Update 7/23/26: Both links error out so marking as expired.
Update 7/2/26: Armed Forces has the same offer. In the past it’s been possible to do both but YMMV. I’m also not sure if Armed Forces is available in more states or not, previously it was listed as nationwide.
Extended to July 15, 2026
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $500
- Availability: Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Arizona
- Direct deposit required: Yes, at least four totaling $10,000+
- Additional requirements: Online banking
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Yes, but not in branch?
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: $20, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: $25, 90 days
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: May 15, 2026
The Offer
- Academy Bank is offering a $500 bonus when you open a new elite investment checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Make at least four direct deposits totaling $10,000 within 90 days of account opening.
- Enroll in Online Banking and then enjoy earning interest with your new checking account.
The Fine Print
- $100 opening balance required on Elite Investment Checking Account.
- Subject to monthly service charge.
- To receive $500 bonus, open a new Elite Investment Checking Account, make at least four direct deposits totaling $10,000 and enroll in Online Banking within 90 days of account opening.
- The checking account bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 60 days of direct deposit verification.
- Closing a new account within 90 days of opening will result in a $25 early closure fee.
- Offer expires May 15, 2026.
- 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 a $20 monthly fee. Waived if you meet one of the following requirements:
- Maintain a daily balance of $5,000 per monthly statement cycle
- OR maintain an average balance of $10,000 per monthly statement cycle
Early Account Termination Fee
$25 if closed within 90 days according to terms.
Our Verdict
Seems like a good bonus if you can meet the direct deposit requirement. Bit annoying to keep fee free but worst case you can just pay the monthly fee. Will be added to the best bank account bonus page. Please do not ask for or share referrals in the comments below. If it has been confirmed to stack we will open a dedicated thread.
Hat tip to reader Ben
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
Academy closed my account in August before I completed requirements. got the email that they are closing my Armed Forces account. I completed the requirements. Do they have to honor the bonus or am I sol?
Did you get the bonus?
Any update?
Thanks for confirming that I’m not the only one waiting “Misery loves company”, as the old saying goes I’m hoping to see my bonus post by Mon./Tue. (not counting on it). I’m considering visiting their corporate offices later this week, Wed./Thur. I probably will, but haven’t decided yet.
Success DP with Chase Business: 3/25/26 – Account Opening via this comment thread. $500 CC funding via CFF coded as purchase. 4/6/26 – $2,501 Chase Biz Payee ACH 4/8/26 – Ditto ^ 4/10/26 – Ditto ^ 4/13/26 – Ditto ^ $10k pulled back to Fidel shortly after ~4/29/26 – ReferLive VGC delivered 5/19/26 – $20 Service Charge 6/17/26 – $20 Service Charge 7/6/26 – $500 Promo deposit “Promotion Bonus” 7/17/26 – $20 Service Charge 8/19/26 – Requested one time fee waiver and to PC acc to Simply Free Checking While I was initially denied for EWS I figured this would report to EWS thus should remain open for 6mo. But I received an EWS report on 9/1/26, and nothing was shown for this account, so I will be closing it shortly.
How long does the downgrade take to complete? I submitted a request via SM 08-14 and it’s still showing elite investment despite receiving the disclosures for the free checking
In case anyone is wondering what I used for DD, Chase bix 4x: 04/16, 04/22, 04/28, 05/05, totaling over 10k
The ineptness of the rep’s is incredible. By far the worse I have experienced. Yeah, I guess I could downgrade to a fee free account to buy me more time, for the complaints to be reviewed… guess it couldn’t hurt??? The complaints were filed yesterday, so Academy should receive them mid next week, I’d imagine? My furious level has exceeded its threshold, exhausted. Good luck to everyone else, hopefully you will not have to go through what I have. Also, after seeing so many DP’s of accts. being shut down, not really all that surprised. They don’t wanna pay up…
Wow that sounds horrible. And they just ignored the cfpb complaint? Ive been getting drained the ridiculous 20 monthly fee. Wonder if u can downgrade the acct while u continue fighting them (if ur still going to). I would personally swing by their headquarters to see if anyone can help. My day 150+ is early October so will see how mine goes.
nope. They are making me fight them, more so than I ever have with any other FI. I’ve made at least a total of 5-6 phone calls. 2 before day 150, and at least 3 after. I’ve sent 7-8 secure messages. I’ve received so many mixed messages, I don’t even know where to begin. Their CSR’s are quite possibly the worst I’ve ever dealt with. The last representative I spoke with said she would send a complaint to “legal” yesterday on Thursday 9/10. I’ve already filed complaints with the CFPB, and the comptroller (FDIC directed me to the comptroller website). My next statement closes next Friday the 18th of Nov. and am not willing to pay a $20 service fee, as I have removed all but .01 from my account, as of 2.5 weeks ago. I held $5k throughout the first 4 statement cycles, to avoid $20 monthly fee. Their main headquarters are in downtown KCMO, which is fairly close to where I live. However, I’m not sure how much more time I want to invest, as I’ve already spent over 2+ hours of phone calls with them. I don’t want to go over all the details, but I fulfilled requirements.
DP: 3/26: opened account in-branch. Banker sent me written confirmation email that the $500 promotion was applied to my account 5/29: completed $10k in real employer DD’s 8/23: Have still not received bonus. This is 150 days after account opening which is the most expansive possible interpretation of how long their terms state they have to pay the bonus. Sent secure message with attachment containing proof of DD’s, confirmation email from banker, and screenshots of their own T&C’s for the bonus. Awaiting reply, will file CFPB complaint if they still don’t pay out
Complete BS because I can show you the promo lol. Bank employees can be clueless
Called them again and gave them a stern but polite talking to about them playing fast and loose with their own terms. $500 bonus posts 6 hours later. 4/22: Account opened 5/12: Final DD (Chase Biz) 8/11: $500 bonus posts
How was your both accounts?
Thank you for contacting us. The promo states you should have at least 4 direct deposits totaling $10,000 within 90 days, which you met. Based on the promotion details the bonus is paid within 60 days after direct deposit requirements are verified. The 60-day clock typically starts after the qualifying deposit posts and is recognized. It is not immediate – as there is a backend verification process. This is what I got….which basically means they can make up whatever shit they want as the “start date for verification process.” Lolol As long as it is before the next $20 service charge
They replied back to me today saying they don’t believe my real dd is legit and that is why I haven’t received the bonus. CFPB complaint has now been filed
See my above comment to Hichem. I’ll report back what I get, as I sent a copy of bonus disclosure to them.
I sent a secure message to Academy with the bonus disclosure attached. I also stated my last direct deposit was 29th, so excluding that day, 60th day was yesterday (28th). If weekend was excluded for some reason, 60th day is tomorrow. Will report back what I hear.
I got the same email a day after I was approved for a checking account.
I would either call or messsge them. The live chat is useless
I got a email saying that my Academy Bank is set to close in 10 business days. I already qualified the requirements but no bonus yet.
I might need a copy, my 60 days was Jul 20th
Ha. Can’t wait for that chat. I screenshot all of the bonus disclosure terms, so that should be easy. If you need a copy, let me know.
No, hope you are lucky.
My 60 days was on the 25th. They are now trying to claim it takes up to 90 days which is not what the terms say
DD-4/15 DD-4/30 DD-5/15 DD-5/29 (small one of couple $100 to fulfill bonus requirements) No bonus yet as of 7/27. Giving benefit of doubt that it didn’t get recognized until 6/1, 60 days should be in a couple of days. Seems like they are going to take every bit of 60 days to post the bonus.
I signed up with two different emails. I’ve started getting Academy emails on the email address I used for Armed Forces. Strange.
did you receive the bonuses for Academy? I opened Academy in May and AF in July
Academy in Apr and Armed in Jul
Did you open both around the same time? I wonder if this will negatively affect Chex/Ews since they are closing.