Wells Fargo is paying $400 to new Everyday Checking customers who receive at least $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of account opening. As of April 2026, the offer runs through May 19, 2026. The direct deposit threshold dropped from $3,000 in prior rounds, which makes this one of the easiest bank bonuses in market right now.
Deal Details
- Bonus: $400 cash to the new Everyday Checking account.
- Requirement: $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 calendar days of account opening.
- Minimum opening deposit: $25.
- Offer ends: May 19, 2026.
- Bonus posting: within 30 days after the 90-day window closes.
- Eligibility: New Wells Fargo consumer checking customers only. Excluded if you currently hold a Wells Fargo consumer checking account or received a Wells Fargo checking bonus in the past 12 months.
Qualifying deposits include payroll, pension, and government ACH credits, plus electronic transfers through the RTP and FedNow networks. Wells Fargo's definition runs broader than most banks, which is why this offer punches above its weight.
How to Take Advantage
- Open an Everyday Checking account at the Wells Fargo welcome bonus page and fund it with at least $25.
- Set up qualifying direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days. A single deposit or several smaller ones both count.
- Wait for the $400 to post within 30 days after the 90-day window ends, then keep the account open at least six months to avoid future-bonus blacklisting.
How It Compares
As of April 2026, this is the highest easy-tier checking bonus in market. Chase Total Checking pays $300 with a $500 direct deposit. Bank of America Advantage Banking pays $300 with $2,000 in direct deposits over 90 days. Citi Regular Checking offers a tiered $200 to $2,500 based on balances held for 60 days, but that requires parking five-figure sums. Wells Fargo's $400 with a $1,000 trigger beats all three on the direct-deposit-only path.
The Tax Note
Bank bonuses are taxable interest. Wells Fargo will issue a 1099-INT for the $400 in early 2027, and you'll owe federal (and most state) tax on it. At a 24 percent federal bracket, that's roughly $96. Plan on a real net closer to $300.
Watch-Outs
The account carries a $10 monthly service fee. Avoid it by keeping a $1,500 minimum daily balance, receiving $500 or more in qualifying electronic deposits each month, or being 17 to 24 (the fee is automatically waived). Two months of unwaived fees would erode $20 of the bonus.
Open Wells Fargo Everyday Checking before the May 19, 2026 deadline.
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