How bank bonuses actually work (and why they're back).

Banks pay you to open an account because acquiring a checking customer costs them $150–$400 through ads, and a bonus is cheaper with better targeting. You hold for 60–180 days, they get the CAC math, you keep the bonus. The game has been around since the 80s; it's just been quietly hitting new highs the last 18 months.

The two clauses that matter

Every bank bonus offer reduces down to two things: the qualifying activity (usually a direct deposit or balance hold) and the hold period (how long you must keep the account open or funded to avoid clawback). Read both, screenshot both, and you'll never lose a bonus.

Direct deposit in 2026

'DD' used to mean payroll ACH only. Today, most banks accept same-name pushes from brokerage accounts (Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab) as qualifying direct deposits. A few holdouts — Citi, Huntington, and some regional banks — still require payroll or government ACH. The offer's fine print always wins; verify before you commit.

The ChexSystems question

ChexSystems tracks new account openings across most US banks. Open ~1 new account per month and you'll stay unflagged. Open 4 in a single month and several banks will auto-decline your next application for 6–12 months. Space them out.