Multiple Bank Sign-Up Bonuses: Free Money Just for Opening an Account

Want to pad your bank balance without lifting a finger? Several major banks are literally handing out cash just for signing up. We’re talking $300 to $325 per account—and if you play it smart, you can stack multiple offers. Here’s your complete breakdown.

The High-Rollers: $325 Rewards

Wells Fargo and Citi are both offering $325 bonuses, which happens to be the highest tier in this round of promotions. But here’s the catch: each one has different hoops to jump through.

Wells Fargo requires you to deposit at least $1,000 through direct deposit within 90 days of opening. The monthly fee is $10, but you can dodge it by maintaining either a $500 daily minimum or bumping it to $1,500 after October 25, 2025. You’ll need a $25 opening deposit to get started. The offer expires October 15, 2025.

Citi takes a different approach. You need just two Enhanced Direct Deposits (including ACH, Zelle, or PayPal transfers) totaling at least $3,000 within 90 days. The $15 monthly fee vanishes if you hit $250 in qualifying deposits each month or maintain certain relationship tiers. Offer ends October 6, 2025.

Which is easier? Citi’s $3,000 requirement is spread across two deposits and includes multiple payment methods, making it slightly more flexible than Wells Fargo’s $1,000 direct deposit requirement.

The Middle Ground: $300 Bonuses

Chase and SoFi both offer $300 in free money—though SoFi plays it differently with tiered rewards.

Chase Total Checking is refreshingly simple: open an account, make $500+ in direct deposits within 90 days. No opening deposit needed. The $12 monthly fee (rising to $15 in August 2025) waives with $500+ monthly deposits or a $1,500+ daily balance. Expires October 15, 2025.

SoFi Checking and Savings gives you options. Deposit $1,000-$4,999.99 to grab $50, or hit $5,000+ to unlock the full $300. Monthly maintenance fee? Zero. You get up to 4.50% APY on savings (with their boost for 6 months). Plus, there’s overdraft coverage up to $50—SoFi won’t penalize you for small overages. Offer runs through January 31, 2026.

Which makes more sense? If you’ve got the cash, SoFi’s no-fee structure and interest-earning potential beat Chase’s $12 monthly charge. Chase wins if you want simplicity and shorter commitment timeline.

The Smart Strategy: Stack Them All

Here’s the real move: you don’t have to pick just one. Open a Wells Fargo account in September, a Citi account in early October, Chase in late September, and SoFi whenever. By staggering applications, you could easily pull in $1,000+ in pure sign-up bonuses without touching your savings.

Just remember: hitting the direct deposit requirements is the actual hurdle. Most people already receive paychecks via direct deposit, so if that’s you, these requirements practically complete themselves. The real game is ensuring your direct deposits hit each account within the specified 90-day window.

What Actually Matters

Don’t get dazzled by the bonus alone. Look at:

• Monthly fees: SoFi has zero. Wells Fargo and Citi have workarounds but require minimum balances. Chase charges unless you meet deposit thresholds.
• APY rates: SoFi offers competitive interest on savings. The others focus more on the sign-up bonus.
• Expiration dates: Chase and Wells Fargo deadlines are October 15. Citi wraps up October 6. SoFi extends to January 31, 2026—giving you more time to qualify.

The takeaway? Free money just for signing up is real, but these banks aren’t handing it out for nothing. You’ll earn direct deposits anyway, so why not redirect them strategically? Pick accounts that align with your deposit schedule and fee tolerance, and watch the bonuses roll in.