Lafayette Federal Credit Union
Lafayette Federal Credit Union Checking $200 – $250 Bonus
Lafayette Federal Credit Union pays $200 when you open a new checking account with a debit card and online banking and set up a recurring direct deposit of $500 or more a month within 45 days. It pays $50 more if you open a Preferred or Premier savings account and deposit $100 within 45 days. Anyone in the U.S. can join for a one-time $10 fee. Offer ends December 31, 2026.
- Bonus range
- $200 – $250
- Expires
- Dec 31, 2026
- Time to complete
- ~45 days
- Paid after opening
- ~105 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Requirements
Last verified: Nov 9, 2026
$200 Tier
Open an account
Join Lafayette Federal as a new member and open a new checking account with a debit card and online banking by December 31, 2026. Outside the D.C. area, membership costs a one-time $10 fee.
Set up a $500 monthly direct deposit
Set up and keep at least one recurring direct deposit of $500 or more per month within 45 days of account opening. It has to be a paycheck, pension, Social Security or other periodic payment from an outside organization.
$250 Tier
Open an account
Join Lafayette Federal as a new member and open a new checking account with a debit card and online banking by December 31, 2026. Outside the D.C. area, membership costs a one-time $10 fee.
Set up a $500 monthly direct deposit
Set up and keep at least one recurring direct deposit of $500 or more per month within 45 days of account opening. It has to be a paycheck, pension, Social Security or other periodic payment from an outside organization.
Deposit $100 in savings
Open a Preferred or Premier savings account and deposit at least $100 within 45 days of account opening. This earns the extra $50.
Each bonus is deposited within 60 days of meeting its requirements.
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Account Details
The current terms name no early-closure penalty. An older version of this offer took the bonus back if the account closed within 6 months, so keeping it open that long is the safe move.
Eligibility
The $200 checking offer is not available to existing Lafayette Federal members. One checking bonus per membership.
- Membership required. Outside the D.C. area you join through the Home Ownership Financial Literacy Council for a one-time $10 fee, added during account opening.
Tips & Gotchas
- The bank advertises up to $300. The last $50 needs a loan or credit card application, so it is not counted here.
- Outside Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, select "I live elsewhere in the United States" when you apply. The one-time $10 membership fee comes out of what you keep.
- The share savings account that comes with membership needs a $50 minimum balance.
- The current terms name no early-closure penalty, but an older version of this offer took the bonus back within 6 months. Keep the account open at least that long.
Community Data Points
We don't have direct deposit reports for this account yet. What we do have: 1 community report on funding this account with a credit card.
See Lafayette Federal Credit Union Checking card funding reportsCan You Earn This Bonus Again?
Fine Print
Lafayette Federal membership is required. Offer is valid through December 31, 2026, and is subject to change without notice. The $200 checking offer is not available to existing members. One checking account related bonus per membership. Each bonus is deposited within 60 days of meeting its requirements.
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.
Do Bank Bonuses Show Up on a 1099-INT?
Yes. Bank bonuses are taxable income. Most banks report them on a 1099-INT once you earn $10 or more from that bank in a calendar year. Some report them on a 1099-MISC instead. Either way, you report the bonus as ordinary income on your tax return.
Also see: this month's best bank bonuses and community DD data points.
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