Update 9/7/27: Deal is back with a $400 bonus, works on EZ choice and only requires a $500 direct deposit. I’d recommend waiting for a bigger bonus to return.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $100/$150/$200/$250/$350
- Availability: CT, DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA, VT, WV
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $500
- Additional requirements: None
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Yes
- Credit card funding:
None - Monthly fees: Avoidable
- Early account termination fee: None
- Expiration date:
JulyAugust 15, 2018 September 5, 2018 October 31st, 2018November 26th, 2018 January 16th, 2019 February 25th, 2019 April 1st, 2019May 13th, 2019March 2, 2020 September 15, 2020January 11, 2021April 5, 2021 October 5, 2021 April 30, 2022May 27, 2022June 28, 2022February 24, 2023 August 25, 2023 - Household limit: None listed
The Offer
- M&T Bank is offering $400 when you set up and receive qualifying direct deposits to your new MyChoice Plus, MyChoice Plus Checking with Interest or MyChoice Premium Checking account, totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account opening.
The Fine Print
- Accounts opened outside of eligible regions may not qualify for the bonus.
- We will credit one cash bonus to the account if the account receives a total of at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of account opening.
- Qualifying direct deposits include, but are not limited to, recurring electronic deposits such as payroll, pension or Social Security. Person-to-person, bank transfers or other electronic money transfers such as those made through internet payment services do not qualify.
- Bonus will be credited to the account within 90 days of direct deposit activation as long as the account is in good standing and all of the eligibility requirements are satisfied at the time we seek to credit the bonus.
- Only one Premium Checking Bonus and one Direct Deposit Bonus will be awarded per customer regardless of the number of accounts opened.
- The bonus(es) are not available to existing personal M&T checking account customers, or those whose accounts have been closed within 180 days, employees of M&T Bank or any of its affiliates, or customers who have received a bonus in connection with a personal M&T checking account within the preceding twelve-month period.
- A $50 early close-out fee applies if the account is closed within 180 days of opening.
- Bonus offers may vary by product and region, are not transferable and are reportable for tax purposes.
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them.
Avoiding Fees
EZChoice Checking
This account has no monthly fees.
Basic Banking
This account has a non-waivable $3 monthly fee.
Classic Checking
This account has a monthly fee of $4.95 that can be waived with any one of the following methods:
- Have at least 1 direct deposit to your M&T Classic Checking with Interest account
- Keep an average daily balance of $500 or more in the account per monthly service charge cycle
- Make 10 or more debit card purchases or payments
- Keep combined balances of $1,500 or more in eligible personal deposit accounts
MyChoice Plus Checking
This account has a monthly fee of $14.95 that can be waived with any one of the following methods:
- Keep an average daily balance of $2,500 or more in the account per monthly service charge cycle
- Have direct deposits to your MyChoice Plus Checking account totaling at least $1,500 per monthly service charge cycle
MyChoice Premium Checking
This account has a monthly fee of $24.95 that can be waived with any one one of the following methods:
- Keep an average daily balance of $7,500 or more in the account per monthly service charge cycle
- Keep total combined balances of $25,000 or more in eligible personal deposit accounts, loans and home equity outstanding balances, investments6 and business deposit accounts
Early Account Termination Fee
There is no EATF
$50 Referral
There’s also a $50 referral offer from M&T which should stack with the regular bank bonus. More details and referral sharing can be found on this dedicated page. Do not share referrals in the comments here.
Our Verdict
The direct link above is just a generic M&T website link, so the bonus should work for any zip code deemed eligible (not sure what the “not transferable” means in the fine print). I’m assuming this bonus is available in the the states listed above, as was the case last time around (note it won’t work in all areas in those states). Let us know if you see eligible areas elsewhere. Remember, you can’t do this if you’ve gotten a bonus within 12 months.
Do not share referrals in the comments here.
Thanks to reader Michael for letting us know about this bonus. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.
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
Bonus history
- Update 9/2/25: Bonus now $350. Requires premium account. December 31, 2025.
- Update 6/24/25: Bonus now $350. 8/30/2025. Use code TB. Hat tip to reader Tikky
- Update 6/18/25: $200 link, valid 6/1 – 8/31 (ht Bob Dole)
- Update 3/4/25:
- $500 bonus link /500bonus is back, promo code TO, valid till 3/31/25
- $400 bonus link /400bonus, promo code TJ, valid till 3/31/25
- $350 bonus link /premium-checking, valid till 05/31/25
- Now shows Accounts opened outside of eligible regions may not qualify for the bonus.Hat tip to ShawntheShawn
- Update 1/8/25: There’s a new link for $500 bonus with promo code TU, valid through 2/28/25.
- Update 12/15/24: $350 bonus back at this link through 1/31/25 (ht Shawn)
- Update 10/30/24: New code TV 11/30/24. Doesn’t seem to be any mailer restrictions this time. Hat tip to reader Massy Mass
- Update 9/10/24. Looks like you need to have received a mailer to be eligible.
$500 bonus is back with promo code UC. See also this comment for the various options. - Update 7/7/24: Another link for this offer, promo code UB. (ht RobertL)
- Update 7/2/24: Offer is back, new promo code TJ and valid till 8/30.
- Update 4/1/24: Deal is back, this time for $400. Promo code TE and valid until 5/31/24
- Update 3/4/24: Deal is back, this time $350. Valid until 3/29/24.
- Update 1/5/24: There is now a $400 checking offer, requires a $1,000 direct deposit and promo code TK
- Older Post History in this comment
1_ Yes, you register for a referral using your friend’s referral link. 2_ You can open the M&T checking account the same day you register for the referral… Unless there is some reason you want to wait a month. 3_ Correct. Only 1 DD is necessary to get the bank bonus and the referral. $400 is paid via the bank, direct to your account, and the $50 M&T referral Visa reward card arrives via USPS mail.
Hi. I will use your referral to open a personal MT Checking acct. Are these the proper steps? 1) Complete the registration form. 2) Then, open the personal checking account after 1 month? 3) Do the 1 DD for MTBank’s $400 bonus and $50 Visa GC. Then, $450?
.
Thank you! I understand
Hi! Stupid question here with referrals. Is there a trick to stacking online? When you use the referlive registration, I don’t see the $400 promo. Do you later get to add the TN promo code when enrolling into the EZCHOICE account? Thanks
Payout DP as an existing personal checking customer (last bonus received 8/5/25): 8/12 – opened MyChoice Checking online after registering for a referral (used a doc reader’s link). Chex at the time of inquiry: 2/1, 5/2, 6/3, 9/6, 20/12, 35/24, 59/36. 9/3 – pushed 1k DD from Relay 9/4 – $450 bonus posted 9/25 – $50 Refer Live gift card received No Docusign was ever requested. I used a different email to register on Refer Live, but I forget whether I logged into OLB to complete the application. All accounts are under one login though.
Update: received the $50 Visa reward card referral bonus today, 9/26.
overthinking. I referred someone in NYC who then transferred $500 transfer from brokerage, and $400 bonus posted next day. Already drew $890 via ATM, and will draw remaining $10 six months hence. $50 giftcard in mail 2-4 weeks
DP: For 2026 8/18 – Used referral link to sign up with ReferLive 8/29 – Went to branch to open account; could not as I had my Chex frozen. It literally froze their system. They called back office and they said it had to be unfrozen. Did not open 8/30 – Opened MyChoice Premium Checking online with Chex unfrozen after branch visit failed 9/6 – Debit card received and activated 9/10 – $1,050 push from Schwab, posted with description “SCHWAB BROKERAGE MONEYLINK” 9/11 – $450 bonus posted 9/17 – Request for account downgrade to EZChoice Checking via secure message 9/18 – Downgrade completed Will reply when (or if) ReferLive $50 referral is received. Important to note that accounts can’t be open with Chex frozen, and customer service won’t downgrade account over the phone (in my experience). Never had to do a DocuSign, though I did have to visit a branch with ID to register for Online Banking.
Got the message today from rep confirming the conversion has been completed to EZ Choice Checking. Way easier and convenient to do it through that secure message. Thanks for the help Pickle Rick🔗
Honestly, there’s no need to bring up the referral offer at the branch or go through the referral process again there, as doing so may draw unnecessary attention (some bankers are clueless and may overreact). The ReferLive system will automatically link the registered referral to associated M&T accounts.
Confirmed referal bonus is stackable with new account bonus, went in-person, the representative said they don’t have access to referral we filled out online. So representative redo the referral again on her computer (Just to be safe). P2 got $400 account bonus, $50 Referral now shows up in Referlive, sit and wait for it to arrive:)
complete lie Santander. Proven many times this month
Hello, what ended up happening? Were you approved and if so, how long did it take? Was bonus still applied? Thanks.
Update 9/1/26: Current best bonus is $350, will tidy post up once a better offer returns. Update 7/12/26: There is a new $600 offer. $450 for MyChoice Premium Checking, open by 8/31/26 and set up qualifying DDs totaling at least $1k within 90 days of account opening. Additional $150 for Preferred Money Market, open by 8/31/26, deposit $25k in new money, and maintain an average monthly balance of $25k for September and October 2026. Promo code is TM. Additional $150 is not worth it as the account basically earns 0% APY. Some people might want to do the checking bonus for an extra $50 but most people will prefer the easier $400 EZCHOICE bonus. Hat tip to reader Pickle Rick Update 7/9/26: Another variation good through 8/31/26 . Update 6/12/26: New $400 bonus available on the EZCHOICE account (easiest to keep fee free). Promo code is TG and good through July 31, 2026 . Hat tip to reader AJ Update 6/1/26: New bonuses : $200 for MyChoice premium $150 – MyChoice Plus $100 – EzChoice Keep in mind $350 bonus still active: $350 Cash Bonus . Eligible account MyChoice Premium Checking account. Deposit $1000 within 90 days. Promo code: TB . Exp. 6/30/2026. https://campaigns.mtb.com/premium-checking Hat tip to reader Harry Deal has ended, view more bank account bonuses by clicking here . Update 5/10/26: New links: $400 Cash Bonus .Eligible accounts include MyChoice Plus Checking, MyChoice Plus Checking with Interest and MyChoice Premium Checking. Deposit $1000 within 90 days + maintain $10k monthly balance (June & July). Promo code: CP . Exp. 5/30/2026. https://campaigns.mtb.com/get400bonus $350 Cash Bonus . Eligible account MyChoice Premium Checking account. Deposit $1000 within 90 days. Promo code: TB . Exp. 6/30/2026. https://campaigns.mtb.com/premium-checking $300 Cash Bonus .Eligible accounts include EZChoice Checking, MyChoice Plus Checking, MyChoice Plus Checking with Interest and MyChoice Premium Checking. Deposit $500 within 90 days. Promo code: TV . Exp. 5/30/2026. https://campaigns.mtb.com/get300bonus Hat tip to reader Tikky Update 1/6/26: $350 bonus is back at this link through 3/31/26 on MyChoice Premium checking. (ht Unotime1) There’s also a $300 offer at this link on the EZ Choice checking account which is always fee-free. (ht Tikky) Here is another link for $300 checking + $150 savings bonus. (ht Shawn) These are valid through 2/27/26.
I made one last stab at linking M&T to Cash App, and this time it worked. My $500 posted on 9/2 and my bonus posted on 9/3. This is a crazy bank.
Only the 1st month is waived. The bonus posts quickly after the DD, and then you can downgrade.
sure. Let us know how many minutes it took to switch to EZ Checking
I opened the Premium Checking that has a $25 monthly fee. the first monthly has been waived. For how many months do they waive this fee? Can I downgrade this account after the bonus to avoid paying it?
Do you think it matters whether my account is still open or closed when it comes time to receive the ReferLive card? I’m wondering if I can close the account after completing the DD or if it’s better to keep it open until the card arrives
The following offers have expired (Page not found). $600 ($450 MyChoice Premium checking + $150 savings) offer expired 8/31/2026. $400 (EZ Choice checking) offer expired 8/31/2026. The $350 MyChoice Premium Checking offer still works and expires 9/30/2026. https://campaigns.mtb.com/premium-checking Please update William Charles .
I’m in a similar situation 7/29 – Santander $1,500 8/13 – Cash app $1,005 8/28 – Cap1 $1,001 No bonus yet. Confirmed over phone last week (and at opening) that I was enrolled in the *TN* promo, but no dice. Gonna try Wise next.
Didn’t happen to me. I opened my account two weeks ago and activated the debit card over a week ago. Account is still open.
Thankfully a fast payout after a lot of initial hassle(see my prior post for more details) 7/31 – Opened in branch with TU promo code($400 for $500 DD with Premium checking) after they closed my initial account opened online cause they never sent me or got the DocuSign email. 8/28 – $501 real DD 8/31 – $400 posted as “Cash Bonus” One monthly fee waiver showed up on 8/31 which works out nicely, I plan on sending SM/chat to downgrade to EZChoice now. The in-branch visit wasn’t too painful and pretty quick, but unfortunate I had to go visit and they couldn’t apply the $450 bonus(TM) for me. Not sure if I’ll wind up with the referral or not since it might have been tied to my first attempted account that got closed. I would never ever do real or regular business with this bank and suggest that nobody does. Don’t send trial deposits till you get your debit card and it’s activated and/or you return a DocuSign. If you didn’t get that, and you activate your debit card, there is a chance your account gets closed.
I never got docusign, activated debit card and my account got closed later that morning. When I went in branch, they immediately told me that was why it was closed, and they quickly got me set up with a new account.
If the acct has been open less than 180 days they may tell you to go to a branch. They used to have a $50 fee to close early, but reps may not know that the fee is no longer. What “issue” are you having?
Anyone else having an issue closing the account online?
If it’s simply for an ID verification then it’s literally just them needing to see the person and their ID in person, shoudn’t be any reason they then decline him unless he acts super suspicious or makes it clear he’s a churner.
Guessing they are skeptical of not being approved in branch and that would be a waste of time? Only one way to find out… I’d do it. Churn
I tried opening an account over the weekend with Chex frozen and their system made them call the back office. First time I’ve had an issue with keeping Chex frozen and openign an account.