Citi is paying a checking bonus of $325, $500, $2,000 or $4,000 for opening a new checking account, depending on how you qualify. The $325 bonus needs at least two direct deposits totaling $3,000 or more within 90 days. The $500, $2,000 and $4,000 bonuses need $30,000, $200,000 or $1,000,000 in new-to-Citibank funds. In an October 28, 2026 update, Doctor of Credit says the $1,500 tier has been raised to $2,000, there's a new $4,000 tier, and the $425 and $475 bonuses are no longer available.
Deal Details
There are two ways to earn a bonus.
The direct deposit bonus is $325. Open a new eligible Citi Checking account, enroll in the offer by applying directly from the offer page, and make at least two Enhanced Direct Deposits within 90 calendar days of opening. The deposits have to total $3,000 or more.
The new money bonuses work on balance:
- Deposit new-to-Citibank funds within 45 calendar days of account opening.
- Keep the required minimum balance in the account for an additional 45 days, starting on day 46.
- A $30,000 minimum balance earns $500, $200,000 earns $2,000 and $1,000,000 earns $4,000.
Citi defines an Enhanced Direct Deposit as an ACH deposit of payroll, pension, Social Security, government benefits and other payments. Incoming Zelle payments and P2P payments from providers such as Venmo or PayPal count when they come through the ACH Network. Teller, cash, check and mobile check deposits, wire transfers, transfers between Citibank accounts, ATM transfers and deposits, debit card funding transfers, P2P transfers sent to a Citibank debit card and instant transfers from another bank or P2P provider don't.
For the direct deposit offer, the terms Doctor of Credit quotes say you can't have owned a Citi checking account in the last 365 days, and you must be at least 18. Doctor of Credit says bank bonuses are taxed as income.
How to Take Advantage
- Open the Citi checking offer page and apply directly from it, since the offer has to be enrolled in when you open the account.
- Choose your route: two qualifying direct deposits totaling $3,000 or more within 90 days, or new-to-Citibank funds within 45 days.
- For a new money tier, keep the $30,000, $200,000 or $1,000,000 minimum balance in the account for an additional 45 days from the 46th day.
Why This Deal Matters
The $4,000 tier is new, and it needs $1,000,000 in new-to-Citibank funds. Doctor of Credit says that for a lot of readers the $325 bonus will be far simpler. It needs two direct deposits totaling $3,000, while the smallest new money tier needs a $30,000 balance held for an additional 45 days.
Who Should Open This
The $325 bonus fits anyone who can send at least two payroll or other ACH deposits totaling $3,000 or more to a new Citi account within 90 days and hasn't owned a Citi checking account in the last 365 days. The larger tiers fit people who already have $30,000 or more in outside funds to move. Pick your route, confirm the terms on Citi's page and apply from there.
