Update 7/3/23: Extended until  September 30, 2023.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:Â $200
- Availability:Â FL
- Direct deposit required:Â Yes, $500+ per monthÂ
- Additional requirements:Â See below
- Hard/soft pull: Hard pull
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Up to $1,015
- Monthly fees:Â None
- Early account termination fee:Â Unknown
- Household limit:Â None listed
- Expiration date:Â June 30, 2023
Contents
The Offer
- USF Federal Credit Union is offering a $200 checking bonus when you open a enw checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Establish a direct deposit of $500 or more per month into the account
- Enroll in eStatements
The Fine Print
- $200 offer not valid to existing checking accounts converting to a Catalyst Connect Checking account.
- New checking account must remain open and in good standing for 6 months.
- $200 deposit will be made into checking account the month following the 3rd consecutive direct deposit.
- USF FCU membership required.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
This account has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find the fee schedule so unsure if there is an EATF.
Our Verdict
Seems like an OK bonus if it’s a soft pull, if anybody goes for it please share your experiences in the comments below.
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
FYI – there’s a $5 monthly fee for the share savings account if your average daily balance is below $300. Just discovered that, going to have to call for a waiver and leave $$ in there. A bit annoying….
10/13 Applied
10/16 Ask for more info (Pic of SS)
10/18 Approved
Hard pull on Equifax
P2 got approved!
Florida – Pasco County
Hard pull Equifax
9/18 Applied, uploaded ID & ACC cert, $1015 CC fund on a Chase card (purchase)
9/21 Email from USF asking to upload SS card (sent)
9/22 Received Docusign, account open
Will be using real DD
There’s now an option at application to choose ‘online’ for the branch and ACC for membership. I applied from MI and attached my current ACC cert. See how it goes.
RJ Did you hear anything back on your application?
Nope. I’m assuming denied.
Sorry to heard that, RJ. Have you tried calling them every business day? I like your videos! Keep up the good work RJ
RJ Did you get chance to followup with them or its off from your plate?
I didn’t follow up. Charge it to the game and onto the next one.
Have you checked to see if you got a chex hit even though they didn’t get back to you? Also one post below indicated it’s a hard pull, I’m assuming you didn’t get a HP though?
RJ Was it a hard pull? Thanks for the profitable content.
No credit pull for me. Does show up on Chex report.
Extended to September 30, 2023.
In addition, Darden Credit Union, a division of USF Federal Credit Union, is running a similar promotion with no expiration date: https://www.dardencu.com/cha-ching
Here’s how to earn $200:
1. Open a new DCU checking account
2. Deposit a minimum of $10 into the new checking account
3. Establish monthly $500 or more direct deposit for at least 3 consecutive months in new account
4. Enroll to receive e-statements
The two share the same application system.
Fees: https://www.usffcu.com/schedule-of-fees
There is a $5 monthly savings fee if you are 25 or older, no loan and aggregate average daily balance of all share accounts is <$300. Same for Darden Credit Union.
William Charles
Was anyone able to open this account successfully and can confirm if it’s a Soft or Hard Pull? I see there is one comment of Hard Pull.
5/29/23 – Applied from Out of State, Online.
5/29/23 – Declined.
5/31/23 – Checked Application status: “Declined” 5/29 (no notification).
Online Application: uploaded ACC Certificate and Driver’s License. Credit card funding was $1015 using Visa. ACC option was not available to choose as eligibility, so I chose a charity but later in the app I uploaded the ACC Cert. High Chex numbers: 1 this mo,, 3 in 2 mo., 6 in 3 mo., 9 in last 5 mo.
Maybe Chex sensitive, but they should fix the online application to include the ACC Option if they are offering it. Possibly someone could get approved OOS opening an account over the phone?
Ostrich Rider Thanks for the DP. So just to confirm, you checked Chex after applying and they had pulled it?
netflixstudent
Yes, they DID pull Chex report.
I used their secure message and haven’t gotten an answer back in a week. I called them today and asked how I would apply if I were only a member of the ACC. After asking somebody, they said I would have to come into a branch
Applied June 4th, sent a follow up email – still have not heard anything back. Just sent a message thru their portal asking for the status.
Did you end up having any luck opening an account via ACC?
I never heard anything back. Never got it opened. They did not communicate. John R
Was that reply the end of the application process for you?
Yes
Which credit card did you use for $1015 initial funding?
$1015 max Credit Card funding
Was that online or by phone? Which card did you use? Did you notice if Amex is accepted? How did you qualify?
Which credit card did you use for $1015 initial funding?
I work in Hillsborough county how is that not a approved county being that USFs main campus is in Hillsborough?
The county list is very odd considering 4/5 of the county’s are 70+ miles south and the closest is pinellas about 30 miles 🤔 I mean it’s like 120 miles to around Ft.myers lol
Attempting to join through govt employment. Will update with DP.
The schedule of fees list early closure fees for their money market accounts but not others. I’m going to assume there’s no ETF.
devin Can you verify a soft pull?
HARD pulled and denied due to ineligibility. I received a letter in the mail with full details.
Working for the state of FL apparently does not qualify. The application had an option for federal, state, and local government employees.