Citizens Bank $400 Checking Bonus (Direct Deposit Required)

Citizens Bank is offering a $400 checking bonus with relatively simple requirements. However, they only offer checking accounts to residents of certain states mainly in the Eastern and Northeastern US (CT, DC, DE, FL, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT or VA; they will use your zip code to verify). Thanks to reader Steve for the tip.

Bonus requirements. You must open your first new personal checking account between 4/1/26 and 6/30/26 and have at least one single direct deposit of $1,000 or more within 60 days of account opening. Note: Primary signer may not be or have been a signer on any other Citizens personal checking or savings account within the previous six months. New account(s) must have a balance greater than zero and remain open and active through the payout date.

Eligible checking accounts. The lowest-cost option appears to be the “One Deposit Checking”, which has no monthly fee as long as you make one deposit of any kind during each statement period (otherwise it is $9.99 per month).

This is another relatively easy bonus for those that can switch/split their paycheck direct deposit easily online. Mine is split five different ways sometimes…