Update 6/25/24: There is also a $300 bonus, should be able to stack. Requirements are as follows:
Complete 15 purchases using your Columbia CU debit or credit card
Have direct deposit of at least $500
Be enrolled in e-Statements
Hat tip to Robyn
Update 1/20/24: Bonus is back, $100 again but it’s a referral so both parties can get $100. Feel free to share referrals in the comments below. Hat tip to Chuck K
Update 7/4/22: Bonus is back and now $170 instead of $100.
Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $170
Availability: Must Live or work in Washington State or the Oregon community of Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah or Washington Counties [Branch locator]
Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
Additional requirements: eStatements and 15 debit card purchases
Hard/soft pull: Soft. Now a report of a hard pull. Seems to be soft in branch and hard online.
ChexSystems: Unknown
Credit card funding: Fund up to $500 with a credit card per account
Monthly fees: None
Early account termination fee: None listed
Household limit: None listed
Expiration date: November 11, 2021 July 31, 2022
The Offer
Columbia Credit Union is offering a bonus of $170 when you open a new income checking account and complete the following requirements:
Enroll in eStatements
Make a direct deposit of at least $500
Make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia credit card in December
The Fine Print
You must open a new Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account between October 1, 2021 and November 11, 2021, and enroll in e-statements, make at least ONE Columbia Credit Union direct deposit of $500 or more, and make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia CU credit card during December 2021, to receive $100.
Visit www.columbiacu.org or a Columbia Credit Union branch for complete account information.
Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Fiduciary and business accounts are excluded from promotion eligibility.
Limit one payment per individual per household.
Offer not available to individuals who have had a Columbia Credit Union checking account in the last 12 months.
Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of payment are not eligible.
The payment will be deposited into your checking account by February 15, 2022, after meeting eligibility requirements and the value of your payment 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
I wasn’t able to find an early account termination fee in the fee schedule
Our Verdict
Previously there was a $250 checking bonus. Personally I’d recommend waiting for a bigger bonus to return as this offer is so much worse and hardly worth doing. We won’t add this to the best bank account bonuses.
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