[AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, KS, MO, OK, TX] Busey Bank $200-$500 Checking Bonus

Update 3/1/26: Deal is back until ~~March 14, 2026~~ May 1, 2026. Hat tip to reader ChurningAndBurning

Update 4/6/25: Deal is back until 15 Apr 2025. This time requires a tax return to qualify for the direct deposit requirement unfortunately. Hat tip to reader Woody

Update 10/12/24: Deal is back and no end date listed. Hat tip to reader Yj32

Update 6/23/24: Deal is back and no end date listed. Hat tip to reader Woody

Offer at a glance

Maximum bonus amount: $300
Availability: AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, KS, MO, OK, TX
Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,000+
Additional requirements: See below
Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
ChexSystems: Yes
Credit card funding: Up to $1,000, no American Express
Monthly fees: $5, avoidable
Early account termination fee: $25, 90 days
Household limit: None
Expiration date: None

Contents

1 The Offer
2 The Fine Print
3 Avoiding Fees
- 3.1 Monthly Fees
- 3.2 Early Account Termination Fee
4 Our Verdict

The Offer

Direct link to offer

Busey Bank is offering a bonus of up to $500 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Use promo code “LEVELUP1” for Foundation Checking or “LEVELUP2” for Pillar Banking accounts
- Activate and use your Busey Debit Mastercard for at least 3 transactions within the first 90 days of opening the account and
- Enroll in Online Banking with eStatement
- Receive a qualifying direct deposits of (within 90 days of account opening):
  - $2,000 – $2,999.99: $200 bonus
  - $3,000 – $4,999.99: $300 bonus
  - $5,000 or more: $500 bonus

The Fine Print

Offer valid for limited time for accounts opened by March 15, 2026. Busey Bank may change or discontinue this offer at any time before this date without notice. This offer is available only by using the unique promo code “LEVELUP1” for Foundation Checking or “LEVELUP2” for Pillar Banking accounts opened online or in-person at a Busey location only and qualifying as outlined below. Only one offer per household. Must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) at account opening to qualify for this promotion. All accounts are subject to approval.
You will not qualify for the tiered credit if you are an existing Busey personal checking account customer, you are a Busey Bank employee OR had a previous personal checking account that was closed within the preceding 12 months OR have received a prior personal checking account incentive at any time.
Open a new Busey Pillar Banking or Foundation Checking account online or in-person using the promotional code to be enrolled in this offer and within ninety 90 days of account opening:
Enroll in online banking
Activate and use your Busey Debit Mastercard® for at least three (3) transactions
Set up and receive qualifying direct deposits as defined below into that eligible personal checking account
Ninety (90) days after account opening all qualifying direct deposits will be totaled to determine the bonus amount you may earn (see chart below).
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Foundation checking has no monthly fee with direct deposit or average balance of $100; otherwise, pay a $5 monthly fee.

Beginning May 1, 2024, Foundation Checking will be updated with the following:

No monthly maintenance fee (previously $5)
No minimum balance or direct deposit requirement

Early Account Termination Fee

“Accounts closed within 90 days of opening will be charged a service fee of $25.00

Our Verdict

Think this is worth doing as it’s a large bonus, we just don’t have any datapoints on what works as a direct deposit. We will add this to our list of the best bank account bonuses.

Hat tip to reader Gadget

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