[IN & In Branch only] Star Financial Bank $300 Checking Bonus

Update 5/3/25: New working link added.

Update 3/4/25: Deal is back, now $300 until 8/26/2025.

Update 1/5/25: Deal is back, no end date listed. Hat tip to reader Woody

Update 12/08/18: Deal is back and valid until December 31st, 2018. Hat tip to DDG

Bonus is back and available for 2018, this time it’s not available online. Hat tip to reader tinyhedgefund.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: In branch only, all branches are in IN [Branch locator]
  • Direct deposit required: Yes $500+ per month
  • Additional requirements: eStatements & 5 debit card transactions per month
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Unknown
  • Credit card funding: Unknown
  • Monthly fees: None
  • Early account termination fee: Must be kept open for 120 days
  • Household limit: One
  • Expiration date: July 31st, 2017 September 30th, 2018 October 31st, 2018 November 30th,2018 December 31st, 2018.

The Offer

Direct link to offer

  • Star Financial Bank is offering a bonus of $300 when you complete the following:
    • Open a new checking account with promo code STAR300
    • Monthly direct deposit of $500 or more
    • Sign up and receive e-statements
    • Make five (5) debit card transactions monthly

 

The Fine Print

  • Bonus/Account Information: New checking customers only.
  • $50 minimum deposit to open a checking account.
  • Account must remain open and in good standing for 120 days
  • Bonus will be deposited to the account at the end of 120 days if the following conditions are met: monthly direct deposit of at least $500, e-statements, and at least five (5) debit card transactions.
  • Consumer accounts only. Employees of STAR Financial Bank are not eligible.
  • Only one offer per household.
  • Offer is non-transferable.
  • Expires 9/30/18.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

E-Checking account has no monthly fees to worry about. You do need to keep the account open for 120 days to receive the bonus.

Our Verdict

It’s annoying that you need to meet the requirements each month to be eligible for the bonus, there is also some non transferable language in the fine print but I don’t think that means it’s targeted. If anybody signs up for this bonus then please share your experiences in the comments below. I will add it to the best checking bonus page, even though they had the online offer previously it seems like the bonus only comes around once a year so probably not worth waiting.

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:
    William Charles
  • On May 3, 2025, 10:00

View Comments (21)

  • I know it’s in branch only but curious if anyone knows whether it’s still limited to Indiana residents?

    • "To redeem this offer, show this page to your local STAR branch when you go in to open a checking account and present to the banker at account opening. You can also apply online to open a checking account and enter the promotion code "STAR300" on the application."

      Since it says you can open online with the promo code for the bonus, try and see if you can open the account. I think the DoC page hints that this deal is for Indiana residents only because it's still using the old info needing to visit the physical bank branch to open the checking account for the bonus,

  • Opened E-checking online and be approved instantly. Chex pulled (0/1, 1/3, 2/6, 13/12, 13/24). Can only fund account with bank transfer.

    Premium Checking has cash back but capped at $10 per month.

    According to the fee schedule, there is a $25.00 Account Closing Fee (less than 180 days), so might need to keep the account for 180 days.

  • OOS doesn't look possible online. When I enter my zip code, the only account option I'm given is the HSA.

  • Soft pull
    Unsure about Chex, but not very sensitive if so (19/12)
    No CC funding (even a debit card was a CA)

    • If I remember correctly, I asked and there was no CC funding. But I'm not firm on that.

      I went in on a Saturday about an hour before closing and the only 2 people in the branch might have been younger than me, and one was a bit inexperienced, needing some guidance from the other at certain points. It's possible they were Chex sensitive but these particular individuals did not bother to grille me? The subject never came up.

    • They were Chex sensitive to my like 11/24 when I did the opening in branch (one was from that day, another from maybe a month before, mind you) System denied me, they grilled me, then they manually approved me.

      Can confirm debit card codes as cash advance, and no I do not think they allow CC funding at all. Not a solid DP on that though.

      (post still says exp 09/30/2018 under "the fine print" fyi)

  • Got a mailer this week, new expiration date is November 24th 2018 - other mailers may be dated for a later expiration, but that is what I got.

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