Bank of America $100–$500 Checking Account Bonus (2026) - Review & Requirements
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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, 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, and SoFi 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), 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.
Is there a Bank of America $750 bonus?
Yes, but it's a business offer, not a personal one. The personal checking bonus on this page tops out at $500, for $10,000 in direct deposits. The $750 is the Bank of America Business Advantage checking bonus: deposit $15,000 within 30 days and keep it for 60 days to earn $750 (or $5,000 for $400). It's for new business checking customers and runs through December 31, 2026. If you have a business, that's the one worth a look — our Bank of America business bonus guide is linked below.
Related Bonus Reviews
Full Requirements
Open a Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking or Advantage Relationship Banking account through the offer page by September 30, 2026, then set up and receive qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of opening. What you get scales with the total: $100 at $2,000, $300 at $5,000, and $500 at $10,000 or more. PICK THE RIGHT ACCOUNT. SafeBalance Banking is not eligible for these direct-deposit tiers at all; it has its own separate $100 offer that instead asks for 20 qualifying debit card or Zelle transactions within 60 days. The bonus is paid within 60 days of the deposit period ending and the account must be open and in good standing when it lands.
Fees
This $12/mo is Advantage Plus, the account the direct-deposit tiers require. Advantage Relationship also qualifies and is $25/mo. Both fees are waivable, for example with a qualifying daily balance, a qualifying direct deposit each statement cycle, or Preferred Rewards. The cheaper $4.95 SafeBalance account does not earn these tiers; its own $100 offer is a debit and Zelle transaction offer, not a direct-deposit one.
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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Sources (3)
We last checked this against the bank's page on August 18, 2026.
Historical Promotions
The current $500 is the highest we've tracked since August 2025.
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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.