Extended to 12/31/26
Update 9/4/26: Deal is back and up to $750 now. Hat tip to reader ShawntheShawn
Extended to Feb 28, 2026
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $300
- Availability: CA, in branch only
- Direct deposit required: No
- Additional requirements: Deposit $5,000+
- Hard/soft pull: Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: $8, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: Unknown
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: January 31, 2026
The Offer
- Golden 1 Credit Union is offering a bonus of up to $750:
- $100 bonus: Deposit and maintain a $2,000 average daily balance for 90 days
- $400 bonus: Deposit and maintain a $10,000 average daily balance for 90 days
- $750 bonus: Deposit and maintain a $15,000 average daily balance for 90 days
- Can get an additional $100 for merchant services
The Fine Print
- 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 $8 monthly fee, this is waived with a balance of $1,000.
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find a fee schedule so unsure if there is any EATF or not.
Our Verdict
Not sure how difficult it is to get approved, but bonus itself is very easy as is keeping the account fee free. Assuming you live near a branch and approval process isn’t too bad this is worth doing. Will add to our best bank bonus page.
Hat tip to reader snailrock
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
RM thanks! Will look into this.
Jim (1) Business license requirements are imposed by your town or county, not by the state. They usually do not vary by business structure, i.e., it typically does not matter whether you are a sole prop., LLC , corp., etc. But the numbers I quoted above are for unincorporated San Luis Obispo county. If you are in the Bay Area, you need to tell me exactly where you are located (i.e., which town or unincorporated county area) in order for me to tell you how much business tax would be. (2) In CA, the multiple LLC strategy that many on DoC employ doesn’t work well because each LLC requires payment of an annual CA franchise tax of $800 plus local business tax (if any). Some people try to form LLCs in other states, but you have to be very careful with how you do it. If you operate your out-of-state LLC from your CA residence, the FTB will take the position that you still owe the $800 annual franchise tax.
RM Interesting. Is that the fee just for a business license? Whether sole prop or another type. I’m up north in the Bay Area I’m considering an LLC to obtain another EIN, but it looks like the FTB charges $800/year for taxes…
AC Los Osos is unincorporated so you need to get an SLO county license. https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/auditor-controller-treasurer-tax-collector-public/tax-collector/services/county-business-licenses . It’s $54 the first time and $42 annual renewal. This is very cheap; my business license in So. Cal. costs $600+ per year. Technically, the fact that you have been operating without a business license is a misdemeanor. The chances of prosecution are close to zero, but, if your business is a “business,” I would pick a business start date that aligns with the date you get your license.
Mark thanks! It’s a bit too far but good to know.
RM thanks! I’m based in Los Osos or outside of SLO.
William Charles Website now showing extension to 12/31/26.
Great to hear, thanks for sharing RM A one month promotion always seemed too ambitious for a small, regional CU. Just not enough time for folks to become aware. Wish Golden 1 had a lucrative bonus offer or two for personal/consumer accounts. Ideally before in these next several months while I have membership …
My father opened an account as a sole prop. No paperwork was needed, they just asked a few basic questions about the business. I wanted to get in too, as a non-Californian, but they said no. You can join from OOS if you are related to a member, but you cannot open the business account if your business is not in CA. That’s what they said anyway.
I am not seeing anything suggesting that the 90 days starts 14 days after you open the account. It says you must make your deposit within 15 days, this is true, but that’s really independent of the 90 day counter.
Correct, I noticed the same thing and if you read the terms strictly, that is the case. There is also the interpretation that the 90 days starts 14 days after you open the account, so the safest way is to keep the funds there 104 days.
Check is probably fine. Credit card is probably not allowed
Thanks, Yo Moms Meta Debit card is a first for me… Wonder if credit card or a check is accepted?
Just what my business is. That’s basically it lol. And “how did you hear about us?” You’ll need a physical debit card to fund
yes, signing up for an account in branch was easy in Ontario. Very cool dude. Also, I just now noticed that according to the fine print, the 90 day counter probably starts the day you open the account. So you better wire in that money fast or calculate the amount ABOVE the 3 tiers to average out over 90 days…right?
I opened in their Ontario branch as a sole prop. They asked a few questions about my business, which is legit, but didn’t ask for any docs. I’m not sure if they pulled Chex but if they did they’re not sensitive since I sure af wouldn’t have passed. They were very pleasant to deal with.
Fictitious business name registration means DBA. Nothing else was required other than my drivers license. The 3.5% business money market is not available for sole prop. So my money will just stay in the checking account.
Thanks Retired Is your some sole prop using a DBA? As opposed to just your name? Mind sharing what other information related to your business was required?
Thanks Davis Mind sharing what information related to your sole prop business was required? Is it at simple as a Chase/Wells Fargo business checking?
Only a few branches here in the Bay. Tried the virtual option, but it doesn’t look like it’s available for sole props — drop down menu of type of business only shows various corporations and LLCs with business docs Glad the offer does explicitly mention sole props…
Yes they pull Chex but not sensitive. My stats when I applied on 2/20: Past 36 months: 73 Past 30 months: 54 Past 24 months: 42 Past 18 months: 25 Past 12 months: 14 Past 06 months: 7 Past 03 months: 5 Past 01 months: 1