[AZ, TX Select Counties only] TruWest Credit Union $300 Checking Bonus, Direct Deposit Not Required

Update 10/1/26: Bonus now $300 for October. Hat tip to reader Pickle Rick

Update 5/8/26: Looks like this is now $200 + $200 when you use a referral link. Please do not share your referrals in the comments, they can be shared in this linked post. 

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $250
• Availability: Must live, work or worship in one of the following counties:
  • Maricopa, Pinal, Pima or Yavapai County, AZ
  • Travis or Williamson County, TX
• Direct deposit required: No
• Additional requirements: None
• Hard/soft pull: Hard pull
• ChexSystems: Unknown
• Credit card funding: Up to $5,000? (Visa/Mastercard only)
• Monthly fees: None
• Early account termination fee: $10, 90 days
• Household limit: None listed
• Expiration date: JMay 30, 2026

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Open a new TruWest checking account when you complete the following requirements:
  • Enroll in online banking
  • Make 15 debit or credit card purchases in a single calendar month within the first 90 days

The Fine Print

• Offer valid from May 15, 2017 to July 31, 2017, for Pima County residents and subject to change without notice.
• Must be a TruWest member with a minimum of $5 deposit for $250.
• Must have a TruWest checking account with $500 aggregate in direct deposits effective within 60 days after opening account.
• $250 will be deposited into new member’s checking account after first direct deposit, within 60 days of account opening.
• If member does not have an initiated direct deposit within 60 days of account opening, member is ineligible for the Promotion.TruWest membership not required for entries.
• No purchase necessary.
• Must be 18 years of age and a U.S. resident to participate.
• Promotion period 5/15/17 through 7/31/17.
• Contact the credit union at (855) 878-9378 or write to us at TruWest Credit Union, “Pima County New Member Giveaway”, PO Box 3489, Scottsdale, AZ 85271 to obtain a complete copy of the official rules for this promotion.
• Click here for complete terms and conditions.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Their choice checking account does not have any monthly fees to worry about. There is a $10 early account termination fee if the account is closed within 90 days of account opening.

Our Verdict

Hard pull makes this bonus unattractive, but it might still be worth considering if you can still fund it up to $5,000 and that codes as a purchase instead of a cash advance (using a 2% card would net you another $100 tax free). In my opinion getting a hard pull for $100 tax free and $250 taxed is worth it. Shame that the $250 bonus is so geographically restricted. We will be adding this to our list of the best checking bonuses.

Big thanks to reader, Curmudgeon who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
• Introduction To ChexSystems
• Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
• What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
• How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
• Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
• How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
• Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
• Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
• Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications