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Extended to 8/26/2025
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: Up to $500
- Availability: Eligible zip codes: 12203, 12205, 12084, 12159, 12222, 12208, 12209, 12210, 12206, 12211, 12303, 12304, 12186, 12223, and 12054
- Direct deposit required: Yes, recurring direct deposit
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: $4.95, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: Unknown
- Household limit: None
- Expiration date: 8/1/2025
Contents
The Offer
- Community Bank is offering a bonus of up to $500. You receive a bonus of 10% of your initial deposit up to $500.
- Enroll in eStatements within 90 days
- Receive a recurring direct deposit within 90 days
The Fine Print
- Promotion valid through 8/1/2025.
- Customer must open account in person at the Guilderland NY branch, or open the account online and select Guilderland as their preferred branch and live within one of the following eligible zip codes: 12203, 12205, 12084, 12159, 12222, 12208, 12209, 12210, 12206, 12211, 12303, 12304, 12186, 12223, and 12054.
- For new money only (excludes existing CBNA dollars).
- Minimum qualifying deposit of $100 required to qualify for 10% credit, up to $500.
- For consumer checking accounts only.
- Account must remain open for at least 90 calendar days.
- Customer must be enrolled in eStatements by the 90th day.
- Account must receive a recurring direct deposit by the 90th day.
- Qualifying direct deposits include electronic deposit of payroll, Social Security, pension, or other government benefits.
- Qualifying deposit must be valid (eg. not returned unpaid).
- Bonus will be credited to the account within 15 business days after the account has been opened for 90 calendar days and all eligibility requirements are met.
- One bonus per customer.
- Offer not available for existing Community Bank checking customers or accounts converted from an existing account (only available to new Community Bank customers that do not have one of the following four eligible accounts as of May 16, 2025: Carefree Checking, 50 Direct, Premium Checking, or Simply Checking).
- Bonus must be reported as interest to the IRS on Form 1099-INT (please consult your tax advisor).
- 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 a $4.95 monthly fee. This is waived:
- Daily balance of $500 or more, OR
- 10 debit card transactions1 per statement cycle, OR
- Lending relationship with CBNA2 (excluding ChekCredit)
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF.
Our Verdict
Bonus itself looks great, shame it’s only available in a few zipcodes.
Hat tip to Nick Reyes of FM
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?
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View Comments (11)
Opened Simply Checking in Guilderland branch after online application was declined. No issues applying in person. Found another 2 Chex inquiry email alerts when I got home.
Promo clarification: The direct deposit requirement can be any amount; the 10% of largest single $100-$5K deposit requirement can be a check, cash, DD, etc.
'Unfortunately, we are unable to proceed with opening your account through our digital system at this time. This decision is final and cannot be reconsidered through the digital application process. However, we invite you to visit your local branch to discuss alternative options for opening an account in person.'
I got the same thing.
@guest_2098700 I'll probably visit the Western Ave Guilderland branch. It's a low risk, low effort bonus.
I will too, good luck.
Updates-
ChexSystems- I got a New Bank Account Inquiry alert from Chex
Credit Card funding: $50 max Visa or Mastercard
Corrections-
Expiration date: Promotion valid through 8/26/2025
I think the credit card funding is useless because you need an initial deposit of $5,000 to get the full bonus. If you do the credit card funding wouldn't you get $5 instead of $500?
@guest_2098700 DoC's post says "10% of initial deposit" but the terms say largest deposit.
@guest_2098700 Don't need an initial $5K deposit. The deal is get "10% match on the largest deposit to your new checking account, up to $500†" and the "†" small print implies the deposit(s) must be from a qualified direct deposit.
The Simply Checking has no monthly fee, less stress than trying to waive Carefree Checking's $4.95/month fee,
Extra bonus: Get a $10 eGift card for opening account online or swag for opening it in-branch. Or, get a $10 eGift Card for referring a friend.
Free thank-you gift for opening an account-
CBNA-PGifts-2025.pdf
I guess I'll find out if Treasury Direct satisfies the 'other government benefits' type of required DD.