Extended to December 31, 2026
Update: Can open online by speaking with a rep so not technically in branch only but can’t use an online form.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200
- Availability: FL, In Branch only
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $1,000+
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Unknown
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- Credit card funding: Unknown
- Monthly fees: $9, avoidable
- Early account termination fee: $25, 90 days
- Household limit: None listed
- Expiration date: September 30, 2026
The Offer
- First Federal Bank is offering a checking bonus $200:
- Receive qualifying direct deposit(s) totaling at least $1,000 in a single calendar month, within 60 days of opening your account
The Fine Print
- $200 Checking Bonus is available to new First Federal Bank customers who open a new personal Enhanced Checking Account through a representative at a branch or through a representative-assisted channel during the promotional period ending September 30, 2026.
- Accounts opened through the bank’s self-service online account opening process are not eligible.
- To qualify, customer must receive qualifying direct deposit(s) totaling at least $1,000 in a single calendar month within 60 days of account opening.
- Qualifying direct deposits are ACH deposits of payroll, pension, Social Security, or government benefits from an employer, pension administrator, or government agency. Person-to-person transfers, mobile payment transfers, remote deposits, ATM deposits, and transfers from other bank accounts do not qualify.
- Account must remain open, active, and in good standing for at least 90 days from account opening.
- Bonus will be credited within 30 days after all eligibility requirements are met.
- Limit one bonus per customer tax ID.
- Bonus may be subject to tax reporting.
- Offer may be subject to change at any time.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
The $9 monthly account cycle service charge will be waived for any statement cycle in which 20 or more debit card purchase transactions post to the account. This promotional fee waiver is available for new First Federal Bank customers who open a new personal Enhanced Checking account through a representative at a branch or through a representative-assisted channel during the promotional period ending September 30, 2026. Accounts opened through the bank’s self-service online account opening process are not eligible.
Early Account Termination Fee
$25 if closed within 90 days according to this comment.
Our Verdict
There is also a $400 business checking that can be done.
Hat tip to ShawntheShawn
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 Calculate And Share Your ChexSystems Datapoints
- 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
Thanks. They just mentioned Chex when I emailed them a question and they asked to set up a call to open, not open via email.
They didnt ask. I just pulled my Chex now, my score is 682 and I dont see any inquiry from them.
Did they ask anything about Chex? Did they pull it?
William Charles You might want to edit the title to delete the “in branch” line as it definitely can be done online but WITH a representative. They apparently dont send a debit card by default, I had to ask for one. They said if i get a fee, to let them know (sounds like they would waive it) but it’s a bit of a pain to waive this monthly fee.
Hopefully things like $1 Cashapp reloads work for this.
Requiring people do 20 debit transactions is ridiculous just to avoid a fee. No wonder why so many are in massive debt.
Yeah, I agree it’s an extreme requirement. They even claim that they’re “better able to focus on customer needs” because they’re a mutual (customer-owned) bank.
They called me back to schedule time to open account. I am in FL. They said no CB pull but do Chex pull. Not decided yet to proceed, taking to account monthly fee and reward itself.
This is crazy. Very ridiculous requirement. I dont even use my real, main bank account or credit card 20 times per month. Or even all my cards combined. 20 is a crazy number. It should be no more then 3-5, IMO.
It looks like they have live chat and phone available…maybe that counts as a “representative assisted channel”? I’ll try tomorrow when their live chat is open again.
20 debit transactions a month to waive the $9 service charge.
Fixed, thanks
William Charles looks like you copypasta’d the additional requirements?
$200 Checking Bonus is available to new First Federal Bank customers who open a new personal Enhanced Checking Account through a representative at a branch or through a representative-assisted channel during the promotional period so opening over the phone would be a representative assisted channel , right?