Update 2/4/24: Showing again.
Update: As predicted this has been pulled early. You can view current bank bonuses here.
Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $300
Availability: Might be nationwide, otherwise AL, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA
Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,500+
Additional requirements: None
Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
ChexSystems: Unknown, sensitive
Credit card funding: None
Monthly fees: None
Early account termination fee: $30, 90 days
Household limit: None listed
Expiration date: 2/29/2024
The Offer
Ameris Bank is offering a bonus of $300 when you open a new free checking account and complete the following requirements:
Use promo code
Enroll in e-statements
Receive qualifying direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more into your account within 90 days of account opening
The Fine Print
This offer is for new consumer checking account customers only. All signers on the account must be new customers to qualify. Bonus offer is limited to one new Free Checking account per eligible customer. Excludes bank employees, officers and directors, and existing consumer checking account customers, including customers that have closed an account in the past 90 days. Customers that have been paid an Ameris Bank promotional payment in the past 24 months are not eligible.
To receive $300 bonus: Open a new Free Checking or Online Free Checking account and within 90 calendar days of account opening (90-day period), complete the following:
Register for online banking and enroll your new account in e-statements, and
Receive at least $1,500 in qualifying direct deposits into the account. Direct deposits must be an automatic recurring electronic deposit of your salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular income into your bank account. A Direct deposit is considered received on the date it posts to your account. Other types of electronic deposits such as person to person payments, as well as transfers from one account to another, mobile deposits, or deposits made at a branch, or ATM do not qualify as a direct deposit.
Bonus Payment: At the end of the 90-day period, we will determine if you have met the bonus offer requirements and deposit any earned bonus into your account within 30 days. Your account must be open and in good standing to receive bonus at time of payment. An account in good standing is defined as: open, funded, and not overdrawn. A bonus payment is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
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
There is a $30 early account termination fee if closed within 90 days.
Our Verdict
Previous best deal was $100. Hopefully this is available nationwide and if it is I suspect it will end early.
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