Everybody Loves Bank Bonuses. Here Are 5 of the Best Offers

Banks are almost always looking to attract new customers. Some will even pay bonuses worth $300 or more, if you open an account and meet certain requirements.

As you might expect, bonuses like these are one of the most popular banking perks. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of Americans consider bank bonuses an important feature when choosing an account, according to a recent banking survey by The Motley Fool Ascent.

There are plenty of welcome offers available -- our bank bonuses page has over 15 of them. Here are five of the best, with high bonus amounts and reasonable requirements to earn them.

1. Chase checking and savings: Up to $900

My favorite current bank bonus (that I've gotten myself) is from Chase. This is a three-part offer that requires you to open a checking and savings account. Here's how it works:

• Get a $300 bonus: Open a Chase Total Checking® account and receive a direct deposit within 90 days.
• Get a $200 bonus: Open a Chase Savings℠, deposit at least $15,000 in new money within 30 days of coupon (bonus) enrollment, and maintain a balance of at least $15,000 for 90 days.
• Get an extra $400: Open both bank accounts at the same time and complete their bonus requirements.

The bonus is available on Chase's offer page and expires April 17, 2024. If you have $15,000 to bring over, this is one of the biggest bonuses you'll find.

2. Citi checking: Up to $300

Citi has a straightforward welcome offer available until July 8, 2024. You earn a $300 bonus after you:

• Enroll in an eligible Citi checking account with Enhanced Direct Deposits on Citi's checking offer page.
• Receive at least two Enhanced Direct Deposits into your new checking account within 90 days of account opening. Your total combined Enhanced Direct Deposits must be $1,500 or more.

3. SoFi Checking and Savings: Up to $300

SoFi is unique in that it offers a combination checking-and-savings account, making it easy to manage your money. When you open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account, you can also earn a cash bonus for setting up and receiving direct deposits. The welcome offer ends on June 30, 2024.

The bonus amount depends on the amount of direct deposits you receive during a 25-day evaluation period. This period starts on the day you receive your first direct deposit. Here are the bonus amounts:

• $50 bonus: Receive $1,000 to $4,999 in direct deposits.
• $300 bonus: Receive $5,000 or more in direct deposits.

4. PNC Virtual Wallet: Up to $400

PNC Virtual Wallet is another combination checking-and-savings account. It has an excellent mobile banking app, useful digital tools, and a big welcome offer through April 30, 2024.

To earn the welcome offer, you need to open a new PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend account and set up direct deposit. The bonus depends on the amount of direct deposits you receive within 60 days of account opening:

• $200 bonus: Receive total qualifying direct deposits of $2,000 or more.
• $400 bonus: Receive total qualifying direct deposits of $5,000 or more.

5. TD Bank checking and savings: Up to $500

TD Bank has welcome offers available with its checking and savings accounts through March 31, 2024. Here are its current checking account offers:

• $300 bonus: Open a TD Bank Beyond Checking account and receive at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days.
• $200 bonus: Open a TD Convenience Checking℠ account and receive at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days.

You can also earn a $200 bonus after opening either a TD Signature Savings or TD Simple Savings account. The requirement is the same with each account. You need to deposit at least $10,000 within 20 days of account opening, and then maintain a minimum balance of $10,000 for the next 90 days.

Getting rewarded for opening a new bank account

If you're interested in a bank bonus, start by seeing if you can meet the requirements to earn it. In most cases, you'll need to either deposit a certain amount of money, receive direct deposits, or both.

Also, make sure it's a bank account that you'll want to keep using after you get the bonus. And since many bank accounts with bonus offers also have monthly fees, check the requirements to get those fees waived. A bonus is only worth it if you won't be getting dinged with fees for your new account.