[OR, WA only] Columbia Credit Union $100 Referral Checking Bonus

Update 1/20/24: Bonus is back, $100 again but it’s a referral so both parties can get $100. Feel free to share referrals in the comments below. Hat tip to Chuck K

Update 7/4/22: Bonus is back and now $170 instead of $100.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $170
• Availability: Must Live or work in Washington State or the Oregon community of Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah or Washington Counties [Branch locator]
• Direct deposit required:  Yes, $500+
• Additional requirements: eStatements and 15 debit card purchases
• Hard/soft pull: Soft. Now a report of a hard pull. Seems to be soft in branch and hard online.
• ChexSystems: Unknown
• Credit card funding: Fund up to $500 with a credit card per account
• Monthly fees: None
• Early account termination fee: None listed
• Household limit: None listed
• Expiration date: November 11, 2021 July 31, 2022

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Columbia Credit Union is offering a bonus of $170 when you open a new income checking account and complete the following requirements:
  • Enroll in eStatements
  • Make a direct deposit of at least $500
  • Make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia credit card in December

 

The Fine Print

• You must open a new Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account between October 1, 2021 and November 11, 2021, and enroll in e-statements, make at least ONE Columbia Credit Union direct deposit of $500 or more, and make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia CU credit card during December 2021, to receive $100.
• Visit www.columbiacu.org or a Columbia Credit Union branch for complete account information.
• Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Fiduciary and business accounts are excluded from promotion eligibility.
• Limit one payment per individual per household.
• Offer not available to individuals who have had a Columbia Credit Union checking account in the last 12 months.
• Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of payment are not eligible.
• The payment will be deposited into your checking account by February 15, 2022, after meeting eligibility requirements and the value of your payment will be reported on IRS Form 1099- INT.
• 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 no monthly fees to worry about

Early Account Termination Fee

I wasn’t able to find an early account termination fee in the fee schedule

Our Verdict

Previously there was a $250 checking bonus. Personally I’d recommend waiting for a bigger bonus to return as this offer is so much worse and hardly worth doing. We won’t add this to the best bank account bonuses.

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