(AL, CO, FL, GA, NC, SC, TX, VA) South Bank $300 Checking Bonus – No Direct Deposit Required

Update 4/12/26: The deal is back, now for $300 instead of $200. Hat tip to the reader JJ

Update 7/15/23: The deal is back.

Update 4/9/23: Extends through June 30, 2023

Update 1/10/23: Extends through 3/31.

Update 10/29/22: Offer is back and valid through 12/31/22.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: 200 dollars
• Availability: Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Need to live near a branch according to this comment (Branch finder)
• Direct deposit required: Direct deposit or automatic draft of at least $25
• Additional requirements: Yes, 15 debit card transactions
• Hard/soft pull: Gentle pull
• ChexSystems: yes
• Credit card financing: Until 1000 dollars 250 dollars
• Monthly fees: $8, avoidable
• Early account closure fee: $25 if closed within 90 days
• Family boundary: None mentioned
• Expiration date: September 29, 2017 November 30, 2017 May 31, 2018 July 31, 2018 November 30, 2019 30 November 2019 31 March 2022 31.12.22

Offers

Direct link to the offer

• South State Bank offers a $300 checking bonus when you meet the following requirements within 60 days of account opening:
  • Use promo code 300BONUS
  • Make at least 15 debit card purchases/payments.
  • Have a monthly total of $250 qualifying direct deposit OR $25 pre-authorized automatic draft(s).

Fine Press

• Promotional Rebate Offer Eligibility and Qualifications: To receive $100, you must meet each of the following criteria:
  • At account opening, you cannot be the current owner or co-owner of a South State personal checking account, or have been the owner or co-owner of a South State personal checking account in the past 12 months.
  • You must open the account with a minimum opening deposit of $25.00 (excluding the promotional discount amount).
  • Within 60 days of opening the checking account you have either: cumulative monthly direct deposits of at least $250 that includes salary, pension, social security or other regular monthly income. (Note, however, that internal account transfers, deposits made at bank locations, mobile deposits, and ATM deposits do not qualify as a direct deposit.) OR one or more automatic drafts of at least $25 on a South State Bank account.
  • You have 15 or more debit card purchases/payments posted and cleared from your account.
• Promotional Rebate Payment: If you meet all the qualifications and qualifications above, we will credit the promotional rebate to your account within 2 business days of the end of the 60 calendar day qualifying period. The Promotional Discount will be reported to the relevant tax authorities as required by law or regulation.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you must pay tax on them

Avoidance of fees

Southern State Control

This account has no monthly fees when you sign up for eStatements

Checking Account Selection $8 Monthly Fee

This is the easiest account for most people to maintain without fees. It has an $8 monthly fee that is waived if you do any of the following:

• 5 debit card purchases/payments per statement cycle OR
• $250 in combined direct deposits, OR
• Average daily balance $1000

Early account termination fee

$25 if closed within 90 days.

Our verdict

Pretty good deal since no direct deposit is required, obviously not biggest bank account bonus but it’s still worth doing if you’ve made the most lucrative rewards. As always, if you have any experiences with this bank or bonus, then please share them in the comments below.

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Post History:

• Update 1/15/20: Offer is back and valid through March 31, 2021.
• Update 9/16/20: Offer is back and valid until November 30, 2020. Hat tip to the reader Ben
• Update 2/3/2020: Bonus is back and increased to $200 from $100.
• Update 9/22/19: The bonus has returned and is valid until November 30, 2019. Hat tip DDG