[Expired] Academy Bank $500 Checking Account Bonus (2026) - Review & Requirements
Below is the offer exactly as we last tracked it, kept for reference. It may no longer be available to open.
- Direct deposit: $10,000 in qualifying direct deposits
- Deposit window: 90 days
- Minimum opening deposit: $100
- Enroll in digital / online banking
- Availability: MO, CO, AZ, KS, AR
- Lifetime limit: one bonus per customer
- ChexSystems sensitivity: Unknown
- Monthly fee: $20/mo — Elite Investment Checking has no monthly service charge if you keep a $5,000 daily balance or a $10,000 average balance in a statement cycle. Otherwise it costs $20 a month.
- Early closure fee: $25
- Bonus posts: ~60 days
What Counts as Direct Deposit
Based on community data points and bank terms. Employer payroll is always the safest method. "Mixed" means some users report success but it is not guaranteed.
Overview
Academy Bank's $500 checking offer is no longer available. This page preserves the final tracked requirements, source, and offer history so you can compare it with currently active bonuses.
Pros
Cons
Notes
Receive $10,000+ in direct deposits within 90 days. Allow approximately 60 days for the bonus to post after qualification.
How This Compares to Other Bonuses
Academy Bank's $500 offer is closest in headline value to Bank of America's $500 checking bonus. Compare the direct-deposit requirement, geographic eligibility, fees, approval sensitivity, and payout timing, not only the advertised amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current Academy Bank checking bonus?
The final offer we tracked paid $500; it is now marked expired.
Does the Academy Bank bonus require direct deposit?
Yes. The catalog currently records $10,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. Confirm the bank's exact definition before applying.
When should the Academy Bank bonus post?
The tracked estimate is about 60 days after you satisfy the requirements.
Full Requirements
This offer has ended. It paid $500 when you opened a new Elite Investment Checking account with a $100 opening balance, enrolled in online banking, and received at least four direct deposits totaling $10,000 within 90 days of opening. The bonus was deposited within 60 days of direct deposit verification. Apply online.
Fees
Elite Investment Checking has no monthly service charge if you keep a $5,000 daily balance or a $10,000 average balance in a statement cycle. Otherwise it costs $20 a month.
ChexSystems & Credit Pull
ChexSystems / credit-pull policy not officially stated.
Eligibility
Academy Bank (Missouri, Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, and Arkansas). Elite Investment Checking requires a $100 opening balance, and closing a new account within 90 days of opening costs $25. The bonus is no longer offered.
Sources (3)
We last checked this against the bank's page on July 27, 2026.
Add this offer directly to your dashboard so you can track its requirements, deadline, and payout.
Stacks OS also tells you which bonus to do next for YOUR paycheck.
What actually counts as a direct deposit at 53 banks. Fidelity, Schwab, ACH pushes, all in one printable table, verified.
Comments (0)
Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission when you open an account through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Commissions do not influence our reviews — we verify offer terms directly with each bank before publishing and do not accept paid placement in our rankings. Bonus offers, requirements, and fees are determined by each financial institution and may change at any time. Always verify the current terms directly with the bank before applying. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.