Update 4/18/24: Available again.
Looks like this is also available for people outside of CA, more information here.
Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $112.5
Availability: Must live or work in San Diego or Riverside County
Direct deposit required: No
Additional requirements: See below
Hard/soft pull: Hard pull
ChexSystems: Unknown
Credit card funding: Can fund using a credit card (Can fund a total of $5,100. $3,000 for this account and $2,100 into the savings account that is also required).
Monthly fees: None
Early account termination fee: Unknown
Household limit: None listed
Expiration date: None listed
The Offer
California Coast Credit Union is offering a 9% APY 5 month celebration CD. Minimum balance is $500 and maximum is $3,000. You also need a checking account with eStatements and at least one transaction per month to be qualified
The Fine Print
Offer excludes business and individual retirement accounts. New Money only.
A primary member is allowed to open one (1) Celebration Certificate Account under the same member name and related tax identification number.
The minimum deposit required to open the Celebration Certificate is $500.
Certificate opening deposit balance cannot exceed $3,000.
The following conditions also apply: A qualifying checking account with eStatements is required, and must remain active with at least 1 transaction per month, during the certificate term.
Eligible transactions include, but are not limited to, Direct Deposit, Preauthorized Payments, Checks, ATM, POS, Debit Card, and Bill Pay.
As an alternative, the following products existing or opened within 30 days of the Certificate Account date can be substituted for the checking account requirement: a consumer loan (excluding share secured loans and Mastercard credit card account), or a minimum balance of $5,000 in a money market account, a regular certificate account, or an IRA certificate account. The stated alternative deposit account must remain open for the certificate term period. You will have a 30-day grace period to meet the requirements. If the conditions are not met, the stated APY may be reduced to the APY in effect for a 3-Month Certificate Account for the remainder of the term.
Serving anyone who lives or works in San Diego or Riverside counties.
New members – a one-time $5 membership fee and savings account required.
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
The CD has no monthly fees. A checking account is also required, they offer a free checking account with no monthly fees as well.
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so I’m unsure if there is any early account termination fee or not.
Our Verdict
Update: Not worth doing due to the hard pull
If you fund the full $3,000 then you’ll earn $112.5. I basically just see this as a saving bonus for that amount, although a checking account does need to be opened and one transaction per month needs to be completed as well. The upside is the credit card funding which some people will find useful. If we can confirm this is a soft pull then I do think it’s worth doing. If anybody goes for this deal, please share your experiences in the comments below.
Hat tip to reader Matt K
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
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