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

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

By Nathaniel Booth2026-04-10Bank Bonuses
CheckingBank BonusDirect DepositTransaction RequirementRegional
Offer Details
Bonus Amount$100
Account TypeChecking
Direct Deposit RequiredYes
Min Per Deposit$500
Number of Deposits2
Deposit Window90 days
Transactions Required10 qualifying transactions
Bonus Posts In~21 days
MediumDebit card transactions on top of the deposit
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Affiliate disclosure: Fat Stacks Academy may earn a commission if you open an account through this link, at no additional cost to you.

At a Glance
Requirements
  • Direct deposit: 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each
  • Deposit window: 90 days
  • Make 10 debit card transactions
Eligibility
  • Availability: OH, IN, IL, KY
  • No stated lifetime limit
  • ChexSystems sensitivity: Unknown
Fees
  • No early-closure rule listed
Payout & closure
  • Bonus posts: ~21 days
Open account →
No published end date
Bank bonuses are taxable interest — expect a 1099-INT. See our bank bonus tax guide.

What Counts as Direct Deposit

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.

YESEmployer payrollFrom the bank published terms and our own checksThe safest method — always codes as a direct deposit.
YESGovernment benefits (SSA, pension, unemployment)From the bank published terms and our own checks
MAYBEAlly / Alliant ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checksDD-coded ACH that works at many banks; confirm for this one.
MAYBEFidelity ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checksThe most reliable workaround — Fidelity sends properly DD-coded ACH that triggers at most banks. Worth trying first.
MAYBESchwab ACH pushFrom the bank published terms and our own checksInconsistent across banks — use payroll or Fidelity if you can.
NOMobile check / cash depositFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
NOPayPal / Venmo / Cash App ACHFrom the bank published terms and our own checksUsually code as P2P, not direct deposit. A few very lenient banks (Citi, Capital One) are exceptions.
NOTransfer from your own account at the same bankFrom the bank published terms and our own checksInternal transfers never count.
NOWire transferFrom the bank published terms and our own checks
NOZelleFrom the bank published terms and our own checksCodes as P2P at nearly every bank.
How we know
A new customer opens an eligible First Financial checking account through an existing customer's referral, then within 90 days makes at least 10 debit card transactions of $10 or more and receives at least TWO separate direct deposits of $500 or more each. 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

First Financial Bank is currently offering a $100 checking bonus. The core requirement is 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each within 90 days. The eligible account has no monthly maintenance fee documented in the catalog.

Pros

+$100 cash bonus
+No documented hard credit pull
+90-day qualification window

Cons

-Geographic restrictions apply
-No published end date; terms can change without notice

Notes

Make 2 SINGLE direct deposits of $500 or more each within 90 days. Allow approximately 21 days for the bonus to post after qualification.

How This Compares to Other Bonuses

First Financial 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 First Financial Bank checking bonus?

First Financial Bank currently advertises $100. The principal requirement is 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each within 90 days.

Does the First Financial Bank bonus require direct deposit?

Yes. The catalog currently records 2 separate direct deposits of $500 or more each within 90 days. Confirm the bank's exact definition before applying.

When should the First Financial Bank bonus post?

The tracked estimate is about 21 days after you satisfy the requirements.

Full Requirements

A new customer opens an eligible First Financial checking account through an existing customer's referral, then within 90 days makes at least 10 debit card transactions of $10 or more and receives at least TWO separate direct deposits of $500 or more each. A single $1,000 deposit does not qualify, because the bank asks for two deposits. Apply online.

Fees

Not stated.

ChexSystems & Credit Pull

Chex SensitivityUnknown
Hard PullNo

ChexSystems / credit-pull policy not officially stated.

Eligibility

AvailabilityOH, IN, IL, KY
Lifetime LimitNo

First Financial Bank is a multi-state regional (OH, IN, IL, KY). Paid as a $100 Visa Virtual Reward Card ~3 weeks after completion. Referral-based. (Former BankFinancial IL clients eligible after 4/15/2026.) No fixed deadline stated.

Apply

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

Sources (1)

We last checked this against the bank's page on July 27, 2026.

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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.
Unlocking also subscribes you to the free weekly bonus newsletter. Unsubscribe anytime.
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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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