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New Citi Checking Account Cash Bonus w/ Qualifying Enhanced Direct Deposits:

$325 Bonus w/ $3K Deposit
(Online Enrollment; May Vary By State)
+53 Deal Score
83,477 Views
Citi is offering New Citi Checking Account Customers: Cash Bonus Offers w/ Qualifying Enhanced Direct Deposits listed below valid online enrollment only.

Thanks to Community Member EfficientArm1742 for posting this deal.

Note: Offer may not be available in all states.

Deal Instructions:
  1. Open a new eligible Citi Checking account with Enhanced Direct Deposits and enroll in this offer by applying directly from the promotion page.
  2. Deposit at least two (2) Enhanced Direct Deposits directly into your new checking account within 90 calendar days from account opening. Your total combined Enhanced Direct Deposits must equal $3,000 or more. Deposits made to a savings account are not eligible.
    • An Enhanced Direct Deposit (EDD) is an electronic deposit through the Automated Clearing House ("ACH") Network of payroll, pension, Social Security, government benefits and other payments to your checking or savings account. An EDD also includes Zelle incoming payments and other funds from person-to-person (P2P) payments when transferred through the ACH Network using providers such as Venmo or PayPal. Teller deposits, cash deposits, check deposits, wire transfers, transfers between Citibank accounts, ATM transfers and deposits, mobile check deposits, debit card funding transfers, and P2P payment transfers sent to a Citibank debit card do not qualify as EDDs. Any funds transferred from another financial institution or P2P provider through an instant transfer service will also not qualify as an EDD.
  3. You will receive the following cash bonus:
    • $325 when you make $3,000 in qualifying Enhanced Direct Deposits


No Longer Available:
    • $450 when you make $6,000 in qualifying Enhanced Direct Deposits
      • You will only be awarded one Bonus amount, corresponding to the highest sum of all Enhanced Direct Deposits in your Checking Account's "Available Now" funds made within 90 calendar days of opening your new Checking Account

Original Post

Written by
Edited January 17, 2025 at 09:58 PM by
Citi [citi.com] is offering their Citi Checking Account Offer: Open An Eligible Account + Deposit at least Two Enhanced Direct Deposits (EDDs) totaling at least $3000 (within 90-days of account opening) and earn $325 Cash Bonus credited to your account or when you follow the instructions listed below.

OR

Citi [citi.com] is offering their Citi Checking Account Offer: Open An Eligible Account + Deposit at least Two Enhanced Direct Deposits (EDDs) totaling at least $6000 (within 90-days of account opening) and earn $450 Cash Bonus credited to your account or when you follow the instructions below. Expired

Note: Some of the products offered by Citi may vary between locations.

Explore the eligible checking accounts via the promotional page: Citi Access Checkings or Citi Regular Checkings

Deal Instructions:
  • Click this link [citi.com] here
  • Open a qualifying Citi Checking Account via online by January 7, 2025
  • Deposit at least two "Enhanced Direct Deposits" (EDDs) totaling at least $3000 or $6000 within 90 days of account opening
  • Your $325 or $450 cash bonus will be credited within 30 days of the account completing all required activities
Notes:
  • Promotional period is between 10/9/24 and 1/7/25.
  • States may vary. Input ZIP code into here [citi.com] to see whether you are eligible for the offer.
  • Sign up bonuses count as taxable income and are subject to federal and state income taxes. They will be taxed according to the tax bracket you are in after accounting for the sign up bonus.
  • No Minimum Deposit to open Citi Access Checkings or Citi Regular Checkings.
  • Citi Access Checkings has a monthly maintenance fee of $5 or $0 if the account has gotten $250+ in Enhanced Direct Deposits per monthly service charge cycle.
  • Citi Regular Checkings has a monthly maintenance fee of $15 or $0 if if the account has gotten $250+ in Enhanced Direct Deposits per monthly service charge cycle.
  • The monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first 3 months after accounting opening for both Citi Access Checkings and Citi Regular Checkings.
  • No early account termination fee.
  • An Enhanced Direct Deposit (EDD) is an electronic deposit through the Automated Clearing House ("ACH") Network of payroll, pension, Social Security, government benefits and other payments to your checking or savings account. An EDD also includes Zelle® incoming payments and other funds from person-to-person (P2P) payments when transferred through the ACH Network using providers such as Venmo or PayPal.
  • Teller deposits, cash deposits, check deposits, wire transfers, transfers between Citibank accounts, ATM transfers and deposits, mobile check deposits, debit card funding transfers, and P2P payment transfers sent to a Citibank debit card do not qualify as EDDs. Any funds transferred from another financial institution or P2P provider through an instant transfer service will also not qualify as an EDD.
  • Some bank transfers and online transfers may qualify as direct deposits. Click here [doctorofcredit.com] to see which banks and companies code their transfers as direct deposits for Citi Bank.
  • So long as you have not owned a Citibank checking account in the last 365 days, meet Tax Requirements, and are at least 18 years old, you can apply to participate in the Enhanced Direct Deposit Checking Acquisition Offer ("Enhanced Direct Deposit Offer").
QA Note: $450 bonus offer is expired. $325 offer has been extended to 3/12/25
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Created 11-13-2024 at 07:10 AM by EfficientArm1742
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Deal
Score
+53
83,477 Views
$325 Bonus w/ $3K Deposit
These responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

119 Comments

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Featured Comments

It is really easy to clear the direct deposit requirements because Paypal and Zelle inbound transfers count as an EDD. However, DO NOT, and I repeat DO NOT use Zelle to transfer money out. It is very common to be put on a fraud hold if you transfer money out using Zelle. Transfer money out by using a trusted hub account to pull funds. If you don't have a hub account, then wait after the bonus posts then try to do a external transfer.

What is a hub account? A Hub Bank Account is simply a bank account that will make it easy to electronically transfer money into and out of your other accounts. Within your bank account, you can do an electronic funds transfer service that allows you to initiate bank-to-bank transfers (known as ACH transfer).
Their banking system is horrible. Most likely they will flag your account after your first transfer and will block all the money. You won't find an official looking phone number because they have dozens of them. There have been many scams where you get mail posing as Citibank and even their official mails aren't that convincing. I had a hard time getting my money back and going back and forth with them. I closed my account as soon as I got it back. Never again
In the notes section:
"So long as you have not owned a Citibank checking account in the last 365 days, meet Tax Requirements, and are at least 18 years old, you can apply to participate in the Enhanced Direct Deposit Checking Acquisition Offer ("Enhanced Direct Deposit Offer")."

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Joined Nov 2013
L8: Grand Teacher
> bubble2 3,065 Posts
83 Reputation
okaythen
12-05-2024 at 08:15 AM.
12-05-2024 at 08:15 AM.
Which states quality or don't qualify? I don't see it in the link. The last day for this is 1/7/2025 but I need to apply way before that since they need to approve the application? I suppose it's around a week to get application approved?
Reply
Joined Nov 2012
L2: Beginner
> bubble2 50 Posts
44 Reputation
YaboBoy440
12-06-2024 at 09:05 AM.
12-06-2024 at 09:05 AM.
Hi guys, do you have to keep the 6k in the checking account until you get the reward? Thanks in advance.
Reply
Joined Oct 2023
New User
> bubble2 5 Posts
10 Reputation
RelaxedActivity7952
12-06-2024 at 05:20 PM.
12-06-2024 at 05:20 PM.
Quote from RelaxedActivity7952 :
I send this week several payments with Zelle. Now I have $8,000.
Let see in some weeks I get it, but anyway, I associated my payments for direct deposit.
I got it!!!
Nov 18 $500 (Zelle)
Nov 20 $500 (Zelle)
Nov 20 $500 (Zelle)
Nov 22 $500 (Zelle)
Nov 22 $3000 (Zelle)
Nov 22 $3000 (Zelle)
Nov 29 $2000 (direct deposit)
Dec 2 $450 Bonus

I used several Zelle (from different accounts).
Thanks!!
Reply
Joined Jul 2009
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 847 Posts
49 Reputation
C47V3770
12-07-2024 at 07:58 AM.
12-07-2024 at 07:58 AM.
I did two transfers:

Nov 29 - ACH Electronic Credit VANGUARD SELLINVESTMENT - $1500
Dec 02 - ACH Electronic Credit VANGUARD SELLINVESTMENT - $1500

No bonus yet. Hopefully no issues..
Reply
Joined Nov 2015
New User
> bubble2 2 Posts
10 Reputation
Gd4g
12-07-2024 at 05:20 PM.
12-07-2024 at 05:20 PM.
Quote from mike312 :
From op's post
You will only be awarded one Bonus amount, corresponding to the highest sum of all Enhanced Direct Deposits in your Checking Account's "Available Now" funds made within 90 calendar days of opening your new Checking Account.

This tells me you need to leave the amount till bonus hits... I may be wrong

Thank you. Just reporting back. I tested and withdrew some funds 12/05 and check today 12/07 and bonus of $450 was posted 12/06.

Good luck all.
Reply
Joined Dec 2011
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,054 Posts
53 Reputation
shaolinwookie
12-10-2024 at 04:29 AM.
12-10-2024 at 04:29 AM.
Quote from C47V3770 :
I did two transfers:

Nov 29 - ACH Electronic Credit VANGUARD SELLINVESTMENT - $1500
Dec 02 - ACH Electronic Credit VANGUARD SELLINVESTMENT - $1500

No bonus yet. Hopefully no issues..
you made a deposit form your retirement account? and that counts?
Reply
Joined Jul 2009
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 847 Posts
49 Reputation
C47V3770
12-10-2024 at 05:23 AM.
12-10-2024 at 05:23 AM.
Quote from shaolinwookie :
you made a deposit form your retirement account? and that counts?

It's a brokerage account. After reading about ACH payments in the fine print, I figured these would qualify. Maybe they don't since I haven't received the bonus yet..
Reply

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Joined Dec 2011
L6: Expert
> bubble2 1,054 Posts
53 Reputation
shaolinwookie
12-17-2024 at 04:32 AM.
12-17-2024 at 04:32 AM.
Quote from C47V3770 :
It's a brokerage account. After reading about ACH payments in the fine print, I figured these would qualify. Maybe they don't since I haven't received the bonus yet..
i havent read the terms for this promo but just what i know about direct deposits, id figure it wouldnt count
Reply
Joined Jul 2009
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 847 Posts
49 Reputation
C47V3770
12-17-2024 at 05:02 AM.
12-17-2024 at 05:02 AM.
Quote from shaolinwookie :
i havent read the terms for this promo but just what i know about direct deposits, id figure it wouldnt count

Yeah no issues. Bonus was deposited.
Reply
Joined May 2014
New User
> bubble2 19 Posts
10 Reputation
Papaya280
12-21-2024 at 03:05 AM.
12-21-2024 at 03:05 AM.
I got my bonus, when can I close the account?
Reply
Joined Feb 2008
L5: Journeyman
> bubble2 735 Posts
299 Reputation
hsanchez97
12-21-2024 at 10:07 AM.
12-21-2024 at 10:07 AM.
Quote from Papaya280 :
I got my bonus, when can I close the account?
I'd like to know as well if anyone can chime in!

I got a bonus for myself and my wife. They took 10 & 11 calendar days after meeting requirements if anyone is wondering.
Reply
Last edited by hsanchez97 December 21, 2024 at 10:09 AM.
Joined Jan 2007
L4: Apprentice
> bubble2 303 Posts
75 Reputation
armando416
12-22-2024 at 08:01 AM.
12-22-2024 at 08:01 AM.
Quote from Papaya280 :
I got my bonus, when can I close the account?

Well I tried transferring funds (not everything, all but $1k) out of my Citi account back to the originating account 5 days after getting the bonus. The transfer didn't go through and looks like my account is being flagged for fraud, so I'm going to have to call. Apparently it's not fraudulent to put it in there, but highly suspect if you try to take it back out.

I was trying to use Citi's external account transfer, not Zelle...since I saw a post warning Zelle transfers tend to get flagged. So far not liking the Citi experience other than the free money!
Reply
Joined Nov 2009
L3: Novice
> bubble2 207 Posts
88 Reputation
NemoD
12-22-2024 at 08:34 AM.
12-22-2024 at 08:34 AM.
I tried to open an account online but was denied right after logging into my Citi account. I've never had a bank account with them (only credit cards). I'll have to wait 7-10 days for them to mail me the reason.
Reply
Joined Mar 2011
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,565 Posts
1,151 Reputation
ballershanelle
12-24-2024 at 07:39 PM.
12-24-2024 at 07:39 PM.
Please add to the wiki, if possible. If one has thier Costco Card and another citi card within thier online manage acct,you must delete the non business from the profile. *Call in and they can drop that Citi card from that org. Email profile. it can be added back after you close the new checking acct/profile.

Open your checking account w a new email and register for an online profile . add any Citi bank card (not Costco) to that profile to continue managing, pay, or view your accts. It links

When ready to cancel the checking acct .call in and have the Citi card deleted. I suppose we can delete the whole profile, thereafter. link the Citi card back onto the original email/profile that's tied to your Costco account.

*I was not able to connect checking to my original profile w Costco Citi on it. It took five days with depts to figure this out and many citi agents were unaware. My checking linked easily after we separated my cards.

I removed 6k from my credit union. Walked it right over and deposited it over two days, at chase. I just completed a chase checking reward. Smilie. I did both new registrations of zelle on chase and the Citi account. I yelled $6,005 over a seven day period. I had to wait for my daily limit to increase. Within 11 days, $450 hit my acct. 11.25.24 applied - 12.20.24 money deposited. I will pay bills with the Citi checking until 4 or 5 months pass,then close.
Reply
Last edited by ballershanelle December 24, 2024 at 07:58 PM.

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Joined Mar 2011
L10: Grand Master
> bubble2 6,565 Posts
1,151 Reputation
ballershanelle
12-24-2024 at 08:07 PM.
12-24-2024 at 08:07 PM.
Quote from okaythen :
I have credit freeze so how long do I need to unfreeze my credit after applying?
I didn't unfreeze my credit
Reply
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