[Expired] [WA, OR, ID & In Branch] Columbia Bank $100 Checking Bonus

This deal has expired, view more bank bonuses here.

Note: This Columbia Bank is not to be confused with this one that operates in NJ.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $100
  • Availability: In branch only, all branches are in: Washington, Oregon and Idaho. [Branch locator]
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+ within 90 days
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Unknown
  • Credit card funding: Unknown
  • Monthly fees: $5, avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: None listed
  • Household limit: None
  • Expiration date: November 30th, 2017 December 31st, 2017 February 28th, 2018 April 30th, 2018 June 30th, 2018

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Columbia Bank is offering a bonus of $100 when you open a new checking account in branch and complete the following requirements:
    • Bring in code (need to enter information on landing page)
    • Open a new Neighborhood Account, Relationship Account or Foundation Account
    • Receive a qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more within 90 days of account opening

The Fine Print

  • Limited time offer. Must open account by November 30, 2017 to receive offer.
  • To receive the $100 incentive:
    • 1) Open a Neighborhood Account, Relationship Account or Foundation Account, subject to approval,
    • 2) Receive a qualifying recurring direct deposit of $500 or more made to the account within 90 days of account opening. Qualifying direct deposits are electronic deposits of your paycheck, pension, or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government into your checking account.
  • This offer is not available to existing Columbia Bank consumer checking account customers.
  • Fiduciary accounts do not qualify for the offer.
  • Offer is not available to those whose consumer checking accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance.
  • Limit one new offer per qualifying account, per individual.
  • After you have completed all the above requirements, we will deposit the incentive in your new account in the three months following the 90 day direct deposit review period.
  • The incentive is considered interest and will be reported to the IRS in accordance with applicable law.
  • Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of incentive fulfillment are not eligible for this offer.
  • The person qualifying for this offer must be the primary signer on the account and must be 18 years or older. Employees of Columbia Bank, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer.
  • You must present this offer code at the time of account opening to qualify for the incentive.
  • We reserve the right to restrict or change this offer at any time.
  • Number of days used to determine incentive eligibility will be calendar days.

Avoiding Fees

I couldn’t find any mention of any early account termination fee in the fee schedule.

Neighborhood Account $5 Fee

This is the easiest account to keep fee free. The $5 fee is waived with any of the following:

  • minimum daily balance of $2,500
  • 10 debit card transactions
  • One direct deposit
  • age 62 and older
  • Military ID or Student ID on record

Our Verdict

Need to know more before deciding if it’s a good or bad deal. If anybody does sign up please let us know if it’s a soft or hard pull. For now I won’t be adding it to the best checking bonuses.

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

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On October 22, 2017, 13:00

View Comments (27)

  • Opened September 2018 in Forest Grove Oregon.
    Transferred $501 via
    $10 transfer once a month to avoid fees.

    The rep said that my $501 deposit did not qualify as a DD.
    Keep in mind that I was DDing the same way monthly and never had a monthly fee.

    I explained this to him and he suggested that I could close my account.

    I did and I'm done with this bank.

    • Which bank did you use for $501 deposit?
      Also, was it just 1 deposit or multiple small ones summing to $501?
      Didn't understand what you meant by "Transferred $501 via $10 transfer" ...

  • DP:

    Took a while but bonus finally posted.

    2/21 - Account Opened - $30 funded (North Plains, OR *Friendly/Knowledgeable even though I was first promo user*)
    3/14 - $501 pushed Chase
    3/21 - $521 pulled Chase
    4/18 - $501 pushed Chase
    4/24 - $500 pulled Chase
    5/03 - $501 pushed Chase
    5/15 - $450 pulled Chase
    6/16 - $100 Bonus Posted Dated 6/17.

    No Service Fees

  • DP
    Opened 2 accounts 11/1/17

    Account1:
    Legit DD on 12/29/17

    Account2:
    $500 from Discover on 12/28/17
    $500 from Venmo on 1/3/18
    $500 from CapOne on 1/29

    Both bonuses posted 2/15/18!
    Thanks Doc!

  • Looks like it was a soft pull, opened the account a week ago and still nothing on my credit report. Took almost an hour to open the account, banker said I was the first one to use that promo in their branch.

      • I was just going to do payroll DD. Curious how you test if an ACH triggers the bonus. Since the bonus doesn't post for 90 days, aren't you taking a gamble that you'll miss out on the bonus if it doesn't work (i.e. if it didn't work, by the time you figure out, it will be too late to meet the bonus requirements)? And if it does work, how do you know which bank triggered it? Happy to try and help if you enlighten me :)

  • Wife opened an account today with this promo. Went much smoother this time. Reps are learning :)

    Did all 10 debits tonight to waive the $5 fee...smooth as silk

  • Tried to open this today, and the local branch had no idea how to do it/where to put the code in the bank's software.

    Then, they enforced a "ID address must be current" rule, or you need to bring in a utility bill or something with your current address on it.

    Will take a piece of mail in tomorrow to a different branch and try again

    • Update:

      Went to another branch to open the account today, and I encountered the same "ummm...what do we do with this code?" kind of thing.

      Their branch employees are clueless about this promo. I had to walk them through it and tell them to call their corporate overlords to verify its legitimate.

      They DID allow me to initially fund it with a money order, so that was a nice 2-birds-with-one-stone bonus at least

      • @guest_498800 - Hey neighbor, might I ask which branch - the closet to me has a Kroger almost across the street. Would be great to slowly build up a MO friendly small local bank ;) have good relationship at WF but looking to build a good fallback.

        • tried initially at the downtown branch on SW Broadway and Salmon. they were the clueless ones. then I went out to the Tigard branch and they were the ones who knew what was going on

          you’re a PDX churner?

        • yeah, i'd probably give this one a pass if i were to do it again. not enough money to justify the time spent

          on the other hand, having another friendly place for MO deposits is always nice

  • I'll check it out. Luckily, my work lets me split my DD with zero hassle.Do you think "Offer is not available to those whose consumer checking accounts have been closed within 90 days or closed with a negative balance." only applies to their accounts? I have a WF account closed 75 days ago.

    • I can't imagine it applies to other banks...I'm not even sure they can access that information on Chex, but maybe

    • Actually, sorry...I confused this with Columbia credit Union. So please disregard or delete my comment.

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