4 Bank Accounts That Will Give You Free Money

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Looking to cash in free money from banks just for opening a new account? Whether you’re switching banks or opening your first checking or savings account, there are bank promotions offering cash bonuses, high annual percentage yields (APYs) and other perks that can put hundreds of dollars in your pocket, often within just a few business days.

From online banking offers to high-interest savings accounts, these deals are among the best bank account bonuses available right now. Requirements vary, but many offers are easy to qualify for with a direct deposit or a small opening balance. If you’re ready to open a bank account online and earn free money, these top picks are worth a look.

Wells Fargo Checking Account: $325

The Wells Fargo wagon is coming to town, and though it doesn’t have to dole out free money, you can score this bonus just for signing up as a new customer, thanks to this checking account promotion. The requirements are achievable and pretty straightforward:

• Bonus amount: $325
• Monthly maintenance fee: $15 service fee, which can be avoided with a $1,500 minimum daily balance or $500 or more in total qualifying electronic deposits.
• Minimum opening deposit requirement: $25
• Qualifying activity: First, open a new, eligible checking account with your bonus code. Second, receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of offer enrollment.
• Offer expires: Jan. 14, 2026

Chase Total Checking: $300 

Chase knows its way around a bank promotion. Just by going to the website or downloading the mobile app, you can open a new eligible account today and start earning some free money. Here are a few key takeaways:

• Bonus amount: $300
• Monthly service fee: $15, but the monthly fee can be waived by either having electronic deposits made into this account totaling $500 or more, a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in this account or an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings and other balances.
• Minimum opening deposit requirement: $0
• Qualifying activity: Open a Chase Total Checking account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment
• Offer expires: Jan. 21, 2026

Citi Checking: $325 

If you are looking to open a new checking account, then consider doing so with Citi to earn $325 in free money. You’ll need to make qualifying Enhanced Direct Deposits and complete the required activities:

• Bonus amount: $325
• Monthly maintenance fee: $15, but can be waived for customers in Relationship Tiers or each month the account has $250 or more in Enhanced Direct Deposits.
• Minimum opening deposit requirement: $0
• Qualifying activity: You can get this free money by opening a new eligible Citi checking account and making a minimum of two Enhanced Direct Deposits, including Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, deposits made using Zelle and digital payments made using ACH via PayPal, Venmo or other payment service providers. Make sure to note that deposits must total at least $3,000 and be made within 90 days of opening the account. 
• Offer expires: Jan. 12, 2026

SoFi Checking: $50 or $300 

If you’re looking to earn interest with a checking account, SoFi’s Checking Account earns 7x the national average ( APY). When you open a SoFi checking account, you will also receive a savings account in your name that can earn up to APY. Take advantage of their current promotion to score some extra cash that will get automatically added to your new account. Here’s how you can get that bonus:

• Bonus amount: $50 or $300
• Monthly maintenance fee: $0
• Minimum opening deposit requirement: $0
• Qualifying activity: Customers must make at least one direct deposit in any amount within a 31-day period. Deposit $1,000 to $4,999.99 to earn a $50 bonus or deposit $5,000 or more to earn a $300 bonus.
• Offer expires: Jan. 31, 2026

Editor’s note: All rates, offers and requirements are subject to change at the bank’s discretion.

New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct
Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the
total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the
details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through
SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.
SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct
Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.60% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on
checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time.
These rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

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