Best Bank Sign-Up Bonuses in 2026
A rundown of the highest-value bank and credit card bonuses you can earn right now, with exact requirements and realistic assessments.
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A rundown of the highest-value bank and credit card bonuses you can earn right now, with exact requirements and realistic assessments.
Yes. Banks report bonuses as interest income on a 1099-INT. You'll owe ordinary income tax on the bonus amount in the year you receive it.
Checking and savings bonuses typically involve a soft pull and don't affect your credit score. Credit card bonuses trigger a hard pull that drops your score a few points temporarily.
Most banks require the account to stay open for 90 to 180 days after the bonus posts. Closing earlier can trigger a clawback of the bonus.
Usually no. Most banks have a 12- to 24-month cooling-off period per account type. Always read the fine print before applying.
Average value · $200–$900 per bonus
Sign-up bonuses worth up to $900 — updated weekly.
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Banks and credit card companies spend billions each year in customer acquisition. The easiest way to access that money is through sign-up bonuses — most pay $200 to $900 in exchange for opening a new account and meeting a minimum deposit or spending requirement.
This guide covers the bonuses worth your time right now, the hidden gotchas to watch for, and a simple strategy for stacking them.
Unlike class action settlements (where you wait months for $35) or unclaimed property (where you might find nothing), bank bonuses are guaranteed money for predictable effort. If you meet the requirements, the bonus posts. The effort is mostly clicks — fill out an application, set up a direct deposit or ACH transfer, wait for the posting date.
A typical $300 checking account bonus requires about 15 minutes of setup time, zero spending, and pays in 30-60 days. That's better than almost any side hustle on an hourly basis.
Usually require a direct deposit of $500-$5,000 within the first 30-90 days. Best for people with steady paychecks since it's easy to route one to a new account.
Require you to park money for a period (usually 60-90 days). Great if you already have cash sitting in a low-interest account.
Highest value but require meeting a spending requirement and trigger a hard credit pull.
Chase auto-declines almost anyone with 5+ credit card applications in the last 24 months (including cards from other issuers). Track your applications before applying for Chase products.
Some banks are strict about what counts as a "direct deposit." A payroll deposit from your employer always counts. ACH transfers from another bank account sometimes count, sometimes don't — depends on the coding. Read the fine print.
Most checking/savings bonuses require you to keep the account open for 90-180 days after the bonus posts. Close early and they can claw back the bonus. Set a calendar reminder.
If you're patient and organized, you can stack 3-4 bonuses per year:
Total realistic earnings: $1,000-$2,500/year depending on the offers you pick and whether you include credit cards.
Bank bonuses are reported as interest income on a 1099-INT and are taxable at your marginal rate. A $300 bonus is about $225 after tax for most people — still excellent for 15 minutes of work.
We track every major current offer with the exact requirements and a direct link to apply. Browse all bank bonuses →