Citi $325/$750/$1,500 Checking Bonus

Update 1/13/25: Deal is back, this time for $325/$750/$1,500

Update 10/11/24: Another variation for $450 bonus but requires $6,000 in direct deposits.

Update 9/2/24: There is another $400 bonus but requires a $10,000 deposit that must be maintained for 45 days.

Update 7/11/24: There is another variation for $325 but requires $3,000 in direct deposits.

Update 7/9/24: Extended until 10/8/24

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $300
  • Availability: Nationwide
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $3,000+
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Yes
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: $12, avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: None
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: 7/8/24

The Offer

Direct link to offers: $325/$450 | $750/$1500 (if links don’t work try opening in incognito)

  • Citi is offering a $325 checking bonus when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
    • Open a new eligible Citi® Checking account with Enhanced Direct Deposits, and enroll in this offer by applying directly from this page.
    • Deposit at least two (2) Enhanced Direct Deposits directly into your new checking account within 90 calendar days from account opening. Your total combined Enhanced Direct Deposits must equal $3,000 or more.
    • Your cash bonus will be deposited into your open, eligible Checking Account within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.

 

The Fine Print

  • An EDD is an electronic deposit through the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network of payroll, pension, social security, government benefits and other payments to your checking or savings account. An Enhanced Direct Deposit also includes all deposits via Zelle® and other P2P payments when made via ACH using providers such as Venmo or PayPal. Teller deposits, cash deposits, check deposits, wire transfers, transfers between Citibank accounts, ATM transfers and deposits, mobile check deposits, and P2P payments using a debit card do not qualify as an Enhanced Direct Deposit. (Note: see this comment about Zelle.)
  • So long as you have not owned a Citi checking account in the last 365 days, meet Tax Requirements, and are at least 18 years old, you can apply to participate in the Enhanced Direct Deposit Checking Acquisition Offer (“Enhanced Direct Deposit Offer”) (click the Offer, Product & Pricing Information link at the top of the fine print to see this)
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Regular & Access Checking fee waived:

  • in the month of account opening and for 3 months after account opening or
  • each month the account has $250+ in Enhanced Direct Deposits

Early Account Termination Fee

In the past, Citi has not charged any ETF, and none is mentioned for this offer.

Our Verdict

This is better than the $200 checking bonus we previously saw. There is also a checking bonus for up to $2,500 but that requires huge deposits. This smaller bonus will be a better option for most people as those huge deposits aren’t required. I do think now that this is $300 it’s worth doing and we will add it to our best bank bonus page. You can see the definition of an enhanced direct deposit here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On January 13, 2025, 11:30
Tags: direct deposit requirednationwide bank bonuses

View Comments (3962)

  • I'm confused. I called the Citi customer support team and they claim that the team that handles promotions said that it takes 90 days for checking account bonus payout to see the $325 deposit. However, I have completed the requiered activities ($3k direct deposits) but the following has not ocurred yet:

    Your $325 Bonus will be paid to your Checking Account within 30 days after you successfully complete all Required Activities.

    Does anyone know what could be happening? Do you guys have the promotional code? Perhaps that is the problem.

  • Are people expecting this offer to be extended/renewed in the near term?

  • Apparently the $750 savings offer isn't available in my state (MO). Is there any way to get it as an out-of-stater? Thanks

  • Got offer not available when trying to do the $450 one, maybe expired? Thought it would be good through today.

      • Yeah at the time I tried it was still definitely the 7th here in EST, but maybe it was until the 7th rather than through the 7th

  • In the email that I got, there is a clause with $3000 or more in Available Now. Look like, I can't withdraw or spend the money until I made 2 enhanced direct deposit with $3000 or more.

    Complete at least 2 Enhanced Direct Deposits.

    • Complete at least 2 “Enhanced Direct Deposits”1 directly into your Checking Account within 90 calendar days of opening your Checking Account.

    Enhanced Direct Deposits must total $3,000 or more.

    • The sum of all Enhanced Direct Deposits you make into your Checking Account must total $3,000 or more in “Available Now” funds within 90 calendar days of opening your Checking Account.

    Your Checking Account must remain open until you are paid.

    • To remain eligible, your Checking Account must remain open and in good standing from the time it’s opened until you receive your $325 Bonus. Please keep a balance in your Checking Account because accounts that maintain a zero balance for 90 calendar days are subject to closure in Citibank’s sole discretion. Your $325 Bonus will be paid to your Checking Account within 30 days after you successfully complete all Required Activities.

    • That's a good catch. I've had 2 real DD's of $1500/ea. but have pulled them out after they've settled so never had a sum of $3k in total. Guess I'll do a couple Paypal DD's of $1,500 so I can reach 2+ EDD's totaling $3k+.

      Pretty sure Citi intentionally words these vaguely so they can avoid paying bonuses.

      • There are DP's proving the contrary, that you do not need to build/maintain the DD's deposits in the account at the same time, but you do what you feel is best. @guest_2080917 @guest_2050781

        The biggest change with the newer offers is that you must wait up to Day 90-120 to get your bonus. Getting the bonus right away is no longer happening.

        • Yeah figure I'll do both just to cover my bases since Citi sounds like they can be shady with these bonuses.

          I signed up in June, completed $3k in DD's by 6/27 so payout should be by 7/27, unless they are using the wording in OP's email to say payout will be within 30 days after the 90-day window to complete required activities. That's usually made clear but who knows with Citi.

  • Hi All,

    I applied today, for an access checking account for $750 promotion. At last step, site asked to upload address proof. I uploaded internet bill. Currently, its under verification. Any idea, if verification complete today. If its extended to the next day, will promotion apply to my account. Today is the last day for promotion.

  • $750 Bonus Paid Out Today
    3/28 Opened Checking with 4.35 Savings promo online
    4/2 1501 DD
    4/3 1502 DD
    4/4 moved remaining money into the savings account
    7/7 $750 bonus posted.

  • I opened a Regular Checking account today for the 6k/$450 offer.

    Is the monthly fee still being waived for 3 months like stated in previous posts? When I go here:

    https://www.citi.com/banking/checking-account

    Under FAQ #5, there is no mention of a 90d period.

    “How much are Monthly Service Fees for Citi checking accounts?
    There is a $5.00 Monthly Service Fee for Access Checking and a $15.00 Monthly Service Fee for Regular Checking. Monthly Service Fees will be waived when you make Enhanced Direct Deposits of at least $250 each month.1 Citi Priority, Citigold and Citigold Private Client Relationship Tier customers do not incur checking account Monthly Service Fees or Non-Citi ATM fees in the month(s) they are in those Relationship Tiers.“

    Thanks.

  • Asking again since its the last day for the current offer-

    Is the $450 offer rare? Trying to decide if I should lock it in now, or if its fine to wait.

      • its ended now, its what was previously being offered though.You can see it if you look at the updates at the top of the page

    • I’m not sure what all has been offered the past year but when I did Citi a year ago the offer I did was a $300 bonus for DD of $1500 total. Again not sure what offers have circulated before or since then.

  • Tried to close via chat today but the agent said they don't have access to close a priority account. I mucked around with their phone tree and got a rep to close my accounts. Both are still on the app / online dashboard. The checking account immediately showed "Account Closed". The savings account hasn't reflected closure yet.

    • Both accounts are now showing on my dashboard as "Account Closed" with a note above saying for the checking account:

      "Closed account ending in xxxx will soon be removed from this screen. You can continue to access related Statements & Documents in the Services menu."

      Last year, the chat rep removed my non-priority account immediately and I couldn't access documents.

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