Citi Checking $450 Bonus Review (2026)
Quick Summary
What Is This Bonus?
Citi is offering up to $450 when you open a new eligible checking account and meet direct deposit requirements within 90 calendar days. The promotion has two tiers: deposit $6,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits to earn the full $450, or deposit at least $3,000 to earn $325. The bonus posts to your account within 30 business days after you meet the requirements.
This offer is available nationwide through Citi's online application portal. You must be a new Citi checking customer or someone who closed their previous Citi checking account more than 12 months ago. The promotion expires on April 30, 2026, so you need to open your account before that date. Citi performs a soft credit inquiry during the application, which will not affect your credit score.
The $450 tier makes this one of the more competitive checking bonuses available right now. With many banks offering $200-$300 for similar requirements, Citi's top-tier payout stands out. The $3,000 threshold for the $325 bonus also gives you a solid fallback if you cannot meet the full $6,000 deposit requirement.
How to Qualify
- 1Open a new Citi Priority, Citi Custom, or Citi Basic checking account online through the promotional landing page before April 30, 2026.
- 2Within 90 calendar days of account opening, receive $6,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits to earn $450, or $3,000 to $5,999 to earn $325.
- 3Direct deposits must be electronic payroll deposits from an employer, government agency, or payroll provider. The cumulative total across all deposits counts toward your threshold.
- 4Keep the account open and in good standing for at least 6 months after receiving the bonus. Closing early may result in the bonus being deducted from your final balance.
- 5You must not have had a Citi checking account that was closed within the past 12 months. Current Citi checking customers are ineligible.
- 6The bonus is limited to one per customer. If you open multiple Citi checking accounts, only the first one qualifies for the promotion.
- 7After meeting the direct deposit requirement, the bonus will be credited to your checking account within 30 business days. You do not need to take any additional action.
What Counts as Direct Deposit?
Citi is stricter than many banks when it comes to what qualifies as a direct deposit. Understanding what counts before you apply can save you from missing the bonus entirely. Citi specifically looks for ACH deposits coded as payroll or government payments, and they have been known to reject transfers that don't carry the right transaction codes.
- •Employer payroll via ADP, Gusto, Paychex, or similar payroll processors — these always qualify
- •Federal and state government payments including Social Security, pension disbursements, and tax refunds
- •Military pay and VA benefit deposits
- •Gig economy platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash when set up as direct deposit (not instant pay)
- •ACH transfers from other banks generally do NOT qualify — Citi is known for rejecting these
- •Transfers from payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or Cash App do NOT count as direct deposits
- •Wire transfers and mobile check deposits are NOT considered qualifying direct deposits
Fees and Fine Print
The monthly service fee depends on which Citi checking account you open. The Citi Priority Account has a $25 monthly fee that is waived when you maintain a combined average monthly balance of $10,000 or more across eligible Citi accounts (checking, savings, and investment accounts). The Citi Custom Account charges $15 per month, waived with a $1,500 minimum balance or a single qualifying direct deposit each statement period.
There is no early account closure fee, but if you close the account within 6 months of receiving the bonus, Citi reserves the right to debit the bonus amount from your remaining balance. The bonus is considered taxable income, and Citi will issue a 1099-INT if your total interest and bonuses exceed $10 in a calendar year. There is no minimum opening deposit required, though funding your account promptly helps you start meeting direct deposit requirements sooner.
Is It Worth It?
The net value of this bonus depends heavily on which account tier you choose and whether you can avoid the monthly fee. If you open a Citi Priority Account and maintain $10,000 to waive the fee, your $450 bonus is entirely profit. However, parking $10,000 in a non-interest-bearing checking account has an opportunity cost — that same money in a high-yield savings account earning 4.5% APY would generate about $450 in interest over a year. If you choose the Citi Custom Account and waive the $15 fee with direct deposit, the math works much better since you don't need to tie up a large balance.
Pros
- + $450 is among the highest checking bonuses currently available
- + Soft credit check means no impact to your credit score
- + Two bonus tiers ($325 and $450) give flexibility based on your income
- + Available nationwide with no branch visit required
- + No minimum opening deposit to get started
Cons
- - $25/month fee on Priority account requires $10,000 balance to waive
- - Citi is strict about what counts as direct deposit — ACH transfers from other banks rarely work
- - $6,000 in direct deposits within 90 days requires roughly $2,000/month in qualifying payroll
- - Must keep account open 6 months or risk losing the bonus
- - Bonus takes up to 30 business days to post after meeting requirements
How This Compares
Citi's $450 bonus sits near the top among nationwide checking offers in early 2026. Here is how it stacks up against other major bank promotions currently available.
| Offer | Bonus | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Citi Checking | $450 | $6,000 DD in 90 days |
| Chase Total Checking | $400 | $1,000 DD in 90 days |
| BMO Smart Money | $400 | $4,000 DD in 90 days |
| SoFi Checking & Savings | $300 | $5,000 DD in 25 days |
| Capital One 360 | $250 | 2x $500 DD in 75 days |
Tips to Maximize This Bonus
- •Choose the Citi Custom Account if you plan to waive fees with direct deposit rather than maintaining a $10,000 balance — the lower fee tier is easier to manage.
- •Split your payroll between your existing bank and Citi if your employer allows multiple direct deposit accounts. Even partial deposits count toward the cumulative $6,000 threshold.
- •Set a calendar reminder for day 75 of the 90-day window so you can verify your total deposits and make adjustments if you are falling short.
- •Screenshot or save the promotional terms when you apply. Citi occasionally has issues linking promotions to accounts, and having proof helps if you need to contact support.
- •After receiving the bonus, keep the account open for a full 6 months. Mark the exact date you can safely close or downgrade the account if you decide to move on.
- •If you cannot reach $6,000, aim for $3,000 to secure the $325 tier rather than missing both thresholds entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ACH transfers from another bank to meet the direct deposit requirement?
What happens if I close my Citi account before 6 months?
Is the $450 bonus taxable?
Can I get this bonus if I had a Citi savings account but never a checking account?
How long does it take for the bonus to appear in my account?
Bottom Line
Citi's $450 checking bonus is a strong offer for anyone who can route at least $6,000 in payroll deposits over 90 days. The main drawback is the monthly fee on the Priority account, which requires a $10,000 combined balance to waive — but choosing the Custom Account and waiving fees through direct deposit makes this promotion significantly more accessible. If you have a steady paycheck and can commit to keeping the account open for 6 months, this is one of the highest-value checking bonuses available in 2026.