[WA only] WECU $250 Checking Bonus

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

The Offer

Direct link to 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