Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $250
Availability: If you live, work, worship or attend school in the State of Washington, are a close relative of someone who qualifies as a member, or are a resident within Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce and Shoshone Counties in Idaho, you are eligible to join Gesa.
Direct deposit required: Yes
Additional requirements: See below
Hard/soft pull: Soft
ChexSystems: Unknown
Credit card funding: Can fund with a credit card, up to $5,000
Monthly fees: None
Early account termination fee:
Household limit:
Expiration date:
The Offer
Gesa Credit Union is offering a bonus of $250 when you open a new SmartPlus checking account and complete the following requirements within 60 days of account opening:
Have a membership establishing savings account
Enroll in eStatements
Make 15 debit card transactions
Receive a payroll or government benefit direct deposit
The Fine Print
To be eligible for the $250 checking incentive, you must open a new SmartPlus checking account, enroll in eStatements, complete 15 debit card transactions (ATM transactions excluded), and receive a payroll or government benefit direct deposit within 60 days of opening the checking account.
The checking account must be opened with a minimum of $5 if opened in the branch, or $25 if opened online.
No minimum ongoing balance is required.
Only one $250 SmartPlus checking incentive can be earned per member.
You must not have had a Gesa checking account within the last 90 days to be eligible.
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
This account has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
A $20 fee is charged if the account is closed within 180 days according to this fee schedule.
Our Verdict
Not nearly as good as the recent $300 bonus that didn’t require a direct deposit. I’d recommend waiting for a better bonus to return so we won’t be adding this to our list of the best bank account bonuses.
Hat tip to suoira
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
Bank Bonus Posting Times