Update 3/19/24: Deal is back.
Update 1/21/24: Deal is back, only $200 this time. Valid until March 15, 2024.
Update 12/11/23: Bonus is now $300 with promo code LDSB1223. Sometimes with the bonuses that are for $200+ they require a second code but this was advertised on FB/Instagram so it should be good. Valid until January 19, 2024.
Update 10/27/23: Deal is back with promo code ONAS1023.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200
- Availability:AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, MA, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, or WA
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+ required
- Additional requirements: Use promo code
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Mixed DP, most likely does. Also reports of being ChexSystems sensitive.
- Credit card funding: Can fund up to $50
- Monthly fees: $7, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: $25
- Household limit: None
- Expiration date:
November 8th, 2019 April 24, 2020July 17th, 2020September 18, 2020October 23, 2020 November 20, 2020August 12, 2022 March 3, 2023July 21, 2023
Contents
The Offer
- KeyBank is offering a bonus of $200 when you open a new eligible checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Use offer code PDSB0324
- Make one direct deposit of $500+
The Fine Print
- Offer available online only.
- You must open a Key Express Checking® account (this is the basic banking account in NY), Key Advantage® checking account, Key Privilege® checking account, or Key Privilege Select Checking® account by the expiration date and make ONE single KeyBank direct deposit of $500 or more within 60 days after account opening to get $200. Normal account service charges and balance requirements apply to these accounts.
- Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Accounts titled as Trust Accounts, Estate, and No Access are excluded from eligibility. Employees of KeyBank, its affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. Offer/Reservation number is non-transferable, cannot be sold and is required to qualify.
- Limit one gift per qualifying account.
- Limit one gift per individual.
- The value of your gift will be reported on Form 1099-INT and deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements.
- If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee.
- Other miscellaneous charges may apply.
- Offer not available to individuals who have had a KeyBank checking account or a KeyBank Hassle-Free Account® in the last 12 months.
- Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of gift payment are not eligible.
- Offer is subject to cancellation without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer. KeyBank is not responsible for and will not honor promotional offers that appear on third-party websites that are not authorized by KeyBank.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Key Smart Checking No Monthly Fee
This is a new account that can be opened with no monthly fee to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
If you close your account within 180 days, you are required to pay an early account closure fee of $25
Our Verdict
Normally there is a $300 deal, but that is only available in selected states in the fine print. This time there is no location restriction in the fine print, so it’ll be interesting to see what states this bonus is open to. Fingers crossed it’s available nationwide. If that’s the case we will be adding it to the best checking bonuses. It’s worth checking to see if you live in an area that is usually targeted for the $300 deal as well, if so I’d wait for one of those to come along.
Hat tip to UrbanEngineer & Priscilla
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
Post history:
- Update 9/18/23: Deal is back until October 13, 2023
- Update 7/27/23: Deal is back, expires 8/18/23
- Update 5/31/23: Back again until June 16, 2023.
- Update 4/17/23: Back again until May 20.
- Update 3/14/23: Deal is back and valid until April 7, 2023.
- Update 2/3/23: Deal is now good through 3/3/23. Direct deposit is required again.
- Update 12/17/22: Deal is back and valid until 1/6/23.
- Update 7/20/21: Extended until August 13, 2021. Hat tip to PD
- Update 6/14/21: Extended until July 9, 2021.
- Update 11/28/20: Deal is back and valid until 1/22/2021
- Update 11/4/20: Deal is back and valid until November 20, 2020.
- Update 9/22/20: Deal is back and valid until October 23, 2020. Hat tip to reader Don B
- Update 9/13/20: You can now open a key smart checking account with no monthly fee. Hat tip to Kyle.
- Update 8/17/20: Available again until 9/17/20 with code ONAS0820. Hat tip to Trampdad
- Update 7/24/20: Available again until 8/14/20.
- Update 6/28/20: Deal is back and valid until July 17th, 2020. Hat tip to reader Jake W
- Update 4/26/20: Deal has been extended until May 15th, 2020.
- Update 12/10/19: Deal is back and valid until April 24th, 2020. Hat tip to kas141
- Update 8/26/19: Deal is available again. Hat tip to reader Dan R
I was able to open online with my NYC address
CA zip code: “Because of the state you live in, you’ll need to visit a branch so we can discuss your options in person.”
Tried following your link on desktop and it said there is no offer. Tried click it on mobile and was able to apply. Application process was a bit annoying on mobile, but I got through it.
It didn’t link to my other bank either during the application process or once I logged into the account. I will fund the $10 minimum by pushing it in.
I have a Laurel road checking and savings account. Got that 1.5 years ago because of the bonus. Does that interfere with the Keybank bonus. Just asking because both banks are the same company. Thanks!
As usual non-citizens cannot apply online. Anyone successful who is non-citizen? Thanks.
The promotion in-branch may different from online promotion. I’m a non-citizen opened in branch without a problem. Not sure how chex sensitive they are.
How is it different in branch?
You must visit a branch to check their latest promo. Mine was $200 with single or multiple DD $1000
DP: Fidelity Cash Management push still works.
3/5: $500 Fidelity CM push (coded as “Fid Bkg Svc Llc Moneyline” deposit)
3/18: $300 bonus
No go, Albany, NY
Looks like you’re not able to apply online.
Based on the info you shared with us, we couldn’t confirm your identity. If you’d still like to apply, talk with a banker at your nearest KeyBank branch.
Doesn’t make sense keybank started in albany
Have no idea. Both P1 and P2 same error/situation. Only thing I can think of is we both have Laurel Bank (also Key) accounts opened 4 months ago for the promo. Weird given that our NYS DL is kinda there. Wonder if it’s CHEX?
For me, P1 opened account successfully a few days ago, but P2 got the same error as you. Neither of us ever had Laurel Bank accounts.
P2 got “unable to confirm identity” with Citi too even if P2 has Citi credit card. I am thinking, maybe the fact that P2’s cell phone is on P1’s name is causing this. But P2 never had this problem with other banks.
Looks like you’re not able to apply online.
Based on the info you shared with us, we couldn’t confirm your identity. If you’d still like to apply, talk with a banker at your nearest KeyBank branch.
No.
No go for NYC (again)
New offer, still $200
https://www.key.com/personal/promo/checking/200-smart.html?ppc=2403_CMPACQ_PDSB0324_ps&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzN-vBhAkEiwAYiO7oGjiSwaea_d0iRzcg_bjegFkUChu8xkcud1-Qj7OgUsnR5YUdI9PZRoCT6cQAvD_BwE