15 best new bank account promotions and bonuses for October 2025: Earn up to $3,000

As interest rates on deposit accounts continue to decrease, it’s likely that your savings are not accumulating as much interest as before. One effective strategy to offset these lower rates is by obtaining a cash bonus for opening a new bank account.

In an effort to entice new customers, many financial institutions provide sign-up bonuses. However, eligibility for these bonuses often comes with specific conditions. Discover which banks are currently promoting the most appealing account bonuses and how you can qualify for them.

Numerous banks and credit unions feature limited-time cash incentives for individuals who open new accounts and fulfill certain criteria. Here’s an overview of lucrative personal account bonuses to consider if you’re in the market for a fresh checking or savings account.

Please note that bonus information is accurate as of the date of this article. It’s advisable to confirm details directly with the bank before proceeding with an account opening.

Available until December 31, 2025

Alliant Credit Union is currently offering a bonus of $100 for new members opening an Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account. To earn this bonus, you’ll need to maintain an average daily balance of at least $100 for a full year.

This account remains an excellent choice for savers, offering an APY that is 15 times higher than the national average. Additionally, there are no monthly fees if ePayments are established. You can qualify for this bonus through any incoming deposits, not just direct deposits.

Read our full review of Alliant Credit Union

Available until November 15, 2025

Open an Associated Bank checking account (either online or in-branch) and you could earn up to a $600 bonus within 90 days by having direct deposits totaling $500 or more. The bonus amount is determined by your account balance:

$1,000-$4,999.99: $300 bonus
$5,000-$9,999.99: $400 bonus
$10,000 or more: $600 bonus

Your bonus will reflect in your account within 120 days from your account opening if all qualifications are met.

Available until January 28, 2026

BMO Bank is currently offering a new account bonus for the Smart Advantage and Smart Money checking accounts. You can receive a cash bonus of $400 by having at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits made within the first 90 days.

Available until: Not disclosed

Capital One features a straightforward checking account that offers a $250 opening bonus. The account comes with no monthly fees or minimum deposit, and it provides a minor interest rate (0.10%), which surpasses what many typical checking accounts offer.

To unlock this bonus, you need to open a new account with the promo code CHECKING250 and ensure at least two direct deposits of $500 or more are set up within 75 days post-account opening.

Read our full review of Capital One

Available until January 21, 2026

To qualify for the Chase Private Client Checking bonus, open or upgrade to a new account by January 21, 2026, at a branch or through a phone call. You will then need to fund your account with a transfer of $150,000 or more in qualifying new funds or securities within 45 days.

The bonus varies based on your total balance:

$150,000-$249,999.99 qualifies for $1,000
$250,000-$499,999.99 qualifies for $2,000
$500,000+ qualifies for $3,000

Your bonus is calculated on day 45, and you must maintain the new balance for 90 days. The bonus will then be credited to your account within 40 days.

Available from September 23 to October 22, 2025

To qualify for this bonus, you must open a Platinum Savings account starting September 23, 2025, using promo code PS2025. You must deposit at least $25,000 for a $225 bonus or at least $50,000 for a $300 bonus within the first 30 days. The funds must come from an external source to CIT Bank. The bonus will be credited 60 days after the funding period, but the account must remain open during that time.

Existing Platinum Savings customers who opened accounts prior to this promotion may also enroll using promo code PS2025 to qualify by meeting the same deposit requirements.

Available until October 6, 2025

New Citi checking customers opting for enhanced direct deposits can earn a $325 cash bonus. To be eligible, receive at least two enhanced direct deposits totaling $3,000 or more within 90 days of opening your account.

Enhanced direct deposits can include transfers from Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo, as well as paychecks, pension payments, and Social Security benefits. The bonus will appear as a credit within 30 days.

Available until September 11, 2025

Discover’s Online Savings account offers competitive rates exceeding five times the national average. First-time depositors can earn up to a $200 bonus by opening an account with offer code GBPP325:

Receive a $150 bonus by depositing at least $15,000 within 45 days of account opening
Receive a $200 bonus by depositing at least $25,000 within 45 days of account opening

The bonus will be credited once the conditions are satisfied within a 60-day timeframe.

Read our full review of Discover Bank

Available until January 7, 2026

Fifth Third Bank is currently offering a bonus of $300 when a qualifying checking account is opened using an offer code. To earn this bonus, direct deposits reaching a total of $500 or more must be made within 90 days of account opening. The bonus will be credited to your account within 10 business days once qualifying activity is completed.

Read our full review of Fifth Third Bank

Available until January 15, 2025

Huntington National Bank clients opening a new checking account can qualify for either of two bonus tiers, determined by the account type:

$400 for opening a Perks Checking account and establishing a qualifying direct deposit of at least $500 within 90 days of account opening.
$600 for cumulative new money deposits of $25,000 into a new Platinum Perks checking account within 90 days of account opening.

Using your unique offer code during account opening is crucial. To receive the bonus, the account must remain open for 90 days following these requirements. You can expect to receive your bonus within 14 days. Note: This offer is exclusive to applicants residing in states like Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, or Wisconsin.

Available until November 17, 2025

PNC Bank features a bonus of up to $400 available through its combined checking (Spend) and savings account known as Virtual Wallet. Bonuses vary by the type of Virtual Wallet and qualifying actions:

Virtual Wallet: Earn $100 with total qualifying direct deposits of $500 or more
Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend: Earn $200 with total qualifying direct deposits of $2,000 or more
Virtual Wallet with Performance Select: Earn $400 with total qualifying direct deposits of $5,000 or more

The new Virtual Wallet must be opened online and qualifying direct deposit(s) received within the initial 60 days. Maintain the account to be eligible for the bonus, credited within 60 to 90 days post-qualification.

Individuals are disqualified if they or any signer on the account currently have a PNC Bank consumer checking account, have closed an account in the past year, or were signers on accounts that received a promotional bonus in the last 24 months.

Read our full review of PNC Bank

SoFi Checking and Savings Account: Up to $300 bonus

Available until January 31, 2026

Open a new SoFi online bank account to potentially earn a bonus of up to $300. To qualify, ensure you receive at least one direct deposit. Depending on your total deposit amount, your reward will differ:

Direct deposits under $999.99 will not be eligible for a bonus
$1,000 to $4,999.99 in direct deposits earns a $50 bonus
$5,000 or more in direct deposits earns a $300 bonus

<pAfter meeting the requirements, bonuses will be credited within seven business days following the end of the direct deposit bonus period, which begins once SoFi receives your first qualifying direct deposit during the promotional timeframe.

Read our full review of SoFi

Available until October 31, 2025

TD Bank offers a new checking account bonus of either $200 or $300, determined by the type of account you open.

For the TD Beyond Checking account, you might earn up to $300 by making at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days. This bonus will be deposited within 180 days post-account opening.

In contrast, new TD Complete Checking customers must receive $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days to qualify for a $200 bonus, which will also be credited within 180 days of account opening.

Available until October 31, 2025

Customers opening a TD Signature Savings account or TD Simple Savings account can receive up to a $200 bonus. A deposit of at least $10,000 must be made within the first 20 days, and this balance must be maintained for an additional 90 days following this period. Bonuses are credited within 180 days of account opening.

Note: Existing TD Bank personal savings customers or those who had previous personal savings or money market accounts closed within the last 12 months, as well as those who received earlier personal savings or money market bonuses, will not qualify.

Read our full review of TD Bank

Available until October 15, 2025

New checking account holders may qualify for a bonus of $325 by opening a new Everyday Checking account with a minimum deposit of $25. You must ensure that a total of $1,000 or more is received in qualifying electronic deposits within 90 days of account opening. Once you meet these criteria, your bonus will show up in your new checking account within 30 days.

Bank account offers with cash bonuses are incentives for new customers signing up for bank services. Typically, to be eligible for a bonus, certain conditions must be satisfied.

These conditions may differ across institutions and can involve setting up a specified amount in direct deposits within a designated time frame, maintaining a necessary balance, keeping the account in good standing during the promotional period, or signing up for additional products alongside the primary account.

Once you’ve fulfilled these requirements for a bonus, the funds should appear in your account within just a few days in many cases. However, some banks may stipulate penalties if you close your account shortly after receiving a bonus.

Considering a new account for the sake of a cash bonus can be enticing, yet it often comes with a series of stipulations. Here are some of the key advantages and disadvantages to weigh before proceeding with an account that promotes a bonus offer:

Advantages:

It’s extra money. No matter the amount, receiving additional funds can significantly ease financial pressure.
Encourages bank switching. If your current bank isn’t meeting your needs, an enticing account bonus can serve as motivation to make the switch to a bank offering better terms or lower fees.

Disadvantages:

Bonuses incur taxation. Bonuses are treated as taxable income, in addition to any interest accrued on your balance, potentially resulting in a larger tax bill come filing time.
Additional stipulations may apply. Banks intentionally create these bonuses to attract and retain customers; hence, receiving the bonus may not simply entail opening an account — you might also have to navigate a list of qualifying requirements, including regulations to prevent closing your account immediately after the bonus is credited.

Should you decide to pursue a bonus, consider these key factors to ensure it’s a beneficial financial choice:

Bonus amount: Naturally, the size of the offer is crucial, particularly in relation to required conditions for qualification.
Necessary account balance: Some banks demand a minimum balance to qualify for the bonus or avoid fees. Ensure this won’t create a financial burden for you.
Direct deposit prerequisites: Bonuses often require a direct deposit of a certain amount in a specific time frame. Make sure your income can be set up to meet these needs.
Transaction obligations: A minimum number of transactions per month may be required for some accounts to qualify for the bonus, matching your spending habits.
Monthly charges: Consider avoiding accounts that include monthly maintenance fees. If fees are part of an account, check if they can be waived by meeting conditions like minimum balance or direct deposits.
Account features: Beyond the bonus, evaluate the account’s features. Does it provide benefits such as free checks, ATM charge refunds, online banking, and an effective mobile app?
Interest rates: Opting for an account that offers a higher interest rate can help your savings grow over time.

Bear in mind that bank bonuses are taxable. Banks typically send out a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC tax form before tax season to assist with filing, although they may not do so consistently. If you do not receive a tax form, it’s necessary to report any bonus received as earned income to the IRS.

Furthermore, your financial institution likely has rules regarding when you may terminate your account after receiving the bonus. Closing it immediately could lead to penalties or forfeiture of the bonus. Consult your account’s terms and conditions to understand how closing your account could affect your eligibility for the bonus and the timeline for doing so without incurring penalties.

Typically, the time required for your bank to credit your bonus will vary based on the specific rules for that account. Most often, you should expect the bonus to be reflected in your account within a few business days after fulfilling the necessary requirements. For more detailed information on your bonus, feel free to contact your bank or review the account’s terms and conditions.

Promotions on new accounts and the terms for bonuses differ from bank to bank. Generally, you need to establish your account ahead of the promotional deadline and keep it open for a minimum period (usually 60 days) before receiving your bonus. Some may also necessitate additional stipulations, such as maintaining a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

Bank bonuses fluctuate, influenced by which banks wish to attract new customers. Currently, certain banks featuring checking account bonuses include SoFi, Axos, Chase, Citi, Bank of America, and TD Bank.