Checking Account Bonuses: How to Earn Them
Banks will pay you hundreds of dollars to switch. Here is how to qualify without surprises.
October 10, 2026 · 4 min read
Bank bonuses are one of the easiest ways to earn a few hundred dollars. Banks offer them to win new customers.
Typical requirements
Most bonuses require you to open a new account and receive a set amount of direct deposits within 60 to 90 days.
Read the fine print
- Keep the account open for the required period, often 6 months
- Watch for monthly fees that eat into your bonus
- Bonuses are reported as interest income on a 1099
Our favorite strategy
Split your direct deposit between your existing account and the new bank until the bonus posts. Then decide whether to stay.