Citi Bank Bonus: Earn Up to $2,500 for Opening a Checking Account

Most products on this page are from partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how they appear on the page. However, opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Citi. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone and have not been endorsed by Citi. All information was collected independently by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Disclosure: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

Citi is one of the largest banks in the U.S., and it offers a wide range of banking products, including checking accounts that sometimes feature bonus opportunities for new customers. Right now, you could earn up to $2,500 if you meet the requirements for opening an eligible bank account, from our partner Citi.

If you’re thinking about opening a new account, here’s what you need to know about some of its most valuable banking products.

Citi Checking Account Bonus Offers

Currently, Citi is offering a cash bonus through several of its checking account tiers, including Citigold. The bonus ranges from $500 to $2,500, depending on the balance you maintain in the account. Here is a look at the details of this Citi bank bonus offer:

Bonus amount: $500-$2,500

Offer expiration: July 8, 2024 

Offer requirements:

• Open a new eligible account using the Citi link before the expiration date.
• Deposit funds that are new to Citi within 20 days of opening your account. 
• The balance in your account on the 20th day determines how much of a bonus you get.
• Maintain the required balance for another 60 days from the 21st day of account opening.

Payout timeline: The cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 30 days after you’ve completed all the requirements.

Bonus tiers: Here is how much bonus cash you can earn based on the amount you deposit and maintain according to the offer requirements.

Citi Checking Account Tiers Eligible for the Bonus Offer

Citi has four tiers that are eligible for the current bonus offer. Here is how they break down, including the minimum balance required for each tier.

Everyday Benefits

Everyday Benefits is Citi's lower tier but it covers what many, if not most, people need in a checking account, and there are two accounts to pick from.

Required average monthly balance: $0-$29,999.99

Qualifying checking accounts:

• Access Checking
• Regular Checking

Features:

• Citi Mobile® App
• Online banking tools 
• More than 65,000 ATMs nationwide
• Direct deposit, Zelle and other easy transfer options

Monthly service fee: 

• $5 for Access Checking
• $15 for Regular Checking
• Waived for either with $250+ in monthly Enhanced Direct Deposits

ATM fees: 

• $2.50 Non-Citi ATMs for Access Checking
• Waived for Regular Checking if you have $250+ in monthly Enhanced Direct Deposits

Overdraft fee: $0

Related Article

U.S. Bank Bonus Offers: Up to $900 for Opening New Accounts

Read More

Citi Priority

Citi Priority is the first tier that qualifies for relationship benefits, but you'll need to keep a higher minimum balance in the account, which won't work for some people. It does come with a few extra perks, however.

Required average monthly balance: $30,000-$199,999.99

Qualifying checking accounts:

• Access Checking
• Regular Checking

Features:

• All the perks of Everyday Benefits Tier
• Several waived fees
• Financial planning guidance
• Higher withdrawal and transaction limits

Monthly service fee: Waived for both accounts at this tier

ATM fees:

• $2.50 Non-Citi ATMs for Access Checking
• Waived for Regular Checking 

Citigold^®

Citigold packages require a high monthly balance but provide more investment services and other perks for those who plan to keep a lot more money in their checking accounts.

Required average monthly balance: $200,000-$999,999.99

Qualifying checking accounts:

• Access Checking
• Regular Checking

Features:

• All the perks of the Citi Priority tier
• Unlimited fee reimbursement at Non-Citibank ATMs globally
• Dedicated team for investment guidance 
• Up to $200 annually in cash-back rebates

Monthly service fee: Waived for both accounts at this tier

ATM fees: Waived for both accounts at this tier

Overdraft fee: $0

Related Article

Best Bank Account Bonus Promotions in December 2024

Read More

Citigold Private Client^®

Citi's highest tier is designed for wealthy customers who can keep $1 million or more in their checking account. If that works for you, however, you'll have access to dedicated wealth management services and more.

Required average monthly balance: $1 million+

Features:

• All the perks of the Citigold tier
• Increased limits for mobile deposits, ATM withdrawals and more 
• Advanced wealth planning and management
• Up to $400 annually in cash-back rebates

Monthly service fee: Waived 

ATM fees: Waived

Overdraft fee: $0

Things to Know About Citi Bonus Offers

• You need to use new funds: You’ll need to deposit a minimum balance into your new account and those funds need to be new to Citi, so you can’t just move them over from a different Citi account.
• You may have to pay taxes: Bank bonuses are generally considered taxable income by the IRS, so you may receive a tax form from Citi and will likely need to count your bonus at tax time.
• Not all locations are eligible: Citi checking account bonuses are available in most zip codes, but it’s always a good idea to check the fine print before you sign up to be sure you qualify for a bonus. 
• Pay attention to the timeline: Banks usually have requirements about when you need to deposit funds and how long you need to keep it in the account to earn a bonus. Citi is no exception, so check if the timeline works for your finances before you commit.
• Check eligibility requirements: Citi notes that opening an account doesn't automatically mean you meet eligibility requirements. Also be sure to check the minimum balance requirements for the account you want, as some can be quite high.

Compare Citi Credit Cards

Credit Card	Intro Bonus	Annual Fee	Rewards Rate	Learn More
Citi Double Cash® Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	$200Cash Bonus More Info Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.	$0	2%Cashback More Info Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	75,000Citi ThankYou® Points More Info Limited Time Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. Dollar Equivalent: $1,350 (75,000 Citi ThankYou® Points * 0.018 base)	$95	1X-10XPoints More Info 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets 3x -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations 1x -- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Citi Custom Cash® Card Apply Now Rates & Fees	$200Cash Bonus More Info Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.	$0	1% - 5%Cashback More Info Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.	Apply Now Rates & Fees
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Apply Now Rates & Fees	$0Cash Bonus	$0 More info Active Costco membership required	1% - 4%Cashback More Info Earn 4% cash back on up to $7,000 in annual gas and EV charging purchases (and then 1% after), 3% back on restaurant and travel purchases, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com and 1% everywhere else.	Apply Now Rates & Fees

What Do I Need to Open a Citi Checking Account?

Whether you're opening a new account online or in a branch, you'll typically need the following information to open a Citi checking account:

• Personal information, including an up-to-date phone number and mailing address, and Social Security number
• Verification of employment status and income, such as a tax return, W-9 form or W-8BEN form
• Valid identification, like a state ID, driver's license or military ID

Other Bank Bonuses to Consider

If you don't have the funds on hand to meet Citi's bonus requirements, you may want to consider one of these other new accounts with sign-up bonuses, or the following bank bonus offers.

Recommended Bank Bonuses

Bank Account	Intro Bonus	Minimum Deposit	Learn More
SoFi Checking and Savings Open Account Member FDIC Member FDIC	$50-$300Expires January 31, 2026 More Info New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at sofi.com/banking. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC. SoFi members with Direct Deposit can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 4.00% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Direct Deposit will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.	N/A	Open Account
U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking Account (Member FDIC) Open Account	Up to $450Expires December 30, 2024 More Info Earn up to $450 when you open a new U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account and complete qualifying activities. Subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through December 30, 2024. Member FDIC. Offer may not be available if you are an existing U.S. Bank customer or live outside of the U.S. Bank footprint.	$25	Open Account
Chase Total Checking® Account Open Account	$300Expires January 22, 2025 More Info New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities	N/A	Open Account
Key Smart Checking® Open Account	$300Expires May 16, 2025 More Info Earn $300 after qualified activities until 05.16.25 with the no-monthly-maintenance-fee Key Smart Checking®. Geographic restrictions apply and account opening is subject to approval. Offer is available in these states: AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, ME, MA, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA	$10	Open Account
Chase Business Complete Checking® Open Account	$300Expires January 16, 2025 More Info Earn $300 when you open a new Chase Business Complete Checking® account. For new Chase business checking customers with qualifying activities.	N/A	Open Account

Bottom Line

The Citi bank bonus is one of the biggest bank account bonuses you can get. If you can meet the requirements to maximize the cash bonus, consider making the switch and start taking advantage of the benefits that Citi has to offer. Read the bonus fine print before applying so you don’t miss out on the money.

FAQ

• Which accounts can I open to earn a Citi bank bonus?

  You can open an Access Checking or Regular Checking account to earn a Citi bank bonus. But you'll need to meet minimum balance requirements and keep funds in the account for a certain amount of time to qualify for the bonus.

• How do the Citi tiers work for these bank bonuses?

  Citi has four tiers for its checking accounts, and which one you are eligible for mostly depends on how much money you can keep in your account. Most people will qualify for the Everyday Benefits tier, which is the basic one. The other three tiers, including Citigold, require higher account balances, but they come with relationship benefits like access to financial advisors and more.

• When should I expect my Citi sign-up bonus if I’m approved?

  Once you are approved for your Citi sign-up bonus, it will be deposited into your checking account within 30 days after successful completion of required activities.

• What do I need to open a Citi checking account?

  To open a Citi checking account, you will need your legal name, date of birth, residential address, citizenship status, country of residence, country of citizenship, government-issued identification (such as a driver's license or passport) and Social Security number (or individual taxpayer identification number for nonresidents). Two forms of identification are needed for nonresidents.