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17 Best Bank Promotions of August 2021 (Get Up to $450 Cash)
So, you’re looking for a new bank account.
You’ve got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly fees, minimum balances, mobile app reviews, and more.
Another factor to consider: bank promotions. These are cash bonuses you can earn when opening a new checking or savings account with a bank or credit union during the promotion window, meeting any specific criteria and keeping the account open at least long enough to earn the extra cash.
While a savings or checking bonus shouldn’t be your top reason to choose a bank, don’t rule it out entirely. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to fund your shiny new account with some extra cash?
Many banks offer such sign-up bonuses, but often, these bonuses aren’t advertised, meaning finding the best bank account bonuses can be tricky. That’s why we did some digging for you and found some hefty cash offers.
Best Bank Promotions of August 2021
We’ve researched the best cash bonuses available this month so you don’t have to. Below, you’ll find our favorite checking and savings account bonuses.
Keep an eye on what it takes to qualify, as well as any limitations. Direct deposit and minimum balances are commonly factors in securing these bonuses. Also pay attention to any monthly fees the account might carry; over time, these could weigh out the actual cash bonus. Otherwise, happy bank bonus shopping!
1. Aspiration Account: $150
Bonus amount: $150
How to get the bonus: To earn your $150, here’s all you need to do: Open your Aspiration account and deposit at least $10. Aspiration will send you a debit card associated with the account. Use the Aspiration debit card to make at least $1,000 of cumulative transactions within the first 60 days of opening your account. There’s no need to spend extra money — just use your card to buy groceries and pay your utilities.
Where to sign up: Enter your email address here, and link your bank account.
When you’ll get the bonus: Allow up to 120 calendar days from account opening to receive the bonus; you must have completed the requirements within the first 60 days.
The fine print: With Aspiration, your money is FDIC insured and under a military-grade encryption. The account offers up to 1.00% APY on savings and allows fee-free withdrawals at more than 55,000 ATMs. There are no hidden fees with Aspiration (monthly fees are on a “Pay What is Fair” policy, and that can be zero every month!), and you’ll earn cash back when you spend at socially conscious businesses (up to 5%).
No offer expiration.
2. Aspiration Plus Account: $200
Bonus amount: $200
How to get the bonus: To earn your $200, here’s all you need to do: Open your Aspiration Plus account during signup or within the first 60 days of enrollment in the regular Aspiration Account. Deposit at least $10. Aspiration will send you a debit card associated with the account. Use the Aspiration debit card to make at least $1,000 of cumulative transactions within the first 60 days of opening your account. There’s no need to spend extra money — just use your card to buy groceries and pay your utilities.
Where to sign up: Enter your email address here, and link your bank account.
When you’ll get the bonus: Allow up to 120 calendar days from account opening to receive the bonus; you must have completed the requirements within the first 60 days.
The fine print: With Aspiration, your money is FDIC insured and under a military-grade encryption. The account offers up to 1.00% APY on savings and allows fee-free withdrawals at more than 55,000 ATMs. Unlike the typical Aspiration Account, there is a $15/month fee (or $12.50/month if you pay annually). However, you’ll earn more cash back when you spend at socially conscious businesses (up to 10%), get monthly out-of-network ATM reimbursement and receive carbon offsets for all gas purchases.
No offer expiration.
3. Chase Total Checking Account: $225
Bonus amount: $225
How to get the bonus: Open a new Chase Total Checking account as a new Chase customer. Within 90 days of opening the account, have a qualifying direct deposit made into the account from your employer or the government.
Where to sign up: Visit this page on Chase’s website to sign up for the account and receive the $225 bonus. You can also open the account at a Chase location near you.
When you’ll get the bonus: Chase will deposit the $225 bonus into your account within 15 business days after you meet the criteria.
The fine print: Direct deposits from person-to-person payments do not qualify for the sake of this bonus. The Total Checking account carries a $12 monthly service fee, but you can have it waived if you receive direct deposits each month totaling $500 or more, keep a minimum balance in the account at the start of each day of at least $1,500, or keep a minimum balance across all your Chase accounts at the start of each day of at least $5,000.
If you close the account within six months of opening, Chase will deduct the bonus amount at closing. You can only receive one signup bonus from Chase for a checking account every two years.
Offer expires Oct. 18, 2021.
4. TD Bank Convenience Checking Account: $150
Bonus amount: $150
How to get the bonus: Open a new TD Convenience Checking account. You must receive a total of $500 or more via direct deposit within 60 days of opening your new account.
Where to sign up: Visit this TD Checking page. Click the orange “open account” button, and follow the instructions to open a TD Beyond Checking account.
When you’ll get the bonus: The $150 bonus will be deposited into your account within 140 days of opening.
The fine print: While this bonus offer sounds too good to be true, it is definitely attainable. Unlike the TD Bank Beyond Checking account, this checking account option is easier for financial beginners to manage. You only need to maintain a minimum balance of $100 to have the monthly maintenance fee waived. And if you are between the age of 17 and 23, there are no minimum balance requirements and no monthly maintenance fee.
However, the Convenience Checking account does not earn interest; the Beyond Checking account does.
No offer expiration.
5. Chime Referral Bonus: $75 each ($150 between you and a friend)
Bonus amount: $75 per referral, plus $75 to the friend you refer
How to get the bonus: For this bonus, you must already be a Chime account holder as the bonus comes from a referral to a friend. You can also create an account now, then refer a friend to still get the bonus. If you refer a friend and they enroll and receive a direct deposit of $200 or more from their payroll provider in the first 45 days, you will each receive $75. Just make sure to use the referral link from your account.
When you’ll get the bonus: Each person will receive their $75 within two business days of the first $200 direct deposit to the referred account holder.
The fine print: Please be sure to use a unique referral link generated from within your account. (You may also receive promotional emails with such a link.) Otherwise, you and your friend will not receive the bonus.
No offer expiration.
6. Capital One 360 Checking Account: $150
Bonus amount: $225
How to get the bonus: Open a new Capital One 360 Checking account using promo code BONUS150. Within 75 days of opening the account, receive at least two qualifying direct deposits, each of at least $250.
Where to sign up: Visit this page on Capital One’s website to sign up for the account and receive the $150 bonus. Don’t forget to use the promo code BONUS150.
When you’ll get the bonus: If you open the account in July and meet the criteria on time, you will be paid by Dec. 31, 2021. If you open the account in August and meet the criteria on time, you will be paid by Jan. 31, 2022.
The fine print: Direct deposits from person-to-person payments do not qualify for the sake of this bonus. If you have opened account between Jan. 1, 2018, and now with Capital One, you will not qualify for the bonus.
Offer expires Aug. 17, 2021.
7. Bank of America Advantage Banking Account: $100
Bonus amount: $100
How to get the bonus: Open a new Bank of American Advantage Banking account online using the offer code DDX100CIS. You must then set up and receive qualifying direct deposits, totaling $1,000 or more, within 90 days of opening the new account. This offer is only available to new Bank of America personal checking account customers.
Where to sign up: Visit the offer page and use the offer code DDX100CIS when opening the account.
When you’ll get the bonus: Bank of America promises to “attempt” to deposit the bonus into the account within 60 days of satisfying all requirements. Though the “attempt” disclosure seems a little suspect, we could not find traces of reviews citing unpaid bonuses.
The fine print: A qualifying direct deposit means the direct deposit must be regular monthly income, whether through salary, pension or Social Security benefits. Deposits through wire transfer, apps like Venmo or ATM transfers will not qualify.
Advantage Banking accounts come in three varieties: SafeBalance, Plus and Relationship. All three carry monthly maintenance fees that can be waived:
- To waive the SafeBalance monthly maintenance fee of $4.95, enroll in Preferred Rewards.
- To waive the Plus monthly maintenance fee of $12, receive a qualifying minimum direct deposit, maintain minimum daily balance requirements or enroll in Preferred Rewards.
- To waive the Relationship monthly maintenance fee of $25, maintain the minimum combined balance in all linked accounts or enroll in Preferred Rewards.
Offer expires Dec. 31, 2021.
8. PNC Virtual Wallet Account: $50
Bonus amount: $50
How to get the bonus: Open a new PNC Virtual Wallet account online or in a branch. Receive qualifying direct deposits of $500 within the first 60 days.
Where to sign up: Visit this promotional page for PNC and choose “Apply Now” for the Virtual Wallet account (either with Spend, Reserve and Growth or just Spend).
When you’ll get the bonus: After meeting the bonus criteria, you will receive the bonus (labeled “Cash Trans Promo Reward” on your monthly statement) within 60 to 90 days.
The fine print: Cannot have a current PNC account or have closed an account within the previous 90 days. Qualifying direct deposits include paychecks, Social Security, pension or other recurring monthly income that is electronically deposited by your employer or an outside agency into your account. The account carries a monthly service charge that can be waived if 1) you have $500 or more in monthly direct deposits in the associated Spend account, 2) you maintain $500 or more between associated Spend and Reserve accounts, or 3) are 62 or older. This account does not earn interest.
Offer expires Sept. 30, 2021.
9. PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend Account: $200
Bonus amount: $200
How to get the bonus: Open a new PNC Virtual Wallet with a Performance Spend account online or in a branch. Receive qualifying direct deposits of $2,000 within the first 60 days.
Where to sign up: Visit this promotional page for PNC and choose “Apply Now” for the Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend account (either with Spend, Reserve and Growth or just Spend).
When you’ll get the bonus: After meeting the bonus criteria, you will receive the bonus (labeled “Cash Trans Promo Reward” on your monthly statement) within 60 to 90 days.
The fine print: Cannot have a current PNC account or have closed an account within the previous 90 days. Qualifying direct deposits include paychecks, Social Security, pension or other recurring monthly income that is electronically deposited by your employer or an outside agency into your account. The account carries a monthly service charge that can be waived if 1) you have $2,000 or more in monthly direct deposits in the associated Spend account, 2) you maintain $2,000 or more between associated Spend and Reserve accounts, or 3) have at least $10,000 across all consumer PNC accounts.
Offer expires Sept. 30, 2021.
10. PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select Account: $300
Bonus amount: $300
How to get the bonus: Open a new PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select account online or in a branch. Make qualifying direct deposits of $5,000 within the first 60 days.
Where to sign up: Visit this promotional page for PNC and choose “Apply Now” for the Virtual Wallet with Performance Select account (either with Spend, Reserve and Growth or just Spend).
When you’ll get the bonus: After meeting the bonus criteria, you will receive the bonus (labeled “Cash Trans Promo Reward” on your monthly statement) within 60 to 90 days.
The fine print: Cannot have a current PNC account or have closed an account within the previous 90 days. Qualifying direct deposits include paychecks, Social Security, pension or other recurring monthly income that is electronically deposited by your employer or an outside agency into your account. The account carries a monthly service charge that can be waived if 1) you have $5,000 or more in monthly direct deposits in the associated Spend account, 2) you maintain $5,000 or more between associated Spend and Reserve accounts, or 3) have at least $25,000 across all consumer PNC accounts.
Offer expires Sept. 30, 2021.
11. HSBC Premier Checking Account: $450
Bonus amount: $450
How to get the bonus: Open a new HSBC Premier checking account as a new HSBC customer. Receive at least $5,000 in direct deposits from a third party for three consecutive months, starting in the second full calendar month after opening.
Where to sign up: Visit this page on HSBC’s website and click “Apply now” to sign up for the account.
When you’ll get the bonus: HSBC will deposit the $450 bonus into your account within eight weeks after meeting the criteria.
The fine print: This offer is only open to applicants who are 18 or older, who are citizens of the United States, and who did not have an HSBC deposit account between March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2021.
Offer expires Aug. 31, 2021.
12. Citizens Student Checking Account: Up to $400
Bonus amount: Up to $400
How to get the bonus: Open a new Citizens Student Checking account via the offer page and receive a direct deposit of $500 or more within the first 60 days to receive a $300 bonus. You can receive up to $100 more by using your debit card. For every debit card purchase you make, you will earn $2, up to $100, during the first 60 days.
Where to sign up: You can only sign up through this promotional page. Choose “Open Your Account” for the Student Checking account.
When you’ll get the bonus: If you open the account in August, your bonus will be paid out by December 31. If you open the account in September, your bonus will be paid out by Jan. 31, 2022. And if you open the account in October, your bonus will be paid out by Feb. 28, 2022.
The fine print: You must be a new Citizens banking customer and under 25 years old. Direct deposits cannot be from apps like Venmo; rather, they must be regular monthly income, like a paycheck or pension. This account does not earn interest.
Offer expires Oct. 28, 2021.
13. Citizens One Deposit Checking from Citizens Account: Up to $400
Bonus amount: Up to $400
How to get the bonus: Open a new Citizens One Deposit Checking from Citizens account via the offer page and receive a direct deposit of $500 or more within the first 60 days to receive a $300 bonus. You can receive up to $100 more by using your debit card. For every debit card purchase you make, you will earn $2, up to $100, during the first 60 days.
Where to sign up: You can only sign up through this promotional page. Choose “Open Your Account” for the One Deposit Checking from Citizens account.
When you’ll get the bonus: If you open the account in August, your bonus will be paid out by December 31. If you open the account in September, your bonus will be paid out by Jan. 31, 2022. And if you open the account in October, your bonus will be paid out by Feb. 28, 2022.
The fine print: You must be a new Citizens banking customer. Direct deposits cannot be from apps like Venmo; rather, they must be regular monthly income, like a paycheck or pension. There is a $9.99 monthly maintenance fee, but you can have it waived by making at least one deposit each statement period. This account does not earn interest.
Offer expires Oct. 28, 2021.
14. Citizens Quest Checking Account: Up to $400
Bonus amount: Up to $400
How to get the bonus: Open a new Citizens Quest Checking account via the offer page and receive a direct deposit of $500 or more within the first 60 days to receive a $300 bonus. You can receive up to $100 more by using your debit card. For every debit card purchase you make, you will earn $2, up to $100, during the first 60 days.
Where to sign up: You can only sign up through this promotional page. Choose “Open Your Account” for the Quest Checking account.
When you’ll get the bonus: If you open the account in August, your bonus will be paid out by December 31. If you open the account in September, your bonus will be paid out by Jan. 31, 2022. And if you open the account in October, your bonus will be paid out by Feb. 28, 2022.
The fine print: You must be a new Citizens banking customer. Direct deposits cannot be from apps like Venmo; rather, they must be regular monthly income, like a paycheck or pension. There is a $25 monthly maintenance fee, but you can have it waived by making at least $5,000 in deposits each statement period or by maintaining a balance of at least $25,000 across all Citizens accounts.
Offer expires Oct. 28, 2021.
15. Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking Account: $150
Bonus amount: $150
How to get the bonus: Open a new Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking account online or in a branch. Make cumulative new money deposits totaling at least $1,000 within the first 60 days of opening the account and keep the account open for at least 90 days.
Where to sign up: Visit this promotional page for Huntington and choose “Apply Online” for the Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking account.
When you’ll get the bonus: After meeting the bonus criteria (i.e., after 90 days), you will receive the bonus within just 14 days. This is the fastest turnaround of any banking bonus included on this list.
The fine print: Not everyone can get in on this deal. You can only take advantage of the offer if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or West Virginia. “New money” deposits means any money that is not currently in an existing Huntington account. This account does not earn interest.
Offer expires Oct. 7, 2021.
16. Huntington 5 Checking Account: $200
Bonus amount: $200
How to get the bonus: Open a new Huntington 5 Checking account online or in a branch. Make cumulative new money deposits totaling at least $1,000 within the first 60 days of opening the account and keep the account open for at least 90 days.
Where to sign up: Visit this promotional page for Huntington and choose “Apply Online” for the Huntington 5 Checking account.
When you’ll get the bonus: After meeting the bonus criteria (i.e., after 90 days), you will receive the bonus within just 14 days. This is the fastest turnaround of any banking bonus included on this list.
The fine print: Not everyone can get in on this deal. You can only take advantage of the offer if you live in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania or West Virginia. “New money” deposits means any money that is not currently in an existing Huntington account. This account earns interest (currently a 0.02% APY, which is quite low). It also has a monthly maintenance fee of $5, which is waived if you have at least $5,000 across all Huntington accounts.
Offer expires Oct. 7, 2021.
17. Chase Total Checking Account: $225
Bonus amount: $225
How to get the bonus: Open a new Chase Total Checking account as a new Chase customer. Within 90 days of opening the account, have a qualifying direct deposit made into the account from your employer or the government.
Where to sign up: Visit this page on Chase’s website to sign up for the account and receive the $225 bonus. You can also open the account at a Chase location near you.
When you’ll get the bonus: Chase will deposit the $225 bonus into your account within 15 business days after you meet the criteria.
The fine print: Direct deposits from person-to-person payments do not qualify for the sake of this bonus. The Total Checking account carries a $12 monthly service fee, but you can have it waived if you receive direct deposits each month totaling $500 or more, keep a minimum balance in the account at the start of each day of at least $1,500, or keep a minimum balance across all your Chase accounts at the start of each day of at least $5,000.
If you close the account within six months of opening, Chase will deduct the bonus amount at closing. You can only receive one signup bonus from Chase for a checking account every two years.
Offer expires Oct. 18, 2021.
17. TD Bank Beyond Checking Account: $300
Bonus amount: $300
How to get the bonus: Open a new TD Beyond Checking account. You must receive a total of $2,500 or more via direct deposit within 60 days of opening your new account.
Where to sign up: Visit this TD Checking page. Click the orange “open account” button, and follow the instructions to open a TD Beyond Checking account.
When you’ll get the bonus: The $300 bonus will be deposited into your account within 140 days of opening.
The fine print: While this bonus offer sounds too good to be true, it is definitely attainable. However, only open the account if you regularly get sizable monthly deposits or can maintain a healthy minimum balance. That’s because the account charges a monthly maintenance fee, but TD will waive the fee if you receive monthly direct deposits of $5,000, keep a minimum daily balance of $2,500 or maintain a combined balance across all your TD bank accounts of a whopping $25,000.
TD fees — and the bank’s capacity for waiving them — extend to ATMs. You won’t face fees for making withdrawals at TD’s own ATMs, and it’ll reimburse all fees for withdrawing at non-TD ATMs as long as you keep your daily balance at $2,500 or more.
No offer expiration.
How to Search for Bank Bonuses on Your Own
In the spirit of not listing approximately 193 bank promotions, we kept this list short and sweet — only highlighting the best bank promotions for checking and savings accounts.
But maybe you’re interested in banking with your local credit union, opening up a small business checking account or finding the perfect investment account? There are often bonus offers attached to these account openings, too.
The banks don’t always make finding these promotions easy, so here are a few tips to help you get your hands on that cash bonus.
- Check the bank’s website first. Sometimes it’ll advertise its promotions right there. This is rare, but it’s worth a quick check — it could save you a ton of time.
- If you don’t have any luck, reach out to the bank’s customer service team through phone, email or chat. Let them know you’re shopping for a new account, and you’d like to know if it’s running any promotions. More often than not, the nice representative will send you a special link.
- If this doesn’t work, turn to your trusty friend Google. Look for the best bank account bonuses. Because you’ll likely dig up some offers from third-party sites, you’ll want to take a few minutes to make sure the offer:
- Hasn’t expired.
- Is legitimate. Make sure the bank is FDIC-insured and has a positive Better Business Bureau rating. You can even read some online reviews.
- Doesn’t require outrageous qualifying activities. For example, it might not be realistic for you to maintain an average daily balance of $50,000 and carry out 60 qualifying debit card purchases or receive five direct deposits before the end of your first 30-day statement cycle.
- You can also reach out to your family, friends and social network to crowdsource bank recommendations. Sometimes banks have impressive referral programs, so both you and your friend could benefit from you signing up.
Overall, be smart. Don’t let that promise of an account bonus blind you. Also, read the fine print so you don’t get stuck paying high monthly fees, interest rates or closing penalties.
Will Opening a Bank Account Hurt Your Credit Score?
If you’re worried that opening a new bank account or closing an old one will hurt your credit score, don’t be. Your bank accounts are not included in your credit report and therefore have no effect on your credit score, unless you have an outstanding negative balance that the bank turns over to a collection agency.
Sometimes when you go to open a new bank account, banks will do a soft credit check. However, that won’t affect your credit score.
Now, go enjoy your fresh new bank account and that nice cash bonus you’re about to pocket. Add it to your savings account, put it toward student loan payments or, heck, treat yourself!
Editorial Disclosure: This content is not provided by the bank advertiser. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of the bank advertiser. This site may be compensated through the bank advertiser Affiliate Program.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.