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Here are 6 easy bank bonuses to start with.
Bank bonuses give you money for opening a new bank account such as a checking or savings account.
Many people churn bank bonuses.
By churning, I mean they sign up for a bank bonus just to get the money (like me).
This is actually quite lucrative for side money.
Getting started with bank bonuses can be intimidating though.
I know.
I took longer getting started, thinking it would be something really hard to earn money from.
I was wrong.
Bank bonuses are not hard at all.
Like anything, if you are new, you should start slowly though.
Here are easy bank bonuses to get started.
Some don’t even require a direct deposit.
For most people, direct deposits are the hardest thing about bank bonuses.
I found the ones that required a direct deposit in this post to be very easy to complete.
If you want to know more about bank bonuses, you can also check out our Beginner’s Guide To Bank Bonuses here.
Here are the six easy bank bonuses to start with.
A few things to note about bank bonuses.
Personally, it can be confusing to have too many bank accounts open.
So, some new accounts I open I keep, and others (especially ones with fees), I close.
Some bank bonuses can be closed and opened later for another bonus with the same bank too.
Personally, with no fees, I like having several bank accounts but even too many no fee accounts can be confusing again.
So, most bank accounts, I close unless there is something special.
Some bank accounts charge a closing fee.
Some banks require that you keep the account open for a certain amount of time too.
None of these accounts will give you problems with Chex Systems.
If you will do bank bonuses long-term, I suggest you keep a spreadsheet with date opened and closed as well as when you received the bonus.
You may want to keep a screenshot of the original offer too.
If you have a spouse, you both can usually open an account and both earn bonuses.
Some banks do not let people in the same household get a bonus though.
If you enjoy these bonuses, help your friends and family make extra money too.
I. Bank Bonuses That Do Not Require A Direct Deposit
As I said earlier, most people find direct deposits the biggest challenge to earning a bank bonuses.
With these bonuses, you do not need a direct deposit.
Most just require that you deposit $10-$25.
1. Aspiration
Background: Aspiration is an online bank. They try to do good. Personally, sometimes they take money for planting trees. It is something small, but I don’t leave money in the account. Since there are no real fees, I keep this account open. I may close it later though.
Bank bonus: Has been as high as $150 on Swagbucks, as high as $100 directly
Fees: No fees. You can choose to pay a fee. Of course, I choose not to.
Closing cost: None
Can you do the bonus again? No. Once you close your account, you cannot reopen it.
Tip: If they offer you $150 to upgrade to the Plus account, I would do so.
They seem to offer this to new members.
They used to offer it to existing members.
I got an existing offer for $50, but at a $5 fee and requirement to keep the account open, I thought it was not worthwhile. ($5 x 6 months is $30)
If they offered me $100-$150, it would be worthwhile though.
I believe new members are always offered $150 though, so I would take advantage of this again.
There are two ways to sign up for Aspiration bank
- Though Swagbucks
- Directly with a referral link
1. Using Swagbucks To Sign Up For Aspiration Bank
It is usually best to go through Swagbucks when they offer at least $70.
That is because Swagbucks will only require a $10 deposit.
When they offer less than $70, you will have to decide if you will accept just usually at most $50, or you would prefer to use our second method and get $100.
The second method requires putting $1000 spend on your new Aspiration debit card.
Personally, at around $50, since you can put groceries and other bills easily on a debt card, I would go for $100 and the second method if the offer were only $50.
Honestly, Swagbucks offers at least $70 so often that method #2 should not be needed.
This is an individual choice.
Just keep in mind that offers on Swagbucks can disappear forever like the Hulu offer.
Swagbucks used to give people up to $30 for signing up for Hulu.
I have not seen that in a long time.
In which case, method #2 will be best.
If you are signing up for Swagbucks for the first time, use this link to get an easy $13.
Sign up for Swagbucks here & get $13
2. Signing Up For Aspiration Directly with a referral link
Again, you can always sign up directly, and get $100 for spending $1000 in the first 60 days.
This is method #2 that I have been discussing.
To get the direct offer, you will need a referral.
Use mine here.
When you sign up, the Aspiration message will say that you get only $50 for spending $500.
Just let them know you want to do the $100 offer and spend $1000 on your new debit card.
Look out for an offer to get $150 by upgrading to the plus account again too.
You never know when Swagbucks will discontinue Aspiration bank offers again though.
In which case, you can always use method #2.
Sign up for Aspiration bank here
2. BBVA Online
Background: BBVA is a very well known bank, so no need for additional information. I think their online bank is separate from their regular banking though.
Bonus: Get $55 on Swagbucks for depositing $25 into a new premium checking account.
Fees: None
Closing costs: None
Can you do the bonus again later?: This is through Swagbucks, so probably not. Only new members.
Again, you need to open a premium checking account and deposit $25 into the new account.
You can get your $25 back when your debit card arrives.
You get $55 for this bonus again.
This was a very easy bonus to earn.
I just signed up for the offer through Swagbucks, and got paid 32 days later.
I had to contact Swagbucks’ customer service, I received the $50 (offer is $5 more now).
A lot of people don’t like contacting Swagbucks, but I have had no problems.
If you do not see the $55 after 32 days, contact Swagbucks.
As with any offer on Swagbucks, things will disappear and reappear.
Currently, you can get $55 for this offer on Swagbucks again.
3. Varo
Background: Varo is similar to all the other online banks in this post. They actually have a great saving account that can offer up to 3%. That is very high.
Bonus: Like the BBVA offer, you get $50 for depositing $25.
Fees: No fees
Closing cost: None
Can you do the bonus again?: Again, since this is through Swagbucks, probably not. It says new members only.
This is another offer through Swagbucks again.
To find these offers, go to Swagbucks, and then Discover.
I usually just go to “sign ups” after I get to the Discover section of Swagbucks.
I am about to do this offer.
I never got around to it in the past.
II. Easy Bank Bonuses That Require A Direct Deposit
Most bank bonuses require a direct deposit.
This is usually the hardest part for most people again.
Many people have employment which does not allow switching a direct deposit.
Sometimes, even when people can switch, employers make it hard.
In any case, many people who get into earning lots of bank bonuses, fake their direct deposits.
Here is a post on that subject.
Here are the easy bank bonuses that require a direct deposit.
4. Chime
Background: Chime is an online bank. They charge no fees. They claim you get your direct deposit a day quicker. Some people have had their Chime accounts shut down. In general, I don’t keep money in any of these accounts.
Bank bonus: Get $120-$150 through Swagbucks (offer changes), plus $50 through Chime
Fees: Chime has no fees
Closing cost: None
Can you do it again?: I think you can reopen your account after a certain amount of time.
Chime is probably the most famous online bank in this post.
You will get money through Swagbucks, and money through Chime.
Swagbucks pays between $120-$150.
The referral bonus from Chime is usually $50.
I think after you sign up through Swagbucks, they will automatically offer you the extra $50 in the app.
I messed this up by trying to fake a deposit without doing my homework.
Bank bonuses are not hard, but you must do your homework beforehand.
Again, you can check our guide.
Here is Doctor of Credit’s guide too.
They are the leading experts on bank bonuses.
I suggest you read more than one guide to get started.
This small amount of time will pay off in thousands in the end.
5. Sofi
Background: I was more familiar with Sofi through loans. I like their product though.
Bonus: Limited time, get $100 after a direct deposit of $1000 or more.
Fees: None
Closing costs: None
Tip: Go through Swagbucks to get an extra $25.
I just did this bank bonus in March.
I got an easy $100.
I actually missed an extra $25 by not going through Swagbucks.
The $100 arrived as soon as my direct deposit showed up.
6. Current
Background: When I read the reviews, it seems a lot of people use Current for their kids. Swagbucks usually offers as high as $130, but I went for $100 after not seeing that offer for a month or so. They do charge a $4.99 fee. So, as soon as I get my Swagbucks, I will close this one. Personally, I could not find an ATM in my area for Current. I used this method to get my money.
Bonus: $100 after direct deposit
Fees: $4.99 per month at end of 1st month
Closing costs: None
Can you do this bank account again? This is through Swagbucks again, so probably not.
I just did this bank bonus last month.
It pends for 45 days, so I should get paid at the end of the month.
I used my real deposit.
My direct deposit came a day earlier.
This one has a fee, so I would close as soon as you get paid through Swagbucks.
Swagbucks usually offers $130 for this bonus again.
I went for $100 after waiting for two months for the $130 offer to reappear.
You will may have to pay the $4.95 fee twice.
They charge the fee at the end of the billing cycle.
I will close this as soon as I receive my money from Swagbucks again.
A Word About Swagbucks
A lot of these offers are through Swagbucks, or you get extra money for going through Swagbucks.
That means you get the bank bonus plus extra money from Swagbucks.
I did the Sofi offer last month.
It was an easy cool $100, but I missed $25 for not going through Swagbucks.
When using Swagbucks just know that your money will be pending for at least 30-45 days.
Sometimes you can see the offer pending.
Other times, you will have to contact Swagbucks after the period to get your money.
I have had no problem getting my money from Swagbucks again, so don’t hesitate to contact them.
Go For Bigger Bonuses Next
After you see how easy it is to earn bank bonuses, you can go for popular bigger bonuses.
Popular bonuses to go for are with the following banks:
- Chase
- Bank Of America
- PNC
- The biggest regional banks in your area
Many sites that focus on bank bonuses will list the top bonuses each month.
Popular sites to read are:
- Doctor of Credit
- Danny The Deal Guru
- The Hustler Money Blog
Summary
Bank bonuses can earn you thousands a year.
Most people are intimidated getting started.
I know I was.
Will this take a lot of time to learn?
Will this waste my time?
Will I make money?
These were all questions I asked myself.
If you are new, like anything, I recommend you start out slowly.
After you get used to doing bank bonuses, you can be making thousands a year.
The bonuses listed in the post are easy ones to start with.
A lot of these bonuses are through Swagbucks, which usually requires less work.
If you are new to Swagbucks, use this link to get $13.
Have you ever earned a bank bonus?
What was your experience?