U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking $250 – $450 Bonus
U.S. Bank last paid $250, $350, or $450 for opening a Smartly Checking account and making two or more qualifying direct deposits within 90 days, but that promotion's account-opening window closed September 8, 2026 with no new cycle live yet. The $12 monthly fee is waived with $1,500 in monthly direct deposits or a $1,500 average balance. Available in 26 states.
- Bonus range
- $250 – $450
- Expires
- Nov 10, 2026
- Time to complete
- ~90 days
- Bonus deposited in
- ~120 days
- Difficulty
- Medium
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Requirements
Last verified: Oct 7, 2026
$250 Tier
Open an account
Open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account through the promotional offer page by November 10, 2026.
Fund the account
Deposit at least $25 within 60 days of account opening.
Enroll in digital banking
Enroll in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days of account opening.
Make 2 or more direct deposits
Complete two or more direct deposits within 90 days of account opening totaling $2,000 to $4,999.99 to earn the $250 bonus.
$350 Tier
Open an account
Open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account through the promotional offer page by November 10, 2026.
Fund the account
Deposit at least $25 within 60 days of account opening.
Enroll in digital banking
Enroll in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days of account opening.
Make 2 or more direct deposits
Complete two or more direct deposits within 90 days of account opening totaling $5,000 to $7,999.99 to earn the $350 bonus.
$450 Tier
Open an account
Open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account through the promotional offer page by November 10, 2026.
Fund the account
Deposit at least $25 within 60 days of account opening.
Enroll in digital banking
Enroll in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days of account opening.
Make 2 or more direct deposits
Complete two or more direct deposits within 90 days of account opening totaling $8,000 or more to earn the $450 bonus.
The bonus is credited to your new checking account within 30 days after you complete all requirements.
Account Details
- Average account balance of $1,500+
- Combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500+
- Account owner of an open U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® credit card
- Smart Rewards® Gold tier or above
- Owner of an eligible U.S. Bank small business checking account
- Member of eligible customer group (youth/young adult/senior/military/Workplace-Financial Wellness, etc.)
$50 early account closing fee if closed within 180 days of opening.
Eligibility
Cannot have had a U.S. Bank consumer checking account in the last 12 months, or received a U.S. Bank consumer checking bonus in the past 12 months.
- Must open in a state where U.S. Bank operates
Tips & Gotchas
- →Use the Apply buttons on the promotional offer page. If you apply from a different page, the offer will not be attached and you will not get the bonus.
- →Not eligible if any account owner has an existing U.S. Bank consumer checking account, had one in the last 12 months, or received a U.S. Bank consumer checking bonus in the past 12 months.
- →A direct deposit is an ACH electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits. Other electronic deposits and person-to-person payments do not count.
- →The $12 monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first 2 statement periods, then with $1,500 or more in combined monthly direct deposits or a $1,500 average account balance.
- →Offer may not be available if you live outside the U.S. Bank footprint, and is not available for Trust Accounts or through Alliance partnerships.
- →This is a new application cycle (Sept 10-Nov 10, 2026); the prior cycle's identical tiers closed Sept 8, 2026.
Direct Deposit Data Points 638
638 community reports across 67 transfer sources, showing what triggers a qualifying direct deposit at U.S. Bank.
How long until the bonus posts? The most recent community reports average about 17 days. See 391 reports on U.S. Bank Checking payout timelines →
Can You Earn This Bonus Again?
Fine Print
Open a new U.S. Bank Smartly Checking account through the promotional offer page from September 10, 2026 through November 10, 2026, fund it with at least $25 within 60 days, enroll in the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking within 90 days, and complete two or more direct deposits within 90 days totaling $2,000 to $4,999.99 for $250, $5,000 to $7,999.99 for $350, or $8,000 or more for $450. Bonus is credited within 30 days of completing all requirements and reported on IRS form 1099-INT. Account must be open with a positive balance to receive the bonus. Limit one checking bonus per eligible account.
Taxable income · Reported on 1099-INT
Related Articles
What Counts as a Direct Deposit for U.S. Bank Bonuses?
U.S. Bank's Smartly Checking bonus has tiered direct deposit thresholds ($2,000 / $5,000 / $8,000). Community data from 1,182 reports shows that ACH pushes from Chase, Ally, Fidelity Cash Management, Discover, Capital One, and several brokerages have consistently posted as qualifying direct deposits.
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.
Also see: this month's best bank bonuses and community DD data points.
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