Update 6/25/24: There is also a $300 bonus, should be able to stack. Requirements are as follows:
- Complete 15 purchases using your Columbia CU debit or credit card
- Have direct deposit of at least $500
- Be enrolled in e-Statements
Hat tip to Robyn
Update 1/20/24: Bonus is back, $100 again but it’s a referral so both parties can get $100. Feel free to share referrals in the comments below. Hat tip to Chuck K
Update 7/4/22: Bonus is back and now $170 instead of $100.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $170
- Availability: Must Live or work in Washington State or the Oregon community of Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah or Washington Counties [Branch locator]
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
- Additional requirements: eStatements and 15 debit card purchases
- Hard/soft pull: Soft. Now a report of a hard pull. Seems to be soft in branch and hard online.
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Fund up to $500 with a credit card per account
- Monthly fees: None
- Early account termination fee: None listed
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date:
November 11, 2021July 31, 2022
The Offer
- Columbia Credit Union is offering a bonus of $170 when you open a new income checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Enroll in eStatements
- Make a direct deposit of at least $500
- Make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia credit card in December
The Fine Print
- You must open a new Columbia Credit Union Income Checking account between October 1, 2021 and November 11, 2021, and enroll in e-statements, make at least ONE Columbia Credit Union direct deposit of $500 or more, and make at least 15 purchases using a combination of your Columbia CU debit card and Columbia CU credit card during December 2021, to receive $100.
- Visit www.columbiacu.org or a Columbia Credit Union branch for complete account information.
- Direct deposit transactions are limited to: payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits. Fiduciary and business accounts are excluded from promotion eligibility.
- Limit one payment per individual per household.
- Offer not available to individuals who have had a Columbia Credit Union checking account in the last 12 months.
- Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of payment are not eligible.
- The payment will be deposited into your checking account by February 15, 2022, after meeting eligibility requirements and the value of your payment will be reported on IRS Form 1099- INT.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
This account has no monthly fees to worry about
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find an early account termination fee in the fee schedule
Our Verdict
Previously there was a $250 checking bonus. Personally I’d recommend waiting for a bigger bonus to return as this offer is so much worse and hardly worth doing. We won’t add this to the best bank account bonuses.
Useful posts regarding bank bonuses: