Direct deposit: $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits
Deposit window: 90 days
Minimum opening deposit: $25
Enter the offer's promo code when you apply
Eligibility
Availability: 14 states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, MN, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WI
No stated lifetime limit
Fees
Monthly fee: $0 — Smart Advantage Checking has $0 monthly fee. Smart Money is $5/month (under 25 waived) and Relationship is $25/month.
Early closure fee: $50
Payout & closure
Bonus posts: ~100 days
Account hold: Must keep open 100 days
Valid through September 8, 2026
Bank bonuses are taxable interest — expect a 1099-INT. See our bank bonus tax guide.
What Counts as Direct Deposit
186 reports across 1 source. Last report Jul 5, 2026. Doctor of Credit comments 186.
Employer payroll is always the safest method. "Maybe" means some people report it working and it is not guaranteed. Open a row to see the individual reports.
YESChase Business (payroll ACH)35 reports · 31 worked · 4 failed · last report Mar 31, 2026How it posts: "direct deposit"General note: Payroll-coded ACH run from Chase Business checking — a sole prop does this legitimately as a Gusto owner's draw (never a fake W-2). 31 member reports of it working, 4 of it failing, last confirmed Mar 2026. Members report it posting as "direct deposit". payroll 17W/2F but a fresh fail 2026-07-05 — strong, the fresh fail keeps it from yes.
YESEmployer payroll or government benefit deposit25 reports · 20 worked · 5 failed · last report Apr 18, 2026How it posts: "Promotional Incentive"The only near-universal trigger — real payroll or SSA/pension/tax-refund, PPD-coded. 20 member reports of it working, 5 of it failing, last confirmed Mar 2026. Members report it posting as "Promotional Incentive".
YESTreasuryDirect ACH push22 reports · 19 worked · 3 failed · last report Jan 21, 2026General note: Gov-coded; helps at strict banks (Chase, BofA), fails at Ally/Amex. 19 member reports of it working, 3 of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2026. 5W/0F, lastW 2026-03-26.
YESAlliant ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checksConfirmed working with multiple data points.
YESAlly ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checksConfirmed working with multiple data points.
YESDiscover ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
MAYBEWise ACH push34 reports · 26 worked · 8 failed · last report Mar 29, 2026How it posts: "Payroll DD"General note: Mixed; stopped counting at SoFi ~03/2026. 26 member reports of it working, 8 of it failing, last confirmed Mar 2026. Members report it posting as "Payroll DD".
MAYBEFidelity Cash Management ACH push24 reports · 11 worked · 13 failed · last report May 15, 2026The #1 workaround pusher; codes payroll-like at most banks. 11 member reports of it working, 13 of it failing, last confirmed Feb 2026. Members report it posting as "WEB FID BKG SVC LLC ACH". CMA 2W 2026; the third-party 'EFT to someone else' CMA route 8W/2F thru 6/23.
MAYBECharles Schwab ACH push21 reports · 7 worked · 14 failed · last report Jan 2, 2026General note: Historically strong; deteriorating at Chase/Huntington in early 2026. 7 member reports of it working, 14 of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2026.
MAYBEChase (personal) ACH push9 reports · 4 worked · 5 failed · last report May 18, 2026Personal-checking ACH pushes only. 4 member reports of it working, 5 of it failing, last confirmed May 2026.
MAYBECapital One 360 ACH push4 reports · 2 worked · 2 failed · last report May 1, 2025General note: Good; fails at Chase. 2 member reports of it working, 2 of it failing, last confirmed May 2025.
MAYBEBank of America ACH push3 reports · 2 worked · 1 failed · last report Mar 29, 20262 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Jan 2025.
NOPayPal ACHFrom the bank published terms and our own checksP2P transfers do not work.
NOVenmo ACHFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
NOZelleFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
YESMerrill Edge ACH push2 reports · 2 worked · last report Sep 11, 2023Primarily a source; own bonuses are asset-transfer, not DD. 2 member reports of it working, none of it failing, last confirmed Sep 2023.
NOAmex Business (payroll ACH)2 reports · 1 worked · 1 failed · last report Mar 29, 2026General note: Amex Business Checking ACH, tracker-labeled separately from the consumer HYSA/Rewards Checking (amex_savings). 1 member report of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Dec 2021.
Then have a cumulative total of $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits post within 90 days of opening. Source
The reports come from Doctor of Credit comment threads, public Reddit posts, and members who told us what happened to their own deposit. Each one is dated where the person gave a date. Read how we check offers.
Reports are attached to the offer, never to your name. Members can log one from their account instead.
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 change, so always verify with the bank.
Overview
BMO's $400 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
+$400 cash bonus
+No monthly maintenance fee
+90-day qualification window
Cons
-Geographic restrictions apply
Notes
Receive $4,000+ in direct deposits within 90 days. Allow approximately 100 days for the bonus to post after qualification. Keep the account open for at least 100 days.
How This Compares to Other Bonuses
BMO's $400 offer is closest in headline value to PNC Bank's $400 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 BMO checking bonus?
The final offer we tracked paid $400; it is now marked expired.
Does the BMO bonus require direct deposit?
Yes. The catalog currently records $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. Confirm the bank's exact definition before applying.
When should the BMO bonus post?
The tracked estimate is about 100 days after you satisfy the requirements.
Open a BMO Smart Money, BMO Smart Advantage or BMO Relationship Checking account with the promo code between June 30, 2026 and September 8, 2026, and have your opening deposit and signed account documents in by September 8. Then have a cumulative total of $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits post within 90 days of opening. Keep the account in good standing with a balance above zero when the bonus is paid. Closing inside 90 days costs a $50 early closure fee.
Fees
Monthly Fee$0
Smart Advantage Checking has $0 monthly fee. Smart Money is $5/month (under 25 waived) and Relationship is $25/month.
Early Closure Fee$50
ChexSystems & Credit Pull
Chex/EWS pull type and sensitivity are not clearly stated in the provided text.
Eligibility
Availability14 states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IL, IN, MN, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WI
Lifetime LimitNo
The person listed first on the account has to live in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wisconsin at the time you apply, and BMO may ask for proof of address. You cannot already hold a BMO personal checking account or have closed one in the past 12 months, and it is one bonus per customer.
Sources (2)
We last checked this against the bank's page on September 8, 2026.
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.
