Update 3/4/24: Deal is back, this time $350. Valid until 3/29/24.
Update 1/5/24: There is now a $400 checking offer, requires a $1,000 direct deposit and promo code TK
Update 11/5/23: Deal is back until 11/24/23 .
Update 10/19/23: Deal is back until 10/27/2023.
Update 9/19/23: Deal is back valid 9/29/23. Bonus is $350 this time. Promo code is CA.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $100/$150/$200/$250/$350
- Availability: CT, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WV
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $500
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Yes
- Credit card funding:
None - Monthly fees: Avoidable
- Early account termination fee: $50, 180-days
- Expiration date:
JulyAugust 15, 2018 September 5, 2018 October 31st, 2018November 26th, 2018 January 16th, 2019 February 25th, 2019 April 1st, 2019May 13th, 2019March 2, 2020 September 15, 2020January 11, 2021April 5, 2021 October 5, 2021 April 30, 2022May 27, 2022June 28, 2022February 24, 2023August 25, 2023 - Household limit: None listed
Contents
The Offer
Input your zip code and see what offers show for you:
- ($350) Open an M&T MyChoice Premium checking account and receive a sign up bonus of $350 & maintain a $10,000 average daily balance in November 2022 and December 2022. Promo code TK. Can also get a $100 bonus when you open a MyChoice Money Market account.
The Fine Print
- We will credit one cash bonus to the account if the account receives a total of at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of account opening.
- Qualifying direct deposits include, but are not limited to, recurring electronic deposits such as payroll, pension or Social Security. Person-to-person, bank transfers or other electronic money transfers such as those made through internet payment services do not qualify.
- Bonus will be credited to the account within 90 days of direct deposit activation as long as the account is in good standing and all of the eligibility requirements are satisfied at the time we seek to credit the bonus.
- Only one Premium Checking Bonus and one Direct Deposit Bonus will be awarded per customer regardless of the number of accounts opened.
- The bonus(es) are not available to existing personal M&T checking account customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 180 days, employees of M&T Bank or any of its affiliates, or customers who have received a bonus in connection with a personal M&T checking account within the preceding twelve-month period.
- A $50 early close-out fee applies if the account is closed within 180 days of opening.
- Bonus offers may vary by product and region, are not transferable and are reportable for tax purposes.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them.
Avoiding Fees
EZChoice Checking
This account has no monthly fees.
Basic Banking
This account has a non-waivable $3 monthly fee.
Classic Checking
This account has a monthly fee of $4.95 that can be waived with any one of the following methods:
- Have at least 1 direct deposit to your M&T Classic Checking with Interest account
- Keep an average daily balance of $500 or more in the account per monthly service charge cycle
- Make 10 or more debit card purchases or payments
- Keep combined balances of $1,500 or more in eligible personal deposit accounts
MyChoice Plus Checking
This account has a monthly fee of $14.95 that can be waived with any one of the following methods:
- Keep an average daily balance of $2,500 or more in the account per monthly service charge cycle
- Have direct deposits to your MyChoice Plus Checking account totaling at least $1,500 per monthly service charge cycle
MyChoice Premium Checking
This account has a monthly fee of $24.95 that can be waived with any one one of the following methods:
- Keep an average daily balance of $7,500 or more in the account per monthly service charge cycle
- Keep total combined balances of $25,000 or more in eligible personal deposit accounts, loans and home equity outstanding balances, investments6 and business deposit accounts
Early Account Termination Fee
Looks to be $50 now if closed within 180 days.
Our Verdict
The direct link above is just a generic M&T website link, so the bonus should work for any zip code deemed eligible (not sure what the “not transferable” means in the fine print). I’m assuming this bonus is available in the the states listed above, as was the case last time around (note it won’t work in all areas in those states). Let us know if you see eligible areas elsewhere. Remember, you can’t do this if you’ve gotten a bonus within 12 months.
There’s also a $50 referral offer from M&T which should stack with the regular bank bonus. More details and referral sharing can be found on this dedicated page. Do not share referrals in the comments here.
Thanks to reader Michael for letting us know about this bonus. 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
Bonus history
- Update 7/6/23: Another bonus option can be found at this link – get $200 and $150 with potentially easier requirements. (ht Yukun) Again, this should also stack with the $50 referral offer.
- Update 7/3/23: Extended through 8/25/23 with promo code CC. Referral $50 offer still around too as a stack. (ht Shawn)
- Update 6/15/23: There’s also a $50 referral offer from M&T which should stack with the regular bank bonus. More details and referral sharing can be found on this dedicated page. Do not share referrals in the comments here.
- Update 5/14/23: New $450 link. Does say use code found in the mailer, but the landing page says the code is CB so unsure if that is enforced.
- Update 3/1/23: new $350 link
- Update 2/27/23: the $350 and $450 links are expired. Here’s a lower $200 link.
- Update 1/22/23: here’s a $450 link (ht jd) and another link (ht DailyGrindit)
- Update 12/2/22: Bonus is down to $350 with promo code CJ, new link here, valid through 1/27/23 (ht Jim). There’s another link here for $250/$350 which is valid through 2/24/23.
- Update 10/14/22: $450 bonus is back.
- Update 10/13/22: $350 bonus is back, not as good as the $450 bonus. Valid until October 28, 2022
- Update 9/5/22: The $450 is expired. Seems only $200 is now available (link).
- Update 7/10/22: New $450 offer link here. Promo code UB. (ht Elena)
- Update 6/9/22: New $350 offer link, use promo code CC. (ht TallyTime)
- Update 4/28/22: $350 checking bonus + $100 direct deposit bonus now available online. Promo code TY
- Update 4/12/22: Instead of a savings bonus you can get a $100 direct deposit bonus
- Update 4/11/22: There is also a $100 savings bonus now as well. Hat tip to reader MC
- Update 4/2/22: Extended through June 30th
- Update 2/21/22: Extended through April 30, 2022. Hat tip to reader alopez14
- Update 1/13/22: Looks like there is a $450 bonus as well.
- Update 1/11/22: Extended through 1/28/22.
- Update 4/7/21: Extended through July 12, 2021
- Update 1/14/21: Extended through April 5, 2021 now
- Update 7/1/20: Extended through September 15, 2020. It seems like promo codes are now state restricted. E.g TH doesn’t work in NJ/NY.
Update 3/11/20: New $250 checking/$100 savings bonus with promo code TK. Hat tip to Peckerwood17. Valid until 6/1/20Looks like the TK promo code has not been extended.- Update 1/15/20: There is a $400 bonus now.
- Update 1/7/20: Deal has been extended until March 2, 2020.
- Update 11/8/19: Deal has been extended until January 6th, 2020.
- Update 8/20/19: Deal has been extended until November 4th, 2019.
- Update 7/10/19: Deal has been increased to $300 for MyChoice Plus or Premium & $200 for EZchecking & basic. Hat tip to readers Sean A & Allen W
- Update 7/2/19: Now available until August 19th, 2019
- Update 5/14/19: Deal is now available until July 1st, 2019.
- Update 4/7/19: $350 bonus now available in branch. Hat tip to reader Gerald
- Update 2/26/19: Bonus has been extended until April 1st, 2019.
- Update 1/17/19: Offer has been extended until February 25th, 2019.
- Update 11/28/18: Offer has been extended until January 16th, 2019.
- Update 11/01/2018: Offers extended until November 26th, 2018
- Repost 09/17/18: There is now a $300 in branch offer. Details below. Hat tip to Lazy Traveler’s.
- Repost 8/19/18: Offer extended through September 5, 2018.
- Repost 7/19/18: Offer extended through August 15th.
Be careful and read the fine print carefully since there are many codes out there with varying terms and conditions. They are not the same.
“Bonus offers are not available to anyone that has received a cash bonus credited to a personal M&T checking account within the last 12 months (Refer Friends Program is excluded from this 12-month period), or employees of M&T Bank or any of its affiliates.”
“Bonus offers are not available to existing personal M&T checking account customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 180 days, employees of M&T Bank or any of its affiliates, or customers who have received a bonus credited to a personal M&T checking account within the last 12 months (Refer Friends Program is excluded from this 12-month period).”
I believe the last paragraph used to be in their previous promotions but was removed in recent offers. Maybe they will keep it as it is now, or they will bring the clause back for future offers. Who knows?
I found the second paragraph terms in a public offer that’s not worth being posted here for only up to $200 bonus. There are actually two different codes for the $200 bonus with two separate terms shown above, which I am actually doing since I was too late for the $400 bonus and I don’t think the $350 is worth doing.
They have different codes for the same bonus but different terms. Shame on the for being misleading.
I see. We have been spoiled by the $350/$400/$450 promotions M&T offers so frequently, a $200 offer does not even catch our attention now for most of us, lol.
I can confirm Skrill also counts as DD. I didn’t have the whole 1000 in fidelity, so I was going to do two transfers through fidelity, but I tried a second from Skrill to push total DDs over $1000, and the $400 bonus came in the next day. I also already had an M&T checking account so I can also confirm no problems getting the Bonus as a current M&T customer.
As an existing current M&T bank customer, did your new account automatically appear in your online banking/dashboard? I was instant approved with account numbers but it hasn’t appeared. I’ve been out of the game so long, not sure if I should wait or call.
Nevermind. Had to call and get account manually added to existing log in.
Looks like we finally got updated dates in the fine print for March:
To receive the Premium Checking Bonus (“Premium Bonus”), open a new MyChoice Premium Checking account between 3/1/24 and 3/29/24 and maintain an average monthly balance in the account of at least $10,000 for the months of April and May 2024. If all requirements are met, we’ll credit the Premium Bonus by 6/30/24
But Im also getting “Sorry, but this offer isn’t available in your area.” when clicking Open Online for my zip in multiple browsers/devices – just me? (There are 3 branches within walking distance)
you mean someone is doing a difficult $350 offer RIGHT AFTER an easy $400 TK?? I always wondered about these people
Happy to help clear that up for you Tony.. Those of us that did the previous TK offer for $450 weren’t eligible yet, and now Im beyond the 12mo window since my last payout.
“(There are 3 branches within walking distance)”
What???
Hah yeah, they like to cluster up in their bigger cities. I found a few other NE zipcodes that do work for the $350, but it looks like others in their footprint are still only being given the lower offers – might just do the easier $200 instead
DateDescription
nothing yet from TK code offer, except $15.74 charge for checks lol. What’s best timing to dispute $15.74?
03/13/2024CAPITAL ONE TRANSFER$1,000
03/12/2024CAPITAL ONE ACCTVERIFY–$0.61
03/11/2024REAL-TIME CREDIT RECEIVED ON 03/10 /
$0.31
03/11/2024REAL-TIME CREDIT RECEIVED ON 03/10 /
$0.30
03/06/2024
BANK OF AMERICA ONLINE XFR$1,000
03/05/2024DELUXE CHECK CHECK/ACC.–$15.74
02/28/2024
WELLS FARGO IFI DDA TO DDA $1,000
Same charge for me as well and it was mentioned free checks during account opening
called 8007242440 and instantly reversed -$15.74; never discussed bonus, but it showed up on queue lol:
DateDescriptionDebit (-)Credit (+)
03/14/2024
CASH BONUS$400.00
03/14/2024
CHECK VENDOR CHARGE REVERSAL$15.74
03/13/2024
CAPITAL ONE TRANSFER$1,000
I had this fixed via SM as well.
Has anyone received $350 bonus for holding 7500 for Jan and Feb?
For this offer, M&T tends to take its time to issue the bonus, so you should be expecting the bonus by the end of this month as promised. JT
Be nice to get this bonus already. The $350 deal is not worth the hassle of tying up the funds for so long. 400 deal is much better.
If “holding 7500” was a requirement to receive $400, can anyone quote such requirement?
Holding 7500 is to waive the monthly fee. For the 400 promo deal just need 1K in DD once bonus hits downgrade to free account to avoid fees. However, the 400 bonus is over. Back to the $350 bonus and holding 10k for 2 months.
Correction $10k.
I decided to try to go for the $400 bonus with the MyChoice Premium Checking account but I didn’t carefully read the fine print about the $24.95 monthly fee and the early termination bonus😓.
Anyway, I had enough employer DDs to trigger the bonus within the first month and they paid the bonus within a few days so I was pretty stoked. I waited out the statement period and lo and behold, they waived the $24.95 fee for me for the first month! I’m sure I didn’t meet their requirements so YMMV.
Anyway, I called in about a week later and asked to product change the account to the fee free account and they accepted! This means I keep the same account number and I don’t have to bug my employer an extra time to stop/change DDs. I also probably won’t be affected by the early closing penalty since I’ll keep the account open for 6 months. If I don’t update this post by the end of August 2024 then you can probably assume that my bonus didn’t get clawed back and I wasn’t affected by the early termination fee.
This is a fantastic $400 bonus if this works for you but of course YMMV.
Has anyone tried Relay? I have it as “payroll”, been 2 weeks and nothing yet. Haven’t been able to do MTB for a couple years but remember it used to pay out very quickly.
If you want to close the account wait until the end of the month. They said I can’t close mine because I have 4 cents of interest pending.
Opened Jan 22, real DD posted Feb 15 and Feb 29. Still no bonus- anyone in similar situation?
Feb/23 – Opened account with TK promo code
Mar/12 – DELUXE CHECK CHECK/ACC.–$15.74
Mar/15 – CHECK VENDOR CHARGE REVERSAL $15.74
Mar/15 – real DD $1000+
Mar/18 – No bonus
DP:
Opened on 2/22/24 with code TK
2/23/24 added m&t as external transfer from Laurel Road with trial deposits
2/28: push from Laurel Road.
3/2: Funds bounced and returned to Laurel Road. Reason: account frozen. Lesson learned, you need to activate the debit card and set up your pin first before m&t will allow incoming transfers.
3/7/24: $1,500 push from Laurel Road
3/8/24: $400 Bonus posted.
3/11: called and downgraded account from premium to the free version. No issues.
Will wait until 180 days to close to avoid early termination fee.
One other note: m&t seems very slow to update the account balence. Several day lag When I transfered funds back to Laurel road they had shown up in Laurel road as availible before M&t showed them as withdrawn.
“One other note: m&t seems very slow to update the account balance…”
They ARE slow. In almost every respect, in comparison to peer banks, they’re, as I like to say “a day late and a dollar short.” Well maybe not the ‘dollar short’ part, but definitely a day late on posting transactions, updating balances, etc. Very annoying.
fastest bonus payout in history