Extended to September 30, 2024
Update 4/2/24: Extended until June 30, 2024
Update 1/4/24: March 31, 2024
Update 5/31/23: Extended until December 31, 2023.
Update 5/24/23: Deal is back and valid until 5/31/23.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $250
- Availability: WA only
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $100+
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Mixed datapoints
- Monthly fees: $0-$5, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: None listed
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: None listed
Contents
The Offer
- WECU is offering a checking bonus of up to $250.
- open a new True Blue Rewards account, set up and receive a direct deposit of $100 or more into that new account within sixty (60) days of account opening and receive a $250 bonus
- open a new Spend Free account, set up and receive a direct deposit of $100 or more into that new account within sixty (60) days of account opening and receive a $100 bonus
The Fine Print
- Offer is available for a limited time to qualifying individuals who have not been a member in the last twelve (12) months. Requirements to receive the $250 bonus: open a new True Blue Rewards account, set up and receive a direct deposit of $100 or more into that new account within sixty (60) days of account opening. Bonus will be deposited into the account on day 61, if requirements are met. Offer expires December 31, 2022. WECU may change or discontinue this offer without notice.
- Offer is available for a limited time to qualifying individuals who have not been a member in the last twelve (12) months. Requirements to receive the $100 bonus: open a new Spend Free account, set up and receive a direct deposit of $100 or more into that new account within sixty (60) days of account opening. Bonus will be deposited into the account on day 61, if requirements are met. Offer expires December 31, 2022. WECU may change or discontinue this offer without notice.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
- First step checking has no monthly fees
- True Blue Rewards checking has a $5 monthly fee, this is waived with a direct deposit of $100+
Early Account Termination Fee
I didn’t see any early account termination fee in the fee schedule.
Our Verdict
Seems like an easy bonus to trigger, although keep the account fee free with a direct deposit is a little bit annoying but worse case you can just pay a $5 fee.
Hat tip to reader Cyril
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
looking for a family member too 🙂 [email protected]
Funded $5K with BoA Business Unlimited Cash Rewards and it posted as a purchase.
I’m looking for a referral to join if you’re interested
Just a heads up to anyone looking for a referral, I WAS willing to refer but when I tried they asked for a letter of good standing and for me to let them know I approved of the referral. I simply was not comfortable with having to do these steps as it felt more formal than a name and involved possible forms or going into a bank. I am not sure if other referrers would be fine with it, I just felt like it was something more official and I did not want to continue that process. Just some info for possible referrers or those looking to be referred.
Are you saying that the cu wanted you to give a letter of good standing for the person that you were referring…or did the person asking you to refer them ask you for the letter and for you to let the cu know you approved it? Either way, the letter request sounds unreasonable and I wouldn’t go through w it.
I’m not sure what a letter of good standing is in this context, but when I go to apply under the “family member” option, all it asks me for is a first and last name. Would you like to coordinate over email and see how it goes? If it’s too involved, we can abandon ship, but I’m thinking it’ll only amount to them calling and asking if you know me. If you or anyone else who is already a member wants to try, let me know: [email protected]
Has anyone OOS been successful in opening this through a referral? I’m interested in a referral if so but this page isn’t very active from prior members.
Can you please create a referral page for this given many people need a referral to qualify from OOS? It will be very helpful to those of us needing one!
Need a referral from a long lost family member currently banking at this CU – please drop your full name under this comment or email to prachandsneha at gmail dot com – much apreciated
churnable. Closed my “true blue rewards checking” in 2022.
6/1/24 Opened account (“Spend Plus Checking”) Chex pulled
8/1/24 Received $250
Can you please agree to send me your referral (just your name and email ID) at prachandsneha at gmail dot com so that I can apply OOS – please and thank you?
Could someone step-sibling me to qualify despite OOS? Appreciate it, will see how I can help you out too. ianuooh at gmail dot com -Ian
If anyone who has already joined is willing to coordinate with me to be my step-sibling so I can qualify OOS, lmk. I’ve already confirmed with WECU that this would be enough for me to qualify without living in WA.
Hi Penny, did you get some help with the OOS status? If you are helped, could you give me a lift too? Appreciate it. [email protected]
-Ian
No one has helped me yet, unfortunately. If someone does, I’d be happy to help you.
Keeping an eye on this – some “family member” help me out too
Open 6/11 with out of state ID but provided proof of residency/in-state mailing address. Rep called to confirm after online application due to OOS ID.
No hard pull, didn’t see a soft or other inquiry on TU or EX, no other credit alerts. Also added their 6% of 2.5k