in mind. Previously there was a $100 bonus that didn’t require a direct deposit. This bonus is much bigger and worth dealing with the direct deposit requirement in my opinion. I suspect this offer will be pulled early so if you’re interested sign up ASAP. We will add this to our best bank account bonuses.
Hat tip to reader edman
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
It had been months since we met all requirements. P1 and P2 chatted support and they were able to provide bonus within 2 business days. I should have reached out earlier.
Any updates on a new bonus for this CU?
Received my $500 bonus today after submitting a request through SM.
Account opened March 20th. Direct deposited $751 bi-weekly. May received three (5-30) direct deposits totaling $2253. June received one direct deposit prior to the 90 days being up.
Called customer support and they stated that it is not calculated based on 30 days for each month but the 90 days does count. June did get $1502 in deposits. Not sure if I should file a complaint about not qualifying for the $500 but they did say I qualified for the $200.
I signed up for the account on march 15th, 2024. I made $1500 in direct deposits a month from my employer for four months (so they weren’t faked).
It is now August 26th, 2024. Service credit union ha failed to issue me my bonus. And apparently i’m not the only one.
Their terms and conditions do say they have 90 days to pay out the bonus – And I will give them 90 days exactly. But on that 91st day, I will be filing a complaint with the CFPB for failing to uphold their end of the deal.
Update: I let a little over 90 days pass and I have since filed a CFPB complaint. Will update if they award my bonus or not.
Thank you for mentioning the CFPB. I had not been sure what regulating agency with which a formal complaint should be lodged. My wife and I will be filling with the CFPB as well.
The CFPB is NOT the correct agency to contact. You should contact the NCUA to deal with CUs.
Was anyone able.to get this bonus without using a true payroll direct deposit? I did a Chase biz and it hasn’t been 90 days yet. I’m sure they will tell me the promotion wasn’t attached like they have been telling everyonelse.
I used both Wise and TreasuryDirect. Not sure which one triggered, Amy W.
https://www.doctorofcredit.com/service-credit-union-200-500-checking-bonus/#comment-1867620
03/08/24: Opened
03/13/24: $1500 DD (employer)
04/11/24: $1500 DD (employer)
05/13/24: $1500 DD (employer)
07/01/24: $500 Bonus paid “Interest Adjustment-DepositPromotional Checking Credit Checking500″
This CU is “playing dumb” or just incompetent on the bonuses. Could get them in trouble with a few CFPB complaints.
I too had to contact customer service and inquire about whether or not the bonus was “attached” to my account.
It wasn’t of course, just like everyone else. I also met the qualifications for the $500 bonus, but they claimed I might only get the $250 bonus due to some made up rules that they came up with on the spot during the call.
A few days later I received the full $500 bonus so I’m going to refrain from a complaint, but they are definitely making people “Work for it” in the hopes that some will just not push for it.
Customer service was friendly as usual, and I of course didnt give them a hard time, but they definitely seem to be unprepared for dealing with this.
These people are a joke. Contacted customer service via chat in July who said bonus would be applied 8/13/24. No bonus yesterday, chat with customer service who said to wait for tomorrow. No bonus, chat with customer service who said sent a ticket to their marketing department to apply bonus manually. still waiting and not very optimistic. what should I do if they don’t give the bonus?
CFPB
3/15 Opened account
4/09 $750 payroll DD
4/23 $1500 payroll DD
5/07 $1500 payroll DD
5/21 $751 payroll DD
6/04 $751 payroll DD
6/18 $751 payroll DD
7/16 $751 payroll DD
7/30 $750 payroll DD
8/07 Chatted with CSR inquiring about bonus
8/09 $500 bonus posted to savings account