Bank bonuses are taxable interest — expect a 1099-INT. See our bank bonus tax guide.
What Counts as Direct Deposit
102 reports across 2 sources. Last report Jul 10, 2026. Doctor of Credit comments 69, Reddit 33.
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.
YESCurrent ACH push25 reports · 24 worked · 1 failed · last report Jul 10, 202624 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Jul 2026. 20W/1F, lastW 2026-07-10 + multiple independent DoC comments ("Current still works!" 7/05; push with 'Payroll DD' note).
YESOnepay ACH push14 reports · 13 worked · 1 failed · last report Jun 29, 202613 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Jun 2026.
YESEmployer payroll or government benefit deposit3 reports · 2 worked · 1 failed · last report May 1, 2026The only near-universal trigger — real payroll or SSA/pension/tax-refund, PPD-coded. 2 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed May 2026.
YESAlly ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
YESDiscover ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
YESSchwab ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
YESSoFi ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
YESTax refund (IRS)From the bank published terms and our own checks
YESWells Fargo ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
MAYBEFidelity Cash Management ACH push27 reports · 21 worked · 6 failed · last report Jul 2, 2026The #1 workaround pusher; codes payroll-like at most banks. 21 member reports of it working, 6 of it failing, last confirmed Mar 2026. 5F thru 5/29, lastW 2024-10.
MAYBEChase Business (payroll ACH)12 reports · 11 worked · 1 failed · last report Jun 27, 2026General 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). 11 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed Jun 2026. payroll ACH 11W/0F thru 6/27; name-mismatch pushes returned 7/08 — push in the owner's name.
MAYBEWise ACH push5 reports · 2 worked · 3 failed · last report Jul 2, 2026General note: Mixed; stopped counting at SoFi ~03/2026. 2 member reports of it working, 3 of it failing, last confirmed May 2026.
MAYBEU.S. Bank Business (payroll ACH)4 reports · 3 worked · 1 failed · last report May 29, 2026Business-account ACH, tracker-labeled separately from personal pushes. 3 member reports of it working, 1 of it failing, last confirmed May 2026.
MAYBEPayPal ACH (standard transfer)From the bank published terms and our own checksSome reports of success. Must be standard transfer, not instant.
MAYBEVenmo ACHFrom the bank published terms and our own checksSome reports of success. Must be standard ACH, not instant.
NOZelleFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
YESCapital One Business (payroll ACH)2 reports · 2 worked · last report May 20, 2026Business-account ACH, tracker-labeled separately from 360 pushes. 2 member reports of it working, none of it failing, last confirmed May 2026.
Referral flow requires opening via referral link, receiving $200+ qualifying direct deposit, and activating physical debit card within 14 days of DD. 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
Chime is currently offering a $100 checking bonus. The core requirement is a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days. The eligible account has no monthly maintenance fee documented in the catalog.
Pros
+$100 cash bonus
+No monthly maintenance fee
+No documented hard credit pull
+Available nationwide, subject to the bank's eligibility rules
Cons
-Lifetime or one-bonus-per-customer language applies
-No published end date; terms can change without notice
Notes
Make a single direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days. Keep the account open and in good standing until the bonus posts.
How This Compares to Other Bonuses
Chime'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 Chime checking bonus?
Chime currently advertises $100. The principal requirement is a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days.
Does the Chime bonus require direct deposit?
Yes. The catalog currently records a qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more within 45 days. Confirm the bank's exact definition before applying.
When should the Chime bonus post?
The bank does not provide a dependable posting estimate in our current record, so keep the account open until payment arrives.
Referral flow requires opening via referral link, receiving $200+ qualifying direct deposit, and activating physical debit card within 14 days of DD. Portal stack offers are variable. NOTE ON THE AMOUNT: Chime says the referral bonus may vary based on your active offer and member factors - $100 is the standard amount, not a guarantee; check the in-app offer before counting on it. Referrers are capped at 10 referral rewards per calendar year.
Fees
Monthly Fee$0
No monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement.
ChexSystems & Credit Pull
Chex SensitivityLow
Hard PullNo
Soft PullYes
No known Chex pull; fintech-style soft screening.
Eligibility
AvailabilityNationwide
Lifetime LimitYes
New users only for referee bonus; referee referral bonus is one-time. Chime states the amount can vary by active offer, member tenure, and time of year (help.chime.com standard-referral-program page, read 2026-08-22); the page still headlines $100 with a single $200+ qualifying direct deposit within 45 days and card activation within 14 days, all re-confirmed the same day.
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.