Deal has ended, view more ban account bonuses by clicking here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $250
- Availability: If you live, work, worship or attend school in the State of Washington, are a close relative of someone who qualifies as a member, or are a resident within Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone Counties in Idaho, you are eligible to join Gesa.
- Direct deposit required: Yes
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Can fund with a credit card, up to $5,000
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee:
- Household limit:
- Expiration date:
Contents
The Offer
- Gesa Credit Union is offering a bonus of $250 when you open a new SmartPlus checking account and complete the following requirements within 60 days of account opening:
- Have a membership establishing savings account
- Enroll in eStatements
- Make 15 debit card transactions
- Receive a payroll or government benefit direct deposit
The Fine Print
- To be eligible for the $250 checking incentive, you must open a new SmartPlus checking account, enroll in eStatements, complete 15 debit card transactions (ATM transactions excluded), and receive a payroll or government benefit direct deposit within 60 days of opening the checking account.
- The checking account must be opened with a minimum of $5 if opened in the branch, or $25 if opened online.
- No minimum ongoing balance is required.
- Only one $250 SmartPlus checking incentive can be earned per member.
- You must not have had a Gesa checking account within the last 90 days to be eligible.
- 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
A $20 fee is charged if the account is closed within 180 days according to this fee schedule.
Our Verdict
Not nearly as good as the recent $300 bonus that didn’t require a direct deposit. I’d recommend waiting for a better bonus to return so we won’t be adding this to our list of the best bank account bonuses.
Hat tip to suoira
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
Credit card funding appears to be no longer available for new accounts
I opened Gesa account on 6/11 and complete all requirements within 30 days. This offer was active at that time but was pulled back in a week after 6/11. Now Gesa is refusing to pay saying this offer was never active after 31st March.
Same situation. Opened account on 6/6.
Edit: I spoke with a supervisor and escalated the case. The bonus was deposited today in my savings account.
William Charles Looks like this is active again. The link still works.
Doesn’t work for me
dead
Direct deposit note: ACH from Chime works as a fake DD
Two eligibility questions: 1) Does anyone know how they verify whether you work in Washington? My employer has locations there that I visit occasionally but they’re not my primary work location. 2) Does anyone know what counts as a “close relative”? My grandparents would be eligible so I’m wondering if that would qualify me. Thanks,.
1/22 opened account
2/10 completed DD
2/26 receive 250
1/16: Opened account
2/01: $210 real DD
2/23: $250 bonus received in saving account
Copy that. I had an almost identical timeline. Bonus received 2/23.
I’m assuming this promotion requires a real DD with no exceptions?
Any data points on the bonus posting? Completed all of the requirements about 2 weeks ago, but nothing yet for me…