Earn up to $3,000 for Opening a Checking Account in October

Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

We’ve gone through the best bank promotions and bonus offers among national, regional banks, and online banks, and selected our top picks for October 2023. 

Best Checking Account Bonus Offers

• Chase Private Client Checking℠: Earn up to a $3,000 bonus when you open a new Chase Private Client Checking℠ account with qualifying activities (offer expires 01/24/2024)
• Citigold® Checking Account: Earn up to $2,000 cash bonus when you maintain a minimum eligible balance and complete required activities
• Citi Priority: Earn up to $2,000 cash bonus when you maintain a minimum eligible balance and complete required activities
• BMO Relationship Checking, BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account, and BMO Smart Money Checking: $600 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days (BMO Relationship Checking); $400 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days (BMO Smart Money Checking ); $400 cash bonus when you have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 120 days (BMO Smart Advantage Checking); earn up to $4,100 total if you apply and meet the requirements for a BMO personal checking account and Relationship Plus Money Market Account
• Huntington Bank Platinum Perks Checking: Earn a $600 cash bonus for eligible new customers who open a new, qualifying Huntington Platinum Perks Checking account by Feb. 7, 2024 with qualifying activities
• U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking: Earn up to $500 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities (earn up to $1,000 total if you apply and meet all requirements for both the U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking bonus and the U.S. Bank Standard Savings bonus)
• Huntington Bank Perks Checking: Earn a $400 cash bonus for eligible new customers who open a new, qualifying Huntington Bank Perks Checking account by Feb. 7, 2024 with qualifying activities
• Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Account: Earn a $325 bonus when you open a new account from the offer webpage with a $25 minimum opening deposit and receive a total of $1,000 or more in qualifying electronic deposits to your new checking account within 90 calendar days of account opening (offer ends 11/13/2023)
• TD Bank Beyond Checking Account: Earn $300 when you have $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days
• Laurel Road Linked Checking℠ and Laurel Road Loyalty Checking Account: Earn a $300 bonus after making a qualifying direct deposit of $2,500 or more within 60 days of opening your account
• Axos Bank Rewards Checking: Earn up to $300 welcome bonus when you use the promo code SUNNYBONUS to apply for a Rewards Checking account and have qualifying direct deposit(s) by 12/31/23
• American Express® Rewards Checking Account: Earn $250 after you open an account by October 31, 2023 and receive a qualifying direct deposit of $500 or more by December 10, 2023
• SoFi Checking and Savings: Earn up to $250 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (through 12/31/2023)
• Valley All Access Rewards Checking Account: Earn up to $240 during your first year of account opening ($20 per month for 12 months) when you complete qualifying activities
• Ally Spending Account: Earn $200 bonus after using code “GET200” and making a direct deposit of $1,500 or more within 90 days (offer ends 11/30/2023) 
• Chase Total Checking®: Earn a $200 bonus when you open an account using a coupon code and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment (offer expires on 01/24/2024)
• Fifth Third Momentum® Checking: Earn $200 when you make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of account opening and present your unique offer code (offer ends 01/07/2024)
• TD Bank Convenience Checking Account: Earn $200 when you have $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days
• M&T Bank EZChoice Checking, M&T Bank MyChoice Plus Checking, and M&T Bank MyChoice Premium Checking: Earn a $200 bonus when you make qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account opening
• USAA Classic Checking: Earn a $200 when you open your first USAA Classic Checking account with qualifying direct deposit of $100 or more within the first 180 days (offer ends 03/14/2024)
• Chase Secure Banking℠: Earn $100 when you open a Chase Secure Banking account as a new Chase checking customer with qualifying transactions (offer expires 01/24/2024)
• Chase College Checking℠: Earn $100 as a new Chase checking customer when you open a Chase College Checking℠ account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of coupon enrollment (offer expires 01/24/2024)
• PNC Bank Virtual Wallet®: Earn $100 if you open Virtual Wallet® and establish total qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 in the first 60 days, $200 when you open Virtual Wallet® with Performance Spend and establish total qualifying direct deposits of at least $2,000 in first 60 days, or $400 when you open Virtual Wallet® with Performance Select and establish total qualifying direct deposits of at least $5,000 in direct deposits in the first 60 days (offer ends 10/31/2023)C

Checking Account Bonuses: FAQs

How to Qualify for the Best Checking Account Bonuses

Chase Private Client Checking℠

Bonus amount: $1,000 to $3,000

Expiration date: January 24, 2024

Who qualifies: Both new and existing Chase Private Client customers are eligible. Eligible accounts are Chase personal checking and savings accounts, and J.P. Morgan Wealth Management non-retirement accounts.

What you need to do:

• If you’re a new client, visit the Chase bonus page and enter your email address to receive your promo code; then meet with a Private Client Banker to upgrade or open your account
• Transfer at least $150,000 of qualifying new money or securities into a combination of eligible accounts within the first 45 days
• To earn a $1,000 bonus, transfer $150,000 to $249,999
• To earn a $2,000 bonus, transfer $250,000 to $499,999
• To earn a $3,000 bonus, transfer $500,000 or more
• Maintain your new money balance for at least 90 days from opening the account

When you’ll receive the money: The money will show up in your account within 40 days of your completing the requirements.

Citigold® Checking Account

Bonus amount: Up to $2,000

Expiration date: January 9, 2024

Who qualifies: You qualify as long as you haven’t had a Citi® checking account in the last 180 days and you’re 18 years old.

What you need to do:

• Open an eligible account by January 9, 2024
• To earn $200, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $10,000 to $29,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $500, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $30,000 to $74,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $1,000, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $75,000 to $199,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $1,500, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $200,000 to $299,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $2,000, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $300,000 and above within 20 days of your account opening
• Maintain your balance for 60 consecutive calendar days after the 21st day from account opening
• If your balance falls to a lower tier at any point during the maintenance period, the bonus changes

When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.

Citi Priority

Bonus amount: Up to $2,000

Expiration date: January 9, 2024

Who qualifies: You qualify as long as you haven’t had a Citi checking account in the last 180 days and you’re 18 years old.

What you need to do: 

• Open an eligible account by January 9, 2024
• To earn $200, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $10,000 to $29,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $500, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $30,000 to $74,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $1,000, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $75,000 to $199,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $1,500, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $200,000 to $299,999 within 20 days of your account opening
• To earn $2,000, you’ll need to have a minimum deposit and minimum balance of $300,000 and above within 20 days of your account opening
• Maintain your balance for 60 consecutive calendar days after the 21st day from account opening
• If your balance falls to a lower tier at any point during the maintenance period, the bonus changes

When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will be paid within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.

BMO Relationship Checking, BMO Smart Money Checking, and BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account

Bonus amount: $600 (BMO Relationship Checking), $400 (BMO Smart Money Checking), or $400 (BMO Smart Advantage Checking); Earn up to $4,100 total if you apply and meet the requirements for a BMO personal checking account and Relationship Plus Money Market Account

Expiration date: December 8, 2023

Who qualifies: You must be a new BMO personal checking account customer or someone who hasn’t closed a BMO personal checking account in the last 12 months. 

What you need to do: 

• Open a BMO personal checking online, by phone, or at a branch by December 8, 2023, using a promo code
• To earn a $400 on BMO Smart Money Checking or BMO Smart Advantage Checking Account, make a qualifying direct deposit of $4,000 or more within the first 120 days
• To earn a $600 on BMO Relationship Checking make a qualifying direct deposit of $7,500 or more within the first 120 days
• To earn up to $4,100 in total at BMO, you must also open a BMO personal money market account and meet certain qualifying transactions

When you’ll receive the money: The cash bonus will be deposited into your BMO checking account around 130 days after account opening. 

Huntington Bank Platinum Perks Checking

Bonus amount: $600

Expiration date: February 7, 2024

Who qualifies: You must open a new Huntington Bank customer to qualify. 

What you need to do: 

• Open a new account by February 7, 2024
• Deposit at least $25,000 within 90 days of opening your account and maintain a $25,000 account balance for 90 days

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 14 days after you meet the requirements.

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking

Bonus amount: Earn up to $500 (earn up to $1,000 total if you qualify for both Smartly Checking and Standard Savings account offers)

Expiration date: October 31, 2023

Who qualifies: You must open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account online. You won’t be eligible if you currently have a U.S. Bank checking account, owned a U.S. Bank checking account in the last six months, or you received a bonus from a U.S. Bank checking account in the last two years. You’re eligible if you live in AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, or WY.

What you need to do:

• Open a new account by October 31, with a minimum opening deposit of $25 and using the promotional page; if you open it anywhere other than the promotional page, use the code 2023SEP.
• Enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank mobile app within the first 90 days of getting the account
• Make two or more direct deposits totaling $5,000 to $9,999.99 to earn $300, or $10,000 or more to earn $500

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 60 days of meeting the requirements.

Huntington Bank Perks Checking

Bonus amount: $400

Expiration date: February 7, 2024

Who qualifies: You must open a new Huntington Bank customer to qualify. 

What you need to do: 

• Open a new account by February 7, 2024
• Make a qualifying direct deposit within 90 days of opening your account and maintain a $1,000 account balance for 90 days to avoid monthly service fee

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 14 days after you meet the requirements.

Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Account

Bonus amount: $325

Expiration date: November 13, 2023

Who qualifies: You must be a new Wells Fargo checking account customer. You aren’t eligible if you’ve received a Wells Fargo checking bonus in the last 12 months, and you can’t be a Wells Fargo employee.

What you need to do:

• Open an eligible account by November 13, 2023 with a $25 minimum opening deposit
• To open online, visit the bonus page; to open the account in a branch, enter your email address on the bonus page and Wells Fargo will email you a promo code to give at the branch.
• Receive at least $1,000 in direct deposits in the account within 90 days of opening it

When you’ll receive the money: After the initial 90-day period ends, the money will appear in your account within 30 days.

TD Bank Beyond Checking Account

Bonus amount: $300

Expiration date: October 31, 2023

Who qualifies: You must be a new TD Bank customer to qualify.

What you need to do: 

• Open a new account 
• Receive at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days of opening the account
• Keep your account open for at least 6 months

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 180 days after opening the account.

Laurel Road Linked Checking℠ and Laurel Road Loyalty Checking Account

Bonus amount: $300

Expiration date: January 8, 2024

What you need to do:

• Open an eligible account by January 8, 2024; because Linked Checking is tied to your refinanced student loans, you’ll need to open this account at the same time as refinancing your student loan with Laurel Road
• Make qualifying direct deposits of $2,500 or more in the first 60 days

When you’ll receive the money: The $300 should hit your account within 60 days of your meeting the requirements. Note: You can only earn a bonus with one Laurel Road account, not both.

Axos Bank Rewards Checking

Bonus amount: $300

Expiration date: December 31, 2023

Who qualifies: You must open an eligible account.

What you need to do:

• Open an Axos Bank Rewards Checking Account by December 31, 2023, using the promo code “SUNNYBONUS”
• Receive at least $5,000 in direct deposits in each calendar month during the first seven calendar months your account is open (including the month when you opened the account)
• Maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000 or more from September 2023, through March 2024, during the seven statement cycles 
• A maximum of six payouts of $50 for each calendar month that the account is receiving the direct deposit 

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your checking account within 10 business days following the end of the statement cycle in which the direct deposit requirement was met. You must keep your account open for at least 210 days or you’ll have to pay an early closure fee of up to $300. 

American Express® Rewards Checking Account

Bonus amount: $250

Expiration date: October 31, 2023

Who qualifies: You must be an American Express Card member who has had a Basic Consumer Card for at least three months. You won’t be eligible to open the American Express Rewards Checking Account if you currently have or previously owned an American Express Business Checking account. Existing American Express Rewards Checking Account customers also aren’t eligible for the cash bonus. 

What you need to do:

When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will be deposited into your account eight to 12 weeks after you complete the qualifying activities.

SoFi Checking and Savings

Bonus amount: up to $250 with qualifying direct deposit for eligible customers (through 12/31/2023)

Expiration date: December 31, 2023

Who qualifies: If you’re a new customer, set up an account and enroll in direct deposit. You’re also eligible as an existing customer if you haven’t already set up direct deposit.

What you need to do:

• Once you’ve opened your account, enroll in direct deposit
• Receive qualifying direct deposits within the 25-day evaluation period
• If direct deposits equal $1,000 to $4,999.99, you’ll receive a $50 bonus
• If direct deposits come $5,000 or more during the evaluation period, you’ll receive a $250 bonus
• Keep in mind, the 25-day evaluation period won’t go beyond the promotion period expiration date

When you’ll receive the money: The bonus will show up in your account within seven business days after the 25-day evaluation period ends.

Valley All Access Rewards Checking Account

Bonus amount: up to $240 ($20 per month for up to 12 months)

Expiration date: Ongoing

Who qualifies: You’re eligible for this bonus if you are a new consumer checking customer at Valley National Bank and over age 18. Valley has branches in Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.

What you need to do:

• Receive $750 in direct deposits each month
• For every month you meet this requirement in the first year, you’ll receive a $20 bonus
• The bonus expires one year after opening the account; if you don’t meet the direct deposit requirement for one month, you aren’t eligible to continue earning a bonus for the following months

When you’ll receive the money: The $20 will be deposited into your account within 35 days of the monthly qualifying recurring direct deposit.

Ally Spending Account

Bonus amount: $200

Expiration date: November, 30, 2023

Who qualifies: You must be a new customer. Ally defines a new customer as someone who doesn’t currently have an Ally Spending Account or someone who hasn’t owned the account in the last 12 months. You also won’t be eligible for this cash bonus if you’ve received another cash bonus from Ally in the last year that involves a qualifying direct deposit.

What you need to do:

• Open an Ally Spending Account online using the bonus code and deposit any amount in the first 30 days
• Set up a qualifying direct deposit and receive payments totaling $1,500 or more within the first 90 days
• Keep your account open and maintain good standing 30 days after you’ve received the qualifying direct deposit

When you’ll receive the money: You should see the money in your account within 30 days after you’ve received the qualifying direct deposit.

Chase Total Checking®

Bonus amount: $200

Expiration date:January 24, 2024

Who qualifies: New personal checking account customers.

What you need to do:

• Open an eligible account with a coupon code
• Set up direct deposit within 90 days after enrolling

When you’ll receive the money: You’ll receive the $200 within 15 days.

Fifth Third Momentum® Checking

Bonus amount: $200

Expiration date: January 7, 2024

Who qualifies: You must be a new Fifth Third checking account customer. You won’t be eligible if you have an existing Fifth Third checking account or your closed a checking account in the last 13 months.

What you need to do: 

• Open an eligible account by January 7, 2024, using a promo code
• Receive at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 10 days after opening the account.

TD Bank Convenience Checking Account

Bonus amount: $200

Expiration date: October 31, 2023

Who qualifies: You must be a new TD Bank customer to qualify.

What you need to do: 

• Open an eligible account 
• Receive at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days of opening the account
• Keep your account open for at least 6 months

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account around 180 days after opening the account.

M&T Bank EZChoice Checking, M&T Bank MyChoice Plus Checking, and M&T Bank MyChoice Premium Checking

Bonus amount: $200

Expiration date: November 30, 2023

Who qualifies: You don’t qualify if you’re already a personal M&T checking account customer, you’ve closed an M&T account in the last 180 days, you’ve received an M&T checking bonus in the last 12 months (unless it was from the Refer Friends Program), or are an employee of M&T or its affiliates.

What you need to do:

• Open an eligible account by November 30, 2023, either online or in a branch, and request a promo code
• Make at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits (including payroll, pension, or Social Security) in the first 90 days

When you’ll receive the money: The $200 will show up in your account within 90 days of completing the requirements.

USAA Classic Checking

Bonus amount: $200

Expiration date: March 14, 2024

Who qualifies: You’re not eligible if you (as the primary account holder) have or had a USAA checking account in the last 12 months. The account also isn’t eligible for the bonus if it’s titled as an estate, trust account, UTMA, or other fiduciary account. Your account must remain in good standing to get the bonus. 

What you need to do:

• Open a new account by March 14, 2024
• Receive a qualifying direct deposit of at least $100 in the first 180 days (if you’re a civilian working for the Defense Finance Account Service, this direct deposit would not count)

When you’ll receive the money: The $200 should show up in your account within 60 days of USAA processing your first direct deposit.

Chase Secure Banking℠

Bonus amount: $100

Expiration date:January 24, 2024

Who qualifies: You must be a new checking account customer.

What you need to do:

When you’ll receive the money: You’ll get the money deposited into your account 15 days after you’ve completed 10 transactions. 

Chase College Checking℠

Bonus amount: $100

Expiration date: January 24, 2024

Who qualifies: This account is for college students ages 17 to 24. You cannot already be a Chase checking customer, have closed a Chase account in the last 90 days, or have closed a Chase account with a negative balance within the last three years. You won’t qualify if you’ve received another Chase sign-up bonus in the last two years.

What you need to do:

• Open an account by January 24, 2024, on the promotion page
• Complete 10 qualifying transactions (including debit card purchases, online bill payments, Zelle, Chase QuickDeposit, or ACH credits) within 60 days

When you’ll receive the money: The $100 will be deposited into your account within 15 days after you complete the qualifying transactions

PNC Bank Virtual Wallet®

Bonus amount: $100 to $400

Expiration date: October 31, 2023

Who qualifies: This offer is only available in markets where there are PNC branches. You and any signer on the account must be a new PNC checking customer. You aren’t eligible if you’ve closed a PNC checking account in the last 90 days or received a PNC promotional offer in the last 24 months.

What you need to do:

• By October 31, 2023, open a PNC Bank Virtual Wallet to earn a $100 bonus, PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend to earn $200, and PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select to earn $400; you must apply online to qualify
• Receive a qualifying direct deposit within the first 60 days

When you’ll receive the money: The money will be deposited into your account 60 to 90 days after you meet the requirements.

Why You Should Trust Us: Experts’ Advice on the Best Bank Account Bonuses

We consulted banking and financial planning experts to inform these picks and provide their advice on finding the best bank account bonus for your needs.

Here’s what they had to say about bank account bonuses. (Some text may be lightly edited for clarity.)

What should I look for in a checking account bonus?

Mykail James, MBA, certified financial education instructor, BoujieBudgets.com:

“If you are using this bank as your main spending account, then you know that you will have less conflict with depositing money in there. It may be beneficial to look at specific things that are getting bonuses, specifically direct deposit.” 

Sophia Acevedo, certified educator in personal finance, banking reporter, Personal Finance Insider:

“I would consider how much money is needed to obtain the bonus. Some banks may have several bonuses available, where you’ll earn bigger bonuses for a higher account balance or direct deposit. See if a particular bonus is right for you and you’re not going out of your way to qualify for it.”