[Expired] [MD, DC, DE, PA, VA, WV] State Employees Credit Union (SECU) Of Maryland – $250 Checking Bonus

Deal has ended, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.

Update 1/2/24: Extended until 3/31/24

Update 11/13/23: Extended until 12/31/23.

Update 11/1/23: Terms now state ‘Offer is only available to Maryland residents and residents of surrounding states (DC, DE, PA, VA, WV), as well as University of Maryland College Park students. Residents of other states not listed are not eligible.’

Update 8/21/23: Deal is now $250 and good through 10/31/23.

Update 11/20/22: Good through 12/31/22.

Update 11/15/22: They just sent out an email offer for existing customers to get a $20 gas gift card when making 20 debit card purchases between November 15 – December 15, 2022. (ht AllenW)

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: Anybody can join by making a one time donation to SECU MD Foundation
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
  • Additional requirements:
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft Pull
  • ChexSystems: Unknown
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: None
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: 11/30/22 12/31/22

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • SECU is offering a $200 checking bonus when you open a TotalTM Checking & Rewards account and complete the following requirements:
    • Set up eStatements
    • Have at least 2 qualifying payroll Direct Deposits that total $500/month+ within 90 days of opening the account

The Fine Print

  • $200 offer valid from 8/15/22 – 11/30/22 for new SECU members that open a new SECU TotalTM Checking & Rewards account and meet the following criteria: 1) Join SECU between 8/15/22 and 11/30/22; within 90 days of establishing membership: 2) Open a SECU TotalTM Checking & Rewards account; 3) Set up e-statements; and 4) Set up a qualifying Direct Deposit of at least $500/month that posts to your checking account within 90 days.
  • Qualifying direct deposits include recurring electronic deposits of payroll, pension or Social Security. Person to person, bank transfers or other electronic money transfers, such as those made through internet payment services, do not qualify.
  • All criteria must be met within 90 days of opening the membership. SECU will credit one cash bonus of $200 to the primary owner of the new SECU checking account within 6 weeks of meeting the requirements.
  • Promotional period and offer are subject to change at any time without notice.
  • The promotional bonus is limited to one per member.
  • Existing members that joined SECU prior to 8/15/22 or previously had a checking account are not eligible for this offer. Advertised bonus cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • Membership eligibility required.
  • Bonuses are considered miscellaneous income, and may be reported as income to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC. Federally insured by NCUA.
  • 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

There is no EATF in the fee schedule.

Our Verdict

Will be interesting to see if they actually allow nationwide account openings. Requirements are relatively easy but we don’t know what does/doesn’t code as a direct deposit unfortunately.

Hat tip to Bockrr

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View Comments (562)

  • DP:
    Opened account 11/9/23
    Push from Discover Checking 11/27 - $500
    Push from Discover Checking 12/26 - $500
    1/22 "Interest Adjustment" - $250

    • D you live near Maryland or nearby states. Received the $59 by using someone's referral link but they refuse to at the $250 cause it's for Maryland residents or nearby by states. I was told by SECU representative it was nationwide and I would receive both. It was recorded on their system.

  • P2 DP
    11/20 account opened and funded
    12/4 Schwab push $501
    12/11 Schwab push $501
    12/20 $250 promo posted, P1 referral $50 posted

  • Did anyone OOS or not in surrounding states get the bonus after the "only available to Maryland residents and residents of surrounding states" verbiage was added?

  • Was about to apply by donating to the secu md foundation before i read this

    “Offer is only available to Maryland residents and residents of surrounding states (DC, DE, PA, VA, WV), as well as University of Maryland College Park students. Residents of other states not listed are not eligible.”

  • Signed up 8/24/23
    9/01/23 – $501 Schwab brokerage
    10/04/23 $502 Schwab brokerage

    10/24/23 $250 bonus received in checking.

  • Fail P1 DP
    7/24 account opened and funded
    8/1 Cap One push $501
    8/8 Cap One push $501
    9/5 Fidelity push $501
    9/18 Fidelity push $501
    11/1 posting on DoC in defeat

    side note: October statement showed Fidelity as Direct Deposit so looks like that is not a good indicator of success.

    • Yeah I have reached out to them and they're claiming they only count 1 DD even though these are all $501 each and are legit DDs.

      • I'd HUCA and let them know you are going to file a complaint, or just jump right into an NCUA complaint. I guess you could offer to provide paystubs. GL!