[Expired] [CA only] BluPeak (Formerly USE Credit Union) $300 Checking Bonus

Update 11/2/23: New terms are as follows:

• Open a new Free Checking with eStatement, Premier Checking, or Student Checking account and get a $25 bonus one week later.
• Set up direct deposits totaling $5000 or more and get a $275 bonus 180 days after opening your account

Update 11/1/23: Terms have changed, will update post soon.

Update 10/23/23: New $300 bonus:

• $100 after opening
• another $200 after one direct deposit
• New promo code is Purpose

Should also be nationwide if you donate $5.00 to KPBS. This cannot be stacked with a referral according to terms, so do not share your referrals in the comments below.

Hat tip to SA

Update 12/28/22: Now called BluPeak.

Update 3/30/22: There is now a landing page for this offer, should be available to all rather than specific addresses now. Hat tip to redvwmicrobus

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $300
• Availability: CA only. Everyone who lives, works, or worships in the California counties of Alameda, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Clara, or Yolo.
• Direct deposit required: Yes, $250+
• Additional requirements: eStatements
• Hard/soft pull: Soft pull (report of hard pull). Might be soft pull in branch and hard online
• ChexSystems: Yes
• Credit card funding: Up to $1,500 per account None
• Monthly fees: None
• Early account termination fee: $15, 90 days
• Household limit: None listed
• Expiration date: None listed

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• USE Credit Union is offering a $300 checking bonus when you use the promo code NewMover. Bonus is broken down as follows:
  • $50 for opening a new checking account
  • $50 for setting up direct deposit of $250+ per month within 90 days of account opening
  • $100 for keeping account open six months (direct deposit must continue monthly)
  • $100 for keeping your account open one year (direct deposit must continue monthly)

The Fine Print

• Must be 18 years of age
• Member must use code NewMover at account opening to receive this offer.
• Bonus payments subject to tax
• Must be a new USE Credit Union member and meet membership eligibility and account opening criteria
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

This account has no monthly fees to worry about.

Early Account Termination Fee

$15 fee if closed within 90 days of account opening according to the fee schedule.

Our Verdict

Previously the best bonus was a $100 referral bonus. Obviously this $300 bonus is much better but we don’t know if this is somehow targeted to specific addresses and mixed datapoints of hard/soft pull. Because of that we won’t be adding this to the best checking bonuses for now.

Hat tip to Angela L

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
• 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
• Bank Bonus Posting Times