[NY, Guilderland, Select Zips] Community Bank $500 Checking Bonus

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: Up to $500
• Availability: Eligible zip codes: 12203, 12205, 12084, 12159, 12222, 12208, 12209, 12210, 12206, 12211, 12303, 12304, 12186, 12223, and 12054
• Direct deposit required: Yes, recurring direct deposit
• Additional requirements: See below
• Hard/soft pull: Unknown
• ChexSystems: Unknown
• Credit card funding: Unknown
• Monthly fees: $4.95, avoidable
• Early account termination fee: Unknown
• Household limit: None
• Expiration date: 8/1/2025

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Community Bank is offering a bonus of up to $500. You receive a bonus of 10% of your initial deposit up to $500.
  • Enroll in eStatements within 90 days
  • Receive a recurring direct deposit within 90 days

The Fine Print

• Promotion valid through 8/1/2025.
• Customer must open account in person at the Guilderland NY branch, or open the account online and select Guilderland as their preferred branch and live within one of the following eligible zip codes: 12203, 12205, 12084, 12159, 12222, 12208, 12209, 12210, 12206, 12211, 12303, 12304, 12186, 12223, and 12054.
• For new money only (excludes existing CBNA dollars).
• Minimum qualifying deposit of $100 required to qualify for 10% credit, up to $500.
• For consumer checking accounts only.
• Account must remain open for at least 90 calendar days.
• Customer must be enrolled in eStatements by the 90th day.
• Account must receive a recurring direct deposit by the 90th day.
• Qualifying direct deposits include electronic deposit of payroll, Social Security, pension, or other government benefits.
• Qualifying deposit must be valid (eg. not returned unpaid).
• Bonus will be credited to the account within 15 business days after the account has been opened for 90 calendar days and all eligibility requirements are met.
• One bonus per customer.
• Offer not available for existing Community Bank checking customers or accounts converted from an existing account (only available to new Community Bank customers that do not have one of the following four eligible accounts as of May 16, 2025: Carefree Checking, 50 Direct, Premium Checking, or Simply Checking).
• Bonus must be reported as interest to the IRS on Form 1099-INT (please consult your tax advisor).
• 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 a $4.95 monthly fee. This is waived:

• Daily balance of $500 or more, OR
• 10 debit card transactions¹ per statement cycle, OR
• Lending relationship with CBNA² (excluding ChekCredit)

Early Account Termination Fee

I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF.

Our Verdict

Bonus itself looks great, shame it’s only available in a few zipcodes.

Hat tip to Nick Reyes of FM

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