Update 5/26/16: Offer back until June 13, 2026. Hat tip to reader ink_me_please
Update 3/1/26: The deal is back up March 14, 2026 May 1, 2026. Hat tip to the reader BurningAnd Burning
Update 4/6/25: The deal has been rolled back to April 15, 2025. This time requires a tax return to qualify for the direct deposit requirement unfortunately. Hat tip to the reader Woody
Update 10/12/24: The deal has been reinstated and no end date is listed. Hat tip to the reader Star32
Update 6/23/24: The deal has been reinstated and no end date is listed. Hat tip to the reader Woody
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: 300 dollars
- Availability: AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, KS, MO, OK, TX
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,000+
- Additional requirements: See below
- Hard/soft pull: Gentle pull
- ChexSystems: yes
- Credit card financing: Up to $1,000, without American Express
- Monthly fees: $5, avoidable
- Early account closure fee: $25, 90 days
- Family boundary: ANY
- Expiration date: ANY
Offers
- Busey Bank offers a bonus of up to $500 when you open a new checking account and meet the following requirements:
- Use promo code “LEVELUP1” for foundation checking or “LEVELUP2” for pillar bank accounts
- Activate and use the Busey Debit Mastercard for at least 3 transactions within the first 90 days of account opening and
- Register in Online Banking with eDeclaration
- Receive a qualified direct deposit of (within 90 days of account opening):
- $2,000 – $2,999.99: $200 bonus
- $3,000 – $4,999.99: $300 bonus
- $5,000 or more: $500 bonus
Fine Press
- Offer valid for a limited time on accounts opened until March 15, 2026. Busey Bank may change or discontinue this offer at any time prior to this date without notice. This offer is only available using the unique promotional code “LEVELUP1” for Foundation Checking or “LEVELUP2” for Pillar Banking accounts opened online or in person at a Busey location only and that qualify as described below. Only one offer per family. Must have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) at account opening to qualify for this promotion. All accounts are subject to approval.
- You will not qualify for the tiered loan if you are an existing Busey Personal Checking Account customer, are a Busey Bank employee OR have had a previous Personal Checking Account that was closed within the previous 12 months OR have received a prior Personal Checking Account Incentive at any time.
Open a new Busey Pillar Banking or Foundation Checking account online or in person using the promo code to enroll in this offer and within ninety 90 days of account opening: - Sign up for online banking
Activate and use the Busey Debit Mastercard® for at least three (3) transactions - Make and receive qualified direct deposits as defined below to that eligible personal checking account
- Ninety (90) days after account opening, all qualifying direct deposits will be totaled to determine the bonus amount you can earn (see chart below).
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you must pay tax on them
Avoidance of fees
Monthly fees
Foundation checking has no monthly fee with direct deposit or $100 average balance; otherwise, pay a monthly fee of $5.
Starting May 1, 2024, The foundation check will be updated with the following:
- There is no monthly maintenance fee (formerly $5)
- There is no minimum balance or direct deposit requirement
Early account termination fee
“Accounts closed within 90 days of opening will be charged a $25.00 service fee
Our verdict
Think it’s worth doing as it’s a huge bonus, we just don’t have a clue what direct deposit works for. We will add this to our list best bank account bonuses.
Hat tip to the reader TOOL
Useful posts about bank bonuses:
