Update 10/3/26: Bonus is back, this time for $200 (was up to $300 but required the premium account) and can be opened online. Was in branch only before. Hat tip to reader Bockrr
Update 10/17/24: Extended to October 31, 2024.
Update 10/5/24: Deal is back until October 15, 2024. Seems to be in branch only Hat tip to DesertActor
Update 7/23/22: Deal is back until December 31, 2022. Hat tip to payyoutuesday.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $300
- Availability: Must live, work or worship in Pima, Pinal, Cochise, or Maricopa Counties, Gila River Indian Community Reservation, Arizona’s “Copper Basin” Area
- Direct deposit required: No
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: $2,000
- Monthly fees: $12, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: Six months, bonus forfeit
- Household limit: None
- Expiration date: December 31, 2026
The Offer
Direct link to offer
- VantageWest is offering a bonus of $200 when you open a new Essential Rewards Checking account. Bonus requirements are as follows within 45 days of account opening:
- Deposit an aggregate total of $1500 in new qualifying ACH credits and/or direct deposits into the new Essential Checking account
- Complete five debit card transaction
The Fine Print
- To qualify for the 20,000 Rewards Points bonus ($200 cash value) you must open a new Essential Checking account during the promotional period and complete each of the following within 45 days of checking account opening: 1) Deposit an aggregate total of $1500 in new qualifying ACH credits and/or direct deposits into the new Essential Checking account; and 2) Complete five (5) qualifying debit card point-of-sale (POS) purchase transactions using the associated debit card.
- Promotion runs October 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026. Your checking account must remain open for at least 6 months. If it is closed within 6 months of the open date you may be responsible for reimbursement of any bonus awarded. Minimum opening deposit for Essential Checking is $20.00. Limit one new Essential Checking account, per membership and per member, will be eligible for the bonus. Offer only available to individuals who have not had a checking relationship with Vantage West in the past 6 months. Offer valid for new Essential Checking accounts only. Members with any existing Vantage West checking relationship are not eligible for the bonus. Conversions between checking accounts are not eligible for the bonus. Offer cannot be combined with any other offers associated with opening a checking account.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Premium Rewards Checking ($200 Bonus)
This account has a $12 monthly fee. This is waived if you do any of the following:
minimum daily balance of $3,000, orcombined average daily balance in all deposit accounts of $10,000 ormonthly net direct deposit of $750
Essential Checking ($200 Bonus)
This account has no monthly fees to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
Account must be kept open for six months, otherwise bonus will be deducted.
Our Verdict
This offer is significantly better than the old $200 bonus as no direct deposit is required. VantageWest also offer a 5% card. This bonus is definitely worth doing and even better due to the higher than normal bonus and the credit card funding available. Will be added to the best checking bonuses.
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