Bank Independent
Bank Independent Independent Checking $200 Bonus
- Bonus amount
- $200
- Time to complete
- ~60 days
- Bonus deposited in
- ~120 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Requirements
Last verified: Aug 18, 2026
Open account
Open a new Bank Independent personal checking account. $25 minimum to open (Independent, Independent Plus, or Value tiers; $100 for Independent Interest).
2 recurring direct deposits within 60 days
Receive at least 2 recurring ACH direct deposits into the new account within 60 days of account opening.
Keep the account open 60 days
Maintain an open and active account for 60 days from account opening. The bank evaluates the bonus criteria after that window.
Bank Independent evaluates the bonus criteria after the account has been open 60 days, then deposits the $200 within 60 days of that evaluation.
Account Details
The account must stay open and active for 60 days from opening before the bank evaluates the bonus criteria; the $200 is then deposited within 60 days of that evaluation.
Eligibility
One bonus per customer or household; the promo page does not otherwise restrict to brand-new customers, but treat as new-account-only per the standard one-per-household limit.
- Alabama-only community bank (Shoals / north Alabama footprint, FDIC cert 16604).
- Bonus applies to any of the four personal checking tiers (Independent, Independent Plus, Independent Interest, Value). This entry tracks the free no-monthly-fee Independent Checking tier; Independent Interest requires a $100 minimum deposit instead of $25.
Tips & Gotchas
- →The bank's own footnote specifies 'at least two' recurring ACH direct deposits within 60 days, not just one.
- →Every tier's OPEN NOW button links straight to a MeridianLink application, so you can open the account online in one sitting.
- →The base Independent Checking tier has no monthly fee and only needs $25 to open. Independent Interest needs $100 to open instead.
- →Let the banker know about the promotion at account opening (or enter the promotion description in the online application) to be credited for the bonus.
- →This is Bank Independent (Sheffield, AL), not the unrelated Michigan/Ohio-based 'Independent Bank.'
Can You Earn This Bonus Again?
Fine Print
One bonus per customer or household. To earn the $200 bonus, you must have at least two recurring ACH direct deposits posted to your new personal or business checking account within 60 days of account opening, and let the bank know about the promotion at account opening (or enter the promotion description in the appropriate field if opened online). The account must remain open and active for 60 days from opening; the bank evaluates the bonus criteria after that window and deposits the bonus within 60 days of evaluation. Member FDIC.
Taxable income · Reported on 1099-INT
Related Articles
What is a direct deposit?
An electronic payment sent directly into your bank account, usually from an employer or government.
Does Zelle Count as Direct Deposit for Bank Bonuses?
Usually no. At most banks a Zelle payment arrives coded as peer-to-peer and will not trigger the bonus. Citi is the clear exception. Its Enhanced Direct Deposit terms name Zelle as a qualifying deposit, and every Zelle report we have from Citi got paid.
What is a hold period?
The minimum time you must keep your balance in an account before the bonus is paid out.
Also see: this month's best bank bonuses and community DD data points.
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