[CA only] Credit Union of Southern California $150 Checking Bonus

Update 9/7/24: Deal is back and is now $150. Requires 24 debit card transactions. Hat tip to reader Davis

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $150
• Availability: CA. Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, or San Bernardino Counties
• Direct deposit required: Yes, $750+
• Additional requirements: None
• Hard/soft pull: Unknown
• ChexSystems: Yes, sensitive
• Credit card funding: Unknown
• Monthly fees: $5
• Early account termination fee: Unknown
• Household limit: None
• Expiration date: June 30, 2024

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Credit Union of Southern California is offering a checking bonus of $150 when you complete the following requirements:
  • Receive a direct deposit of $750+
  • Within 90 days, use your Visa® Debit Card for 24 qualified purchases

The Fine Print

• Offer valid May 1 through June 30, 2024, and is subject to change without notice. Valid only with new Members.
• New Members are defined as a person 18 and older who has never been an owner of an account at CU SoCal.
• All new accounts will be verified by ChexSystems® and are subject to approval and Membership eligibility.
• To qualify for the $100 cash bonus, the new Member must open a Rewards Checking Account and receive a minimum monthly direct deposit of $750 within 60 days from establishing Membership.
• Cash bonus will be credited to Members’ CU SoCal deposit account within 90 days from the date the new Member established their Membership. Cash bonus may be subject to tax reporting.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Rewards checking account has a $5 monthly fee, doesn’t seem to be avoidable.

Early Account Termination Fee

I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF or not.

Our Verdict

Not really worth it as it’s a small bonus and there is also a monthly fee to consider.

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