Update 7/15/23: Deal is back.
Update 4/9/23: Extended until June 30, 2023
Update 1/10/23: Extended until 3/31.
Update 10/29/22: Deal is back and valid until 12/31/22.
Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $200
Availability: Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Need to live near a branch according to this comment [Branch locator]
Direct deposit required: Direct deposit or automatic draft of at least $25
Additional requirements: Yes, 15 debit card transactions
Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
ChexSystems: Yes
Credit card funding: Up to $1,000 $250
Monthly fees: $8, avoidable
Early account termination fee: $25 if closed within 90 days
Household limit: None mentioned
Expiration date: September 29th, 2017 November 30th, 2017 May 31st, 2018 July 31st, 2018 November 30th, 2019 November 30th, 2019 March 31, 2022 12/31/22
The Offer
South State Bank is offering a $200 checking bonus when you meet the following requirements within 60 days of account opening:
Use promo code EARN200
Have total qualifying direct deposits of $250 OR monthly automatic draft of $25
Make a minimum of 15 debit card purchases or payments
The Fine Print
Eligibility & Qualifications for the Promotional Rebate Offer: To receive the $100, you must meet each of the following criteria:
At account opening, you cannot be a current owner or joint owner of a SouthState personal checking account, or have been an owner or joint owner of a SouthState personal checking account in the past 12 months.
You must open the account with a minimum opening deposit of $25.00 (excluding the Promotional Rebate amount).
Within 60 days of opening the checking account have either: monthly cumulative direct deposits of at least $250 which includes salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular recurring monthly income. (Note, however, that internal account transfers, deposits made at banking locations, by mobile deposits and ATM deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit.) OR one or more automatic draft of at least $25 to a non-South State Bank account.
Have 15 or more posted and cleared debit card purchases/payments from the account.
Promotional Rebate Payment: If you meet all of the Eligibility and Qualifications above, we will credit the Promotional Rebate to your Account within 2 business days of the completion of the 60 calendar day qualifying period. The Promotional Rebate will be reported to the appropriate taxing authorities, as required by law or regulation.
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
South State Checking
This account has no monthly fees when you enroll in eStatements
Choice Checking Account $8 Monthly Fee
This is the easiest account to keep fee free fr most people. It has a $8 monthly fee that is waived if you do any of the following:
5 debit card purchases/payments per statement cycle or
$250 in combined direct deposits, or
$1,000 average daily balance
Early Account Termination Fee
Our Verdict
Reasonably good deal as no direct deposit is required, obviously not the biggest bank account bonus but still worth doing if you’ve done the more lucrative bonuses. As always if you have any experiences with this bank or bonus then please share them in the comments below.
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
Post history:
Update 1/15/20: Deal is back and valid until March 31, 2021.
Update 9/16/20: Deal is back and valid until November 30, 2020. Hat tip to reader Ben
Update 2/3/2020: Bonus is back and has been increased to $200 from $100.
Update 9/22/19: Bonus is back and valid until November 30th, 2019. Hat tip to DDG