Up to $750
30.4% APY
Hold $5k ($400) or $15k ($750) ~60 days.
Ease 4/10 · ~60 daysNo expiration
Hold balanceDetails
Public offerGet Up to $750 at Bank of America→Bank account churning, explained without the jargon
Start here · 8 min read · updated 2026-08-14
Bank account churning means repeatedly opening new bank accounts to collect sign up bonuses, then moving on once the bonus posts. A disciplined person earns $1,000 to $5,000 a year this way. It is legal, banks budget for it, and the only real limits are each bank's own eligibility rules.
What churning actually is
Banks pay to acquire customers. A checking customer with a direct deposit attached is worth several hundred dollars to them over time, so they will hand you $200 to $600 up front to become one. Churning is simply taking that offer, meeting the requirement, collecting the money, and repeating with the next bank.
Nothing about it is a loophole. The offer is printed on the bank's own page, the terms say exactly what you have to do, and the bonus is reported to the IRS. You are being paid for switching, and most people never switch, which is why the payment exists.
The three requirement types
| Requirement | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Direct deposit | You must receive an ACH credit of a set size, usually coded as payroll. Split your paycheck at your employer's portal, or use a payroll provider that lets you route a fixed amount. |
| Balance hold | You must keep a minimum balance for 60 to 120 days. No paycheck involved, but your cash is parked, so judge these by effective APY. |
| Spend or transfer | Card and brokerage offers ask for spending inside a window, or assets transferred in. Transfers can move in kind, so nothing has to be sold. |
The rules that decide whether you qualify
- Cooling off periods. Most banks exclude anyone who held the same account type in the last 12 to 24 months, or who took a bonus in the last two years.
- ChexSystems. Banks check a deposit account history report, not usually your credit. Too many new accounts in a short window can trigger a denial. Roughly one new account a month is a comfortable pace.
- 5/24 for Chase cards. Five or more new personal credit cards from any issuer in the last 24 months usually means a Chase card denial, regardless of income or score.
- Early termination fees. Some banks charge $25 to $50 if the account closes within 90 to 180 days. Leave the account open and empty instead.
A pace that does not get you shut down
The failure mode is not doing this at all, it is doing it sloppily: opening five accounts in a week, funding none of them, then closing them the day the bonus posts. That pattern gets flagged.
A safe rhythm is one or two new deposit accounts a month, direct deposit routed for the full qualifying window plus a month, the account left open with a small balance for six months, and a note of the date the bonus posted.
What it is worth
Ten checking bonuses averaging $300 is $3,000 a year for perhaps six hours of total work. That is a higher hourly rate than most side jobs, it requires no customers, and the money is not correlated with the stock market.
Offers that prove the point
Live offers from the tracker, updated as terms change.
$1,200
29.2% APY
Hold $25,000 new money 60 days + 6 qualifying transactions.
Ease 3/10 · ~30 days afterAug 30, 2026
Hold balanceDetails
Public offerGet $1,200 at U.S. Bank→Up to $200
16.2% APY
Hold $3,000 avg · $50 per cycle · code START200.
Ease 6/10 · per cycleAug 30, 2026
Hold balanceDetails
Public offerGet Up to $200 at Axos→$200
6.6% APY
Hold $10,000 for 90 days (fund within 20).
Ease 5/10 · ~90 daysJul 30, 2026
Hold balanceDetails
Public offerGet $200 at TD Bank→Questions people ask
Is bank churning legal?
Yes. You are accepting a public offer on the bank's published terms. The bonus is taxable income reported on Form 1099-INT or 1099-MISC.
Does churning hurt my credit score?
Opening checking accounts usually does not, because most banks pull ChexSystems rather than a credit bureau. Credit card sign up bonuses do involve a hard pull, worth a few points that recover in months.
How much can a beginner realistically make in the first year?
Between $1,000 and $3,000 from deposit account bonuses alone, without touching credit cards, starting with the offers that have no direct deposit requirement.
Keep going
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Banks & Credit Unions
11 offersAlly Bank
$100 cash
Open Ally Spending or Savings with a qualifying deposit. Bonus posts once the balance is verified. No monthly fee, no minimum balance, and 24/7 US-based support.
Read the Ally Bank write-up: steps, timing, effective APYSuncoast Credit Union
$100 cash
Florida-headquartered CU that is nationally referable. $100 posts after two direct deposits of $100+ within 90 days of opening.
Read the Suncoast Credit Union write-up: steps, timing, effective APYU.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union
$50 cash each
New Mexico credit union with a member-get-member referral. Open a qualifying checking account through the link and finish the activity the welcome email lists, and both sides get paid.
Read the U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union write-up: steps, timing, effective APYOregon State Credit Union
Up to $600 per year in rewards
High-yield checking that pays a bonus rate on balances up to $15,000 when you run 12 debit transactions, one direct deposit, and eStatements each month.
Read the Oregon State Credit Union write-up: steps, timing, effective APYWings Credit Union
$100 cash
Top-rated CU (Bauer 5-star, NCUA-insured). $100 posts after opening a High-Yield Checking account and running the qualifying activity.
Read the Wings Credit Union write-up: steps, timing, effective APYWings Credit Union (Visa GC)
$50 virtual Visa card each
A virtual $50 Visa gift card once your referred membership is verified. Stackable with the $100 Wings checking bonus above, so the two together are worth $150.
Read the Wings Credit Union (Visa GC) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYOnPath Federal Credit Union
$100 cash
Louisiana CU, nationally referable. $100 posts after a qualifying direct deposit or account activity on new checking.
Read the OnPath Federal Credit Union write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAssociated Bank (Personal)
$300 to $500 cash
Midwest bank (WI, IL, MN). Tiered checking bonus that scales with direct deposit size. The Churnables tier tends to pay $100 more than the public offer.
Read the Associated Bank (Personal) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYDigital Federal Credit Union
$100 cash
Nationally-open CU with 6.17% APY on the first $1,000 in Primary Savings. $100 checking bonus for referred members after one direct deposit.
Read the Digital Federal Credit Union write-up: steps, timing, effective APYHigh-Yield Savings
2 offersBrokerage & Investing
10 offersMoomoo
Up to 16 free stocks (typical value $200+)
Tiered deposit bonus: fund $100 for 5 shares, another $2,000 for 10 more, $20,000 for 1 additional bonus share. Idle cash earns ~8% APY in the sweep. Both IRAs and taxable accounts eligible.
Read the Moomoo write-up: steps, timing, effective APYMoomoo (alt link)
Up to 16 free stocks
Alternate Moomoo link. Same tiered deposit bonus, same 8% APY sweep on idle cash. Use whichever page shows the higher current promotion.
Read the Moomoo (alt link) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYWebull
Up to 75 free fractional shares
Open a new brokerage and fund at least $500. Shares are drawn from a pool that includes AAPL, TSLA, and other US large caps. Random per-share value, cumulative haul often $50 to $300.
Read the Webull write-up: steps, timing, effective APYWebull (12-share offer)
12 free shares (up to $3,000 total value)
Alternate Webull link. Deposit $100+ for 6 shares, $2,000+ for 6 additional. Each share can be worth up to $250.
Read the Webull (12-share offer) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYRobinhood
1 free stock + 3% IRA transfer match
Free gift stock at account open (typically worth $5 to $200). With Robinhood Gold ($5/mo), get a 3% match on IRA transfers and 4% APY on idle cash.
Read the Robinhood write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAPEX Fintech
Waitlist priority
The clearing firm behind many popular neobrokers. This link grants earlier access to the direct-to-consumer waitlist.
Read the APEX Fintech write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAcorns
$5 signup credit
Round-up investing app ($3 to $12 per month). $5 posts to your first Invest account after linking a funding source.
Read the Acorns write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAlbert
$150 direct deposit bonus
Auto-savings and smart-money app with fee-free cash advances. $150 posts after your first qualifying direct deposit.
Read the Albert write-up: steps, timing, effective APYCredit Cards
23 offersChase Sapphire 100K (Preferred or Reserve)
100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
New offer page giving 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points on either the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve. Transfer 1:1 to World of Hyatt, United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, and 8 more partners. Worth roughly $2,000 in travel at 2.0 cpp. Preferred has a $95 annual fee; Reserve has a $795 annual fee, $300 travel credit, and Priority Pass lounge access. 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Sapphire 100K (Preferred or Reserve) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Sapphire Reserve
100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Ultimate Rewards transfer 1:1 to World of Hyatt, United MileagePlus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, and 8 more partners. Worth roughly $2,000 in travel at 2.0 cpp. $795 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access. 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Sapphire Reserve write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Sapphire Preferred
60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points
The best entry point into Ultimate Rewards. 60K posts after $5,000 spend in 3 months. Transfer 1:1 to Hyatt (a category-4 Hyatt runs 15K points a night), United, Southwest, Aeroplan, and Flying Blue. Worth roughly $1,200 in travel. $95 annual fee. 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Sapphire Preferred write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Freedom Unlimited
$200 cashback + 5% on groceries first year
Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points (worth 1 cent as cashback, up to 2 cents when paired with a Sapphire or Ink card and transferred to a travel partner). 1.5% flat everywhere, 3% dining and drugstores, 5% travel through Chase. No annual fee, 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 1)
$200 cashback + 5% bonus categories
Alternate Chase link for the Freedom family. Choose the Unlimited for 1.5% flat everywhere and 5% on groceries in year one, or the Flex for quarterly 5% rotating categories. No annual fee, 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 1) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 2)
$200 cashback + 5% bonus categories
Another alternate Chase link for the Freedom family. Same offer: choose Unlimited or Flex, earn $200 after $500 spend in 3 months, plus the card's ongoing 5% categories. No annual fee, 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 2) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 3)
$200 cashback + 5% bonus categories
Third alternate Chase link for the Freedom family. Apply through whichever link shows the best bonus today. No annual fee, 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 3) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 4)
$200 cashback + 5% bonus categories
Fourth alternate Chase link for the Freedom family. Keep this as a backup in case another link targets a higher-tier offer or different card. No annual fee, 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Freedom Unlimited / Flex (alt link 4) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase Freedom Flex
$200 cashback + rotating 5% categories
5% on quarterly bonus categories (up to $1,500 spend per quarter), 5% travel through Chase, 3% dining and drugstores. Points combine with a Sapphire for full 1:1 partner transfers. No annual fee, 5/24 rule applies.
Read the Chase Freedom Flex write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase United Explorer
60,000 United MileagePlus miles
United co-brand. Free first checked bag on United, 2 United Club passes per year, 25% back on inflight purchases. Miles book on United, Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa, and 20+ Star Alliance carriers. $0 first year, then $150. Each approval also pays Churnables 10,000 miles, up to 100,000 a year.
Read the Chase United Explorer write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase United MileagePlus (alt link 1)
60,000+ United MileagePlus miles
Alternate United MileagePlus link. Choose any United card that fits your wallet; offer may include the Explorer with 60,000 miles and the same free-bag and United Club pass benefits. $0 first year, then $150 on the Explorer.
Read the Chase United MileagePlus (alt link 1) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase United MileagePlus (alt link 2)
60,000+ United MileagePlus miles
Another alternate United MileagePlus link. Compare this against the main Explorer link; these offer pages sometimes show different card variants or elevated mile bonuses. $0 first year, then $150 on the Explorer.
Read the Chase United MileagePlus (alt link 2) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYChase United MileagePlus (alt link 3)
60,000+ United MileagePlus miles
Third alternate United link. Free first checked bag on United, 2 United Club passes per year, 25% back on inflight purchases. $0 first year, then $150 on the Explorer.
Read the Chase United MileagePlus (alt link 3) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAmex Gold / Platinum (Personal)
80,000 to 175,000 Membership Rewards points
Amex MR transfers 1:1 to Delta SkyMiles, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, British Airways Avios, Virgin Atlantic, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, and 15+ more. Worth 1.5 to 2.0 cents each in travel. Gold: $325 fee, $120 dining + $120 Uber credits. Platinum: $895 fee, $200 airline + $200 hotel + $200 Uber + $240 digital ent + $200 Saks credits.
Read the Amex Gold / Platinum (Personal) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYDelta SkyMiles Gold Amex
40,000 to 75,000 Delta SkyMiles
Delta co-brand. Free first checked bag on Delta (up to 9 people on your booking, saves $70 round trip), 20% back on inflight purchases, 2x miles at restaurants, US supermarkets, and on Delta. $0 first year, then $150. Miles redeem for Delta flights and SkyTeam partners (Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic).
Read the Delta SkyMiles Gold Amex write-up: steps, timing, effective APYDelta SkyMiles Gold (alt link)
40,000 to 75,000 Delta SkyMiles
Alternate link for the Delta Gold Amex. Same 2x categories, free first checked bag, and $200 Delta flight credit after $10K annual spend. Use whichever link Amex shows the higher offer on today.
Read the Delta SkyMiles Gold (alt link) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAmex Blue Cash Everyday
$200 statement credit
No annual fee cashback card. 3% at US supermarkets (up to $6K/yr), 3% on US online retail, 3% at US gas stations, 1% everywhere else. $200 posts after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Solid keeper card for groceries and gas.
Read the Amex Blue Cash Everyday write-up: steps, timing, effective APYMarriott Bonvoy Business Amex
3 Free Night Awards (up to 150K points value)
Marriott business co-brand. Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each up to 50K Bonvoy points, stackable at properties like Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, W Hotels) after $6K spend in 6 months. Automatic Gold Elite status, 15 elite night credits per year. $125 annual fee.
Read the Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex write-up: steps, timing, effective APYBrowse All Amex Cards
Elevated welcome offer on any Amex
Full Amex card lineup on one page: Gold, Platinum, Delta, Marriott, Hilton, Business Gold, Blue Business Cash, and more. Use this when comparing multiple Amex products or when Amex is running a limited-time elevated offer.
Read the Browse All Amex Cards write-up: steps, timing, effective APYCapital One Quicksilver
$200 cashback
Flat 1.5% cashback everywhere, no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee. $200 posts after $500 spend in 3 months. Pairs well with Venture X (Capital One Miles transfer to 15+ airline partners) if you upgrade later.
Read the Capital One Quicksilver write-up: steps, timing, effective APYDiscover it Cash Back
Cashback Match (unlimited, first year)
5% on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 spend), 1% everywhere else. Discover doubles every dollar of cashback you earn in year one with no cap. A typical churner walks away with $300 to $600 in year-one cashback.
Read the Discover it Cash Back write-up: steps, timing, effective APYDiscover it (alt link)
Cashback Match (unlimited, first year)
Alternate Discover it link. Same first-year Cashback Match, same 5% rotating categories. Use whichever link Discover shows the higher offer on today.
Read the Discover it (alt link) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYPrime Visa
$150 Amazon gift card on approval
Requires Prime membership. 5% at Amazon and Whole Foods, 2% at gas / restaurants / transit, 1% everywhere else. No annual fee (Prime cost aside), no foreign transaction fee. Gift card credits instantly.
Read the Prime Visa write-up: steps, timing, effective APYCrypto
4 offersCoinbase
$10 in Bitcoin
Buy or sell $100 of crypto within 180 days of signup, receive $10 in BTC. Fully regulated US exchange (Nasdaq-listed COIN) with insured USD balances.
Read the Coinbase write-up: steps, timing, effective APYGemini
$15 in Bitcoin
Trade $100 of crypto within 30 days, receive $15 of BTC. NYDFS-regulated, SOC 2 audited, insured custody. ActiveTrader fees are among the lowest in the industry.
Read the Gemini write-up: steps, timing, effective APYCashback & Money Apps
9 offersCapital One Shopping
$10 gift-card credit
Free browser extension (no Capital One account required). Auto-applies coupon codes at checkout and price-compares Amazon third-party sellers. Signup credit posts after your first qualifying purchase.
Read the Capital One Shopping write-up: steps, timing, effective APYUpside
Extra $0.15 per gallon on first fill-up + ongoing cashback
Cashback on gas, groceries, and restaurants. Typically 10 to 30 cents per gallon on top of the pump price. Use promo code JS699 at signup. Cash out to bank, PayPal, or Amazon.
Read the Upside write-up: steps, timing, effective APYSwagbucks
$10 bonus after $25 earned
Earn SB points for surveys, shopping portals, and offers. 100 SB equals $1. Cash out to PayPal or one of 500+ gift cards.
Read the Swagbucks write-up: steps, timing, effective APYGopuff
$10 off first two orders
Instant delivery of groceries, snacks, and essentials in most US metros. $10 credit on each of your first two orders when you use the code.
Read the Gopuff write-up: steps, timing, effective APYPFS Buyers Club
Discount travel and tech perks
Membership marketplace with below-retail deals on cruises, resort stays, phones, and appliances through bulk buying power.
Read the PFS Buyers Club write-up: steps, timing, effective APYWise
Zero fees on a transfer up to $500
Mid-market FX rates, typically 5 to 10x cheaper than a bank wire, plus zero fees on your first transfer up to $500. Refer three friends and Wise pays out $50. Multi-currency account with local bank details in 10+ countries.
Read the Wise write-up: steps, timing, effective APYPayPal
$10 for you after sending $5
Send $5 or more to a friend or business within 30 days of signup and receive $10 in your PayPal balance. Cash out to any linked bank. We earn $100 once a referred friend spends $5.
Read the PayPal write-up: steps, timing, effective APYPrivacy.com
$5 signup credit
Virtual card generator: create single-use or merchant-locked cards to shut down subscription creep and limit exposure to data breaches. Free personal tier available.
Read the Privacy.com write-up: steps, timing, effective APYMoneyLion
Signup bonus on a qualifying direct deposit
All-in-one money app: fee-free RoarMoney checking, up to two-day early direct deposit, 0% APR Instacash advances, and automated investing. Start from the link so the bonus code is applied for you, then complete signup in the same session.
Code$GladShaun228Read the MoneyLion write-up: steps, timing, effective APYTravel & Lifestyle
1 offersBusiness
2 offersAssociated Bank (Business)
$500 to $1,000 cash
Business checking variant. Pays for direct deposits plus a qualifying $25,000+ balance held 60 days. LLCs and sole proprietors both eligible.
Read the Associated Bank (Business) write-up: steps, timing, effective APYAmex Blue Business Cash
$500 cashback statement credit
2% cashback on every purchase up to $50,000 per year (1% after), no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee. $500 posts after $5,000 spend in 6 months. LLCs, sole props, and freelancers all eligible.
Read the Amex Blue Business Cash write-up: steps, timing, effective APY