[IN & In Branch only] Star Financial Bank $200 Checking Bonus

Update 1/5/25: Deal is back, no end date listed. Hat tip to reader Woody

Update 12/08/18: Deal is back and valid until December 31st, 2018. Hat tip to DDG

Bonus is back and available for 2018, this time it’s not available online. Hat tip to reader tinyhedgefund.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: In branch only, all branches are in IN [Branch locator]
  • Direct deposit required: Yes $500+ per month
  • Additional requirements: eStatements & 5 debit card transactions per month
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Unknown
  • Credit card funding: Unknown
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: Must be kept open for 120 days
  • Household limit: One
  • Expiration date: July 31st, 2017 September 30th, 2018 October 31st, 2018 November 30th,2018 December 31st, 2018.

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Star Financial Bank is offering a bonus of $200 when you complete the following:
    • Open a new checking account with promo code Westfield200
    • Monthly direct deposit of $500 or more
    • Sign up and receive e-statements
    • Make five (5) debit card transactions monthly

 

The Fine Print

  • Bonus/Account Information: New checking customers only.
  • $50 minimum deposit to open a checking account.
  • Account must remain open and in good standing for 120 days
  • Bonus will be deposited to the account at the end of 120 days if the following conditions are met: monthly direct deposit of at least $500, e-statements, and at least five (5) debit card transactions.
  • Consumer accounts only. Employees of STAR Financial Bank are not eligible.
  • Only one offer per household.
  • Offer is non-transferable.
  • Expires 9/30/18.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

E-Checking account has no monthly fees to worry about. You do need to keep the account open for 120 days to receive the bonus.

Our Verdict

It’s annoying that you need to meet the requirements each month to be eligible for the bonus, there is also some non transferable language in the fine print but I don’t think that means it’s targeted. If anybody signs up for this bonus then please share your experiences in the comments below. I will add it to the best checking bonus page, even though they had the online offer previously it seems like the bonus only comes around once a year so probably not worth waiting.

Big thanks to reader, Curmudgeon who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On January 5, 2025, 18:45

View Comments (13)

  • Soft pull
    Unsure about Chex, but not very sensitive if so (19/12)
    No CC funding (even a debit card was a CA)

    • If I remember correctly, I asked and there was no CC funding. But I'm not firm on that.

      I went in on a Saturday about an hour before closing and the only 2 people in the branch might have been younger than me, and one was a bit inexperienced, needing some guidance from the other at certain points. It's possible they were Chex sensitive but these particular individuals did not bother to grille me? The subject never came up.

    • They were Chex sensitive to my like 11/24 when I did the opening in branch (one was from that day, another from maybe a month before, mind you) System denied me, they grilled me, then they manually approved me.

      Can confirm debit card codes as cash advance, and no I do not think they allow CC funding at all. Not a solid DP on that though.

      (post still says exp 09/30/2018 under "the fine print" fyi)

  • Got a mailer this week, new expiration date is November 24th 2018 - other mailers may be dated for a later expiration, but that is what I got.

  • I opened the account in early March this year.

    Can confirm soft pull, and this offer (though in-branch only it seems and need to bring a competitor bank statement in - don't know if that is actually enforced, I assume not) is still going according to phone call to bank, local signage, and this link:

    https://www.starfinancial.com/switch/offer

    Current link says offer expires 09/30/2018

  • Anyone familiar with Star Financial? Wondering if state restriction absolutely applies here. Fine print doesn't mention anything about limiting to only IN.

    • Never mind. When applying online, in the physical/mailing address section the state section is greyed out and set to IN. There is no way to change it that I can see.

    • Per chat conversation with a rep, it's supposed to be a soft pull. Going to try applying and see if there is any state restriction as fine print does not mention anything.

      You are now connected.
      rhartler: Welcome to STAR! How may I assist you?
      me: Hello, just a quick question
      me: I was thinking about opening a checking account with you guys
      me: Is the application a soft or hard pull?
      rhartler: One momnet please.
      me: I'm buying a home in the next year and don't want any unnecessary hard pulls when working with lenders
      me: Thank you
      rhartler: I will look into that for you.
      rhartler: I am asking a manager, I do not do opening act so I am uncertain
      rhartler: It will be just a moment please
      me: No worries
      me: Thanks!
      rhartler: You're welcome
      rhartler: I am talking to a manager now
      rhartler: I was unaware they did hard pulls with checking accounts
      rhartler: Let me see what they say
      me: Some banks do
      rhartler: We do not
      me: Most are soft pulls, but some do hard, especially with overdraft protection
      rhartler: All we check is ChexSystems
      me: Awesome, thank you :)
      me: I figured that would be the case but just wanted to be safe
      rhartler: No problem, do you have any other questions today?
      me: That will be all, thank you

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