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Columbia Bank

Columbia Bank Advantage Plus Checking $500 Bonus

Columbia Bank, a New Jersey community bank, pays you $500 for opening an Advantage Plus Checking account and receiving $2,000 in direct deposits within 60 days. You can earn up to $500 more by adding $10,000 or more in new money to the account within 15 days and keeping it there for 120 days. The account carries a $10 monthly fee, waived with $1,000+ in direct deposits or 3+ bill payments per cycle.

Bonus amount
$500
Expires
Not listed
Time to complete
~60 days
Bonus deposited in
~120 days
Difficulty
Easy
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Requirements

Last verified: Oct 6, 2026

  1. Open an account

    Open a new Columbia Bank Advantage Plus Checking account. The minimum opening deposit is $0.01.

  2. Receive $2,000 in direct deposits

    Receive ACH direct deposit credits totaling at least $2,000 within 60 days of account opening. Internal transfers between your own accounts do not count.

Columbia Bank verifies the direct deposit requirement, then credits the $500 to your checking account within 120 days after the date you opened the account.

Account Details

Monthly fee$10/month
Fee waiver
  • Waived when you receive more than $1,000 in direct deposits (ACH credits) per statement cycle.
  • Waived when you make 3 or more online bill payments or external ACH debits per statement cycle.
  • Automatically waived for primary account owners 22 years of age or under.
Opening deposit$0.01
Min. hold periodNo minimum
Credit inquiryThe bank does not publish this. Ask before you apply.
ChexSystemsThe bank does not publish whether it screens banking history. Ask before you apply.
AvailabilitySelect states (NJ)

Eligibility

Minimum age18+
Existing customersNot eligible

Customers who have previously received a new account opening bonus of any type from Columbia Bank on a checking or savings account are not eligible, even if a new checking account is opened.

Other restrictions
  • Columbia Bank is a New Jersey community bank; Doctor of Credit lists this promotion as limited to New Jersey residents or people who work in New Jersey.
  • Limited to one bonus per account and one per customer. Joint accounts get only one bonus even with multiple owners.

Tips & Gotchas

  • →Doctor of Credit lists this as a New Jersey-only offer, so confirm eligibility before applying if you live or work outside NJ.
  • →You can earn up to $500 more (a $250 or $500 credit depending on the amount) by adding $10,000+ or $5,000+ in new money within 15 days of account opening and holding it for a 120-day seasoning period. That is a separate, optional bonus on the same account.
  • →The account has a $10 monthly fee, waived with $1,000+ in direct deposits or 3+ online bill payments/external ACH debits per statement cycle. The fee does not apply at all if the primary owner is 22 or under.
  • →You are not eligible if you have ever received a new account opening bonus of any type from Columbia Bank on a checking or savings account, even if you open a different account type now.
  • →The payout is slow: Columbia Bank pays the $500 within 120 days after verifying your direct deposits, on top of the 60 days you have to meet the requirement.

Can You Earn This Bonus Again?

Can rechurnNo
NotesColumbia Bank excludes anyone who has previously received a new account bonus of any type, so this is a one-time offer per customer with no stated rechurn path.

Fine Print

You will receive a one-time $500 cash credit to your Advantage Plus Checking account after Columbia Bank verifies ACH credits totaling at least $2,000 posted within 60 days of account opening. The credit lands within 120 days after that verification. Customers who have previously received a new account opening bonus of any type from Columbia Bank on a checking or savings account are not eligible, even if a new checking account is opened. Limited to one bonus per account and one per customer; joint accounts receive only one bonus. The account must still be open when Columbia Bank is ready to credit the funds. This is a limited-time offer and may be discontinued at any time without prior notice.

Taxable income · Reported on 1099-INT

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Also see: this month's best bank bonuses and community DD data points.

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