Deal has expired, more bank account bonuses can be viewed here.
Deal has expired, view more bank bonuses by clicking here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $300
- Availability:Burlington, KY in Branch only
- Direct deposit required: Yes, no minimum specified
- Additional requirements: 30 debit card transactions
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Yes, not sensitive
- Credit card funding: Initial online sign up page does mention credit card/debit card funding. Specifics unknown
- Monthly fees: $6, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: 180 days, bonus forfeit
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: December 22nd, 2018
Contents
The Offer
- Forcht Bank is offering a bonus of $300 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Open a Forcht Friend, 55 Advantage, or Everyday Heroes checking account & deposit $50 or more at account opening
- Have at least one direct deposit made to the account (receive a $200 bonus). Must post on or prior to January 26th, 2019.
- Have at least 30 debit card transactions (receive $100 bonus). Must post on or prior to January 26th, 2019.
The Fine Print
- Offer ends December 22, 2018 and is not available to existing Forcht Bank checking customers.
- Bonus eligibility information: (1) Open a Forcht Friend, 55 Advantage, or Everyday Heroes Checking account; (2) Deposit $50 or more at account opening; To receive a $200 checking bonus; (3) Have at least one direct deposit made to this account on or prior to January 26, 2019 (The direct deposit needs to be an electronic deposit of your paycheck, pension or government benefits (such as Social Security) from your employer or the government);
- To receive a $100 checking bonus; (4) Have at least 30 debit-card transactions post to your account by January 26, 2019.
- If a qualifying activity has been met, the bonus will be posted to your personal checking account on January 31, 2019.
- If the checking account is closed within the first 180 days after account opening, an early account closure fee will apply.
- Bonus is considered interest and reportable on IRS Form 1099-INT for the year in which it is received. Offer cannot be combined.
- Limited one per customer.
- Voucher and promotional offer valid only at the Burlington Forcht Banking Center to qualify at time of account opening.
- Forcht Bank reserves the right to end the promotion without notice at any time.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Easiest account to keep fee free is easy checking, as long as the balance is kept above $100 the $6 monthly service fee is not charged.
Early Account Termination Fee
Account needs to be kept open for 180 days otherwise the bonus will be forfeit
Our Verdict
Update: Unfortunately it’s Burlington branch only.
It says the promo offer is only available at the Burlington branch, but then it directs you to open the account online so I’m not sure if it’s that Burlington branch only or not. If it can be opened online in any of those states and it’s a soft pull and you can fund a little with a credit card then this will be an absolutely fantastic bonus but it’s not clear if that’s all the case or not. As always please share your experiences and datapoints in the comments below.
Big thanks to reader, Curmudgeon who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.
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
Did not receive $100 bonus for 30 debit transactions. Did 30x Amazon reloads of varying amounts. $200 for DD did post though.
Opened yesterday–must have cash to open the account and no credit card funding. Confirmed that the bonus is for this branch only and can’t be opened online.
I opened mine on my lunch break yesterday and here is my data:
1) soft pull, not a hard credit check
2) Bonus tied to Forcht Friend acct, $5 fee per month if the balance drops below $500.
3) 30 debit card transactions have no minimum amount and it sounded like debit and possibly ATM withdrawals would count as a transaction, but I wouldn’t push my luck and just do small transactions.
4) opening was painless. I have not done a bonus since Incredible Bank this summer as I was getting denied due to too many recent accounts (I had 15 in 2017. I think I’ve done 5 this year if I can remember correctly, including this one.)
5) no minimum of direct deposit, they just want to see a consistent direct deposit going in.
6) The CSR opening the account mentioned their debit card has some form of rewards program. I have not had time to look into it yet, but may add additional benefits.
7) I did not think to do CC funding since I was in a hurry.
Just came back from branch. A few things
1) No HP on any of the CBs
2) Pulls Chex, but not sensitive
3) No instant debit card in branch
4) Even ATM withdrawal counts in 30 debit transaction requirements, basically any thing done with debit card works
5) Online banking can be set up next business day on website
2. How many inquiries you have in the last 12/24 months?
I don’t have my Chex with me ATM but have opened at least 30/50 accounts in last 12/24 months and these numbers don’t even count the failed online applications which indeed had Chex Pull(s)..
I have around 25-30 and was denied opening online
Thanks, rough numbers are fine =).
You are welcome.. always happy to share any information with you 🙂
I work down the road from this… I could open this account on my lunch break. Stoked about this.
Hmm, this is tempting. I’m not real far form the Burlington Branch (less than an hours drive). Just wish I could open online instead.
If you drive 100 miles (total), per IRS you are looking at over $50 in depreciation/ maintenance/ gas. Of course, That’s a rough estimate and intended to be on the high side so people don’t itemize but it’s a good starting point. (The point is that many people say something along the lines of ” I’ve already paid for my car. I will drive it forever, therefore there’s no depreciation”. But nothing last forever and they forget that it will have to be replaced eventually. Note: the person most insistent that their car has no depreciation is also likely to be the person to buy a newer expensive car when it does finally need replaced.)
Add in any taxes you’re paying on the $300 bonus or fees you incur by accident and any value of your time= personally I would probably not drive an hour for a $300 bonus unless I had another reason I wanted to go there already.
Not meant as a criticism, just my financial assessment. You sounded like you’re on the fence so likely you had some of this in mind already.
Krista, yep I always include the cost of driving and my time. I looked and it’s actually only a roughly a 1/2 hour from me. Also I drive an electric car so transportation cost is pretty minimal ( :
“Voucher and promotional offer valid only at the Burlington Forcht Banking Center to qualify at time of account opening.”
Heroes account is only for Emergency responders and military. I funded $5k with Citi DC. The cc funding page didn’t mention a limit anywhere. Application went pending ( I think I answered some of the ID verification Q’s wrong). I opened the Forcht Friend account which has $500 min balance.
Confinrmed with the branch manager. They said you have to be physically in that branch for it to apply and not online only.
Same. Just called the customer service line and they confirmed the same thing.
Thanks, let me update