Update 1/13/21: Deal is back, there is now a $250 option as well. In the past the targeted language hasn’t been enforced but YMMV. Hat tip to reader Joey
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $150/$250
- Availability: OK & MO only, If you don’t live within 50 miles of a branch you won’t be eligible for the offer (it’ll let you sign up and then they will later close your account) [Branch locator] In addition the offer contains targeted language
- Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum specified
- Additional requirements: Deposit $50 at account opening
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Can fund up to $1,000 with a credit card. Mastercard & Visa are accepted
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: Unknown
- Household limit: One
- Expiration date: December 31st, 2020
The Offer
Direct link to offer: $150 bonus | $250 bonus
- Central Bank is offering bonus of $150 when you open an eligible checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Use promo code CM150Q1
- Deposit $50 at account opening
- Have at least two direct deposits within 90 days of account opening
- Central Bank is offering bonus of $150 when you open an eligible checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Use promo code CM250Q1
- Deposit $50 at account opening
- Have at least two direct deposits within 90 days of account opening
The Fine Print
- To receive the $150 checking bonus open a new eligible personal checking account.
- Eligible accounts include MyChoice Checking, MaxMoney Checking, Free Checking, Preferred Interest Checking, and World Checking.
- Deposit $50 or more at account opening; and have at least two or more direct deposits within 90 days of account opening.
- Qualifying types of Direct Deposits include Payroll, Pension or Government Benefit. Bonus is reported to the IRS as interest.
- Bonus will be deposited into the checking account within 15 business days after account 1) meet all requirements AND 2) has been open for 90 days.
- Available to new checking account customers only. Customer must bring in mailer or use offer code to receive incentive.
- Offer may only be redeemed by the intended recipient and are nontransferable.
- Eligibility for this offer will be verified prior to providing the bonus.
- One offer per household. We reserve the right to not open accounts for customers outside our market area.
- Not all offers are available at all affiliates of Central Bancompany.
- Please contact us for further details.
- Promotion ends 12/31/2020.
This card is issued by The Central Trust Bank pursuant to a license by Mastercard International Incorporated.
+Mobile carrier data and text rates may apply. - All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
They offer a free checking account with no monthly fees to worry about
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so I’m unsure if there is an early account termination fee. Might as well keep the account open as there is no monthly fees to worry about (usually six months is long enough to avoid any potential early account termination fee).
Our Verdict
Shame it’s targeted, otherwise we would have added this to our list of the best checking account bonuses. As far as I know the targeted language is enforced unfortunately.
Hat tip to DDG
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
Post history:
- Update 5/15/20: Possible that the targeted language is not being enforced. Hat tip to Mali.
