Bonus has expired, you can view more great bonuses by clicking here.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $100
- Availability: Must open in branch all locations in WA [Branch locator]
- Direct deposit required: No
- Additional requirements: Enroll in online or mobile banking
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Yes, but will most likely code as cash advance
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: $20, 180 days
- Household limit: None
- Expiration date: March 31st, 2017
The Offer
- Open a new Gesa checking account and get a bonus of $100 when you complete the following requirements:
- Enroll in online or mobile banking
- Must open with $500+
The Fine Print
- Bonus will be paid as a dividend at time of account opening.
- Only one $100 incentive per member.
- Member must not have had a Gesa checking account within the last 90 days.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Their classic checking account does not have any monthly fees to worry about. A $20 fee is charged if the account is closed within 180 days according to this fee schedule.
Our Verdict
Great bonus if you live in the area as there are no bonus requirements or monthly fees to worry about. Basically a free $100 for going into the branch and opening the account. We’ve our list of the best checking account bonuses.
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:
- 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
Thanks, Jesse!
Shouldn’t be an issue if I’m in Idaho, should it? It’s about a 30-min drive and it’s on the way to a regular stop for me.
Not sure
Gonna try to make it there today! I’ll be the DP that I want to see. 🙂
Awesome, keep us updated 🙂
Opened account, but did not receive the $100. The banker did not auto-enroll me into eStatements. Took approximately 14 hours to get my online banking login information and I have since enrolled in eStatements and sent an SM asking about the dividend. (I know about the “Don’t call the bank” article, but I felt this scenario was different).
I opted out of overdraft protection and have not seen an inquiry on Credit Karma, as of yet.
I would not have been able to open an account without working in WA, since I’m an Idaho resident. I personally didn’t lie about working in WA, as the company I work for is based in Spokane, but there was no verification that I actually worked there at the time of signup. They only asked for the company name.
Lastly, there is a $5 “membership fee”. They open a Savings account and you must deposit at least $5 in order to create a checking account. So realistically, you need $505 in order to qualify for the bonus.
I’ll report back if/when I get the bonus.
Follow-up: SM got me the $100 bonus within an hour. The branch that you signed up at has to pay out.
Might wanna put Eastern WA in the title. All their branches are in eastern wa, but I’m guessing a lot of your WA readers would be in the Seattle area (west)
Done
The membership page states anyone who lives, worships, works, attends school in WA state can join, so ALL of WA state not just eastern part.
https://www.gesa.com/about-gesa/membership
Updated
A $500 minimum deposit is now required and the expiration date has been replaced with language about “limited time only.”
I don’t see that? Link?
https://www.gesa.com/new-year-savings
“1. A $100 incentive will be paid to members who open a new Gesa checking account. Member must enroll in Online or Mobile Banking to qualify. $500 minimum initial deposit required to receive the incentive. Incentive will be paid as a dividend at time of account opening. Only one $100 incentive per member. Member must not have had a Gesa checking account within the last 90 days. If the account is closed within 180 days, an early closure fee of $20 will apply. For a limited time only. Please contact a Member Service Associate for additional information.”
Thanks