- Maximum bonus amount: $150 + $150 donation to Stand Up 2 Cancer
- Availability: Can open online or in branch in the following states: FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, NC, OH, PA, TN, WV
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $100 or more was required in the past, no minimum specified with this offer .Click here to see what has counted in the past.
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- Credit card funding: None
- Monthly fees: $11
- Early account termination fee: None listed, in the past you’ve been required to keep it open for 9 months.
- Expiration date: None listed
The Offer
- Receive a sign up bonus of $150 and Fifth Third will donate $150 to Stand Up 2 Cancer when you open a new Essential Checking with Fifth Third bank and completing the following:
- Set up a direct deposit ($100 minimum in the past)
- Pay three bills online using Fifth Thirds online bill payment service
Fine Print
- None
Avoiding Fees
Essential Checking $11 Monthly Fee
You can waive the monthly fee by doing any one of the following:
- Maintain an average monthly balance of $1,500 or more across your savings and checking accounts
- Are a U.S Military member or participate in 5/3rd’s employer benefits program and receive $500 or more in direct deposits
- You’re a student
Our Verdict
In the past they’ve offered bonuses that are higher for the individual (e.g this recent $200 bonus or this $250 bonus), but obviously this bonus also comes with the $150 donation. This is a nice way of earning some money for yourself and also getting some money donated to charity, but I completely understand that some if not most would prefer the $200/$250 bonuses for themselves.
I’ve added this bonus to our complete checking bonus list, but not our best of list due to the fact that this bank has offered bigger bonuses in the past.
Hat tip to reader @yeshu1984 on Twitter
