U.S. Bank is offering up to a $500 bonus when you open a Smartly Checking account online with the promo code below and make qualifying direct deposits. This is the biggest bonus they have offered for opening a personal checking account so grab the $500 offer while it lasts.
For more current bank offers, see our bank bonuses page. The most popular offers are from Chase Bank, SoFi, KeyBank, BMO and Axos Bank.
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U.S. Bank $500 Smartly® Checking Bonus Offer
U.S. Bank is offering the highest bank account opening bonus they have ever done for a consumer checking account! You can get up to a $500 bonus for opening a Smartly Checking account and complete qualifying activities.
Update 7/22/24: This offer has expired, but there’s a higher $450 version for this checking account.
Open your checking account online through this page, in a branch or over the phone by June 27 with an opening deposit of $25. Then, within 90 days of account opening, enroll in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking and make at least two direct deposits.
- Earn $100 when the combined total of your direct deposits is between $3,000 and $4,999.99.
- Earn $300 when the combined total of your direct deposits is between $5,000 and $9,999.99.
- Earn $500 when the combined total of your direct deposits is $10,000 or more.
Where Do I Enroll?
Enroll by clicking the “View Offer” below, which will transfer you directly to U.S. Bank’s landing page for the $500 offer and automatically apply the required promo code of 2024APR for you:
Who Qualifies For The Bonus?
You qualify for this offer if you live within U.S. Bank’s geographic footprint. They have over 2,000 branches across 26 states, so there’s a good chance you’re within their operational area. You’d also be qualified if you’re an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm.
Along with the location requirement, you can’t:
- be a current U.S. Bank personal checking account customer OR
- have or had a U.S. Bank personal checking account in the last 12 months OR
- received any bonus offers from U.S. Bank in the last 12 months
Related:
- Chase Bank Promotions
- SoFi Promotions
- Wells Fargo Promotions
- What Counts As A Direct Deposit When It Comes To Bank Sign Up Bonuses
What Are The Details?
Availability: Offer may not be available if you live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint or are not an existing client of U.S. Bank or State Farm
Expiration: 6/27/2024
Household Limit: None listed
Direct Deposit Required: $3,000 to $10,000
Soft/Hard Pull: Soft
Early Account Termination Fee: None
You’ll receive the $500 bonus when you complete the following requirements:
Requirement #1 – Enter Promo Code:
- Use promo code 2024APR during the sign up process (it’s automatically entered using any link on this page).
Requirement #2 – Enroll in Online Banking or U.S. Bank Mobile App:
- Enroll in U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days of opening your account.
Requirement #3 – Make 2+ Direct Deposits:
- Earn up to a $500 bonus when you open a new Smartly Checking account and make two or more direct deposits within the first 90 days of opening your account. Bonus you receive will depend on the total amount of direct deposits:
- Earn $100 when the combined total of your direct deposits is between $3,000 and $4,999.99.
- Earn $300 when the combined total of your direct deposits is between $5,000 and $9,999.99.
- Earn $500 when the combined total of your direct deposits is $10,000 or more.
Avoiding Fees
The Smartly Checking account has a monthly fee of $6.95. The service fee can be waived if you do ONE of the following:
U.S. Smartly Checking Account:
- Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more OR
- Keep a minimum average account balance of $1,500 or more OR
- Hold an eligible U.S. Bank consumer credit card OR
- Be a military member (requires self disclosure) OR
- Be under the age of 24 or over the age of 65
$500 Offer Terms & Conditions
- A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open a U.S. Bank consumer checking account. Earn a $300 or $500 bonus by opening a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account.
- The checking account must be opened in a branch/online/over the phone. Additionally, you must enroll in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App within 90 days of opening your account.
- You must also complete two or more direct deposits within 90 days of opening your account that total: 3,000 to $4,999.99 to earn the $100 bonus, $5,000 to $9,999.99 to earn the $300 bonus, or $10,000 or more to earn the $500 bonus. A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, from your employer or the government.
- Other electronic deposits or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. The checking bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 60 days of direct deposit verification and verification of enrollment in online banking or the U.S. Bank Mobile App as long as your account is open and has a positive balance.
- Bonus will be reported as interest earned on IRS form 1099-INT and recipient is responsible for any applicable taxes.
- Offer may not be combined with any other checking account bonus offers.
- Offer is not valid if you or any signer on the account has an existing U.S. Bank consumer checking account, had a U.S. Bank consumer checking account in the last two year(s), or received other U.S. Bank bonus offers within the past two year(s).
- Offer is not valid if you or any signer on the account has an existing U.S. Bank consumer checking account, had a U.S. Bank consumer checking account in the last two year(s), or received other U.S. Bank bonus offers within the past two year(s).
- Limit one checking bonus per person
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
The Bottom Line
Essentially the same requirements as their $300 checking bonus offer. This promo gives you $200 more for opening the same checking account.
Overall, this makes this U.S. Bank’s best offer I’ve seen and I would definitely do it if you’re eligible. I’ll include this offer in the list of the best bank account bonuses.
Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.
Received the bonus last week. Here were my data points:
10/31/22 – Opened account, funded $25 with debit card
11/7/22 – Ally push $3,100
11/15/22 – Ally push $3,200
12/12/22 – Monthly maintenance fee -$6.95
12/12/22 – Maintenance fee reimbursed +$6.95
12/13/22 – Bonus (labeled as “Adjusted Interest”) +$500
Congratulations!
Were you targeted by U.S Bank via mail or email?
There’s a $400 checking and $200 savings combo bonus available (or you can just do the $400 checking offer):
https://themoneyninja.com/us-bank-promotions/
If you review on the promotion page on usbank.com it does call out that this promotion is for intended recipients only and that address on mail piece must match address on file. It’s right before disclosure 1
Sorry, worded differently than what I said
Reader beware:
I thought it was a bit odd to begin with that there’s no list of states where this offer is extended. Applying anyway as an NJ resident, my offer was rejected, but only at the very end, AFTER I had input all my personal info.
Getting through to them via phone was difficult enough, but when I finally did, they said the only reason for my rejection was due to being a resident of NJ. After ALL that? The banker was also very short with me over the phone. Right before he disconnected, I suggested they re-tool their application process to initially screen by zipcode and whether the person is a new or a prior customer, instead of first collecting wayyy more personal info than needed. He at least admitted that was a good idea.
But why bother to change anything, when the current system allows them to collect a trove of info on unsuspecting applicants for free? I’d be surprised if they did.
Perhaps after reading through the other experiences, I should be thankful I didn’t get further.
Hey Jasen, sorry to hear about your bad experience. I’ll take part of that blame for not making this more clear in the post and just changed it to list the eligible states. FYI, anyone who is a current customer of another U.S. Bank product (e.g. using a US Bank issued credit card) is eligible. If you’re not a current customer, then you need to be a resident of one of the listed states.
Thanks for the useful edit John! The fault is really with the bank for not making the criteria clearer. They either forgot or decided to be intentionally vague.
Hi John, I also didn’t get approved when I tried opening an account. I’ve never been a member of US Bank and I’ve never had an issue signing up for bank accounts in the past. I’m wondering if there’s a cap depending on annual income?
Do NH or MA residents qualify for this offer even with no physical branches in New England?
Yes, they do! I’m from the area and multiple people I know in both NH and MA have done this bonus.
I have not been able to get my deposit of $500 into my account even though 4 representatives have told me I met all the requirements. Now they are saying that this promotion was only sent to certain individuals. This is happening to a number of consumers and I am looking to file a banking violation and complaint.
When did you apply for this promotion? The last response is an odd answer from the representative as the offer was public and is tied to your account when you applied.
Yes I agree they have screwed me too. I am thinking of filing a smail claims against them.
I want to open an account I will have a direct deposit monthly over 5000
my online application was not approved. they say they need additional information
1-1-22 For some reason my online application was not approved. It did not give a reason
That’s odd. Are you having trouble opening up bank accounts in general?