Varo Bank $150 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
Varo's $150 referral bonus is one of the easiest checking bonuses to earn. Open an account through a referral link, receive one qualifying direct deposit of $500+, and you're done. No monthly fees, no minimum balance, and Varo is one of the most ChexSystems-friendly banks available — making it ideal for people who've been denied elsewhere.
Who This Checking Bonus Is Best For
People who want a fast, easy bonus with minimal requirements. Especially valuable for anyone with ChexSystems issues who've been denied by traditional banks — Varo's approval rate is very high.
How to Maximize This Bonus
You must open your account through a referral link — there's no public bonus for signing up directly. Once open, route at least $500 from one paycheck as a direct deposit. The bonus posts quickly after the qualifying deposit clears. Since there's no holding period requirement, you can move on to your next bonus immediately after receiving it. This makes Varo an excellent "quick hit" between larger bonuses.
Pros
Cons
How This Compares to Other Bonuses
Varo's $150 is less than Chase ($400) or Wells Fargo ($400), but the effort-to-reward ratio is excellent. The $500 single deposit requirement is the lowest among checking bonuses tracked here. Compare to Chime ($100 with $200 DD) — Varo pays more, though it needs a larger $500 direct deposit (2.5x Chime's $200). For people cycling through bonuses, Varo is a great filler between larger bonuses that have longer timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Varo do a hard pull or ChexSystems check?
No hard pull and no traditional ChexSystems check. Varo does a soft pull only, making it one of the most accessible banks for people with banking history issues.
How quickly does the Varo bonus post?
The bonus typically posts within a few days of your qualifying direct deposit clearing. This is significantly faster than most bank bonuses which take 60-150 days.
Can I use an ACH transfer instead of a real direct deposit?
Varo's terms specify qualifying direct deposits. Payroll is the safest method. Some users have reported success with ACH transfers from certain banks, but results vary.
Is Varo a real bank?
Yes. Varo Bank, N.A. is a nationally chartered, FDIC-insured bank. It was the first consumer fintech to receive a national bank charter in the U.S.
Related Bonus Reviews
Full Requirements
YOUR NUMBERS ARE NOT OURS TO GUESS: Varo sets both the reward and the deposit you have to make per person, and only shows them to you. Varo's own referral terms say to "Check your email or in the Varo App to determine the amount you are eligible to earn", and put the qualifying deposit at "between $500-$1,000, check your email/app for the amount applicable to your offer". So open through a referral link, there is no public sign-up path for this bonus, then look up YOUR two figures before you send anything: if your offer asks for $1,000 and you deposit $500, you get nothing. Typically the offer is $150 for a $500 deposit and some people are shown $100, but treat that as the common case rather than your case. Whatever your figure, the deposit has to land within 45 days of opening and the account has to stay in good standing until the bonus posts.
Fees
No monthly fee.
ChexSystems & Credit Pull
No known Chex pull; soft pull only.
Eligibility
Must never have been a Varo customer, including legacy Varo Money, Inc.
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Sources (3)
We last checked this against the bank's page on August 15, 2026.
Historical Promotions
The current $150 is the highest we've tracked since January 2026.
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What actually counts as a direct deposit at 53 banks. Fidelity, Schwab, ACH pushes, all in one printable table, verified.
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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.