Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:Â $250
- Availability:Â TX Only
- Direct deposit required:Â Yes, $1,000+ per month for three monthsÂ
- Additional requirements:Â None
- Hard/soft pull:Â Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding:Â Unknown
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee:Â $15, six months
- Household limit:Â None listed
- Expiration date:Â None
Contents
The Offer
- First Service Credit Union is offering a $250 bonus when you open a new checking account and bonus broken down as follows.
- First Service will deposit $50 after the first month in which a total of $1,000 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits is received
- $75 will be deposited after the second month in which a total of $1,000 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits is received
- $125 will be deposited after the third month in which a total of $1,000 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits is received
The Fine Print
- First Qualifying Direct Deposit must be received into the member’s account within 60 days successful enrollment. First Service will deposit $50 after the first month in which a total of $1,000 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits is received; $75 will be deposited after the second month in which a total of $1,000 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits is received; $125 will be deposited after the third month in which a total of $1,000 or more in Qualifying Direct Deposits is received.
- Qualifying Direct Deposits are defined as deposits from an enrolled member’s employer, payroll provider, benefits provider, pension, or the government (such as Social Security) via ACH deposit. External ACH transfers not from employers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer-to-peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, and any deposit which First Service deems to not be legitimate are not Qualifying Direct Deposits. An ACH direct deposit made available early with Early Payday does not count toward the bonus requirements until it posts to your account and is no longer pending (e.g. the pay date scheduled by your payer).
- Limit $250 in bonus payouts per member. Certain restrictions may apply.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
They offer a free checking account with no monthly fees.
Early Account Termination Fee
$15 fee if closed within 6 months
Our Verdict
Slightly annoying that you need three months of direct deposits for the full bonus and we aren’t sure what work arounds will work (if any). If anybody goes for it, share your experiences below.
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Tried to deposit MO (money order) at one of their own ATMs and was not successful.
did anyone recieve 1099 for this account after receiving bonus?.
Please update the article when you can much appreciated. $15 fee if closed within 6 months. https://www.fscu.com/resources/member-benefits/rates-fees/
@ch Chuck
Updated, thanks
I applied OOS in November 2023 and was denied. Chex stats were:
1/1, 5/3, 14/6, and 28/12.
David C got approved from in state app with
Chex of 4/1, 8/3, 14/6, and 19/12.
I’m guessing it’s either due to OOS app since Gadget - Bank Bonus Geek 🔗 thinks it may not be nationwide. Otherwise the only criteria would be from having more inquiries in 12 months than David did. I’d like to try again but it may be a waste at this point. P2 may try as another OOS data point when stats are cleaner.
Lefty Another DP for you. I’m in state but out of footprint and was denied in late December with Chex stats 0/1, 3/3, 4/6, 12/12. The adverse action letter mentioned Chex.
Well that makes it seem that they care more about footprint then stats if you got denied with better stats than David.
Lefty Agreed. P2, with better stats than me, decided not to apply.
Applied OOS after donating.
Denied due to Chex oof (50/12)
Raj How much was the donation?
$1 is the minimum…
https://youfirstfoundation.org/
Gadget - Bank Bonus Geek 🔗 Did you go for this bonus? I am planning to apply for this.
Nope. I think it would be a waste of a Chex hit. Just because these credit unions come up with a tax-sheltered foundation doesn’t make it nationwide to bank bonus miners.
Careful. “Courtesy Pay Opt-In” was auto checked
Applied OOS with the donation method.
CC funding $2,500
Received a message thank you for applying and we will contact you soon.
any updates?
Acid Bath Were you able to open the account successfully OOS?
OST Did you go for this?
I was denied. I think chex
Did anyone get the bonus yet?
P1 and P2 both received the first $50 once first statement generated. Used real DD.
Opened online and went pending, received a call inquiring about chex history and security questions (already had business account). Explained I was rate shopping and recently closed an account with another local credit union so was looking for a new one. Account was accepted, funded $2500 with Cap1 Venture that coded as purchase. Might try to see if I can get another checking account and do 5k funding with CC lol
DPforyou Did you apply OOS?
There may be a couple of fees to be mindful of (under Service Charges > General Services)
Account Closure Service Charge ($15): $15.00 per account if closed within 6 months of opening
Inactive Account Service Charge ($5 every 30 days): Deposit accounts become inactive after 6 months of no activity and remain inactive until transactions resume or account becomes dormant.
Reference: https://www.fscu.com/rates-fees
DP:
1) Anyone over 16+ are allowed to open checking account and eligible for promotion.
2) Atleast In branch, you can use only Master Card CC to fund the account. Visa got declined for both P1 and P2 when tried In branch.
3) Kids are allowed to open Youth accounts and every 6 months they’ll be eligible for up to $10 deposited into their accounts. (Depending on their grade points)