[Expired] [IN, IL, WI only] Marine Bank $250 Checking Bonus (Update)

Deal has expired, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here.

Update 2/18/19: Deal is back and valid until April 12th, 2019. Hat tip to reader Adam L

Update 10/24/18: Reposting as we now know it’s a soft pull to open. I also had this listed as IL only before, but they have branches in IN & WI (and not in IL). I’m guessing it also works in IL based on people successfully applying when I had the wrong state listed? Looks like it’s available in IL as well.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $250
  • Availability: IN, WI, IL only
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum specified
  • Additional requirements: eStatements & 12 debit card transactions
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Unknown (sensitive)
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: Six months, $75
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: November 2nd, 2018 November 30th, 2018 December 31st, 2018 April 12th, 2019

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Marine Bank is offering a bonus of $250 and an APY of 2%. To receive the $250 bonus you must meet the requirements for the 2% APY for two consecutive months after account opening. Requirements are as follows:
    • Set up e-statements through online banking,
    • Establish a monthly direct deposit and
    • Perform 12 debit card purchases

The Fine Print

  • $250.00 bonus offer limited to new Acceleration Checking accounts opened between 9/17/18 and 11/2/18.
  • To receive the bonus Acceleration Checking “qualifications” must be met the first two consecutive months after account opening.
  • Cash bonus will be deposited into the account following the third statement cycle by the 10th of the month. Cash bonus considered income and reportable on IRS Form 1099-INT.
  • Customer must set up e-statements through online banking, establish a monthly direct deposit and perform 12 debit card purchases each month to “qualify” and receive tiered rates and ATM surcharge refunds up to $12.
  • Transactions may take one or more business days to post and clear the account.

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

This account has no monthly fees to worry about.

Early Account Termination Fee

Accounts closed within 6 months of opening date are subject to a $75.00 closing fee

Our Verdict

The 2% APY rate isn’t interesting as there are a high yield savings accounts that offer higher rates with no requirements. The $250 bonus is nice and worth doing if you live in an eligible area. I’ll be adding this to our best bank bonus page. If anybody decides to go for it then please share your experiences in the comments below.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On February 18, 2019, 13:00

View Comments (75)

  • If your balance in a checking or savings account dips to $0, they will automatically close out the account.

  • DP
    Account was opened 11/8/18.
    1st month/30 days:
    DD: 11/30, 12 purchases:12/2
    2nd month/30 days:
    DD: 12/15 and 12/31, 12 purchases: 12/20
    Bonus was denied. Called the bank, and was told I did not meet the requirement for 01/2019. Clearly the "two consecutive months" starts from the following calendar month. WTF...is this some unwritten rules?

    • Call them back...tell them you got your debit card too late to make the first month (November?). They had a bunch of bad debit cards in November that never went out and had to be reissued according to the Bloomington, IL manager. I opened November 9th...didn't get a good debit card until 12/6...met all the December/January DD/debit requirements and got the bonus 2/5.

  • Hey @will, looks like this offer is back starting 2/18/2019.

    "Ask for details. $250.00 bonus offer limited to new Acceleration Checking accounts opened between 2/18/19 and 4/12/19."

      • For December and January both...Amex Serve $25.00, Robinhood $5.00, and ABC Gift Cards/CardCash where I bought a couple of $5.00 Walmart gift cards and sold them for $4.45. Not sure which one(s) triggered the bonus.
        The debits were all Amazon $0.50+ consecutive reloads upping each one a penny at a time until I hit 12 debits for both months.

  • Just received mine. Didnt
    Meet requirrments the first month but completed it second and third month. My statement cut couple of days ago. Real dir dep

  • Has anyone received the bonus on this? I setup an account in October, and completed the eStatements, direct deposit (2 months) from CapOne360, and 12 transactions (2 months). Still have not received the bonus.

    • Join the discussion...Look at the coding for the CapOne transactions at CIBM. Are they coded as direct deposits or ACH transfers?

        • Join the discussion...You should be good to go! I'd wait until next statement clears then call or send a message through secured mail. Should be a link called "Contact" in upper right corner of main page.

          • Great - thanks! - I'll wait it out and see. This bank is from the 90's though, I think it's going to take some manual intervention to get the bonus posted.

          • Yes... it was a real journey (Started 11/9/2018) to get the bonuses...but mine paid earlier this week and based on my transaction history, it looks like the SO's bonus will pay in March. There wasn't any large amount of money involved, about $100 invested in each account...but the amount of time I've spent dicking with this outfit still leaves me wondering whether the $500 is worth it.
            Don't forget you have to leave the account(s) open for 6 months...or they might claw the bonus back!

          • Still haven't received mine - opened account 10/26/18 - finally received the debit card about 3 weeks later - complete clusterf*k of a bank. 12 Amazon Debits and 2 Capital One DD for 2 months - 3rd statement just closed and am seeing no bonus. Should I just wait it out until the next statement closes or call them. After 6 months - they're getting dumped.

  • I'm always confused by "the first two consecutive months". Is it calendar month, or two billing cycles? It doesn't make sense to me that if one opened on Oct 30th and need complete direct deposit within 2 days in order to quality the 2% APY for the 1st calendar month.

  • Extended to 12/31/2018
    "$250.00 bonus offer limited to new Acceleration Checking accounts opened between 9/17/18 and 12/31/18."

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