[WA, ID and OR only] Gesa Credit Union $250 Checking Bonus

Update 1/28/25: Deal is back, no end date. Hat tip to reader Ben

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:

The Offer

Direct link to 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