Update 9/15/26: There is a new link with no state restrictions in the fine print, I assume this means it’s open again to Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin? Hat tip to reader Matt J
Update 7/10/26: Deal is back.Some changes:
Ready has been increased to $400 (was $300).Offer now restricted to FL, MI, and OH residents
$500 average daily balance requirement removed
Hat tip to reader Pickle Rick
Offer at a glance
Maximum bonus amount: $350
Availability: Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin
Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
Additional requirements: $500 average balance
Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
ChexSystems: Yes
Credit card funding: None
Monthly fees: $0-$15
Early account termination fee: 180 days, bonus forfeit
Household limit: One
Expiration date: April 30, 2024
The Offer
Direct link to offer
Flagstar Bank is offering a checking bonus of up to $500.$400 when you open a Flagstar Ready Checking and complete the following requirements:
Must be a FL, MI, or OH resident
Within 90 days receive 3 monthly direct deposits totaling: $1,500 ($500/month)
$500 when you open a Flagstar Elite Checking and complete the following requirements:
Within 90 days receive 3 monthly direct deposits totaling: $7,500 ($2,500/month)
The Fine Print
You must be a new personal checking customer of Flagstar Bank.
You must open a Flagstar Ready Checking or Flagstar Elite Checking account.
Minimum $50 deposit to open checking account.
You will receive a $250 credit for Flagstar Ready Checking or a $350 credit for Flagstar Elite Checking into this account as a bonus 91-104 days after an initial deposit is made to the new account (account funding) opened, subject to the following conditions:
Within the first 90 days of the account funding (bonus period) you must maintain an average daily Balance of $500 or more and have one or more direct deposits (ACH credits) totaling $500 or more.
Additionally, (i) this offer is limited to one checking bonus per household, (ii)Flagstar Ready Checking account must be funded within 90 days of the account opening date, Flagstar Elite Checking account must be funded within 60 days of the account opening date, (iii) early account closure fee and reclamation of bonus may be imposed for accounts closed within 180 days, and (iv) Flagstar Bank employees are not eligible for the offer.
If you have been paid a checking cash bonus previously, you are ineligible to receive this offer.
For tax purposes, you will receive an IRS form from Flagstar Bank.
Offer subject to change or cancellation at any time without notice.Receiving this offer does not guarantee your eligibility.A
ll account applications are subject to our normal approval process.Area restrictions may apply.
Offer expires April 30, 2024.
All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Note: Effective May 1, 2026, there will be changes to your Flagstar Ready Checking account.See below:
The Monthly Service Charge will increase from $3 to $10
The criteria for reducing and/or waiving the fee have been updated to the following: You may reduce the fee to $5 by meeting any one of the requirements for each statement cycle, or you can fully waive the fee by meeting any two of the following requirements for each statement cycle:
Enroll in electronic statement delivery (eStatements)
Receive one or more direct deposits (ACH credits) totaling $500 or more in each statement cycle
Maintain an average balance of $1,000 or more per cycle
Primary Owner is age 24 years or less
Flagstar ready checking account has no monthly fee when you opt into eStatements
Flagstar Elite Checking has a $15 monthly service charge.Monthly maintenance service fee waived with any ONE of the following: Active U.S.military/veteran; $25,000 average daily balance in combined Flagstar linked personal deposit and/or wealth services accounts
Early Account Termination Fee
Bonus is forfeit if account is closed within 180 days
Our Verdict
Previously there was a $250 bonus that didn’t require a direct deposit.Seems to be available in more states now due to the NYCB merger.The $350 checking bonus isn’t worth considering due to the $25,000 deposit requirement to keep the account fee free (remember account needs to be kept open for 180 days to avoid the closure fee).
If you put those funds into a high yield account earning 5% you’d earn $625.We will add this bonus to our best bank account bonuses.
Hat tip to reader Jason S
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