Update 7/30/25: Deal is back. Use promo code Jul25NewBonus. Offer ends September 23, 2025. Still contains targeted language. Hat tip to favo
Bonus page does have targeted language: “Offer and promo code are not transferable and are only valid for directly intended recipients of either a digital or mailed offer“. Bonus is being advertised on facebook though.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $700
- Availability: Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Oklahoma and Colorado
- Direct deposit required: Optional
- Additional requirements: Direct deposit or 10 debit purchases
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Yes, sensitive
- Credit card funding: None
- Monthly fees: $20, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: None
- Household limit: One
- Expiration date: July 15, 2025
Contents
The Offer
- Commerce Bank is offering a $700 bonus when you open a new checking account. Must use promo code May25NewBonus. Tiers are as follows:
- $300 for making 10 debit card purchases, plus an account balance of $300
- $300 for direct deposits totaling $3,000 to $4,999.99
- $700 for direct deposits totaling $5,000 or more
The Fine Print
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Free checking has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
According to this comment no early termination fee is charged.
Our Verdict
Much better than previous bonuses, think it’s worth doing given it is being advertised on facebook. Possible this gets shut down/stricter requirements though with the bonus being so big.
Hat tip to ShawntheShawn
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
Has it paid out for anyone? Fine print says payment is January 26th. Doesn’t say “by Jan 26” typo? Or would you have to wait til January?
account opened 7.31. Zelle sent for $100. commerce bank closed it on 8/1 due to chez system report.
https://www.commercebank.com/personal/2025/05/nmle?utm_campaign=nmle-prospecting_cb_b2c_dep&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawL4tTpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHpsubvRycx60NjbTC80RPD0DIeF3A-Lpkwz70ZlO74ID0Dw_3ktLe_CUdpxT_aem_1eXgmukBEKRRRPwyZN8iNw
Current promo show on Facebook.
“If you have completed all the above requirements and your account remains open, your bonus will be paid December 22, 2025,” and the original offer linked mentions payment in January. Still an easy offer I guess tho. If it works. For the account balance ($300/2500 depending on offer) i wonder if that’s the balance you need on the day they pay it out or the balance you need to maintain the whole time or how that works. I may have skimmed last it but didn’t see it in the fine print. Like I can’t park $300 unfortunately I’m broke broke but I can transfer it when necessary. Anyone can clarify?
Like
Phil mentioned, Commerce Bank is currently running a separate promotion for residents of three Colorado counties — Denver, Arapahoe, and Jefferson — offering up to a $1,000 bonus with promo code Denver0725:
https://www.commercebank.com/personal/2025/denverbonus
While the offer is geographically restricted, it’s less strict in terms of targeted language. I spoke with a local branch, and they confirmed that as long as the applicant resides in one of the eligible counties, they qualify — no direct mailer or invitation is required. The branch also mentioned that their online system has been buggy lately and recommended opening the account in person. I asked whether they would deny applications based on the number of Chex inquiries — they said they don’t care about the number, only about negative items. I went to a local branch and had the account opened in about 30 minutes.
Commerce Bank also offers a referral program through ReferLive, where both the referrer and the referee receive $50 Visa Reward Cards. I haven’t seen any DPs confirming whether it stacks with the Denver0725 or Jul25NewBonus promos, but in general, ReferLive offers tend to track separately and often stack — even when the fine print says otherwise.
The million dollar question here is how targeted is this offer? I will put this on my maybe apply list.
I have a credit card with them but I’m OOS. Should I or can I try this offer?
Thank you for applying!
Unfortunately, we are unable to open your account online. Please visit your local Commerce Bank branch to open a new account.
My husband got a mailer last year (November 2024) for their $300 offer – it was just the 10 debit card transaction then, there was no DD offer. He did it and it paid out on the date the mailer specified. I originally saw this offer via Facebook for the $700 offer so I signed up 3/9/25 via the website with the promo code. My payout date is suppose to be 9/15, so i will update when it posts. I am concerned since I am not sure how they know who can see the social media posts with the offer(s). But all I can do is wait at this point since I have met the requirements.
Will let everyone know.
Definitely interested to see how big of a fight ppl have to get their payout from last time. Mine was a multi month battle back in April.
I tried to do this a couple months ago and they said since I wasn’t in their mailing system I wasn’t eligible. Would be careful here
Here’s a $1000 offer if you live in the Denver area. I don’t see targeted language:
https://www.commercebank.com/personal/2025/denverbonus
Does “recipients” in this sentence from the terms imply it’s targeted?
“ Offer and promo code are only valid for recipients residing in the counties of Denver, Arapahoe and Jefferson who have not owned a Commerce Bank checking account or received a previous checking bonus from us in the last 12 months prior to account opening.”
Forgot to tag
William Charles and 
Chuck
Phil that’s awesome. Seriously? $500 for $500 balance and 10 debits? But I’m going to go for the $1000 and I suppose their commerce free checking for my real DD. Only unknown is the JeffCo county line runs through my neighbor’s yard and I’m technically out of their service area.
Yea, I’m in Arapahoe and just opened the Free Checking.
Good luck!
I just went into a Denver branch and had no issues despite my chex being crazy. I didn’t want to risk online application and getting denied
Forgot to mention that I do live in one of the three counties it mentions