[Expired] [NC, TN, SC, GA] United Community Bank $200 Checking Bonus

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

Update 9/16/23: Deal is back and valid until 10-31.

Update 7/15/23: Deal is back and valid until July 31, 2023

Update 1/15/23: Extended until March 31, 2023

Update 10/14/22: Extended until December 31, 2022. 

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: NC, TN, SC, GA
  • Direct deposit required: Yes, $2,000+
  • Additional requirements: See below
  • Hard/soft pull:Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Yes, not sensitive
  • Credit card funding: Up to $500
  • Monthly fees: $8 – $25
  • Early account termination fee: Unknown
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: September 30, 2022

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • United Community Bank is offering a bonus of up to $200 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
    • Use promo code Checking200
    • Receive cumulative direct deposits of at least $2,000 within 90 days of account opening
    • Complete 10 or more purchases using your new United Community Bank MastercardTM debit card within 90 days of account opening

The Fine Print

  • Customers must qualify for the account, make the required minimum opening deposit, and have met the following criteria by the end of an initial 90-day qualification period, beginning the day the account is opened, in order to receive the $200 welcome offer: 1) Receive cumulative direct deposits of at least $2,000 which includes salary, pension, Social Security, or other regular recurring monthly income. Internal and external account transfers, deposits made at banking locations, by mobile deposits and ATM deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit; AND 2) complete 10 or more debit card purchases. Recurring debit card transactions do not qualify.
  • Transactions must post to the account within the 90-day qualification period. ATM withdrawals do not qualify. Monthly service charges and other miscellaneous fees may apply.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

  • United checking has a $8 monthly fee that can’t be waived.
  • United Checking for 55+ has no monthly fees
  • United signature checking has a $25 monthly fee. This is waived with any of the following:
    • $15,000 Minimum Daily Balance5 -OR-
    • $25,000 Combined Deposit Balance5 -OR-
    • $50,000 Combined Outstanding Consumer Loans5 -OR-
    • Relationship with United Community Advisory Services or United Community Mortgage Services5

Early Account Termination Fee

I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF.

Our Verdict

It’s annoying that it is so difficult to keep the account fee free, it might be worth just paying the $8 monthly fee if there is no early account termination fee. We will add it to the best bank bonus page yet.

Hat tip to reader Jo

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On September 16, 2023, 17:50
Tags: credit card fundingdirect deposit requiredga bank bonusesnc bank bonusessc bank bonusessoft pulltn bank bonuses

View Comments (85)

  • The post needs an update, @2.

    The bonus is $300 & expires 2/15/24. Promo code SIGNATURE300

    https://www.ucbi.com/why-united-signature-300

    Looks to me like they have added branches in FL & AL too. I think I have heard FL has a few bonus miners here...

    Oh, and they accept AMEX for CC funding, per DP's. Your CC funding page doesn't show that.

    • "At account opening, they must also maintain a loan serviced by United Community Mortgage Services or our mortgage servicing provider on behalf of United and make the required minimum opening deposit of $1,000."

      • Awww... that bites. I missed that. I guess it's good state info if the $200 offer comes back.

        • I noticed that on the old one this wasn't a requirement. They added this as soon as this new offer became available a couple months ago. They paused it for a bit and when I saw your comment, I was hoping it didn't have the loan condition.
          Anyway, kind of shitty of them to sell this as a direct deposit promo when you literally have to have a mortgage with them. Which would apply only to a small population of people

  • 7/27/23 - Opened
    8/7/23 - Fidelity Brokerage $2K+ push
    8/14/23 - Completed 10 small ~$1 debits
    10/26/23 - $200 bonus posted

  • 7/17/23 Opened
    7/27 - 8/3 - various amazon reloads on debit, between 1.09 and 3.29 (trying to ensure not looked at as recurring)
    8/4 - real DD $501
    8/18 - real DD $501
    9/1 - real DD $501
    9/15 - real DD $501
    10/17 - $200 bonus posed as "Checking200"

  • Denied due to Chex. 647/900. Stated reasons ASSET OWNERSHIP HISTORY
    NO EVIDENCE OF PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
    TIME AT CURRENT ADDRESS
    RECENT UNIQUE FI DDA INQUIRY HISTORY

    Live with my parents for 25 years. Whatever on to the next.

    • Called in and rep told me if there's 5 or more chex pulls in the last 30 days they automatically deny. Told me I'd have to go into the branch. Went in branch and was approved. Missed out on credit card funding but at least I can still get the bonus.

  • I strongly advise staying away from this bank. Definitely the worst bank I ever dealt with. Nothing but hassles and incompetence on their end.

  • As a follow-up to my July 17 post, my initial deposit (25 bucks!)had not been returned after a month, so I called the bank and was told it would be another 7 to 15 business days. After that period had passed with no refund, I filed a complaint with the CFPB. Yesterday I received the check in the mail, along with a nice apology letter. With these jokers, it's caveat emptor.

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