Blog/Best Checking Bonuses/Bell Bank $100 Checking Account Bonus (2026) - Review & Requirements

Bell Bank $100 Checking Account Bonus (2026) - Review & Requirements

✓ Verified Aug 18, 2026; published end date 2026-12-31
By Nathaniel Booth2026-04-10Last updated 2026-08-11Bank Bonuses
CheckingBank BonusDirect DepositTransaction RequirementRegional
Offer Details
Bonus Amount$100
Account TypeChecking
Direct Deposit Required$1,500 total
Transactions Required10 qualifying transactions
Bonus Posts In~5 days
Keep Account Open60 days
Open account →

Affiliate disclosure: Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission if you open an account through this link, at no additional cost to you.

Bank bonuses are taxable interest — expect a 1099-INT. See our bank bonus tax guide.

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.

YES
Employer payroll
The safest method — always codes as a direct deposit.
YES
Government benefits (SSA, pension, unemployment)
MAYBE
Fidelity ACH push
The most reliable workaround — Fidelity sends properly DD-coded ACH that triggers at most banks. Worth trying first.
MAYBE
Ally / Alliant ACH push
DD-coded ACH that works at many banks; confirm for this one.
MAYBE
Schwab ACH push
Inconsistent across banks — use payroll or Fidelity if you can.
NO
PayPal / Venmo / Cash App ACH
Usually code as P2P, not direct deposit. A few very lenient banks (Citi, Capital One) are exceptions.
NO
Zelle
Codes as P2P at nearly every bank.
NO
Wire transfer
NO
Mobile check / cash deposit
NO
Transfer from your own account at the same bank
Internal transfers never count.
Source: our guide to what counts as direct deposit, verified per-bank against official terms and community data points (originally compiled with help from Doctor of Credit). Data points may change — always verify with the bank.

Overview

Bell Bank is currently offering a $100 checking bonus. The core requirement is $1,500 in qualifying direct deposits. The eligible account has no monthly maintenance fee documented in the catalog.

Who This Checking Bonus Is Best For

Applicants who can safely route $1,500 in qualifying direct deposits without disrupting higher-value offers, and who meet every geographic and prior-customer restriction.

How to Maximize This Bonus

Receive $1,500+ in direct deposits. Allow approximately 5 days for the bonus to post after qualification. Keep the account open for at least 60 days.

Pros

+$100 cash bonus
+No documented hard credit pull

Cons

-Geographic restrictions apply
-Lifetime or one-bonus-per-customer language applies

How This Compares to Other Bonuses

Bell Bank's $100 offer is closest in headline value to Current's $100 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 Bell Bank checking bonus?

Bell Bank currently advertises $100. The principal requirement is $1,500 in qualifying direct deposits.

Does the Bell Bank bonus require direct deposit?

Yes. The catalog currently records $1,500 in qualifying direct deposits. Confirm the bank's exact definition before applying.

When should the Bell Bank bonus post?

The tracked estimate is about 5 days after you satisfy the requirements.

Full Requirements

Open your first ever personal checking account at Bell Bank, using a current promo code, and keep it open 60 days. In that time you need two or more recurring direct deposits totaling at least $1,500, not counting transfers from another bank, plus either 10 debit card transactions or one recurring automatic payment. Without a promo code entered at opening you do not qualify. Apply online.

Fees

Not stated.

ChexSystems & Credit Pull

Chex SensitivityUnknown
Hard PullNo

ChexSystems / credit-pull policy not officially stated.

Eligibility

AvailabilityMN
Lifetime LimitYes

Bell Bank operates in Minnesota, North Dakota and Arizona, and the account is its America's Best Checking. The bonus is only available to customers who open with a current promo code, which Bell distributes through partnerships rather than publishing on its main checking page. One live example is code SUNSFAN100 on Bell's Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury partner pages. Limit one bonus per household and per account, it cannot be combined with any other offer, and Bell employees are excluded. The money lands within 5 business days after you qualify. Expires December 31, 2026.

Apply

Open Account →

Affiliate disclosure: Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission if you open an account through this link, at no additional cost to you.

Sources (2)

We last checked this against the bank's page on August 18, 2026.

More Bell Bank offers we track

Bell Bank Business $500 Savings Bonus
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The Direct Deposit Cheat Sheet

What actually counts as a direct deposit at 53 banks. Fidelity, Schwab, ACH pushes, all in one printable table, verified.

Free. Unlocks instantly here and arrives by email.
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Affiliate Disclosure

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.

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