Update 10/24/20: Bonus has been increased to $200. Hat tip to reader J Money
Update: New link found works for branches in VA, WV, OH. Thanks to reader Gadget.
Please note, this isn’t the same City National Bank that offers the Visa Infinite card.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:Â $100
- Availability: VA WV OH in branch only. [Branch locator]
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $200+
- Additional requirements:Â None
- Hard/soft pull:Â Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Yes, not sensitive
- Credit card funding:Â Unknown
- Monthly fees:Â None
- Early account termination fee:Â $25, 180 days
- Household limit:Â One
- Expiration date:Â None listed
The Offer
- City National Bank is offering a bonus of $200 when you open a new city checking account with direct deposit of $200 or more
The Fine Print
- Bonus: Limited time offer. To earn the $200 direct deposit bonus, you must establish a qualified recurring direct deposit of $200 or more into the account.
- The bonus will be deposited into the new account 91 days after account opening.
- Limitations: The bonus cannot be used as the opening deposit.
- Offer not available to existing checking account customers, those with fiduciary accounts or those whose account has been closed.
- Limit 1 bonus per household.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
They offer a simply free checking account with no monthly fees to worry about. There is an early account termination fee of $25 if you close the account within 180 days.
Our Verdict
I generally don’t recommend $100 bonuses that must be opened in branch, but might be worth it for some if they live near a branch. Purely because it’s usually a lot of work for a $100 bonus that is also taxed. Because of this I won’t be adding it to our best bank bonus page.
Big thanks to reader, KK who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.
Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
- A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
- 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
Attempted to close account via Contact message online, but was told to contact the local branch that I opened the account at.
Opened in 06/2021 at VA branch about 30 minutes away. Gave license and opened without issue. Talked with banker for possibility to open P2 without being present. Banker said should be fine to fill out form and scan license over email. Days later, opened P2 over email. Also explained to banker that deposit might come in as regular deposit due to unconventional employer (to probe if ACH is fine), banker said probably fine but contact him if doesn’t post.
ACH pushed slightly inconsistently from SouthState, PNC, Capital One, WF, Sofi Money, PointCard. Most was noted as DEPOSIT P2P or DEPOSIT TRANSFER, only Capital One said DEPOSIT, but I didn’t do Capital One 3 months in a row. Regardless, did not receive bonus.
Emailed banker for both P1 and P2, hoping for manual override, but not hopeful
Banker manually added bonus, YMMV
Like the previous posts, this offer is available in Lexington, Kentucky too. This seems an ongoing promotion that doesn’t expire but not churnable according to the disclosure. I successfully opened at a branch and received $200.
DP: Attempted to open this account today in Ohio. The offer is only $50 unless you are in VA or Lexington, Kentucky.
Fine print says “* Bonus: Limited time offer available only in Virginia and Lexington, Kentucky market areas. “
I opened this acct in the branch in VA without any problems. They are NOT chex sensitive.
Any out of staters suceed in opening?
Thanks
You have to open in branch
People from out of state can visit a branch.
Further info:
– Their definition of “recurring direct deposit” is 3 or more direct deposits from the same source within 90 days.
– Bank manager also told me that deposits have to be greater than $200. (i.e. at least $201, $200 exactly will not trigger the bonus.)
– You also receive a $5 bonus for enrolling in eStatements. Enrolling in eStatements keeps the account fee free.
Thanks for reporting this!
I did this bonus in July. It is now $200. https://www.bankatcity.com/get200
How many Chex inquiries do u have for this year ?
TIA
I’ve opened 20-25 bank accounts so I would guess at least 10-15 Chex inquiries.
What did you use for your DD?
The website now makes it sound like you have to open the Gold Checking, even though it says checking account elsewhere on same page. If that is the case, at $5 a month and not waived for Gold Checking, this deal got a lot worse.
I may close my account soon and have SO try. I will post what ends up happening, if she goes for it. The whole in branch only is such a pain. Will probably call ahead and see what the banker says about it.
Keep us updated!
Sir, yes sir! 😀
Just not a priority at the moment… Because the branch isn’t real close and have to get SO to go during banker’s hours.
Fair enough =)
Hi Gadget,
Are they still not Chex sensitive ? Did u get approved recently ? I have more than 12+ chex inquiries and dont want to drive there until I am sure they are not Chex sensitive.
Thx
City sold my local branch to some crappy bank in NC that doesn’t offer a bonus. So, I am no longer in City’s footprint and don’t foresee myself in those areas of VA/WV anytime soon. Good luck if you try it. Don’t imagine we will see a lot of feedback from DoC readers, so report back if you try it.