Royal Credit Union
Royal Credit Union Smart Checking $400 Bonus
Royal Credit Union pays $400 when you open a new personal checking account by December 15, 2026 and receive two qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 each within 120 days. Smart Checking has no monthly fee. Membership is for people who live or work in the Wisconsin and Minnesota counties Royal serves, plus a few other paths.
- Bonus amount
- $400
- Expires
- Dec 15, 2026
- Time to complete
- ~60 days
- Paid after opening
- ~75 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Requirements
Last verified: Nov 9, 2026
Open an account
Become a Royal Credit Union member and open a new personal checking account (Smart Start, Smart, Smart Checking Plus or Duo Checking) between October 15 and December 15, 2026. You must also open and be primary on a Primary Base Savings account. Membership is for people who live or work in the Wisconsin and Minnesota counties Royal serves, or who qualify another way.
Receive two direct deposits of $500 or more
Receive two qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 each (paycheck, pension, Social Security or government benefit sent electronically by an employer or outside agency) within 120 calendar days of account opening. Transfers from a Royal or external account, mobile payment services and person-to-person payments do not qualify.
Royal deposits the $400 into your Primary Base Savings account within 10 calendar days after the second qualifying direct deposit.
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Account Details
The checking account must remain open for six months after opening, per the offer terms.
Eligibility
Not available to anyone with a Royal checking account now or in the last 12 months.
- Membership qualification required. Royal serves members across west-central Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota; anyone who lives or works in a county Royal serves can join, and other paths include an immediate family member there, a $5 donation to the RCU Foundation, or a qualifying group or employer.
- Limit of one account per member in the promotion.
- Business checking accounts are not eligible.
- Wisconsin and Minnesota credit union. The online application does not state a residency rule before it asks for input, so out-of-area applicants should expect to qualify for membership first or visit an office.
Tips & Gotchas
- Open by December 15, 2026. Royal can end the promotion at any time.
- Each of the two direct deposits must be at least $500. Transfers, mobile payment apps and person-to-person payments do not count.
- Keep the checking account open for six months, or Royal can take the bonus back.
- Not available if you have a Royal checking account now or had one in the last 12 months.
- Wisconsin and Minnesota credit union. Membership is for people who live or work in a county Royal serves, with a few other paths such as a $5 RCU Foundation donation, so expect to need a local tie or an office visit.
Direct Deposit Data Points 1
1 community report across 1 transfer source, showing what triggers a qualifying direct deposit at Royal Credit Union.
How long until the bonus posts? The most recent community reports average about 11 days. See 1 report on Royal Credit Union Checking payout timelines
Can You Earn This Bonus Again?
Fine Print
Receive a $400 bonus after opening a new checking account between 10/15/26-12/15/26 and receiving two qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 each from a paycheck, pension, Social Security, or government benefit electronically deposited into the account from an employer or outside agency. Both deposits must occur within 120 calendar days of account opening. Account must remain open for six months. Must open and be primary on a Primary Base Savings account. Membership qualification required. Business checking accounts are not eligible. Recipients with existing Royal checking accounts or with a previous Royal checking account in the last 12 months do not qualify. Limit of one account per Member. Offer cannot be combined with any other Royal checking account offers.
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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