Looking for an investment bonus that rewards customer loyalty?
Here’s the truth: most investment platform bonuses are designed to attract new customers, often ignoring their existing base. But CIT Bank is doing something different – they’re offering up to $750 exclusively for current customers who open their new Self-Directed Investing accounts.
The catch? You need to deposit at least $250,000 to get the full $750 bonus, and you must already be a CIT Bank customer.
Let me break down exactly how this tiered system works and whether it’s worth moving your investment dollars to CIT.
FIND MORE CIT BANK OFFERS HERE
The Deal: Tiered Bonuses for CIT Bank Customers Only
Here’s how CIT Bank structures their investment bonus:
- $25 for $1,000-$4,999 deposit
- $50 for $5,000-$9,999 deposit
- $100 for $10,000-$49,999 deposit
- $200 for $50,000-$99,999 deposit
- $350 for $100,000-$249,999 deposit
- $750 for $250,000+ deposit
The requirement: Must be an existing CIT Bank savings or eChecking customer
The best part? The tiered approach means you can earn a meaningful bonus at whatever level fits your investment capacity.
Trending Savings Account Deal:
The Exclusive Customer Requirement
To be eligible, you must:
- Already have a CIT Bank savings or eChecking account
- Open the Self-Directed Investing account through their special link
- Fund with “new money” not currently on deposit with CIT Bank
My take: This is clearly designed to deepen relationships with existing customers rather than attract new ones.
The Requirements: Simple but Substantial
To earn any bonus:
- Open Self-Directed Investing account through CIT Bank online banking
- Make initial deposit of at least $1,000 (minimum for bonus)
- Maintain deposit for 60 days from account opening
- Keep CIT Bank account open when bonus pays
Important note: Market gains/losses don’t affect qualification – it’s based on your actual deposit amount.
Trending Checking Account Deal:
The Timeline: When You Get Paid
Bonus payout: Within 30 days after completing the 60-day holding period
Total timeline: About 90 days from opening to bonus payment
Where bonus goes: Deposited into your CIT Bank savings or eChecking account
My assessment: The 60-day holding period is reasonable and protects against quick bonus grabs.
What You Get: Self-Directed Investing Features
Platform features:
- Commission-free trading on U.S. stocks and ETFs
- $100 minimum to open (but $1,000 minimum for bonus)
- Integration with existing CIT Bank online banking
- Access through CIT Bank mobile app
What’s excluded:
- Stocks under $3.00
- Options trading (fees apply)
- Mutual funds with transaction fees
- Non-exchange traded securities
Analyzing the Bonus Tiers: Which Makes Sense?
The $25 tier ($1,000-$4,999):
- 0.5% to 2.5% return on investment
- Good for testing the platform
- Low commitment level
The $100 tier ($10,000-$49,999):
- 0.2% to 1% return on investment
- Sweet spot for many investors
- Meaningful bonus without huge commitment
The $750 tier ($250,000+):
- 0.3% return on investment
- Designed for high-net-worth customers
- Requires substantial investment assets
My take: The middle tiers ($100-$350) offer the best risk-adjusted value.
How This Compares to Other Investment Bonuses
Pros:
- Tiered approach accommodates different investment levels
- Integration with existing CIT Bank relationship
- Commission-free trading on most securities
- Reasonable 60-day holding period
Cons:
- Exclusive to existing CIT Bank customers
- Lower bonus percentages than some competitors
- Limited to basic self-directed investing
- No robo-advisor or managed options
Discover why Interactive Brokers stands out as the top brokerage choice for savvy investors.
Should You Take This Deal?
This makes sense if:
- You’re already a CIT Bank customer
- You have investment funds to move from another broker
- You want commission-free trading with a familiar bank
- You can comfortably meet one of the bonus tiers
Skip this if:
- You’re not a CIT Bank customer (you can’t qualify)
- You’re happy with your current investment platform
- You need advanced trading features or research tools
- You can’t meet the 60-day holding requirement
How to Maximize This Deal
Here’s exactly what I’d do:
- Assess your current CIT Bank relationship – make sure you qualify
- Choose a realistic tier – don’t stretch beyond your comfort zone
- Plan your funding source – must be “new money” to CIT Bank
- Open through their special link – regular applications won’t qualify
- Set a 60-day calendar reminder to track your holding period
Pro tip: The bonus goes to your CIT Bank deposit account, so you can use it however you want after receiving it.
The Integration Advantage
What makes this unique:
- View investment accounts alongside your CIT Bank deposits
- Single login for all your CIT Bank relationships
- Streamlined account management
- Consolidated statements and tax documents
My assessment: If you’re already banking with CIT, this integration could simplify your financial management.
The Bottom Line
CIT Bank’s investment bonus is designed for existing customers who want to consolidate their financial relationships. The tiered structure makes it accessible at various investment levels, though the highest bonuses require substantial deposits.
If you’re already a CIT Bank customer: This could be worth considering, especially if you’re looking to consolidate investment accounts.
If you’re not a CIT Bank customer: You’ll need to look elsewhere, as this offer is exclusively for existing customers.
Ready to explore this bonus? Make sure you can comfortably meet the 60-day holding requirement and choose a tier that fits your investment capacity.
Remember: This is a limited-time offer that can end without notice, so don’t wait too long to decide.
Have you tried bank-affiliated investment platforms before? What’s been your experience with integrated banking and investing services?
FIND MORE INVESTING OFFERS HERE
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