Bank of America $100–$500 Checking Account Bonus (2026) - Review & Requirements
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
Bank of America's tiered checking bonus tops out at $500 for $10,000+ in direct deposits within 90 days. BofA is one of the most lenient major banks for what counts as a direct deposit — ACH pushes from Fidelity, Ally, Chase, SoFi, AmEx Serve, and many others all trigger DD credit. But mind the catch: your account type caps your tier — the no-frills Advantage SafeBalance ($4.95/mo) only qualifies for the $100 tier, so you need to open Advantage Plus or Advantage Relationship to reach $300 or $500.
Who This Checking Bonus Is Best For
Anyone who can accumulate $2,000-$10,000 in qualifying deposits over 90 days. Since BofA accepts ACH pushes from many banks and brokerages, you do not need a high salary — you can push funds from Fidelity, Ally, Chase, or SoFi accounts to meet the requirement. The $300 tier at $5,000 DD is the sweet spot for most people.
How to Maximize This Bonus
The key to maximizing this bonus is understanding the tiers: $100 for $2,000 DD, $300 for $5,000 DD, and $500 for $10,000+ DD, all within 90 days. BofA is very lenient about what counts — you do not need to change your payroll. ACH pushes from Fidelity (69 confirmed data points), Ally, Chase, SoFi, and AmEx Serve all trigger DD credit. You can push from multiple bank accounts to hit the $10,000 tier without routing your paycheck. Critically, match your account type to your target tier: Advantage SafeBalance ($4.95/mo) only earns the $100 tier — to get $300 or $500 you must open Advantage Plus ($12/mo) or Advantage Relationship ($25/mo). All three monthly fees are waivable (e.g. a qualifying daily balance, eligible activity, or Preferred Rewards). Apply by September 30, 2026.
Pros
Cons
How This Compares to Other Bonuses
The $500 top tier matches BCU ($500) and beats Chase ($400) and Wells Fargo ($400). While the DD amount is higher ($10,000 vs $1,000 for Chase), BofA is far more lenient about what counts — you can push ACH from Fidelity, Ally, Chase, or SoFi instead of changing your payroll. At Chase, only Fidelity and a handful of sources work. The $300 tier ($5,000 DD) is very competitive and easy to hit with ACH pushes. The 12-month cooldown is better than Capital One's 36 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bank of America checking account should I open for the bonus?
It depends on the tier you want. Advantage SafeBalance has the lowest monthly fee ($4.95, waivable if under 25, with a $500 daily balance, or via Preferred Rewards) — but it only qualifies for the $100 tier. To earn the $300 or $500 bonus you must open Advantage Plus ($12/mo) or Advantage Relationship ($25/mo); those fees are also waivable with a qualifying balance, eligible activity, or Preferred Rewards.
What counts as a direct deposit at Bank of America?
BofA is one of the most lenient major banks. Fidelity (69 data points), Ally (34 DPs), Chase (36 DPs), AmEx Serve (32 DPs), SoFi (28 DPs), Capital One, Discover, PenFed, Wise, USAA, and many others all trigger DD credit. Schwab, Wealthfront, and Robinhood have mixed results. PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and Vanguard do not work.
Can I meet the DD requirement without changing my payroll?
Yes. BofA accepts ACH pushes from most banks and brokerages as qualifying direct deposits. You can push money from Fidelity, Ally, Chase, SoFi, or other accounts to meet the requirement. This makes BofA one of the easiest high-value bonuses to earn.
Can I get the Bank of America bonus again?
Yes, after 12 months. You can't have had a BofA personal checking account in the past 12 months, and you can only receive one bonus per 12-month period.
Does Bank of America do a hard pull?
Reports are mixed. A soft pull is commonly reported, especially when declining overdraft protection. Some users have reported a hard inquiry in specific circumstances.
Related Bonus Reviews
Full Requirements
Tiered offer: $100 at $2,000 DD, $300 at $5,000 DD, $500 at $10,000+ DD in 90 days. ACCOUNT TYPE CAPS THE TIER: the $4.95 Advantage SafeBalance account qualifies for the $100 tier ONLY — the $300 and $500 tiers require a higher-tier account (Advantage Plus or Advantage Relationship). Open eligible checking online with promo code by 2026-09-30. (Offer extended from 2026-05-31; verified live Jun 2026.)
Fees
This $12/mo is Advantage Plus — the account you need to earn the $300 or $500 tier. (The cheaper $4.95 Advantage SafeBalance account only qualifies for the $100 tier; Advantage Relationship is $25/mo.) All three fees are waivable — e.g. a qualifying daily balance, eligible activity, or Preferred Rewards. If you're only after the $100 tier, use SafeBalance and this drops to $4.95.
ChexSystems & Credit Pull
Soft pull reported when overdraft protection is declined; Chex pull reports are mixed.
Eligibility
Must not have had a BofA personal checking account in the past 12 months; one bonus per customer every 12 months.
Apply
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Historical Promotions
No changes observed since we began tracking in February 2026.
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