How it works

Bank bonuses are the closest thing to free money there is — you just have to follow the recipe. Here's the whole game in four steps.

1
Pick an offer

Browse the bank promos and pick one whose requirement you can actually meet — usually a direct deposit of a certain size within a set window.
2
Open the account

Open the exact account named in the offer (the bonus is tied to that product, not just any account). Use the linked page so the promo is applied.
3
Meet the terms

Set up the qualifying direct deposit (or balance), and leave it alone for the required holding period. Note the deadline — missing it by a day forfeits the bonus.
4
Collect & move on

The bonus posts (typically a few weeks later). Once the holding period ends, you're free to move the money and line up the next one. That's the stack.

Good to know

Most checking/savings bonuses use a soft pull or none at all — they're deposit accounts, not credit. The offer page will say if a hard pull applies.

Yes — banks report bonuses as interest income on a 1099-INT. Set a little aside. It's still free money, just not tax-free money.

Absolutely — that's the point. Just track each account's deadline and holding period so you don't trip a requirement.