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Stefanie
Stefanie (@guest_167892)
September 4, 2015 23:38

Hi doctor, you said this offer can be used in TN, and have to open account in branch. However, I didn’t find any branch in TN. Is that a mistake?

J T
J T (@guest_135388)
June 16, 2015 00:37

As of 6/1/15 this bonus is in-branch only: “*Effective June 1, 2015, bonus offer is only available to accounts opened inside a FOCUS Bank branch NOT ONLINE at http://www.focusbank.com

Online banking is running again; I was able to sign up for and receive the e-statement bonus. I never did get an ACH transfer to trigger the deposit bonus.

J T
J T (@guest_128537)
June 4, 2015 00:19

Potential workaround for the lack of online access: called and set up telephone banking (866) 683-7070. Note that this number is not listed on the Focus website, that I could find, likely due to phone banking scheduled to be shut down permanently on 7/1/15. Again the CSR was very forthcoming and shared that phone banking is being phased out due to a persistent lag in current balance reporting. Their system is very clunky to navigate but I was able to confirm trial deposits, so I’m hoping to capture the deposit bonus if my ACH will trigger it. If you need to enroll in phone banking, the ID is your SSN and the PIN is last 4 of SSN. I may call the CSR again to “enroll” in e-statements.

FYI the acct opening bonus posted at one month +3 days from opening date.

J T
J T (@guest_128410)
June 3, 2015 17:59

For anyone who recently opened this acct, or is considering it, I’ve been unable to setup online banking to confirm ACH deposits and enroll in e-statements. When I finally called, the CSR confessed the whole customer side of their system has been down for 4 days, and counting. Sounded like they were considering scrapping the whole system and starting from scratch.

This is not the cutting edge of virtual banking. I’ve received the $50 opening bonus, but I have my doubts if I will ever be able to complete the other two.

JT
JT (@guest_105887)
April 18, 2015 02:24

Also, Chexsystems pull, listed by name in consent to validate identity.

JT
JT (@guest_105882)
April 18, 2015 02:09

After approval for Focus free checking,
“How would you like to make your first deposit to your account?”
“Transfer from another checking or savings account.” – the only option. Minimum $100, max $500.

Rocco
Rocco (@guest_53543)
December 20, 2014 17:13

Hey Doc…let me show you something!

Offer says:
*Online Accounts limited to residents of Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky & parts of Illinois.

You Wrote:
“[AR, KY, IL, MI, & TN] Focus Bank $100 Free Checking Bonus

Offer at a glance

Maximum bonus amount: $100
Availability: AR, KY, IL, MI, & TN”

I Write:
MI is the abbreviation for Michigan!
MO is the abbreviation for Missouri!

~ Michigan is not included in this offer…Please correct your abbreviation

Compeek
Compeek (@guest_52045)
December 17, 2014 01:42

I did this same promotion this summer, and it was definitely not a hard pull.

Compeek
Compeek (@guest_52254)
December 17, 2014 14:42

To add to my previous comment, I found the email I received from their customer service with written confirmation that it is a soft pull: “If you were to sign up for a Focus Free Checking account it will be a soft pull on your credit.”

Unfortunately I don’t have a concrete answer for you on credit card funding, but I’m pretty sure they do not offer it. I would have done it if it was offered to me, but I just transferred the minimum deposit from anothe checking account when I did it. I tried going through the application again just now (as an existing customer to save time), but it looks like you don’t see funding options until you are approved for a new account, so I stopped. The FAQ mentions nothing about it, either.

I opted not to do the direct deposit part for this one, so I can’t offer any data on that, sadly.