This deal is no longer available, view more checking bonuses here.
Update: Looks like this isn’t available and was part of some special employee deal. Not sure why our reader was able to get it.
Update: I have been told this is for all “in-store” branches, those branches that are inside a grocery store or other store, not applicable for on-site “college campus branches” or “traditional” standalone branches.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200
- Availability: In branch only [Branch locations]. They have states in AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OH, OR, SD, TN, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,000+ within 60 days
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Mixed data points
- Credit card funding: None
- Monthly fees: $10.95-$12.95, waivable
- Early account termination fee: None
- Household limit: None mentioned
- Expiration date: April 30th, 2018
The Offer
No direct link, offered in branch only (apparently all U.S. Bank branches have this offer)
- U.S. Bank is offering a bonus of $200 when you open a new consumer checking account between March 1st and April 30th when you complete the following requirements:
- Receive direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 60 days of account opening
The Fine Print
- $200 bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 60 days of direct deposit verification as long as your account is opened
- Offer may not be combined with any other checking account bonus offers
- Offer is not valid if you have an existing U.S. Bank consumer checking account, had a U.S. bank checking account account in the last six months or received other U.S. Bank bonus offers within the past six months
- Offer is not available to accounts opened through usbank.com or 24 hour banking
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
There is a $12.95 monthly fee. This is waived with one of the following: an open U.S. Bank personal loan, line or credit card. Many of us have a U.S. Bank personal credit card like Altitude, Flexperks, or Cash+; that would work to keep the account fee-free.
There’s also apparently another way to qualify for a free Gold Checking for those with good credit scores who join the Because You’ve Earned It program.
Our Verdict
A reader told me there would be a $200 U.S. Bank checking bonus during this time frame, but I never saw anything online so just thought it didn’t exist. Turns out it’s in branch only. Keep in mind there is a $300 checking bonus from U.S. bank for those who live in DC, parts of VA, MD, WV, PA that can also be done online. U.S. Bank usually offers this $200 checking bonus once a year, they offered it publicly last June (ended in August). That would make some people ineligible for this bonus depending on when you received your bonus/closed your account (needs to be at least six months from both of those dates).
I think it’s worth doing as it can be churned and having the deposit account is also useful in getting approved for the Altitude. The bonus requirements are also relatively easy to meet as well and most people won’t have an issue with keeping the account fee free (e.g credit card qualifies for this). Downside is that it has to be opened in branch. Still I’ll be adding this to our list of the best checking bonuses.
Big thanks to reader @vonUnterstein who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.
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
Apparently offer is for all “in-store” branches, those branches that are inside a grocery store or other store, not applicable for on-site “college campus branches” or “traditional” standalone branches
05/07 $200 bonus posted
Push from Charles Schwab brokerage counts as DD.
When does the DD hit the account?
What did it say in account activity? “Electronic Deposit” ?
I have the same question.
Mine posted as “Electronic Deposit / Schwab Brokerage.” Bonus arrived 16 days later.
Thank you so much for the reply!
Stopped by a branch in Golden Colo. on the 19th and they had no clue regarding this offer. Maybe this is restricted by region?
The fine print at the bottom of this bonus offer states:
“Address on new account must match address on mail or email received to be eligible for the bonus. Bonus will not be paid if promo code is retrieved by unintended recipient or if promo code is retrieved from a deals website.”
Seems very YMMV.
where do you see that? i don’t see the language anywhere on the image that was posted
I actually went into a branch and tried to apply. There was an ad similar to the one posted on this website but different image. I didn’t apply since I didn’t receive a mailer and US bank usually does a nationwide offer every year. I’ll wait.
Edit: It was a branch inside of a Kroger’s in KY.
What’s YMMV?
Just a buyer beware. Have done a US Bank bonus with targeted mailings several times, and the last two, they wouldn’t pay out. Had to call multiple times, escalated to various departments (marketing, etc.), and still once they didn’t credit my account. Did a CFPB to earn the bonus there.
Then a year later, once again no bonus after six months, so was just about to submit another CFPB complaint, but a Tweet to their media/PR account managed to get it escalated.
I called my local branch and the lady said unless you have a targeted code you don’t get a bonus. !!
I wonder if the CC bonus I got from them recently disqualifies me
So, I should be good to apply if I closed my last account on 10/3/17?
WHy is this ymmv? Do you have to be targeted in addition to going in to the branch?
Because we aren’t sure if all branches have the deal or not.
I signed up in a traditional branch today. You have to work for a company on their list – Workplace Banking Program.
That’s a different program/bonus
Why is this listed as YMMV? https://www.doctorofcredit.com/author/will/
Because we aren’t sure if all branches have the deal or not.
I called my local in store branch and customer service because local branch was not aware of offer. CS was not specifically aware either and confirmed the offer generally.
Called local store back. I had emailed the link and print screen of offer.
She told me the bank offer code “Out Branch Tabling 2018” was a code used when an offer was extended to employees of business who had a relationship with US Bank and that the uploaded flier was one they used in events advertising that to the employees.
It does not appear to be open to the public. It is open to companies that have a ‘work place banking relationship with US Bank.
Will update the post.
Does having a US bank mortgage count for waiving the $12.95 monthly fee?