Commerce Bank’s $700 Checking Bonus: The Highest Payout I’ve Seen This Summer

I’ve been tracking bank bonuses for years, and when I see a regional bank offering up to $700 for new checking customers, it immediately gets my attention. Commerce Bank just dropped what might be the most generous checking bonus of 2025, and after digging into the details, I think this could be one of the best banking deals available right now.

But is this Missouri-based bank’s massive bonus as good as it sounds? Let me break down the three different ways to earn money with this offer and help you decide if it’s worth pursuing.

Are you looking for bank bonuses available nationwide? Check out our top picks here—including huge offers from BMO and Chase that you won’t want to miss!

Commerce Bank’s Triple-Tier Bonus Structure: Choose Your Path to $700

What makes this offer particularly interesting is that Commerce Bank gives you three different ways to earn a bonus, depending on your banking habits and financial situation:

Option 1: $300 for Debit Card Users

• Make 10 debit card purchases (any amount)
• Maintain a $300 account balance by October 20, 2025
• Best for: Light users who prefer debit cards over direct deposit

Option 2: $300 for Moderate Direct Depositors

• Direct deposits totaling $3,000-$4,999.99 by October 20, 2025
• Best for: Those with regular income but not high earners

Option 3: $700 for High Direct Depositors

• Direct deposits totaling $5,000+ by October 20, 2025
• Best for: High earners who can easily meet the threshold

This flexibility means almost anyone can earn something, while those with higher incomes can capture a truly substantial bonus.

Breaking Down Each Bonus Path

Let’s analyze what you actually need to do for each option:

The $300 Debit Card Path

This is the most accessible option for people who don’t have large direct deposits:

• 10 debit card purchases (no minimum amount specified)
• $300 account balance maintained until October 20, 2025

The beauty of this option is its simplicity. Ten debit card purchases over several months is incredibly easy – that’s less than two purchases per month. ATM withdrawals and branch withdrawals don’t count, but any point-of-sale purchase does.

The $300 Direct Deposit Path

For those with moderate regular income:

• $3,000-$4,999.99 in total direct deposits by October 20, 2025
• Must be recurring electronic deposits from employers or government

This works out to roughly $600-$1,000 per month in direct deposits, which is achievable for most full-time workers.

The $700 Direct Deposit Path

For higher earners:

• $5,000+ in total direct deposits by October 20, 2025
• Same qualifying deposit requirements as the $300 tier

This requires about $1,000+ monthly in direct deposits, making it perfect for professionals, dual-income households, or those with substantial government benefits.

Is This Bonus Worth Your Time? Let’s Do the Math

I always calculate the effort-to-reward ratio before chasing any bank bonus. Here’s my analysis:

For the $700 maximum bonus:

• Time investment: ~30 minutes for account opening and direct deposit setup
• Money requirement: $5,000+ in direct deposits over ~5 months (money you’d earn anyway)
• Effective return: $700 for minimal effort

For the $300 debit card bonus:

• Time investment: ~30 minutes for account opening
• Money requirement: $300 maintained balance + 10 small purchases
• Effective return: $300 for almost no effort

Even the lowest bonus offers exceptional value for the time invested.

The Fine Print You Shouldn’t Ignore

As always with bank bonuses, the details matter:

Eligibility Requirements

• Must use promo code “May25NewBonus” when opening
• Must be a new checking customer (no Commerce Bank checking account in past 12 months)
• Name and address must match Commerce Bank’s mail list records
• Only one offer per household
• Account must be opened between May 23, 2025, and July 15, 2025

Bonus Payment Timeline

Commerce Bank will evaluate whether you’ve met requirements by October 20, 2025, and pay bonuses on November 17, 2025. This means you could wait up to 6 months from account opening to receive your bonus.

Monthly Fee Considerations

Commerce Bank offers three checking account types with different fee structures:

• Commerce Free Checking: No monthly fees
• CommerceInterest: $12 monthly fee (waived with $500+ direct deposit OR $1,000 daily balance)
• CommerceRelationship: $22 monthly fee (waived with $5,000 daily balance OR $15,000 combined balances)

The first 60 days are fee-free for the interest-bearing accounts, giving you time to meet the waiver requirements.

Tax Implications

The bonus will be reported as interest income on tax forms. For someone in the 22% federal tax bracket:

• $700 bonus = ~$546 after federal taxes
• $300 bonus = ~$234 after federal taxes

Trending Savings Account Deal:

Who Should Jump on This Offer?

This bonus is particularly attractive for:

1. High Earners in Commerce Bank’s Service Area

If you live in Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Colorado, or Oklahoma and have substantial direct deposits, the $700 bonus is exceptional.

2. Those Looking for Flexible Requirements

The three different paths mean almost anyone can earn something, making this accessible to various income levels.

3. Debit Card Users

If you prefer using debit cards over credit cards, the $300 debit card bonus is incredibly easy to achieve.

4. Regional Bank Enthusiasts

Commerce Bank has been around for 160 years and offers the personalized service that regional banks are known for.

Who Should Pass on This Offer?

This bonus might not be worth it if:

1. You Live Outside Commerce Bank’s Service Area

While they may accept customers from other areas, this is most convenient for those in their primary markets.

2. You Recently Had a Commerce Bank Account

If you’ve had a checking account with them in the past 12 months, you’re not eligible.

3. You Need Your Bonus Money Quickly

With bonuses paid in November 2025, you’ll wait several months to receive your money.

4. You Can’t Meet Any of the Requirements

If you don’t have direct deposits and rarely use debit cards, this offer won’t work for you.

Find more great bank bonuses here.

How to Maximize Your Commerce Bank Bonus

Based on my analysis of bank bonuses, here’s my strategy for getting the full amount:

1. Choose the Right Path

Don’t automatically chase the highest bonus. If you can’t easily meet the $5,000 direct deposit requirement, the $300 options are still excellent.

2. Use the Correct Promo Code

Make sure to use “May25NewBonus” when opening your account. Without this code, you won’t be eligible for any bonus.

3. Set Up Direct Deposit Immediately

If you’re going the direct deposit route, set this up as soon as your account is open to maximize your time to reach the threshold.

4. Front-Load Your Debit Purchases

If you choose the debit card path, complete your 10 purchases early rather than waiting until the deadline.

5. Track Your Progress

Keep notes on your direct deposits or debit purchases to ensure you’re meeting the requirements.

My Take: One of the Best Regional Bank Bonuses of 2025

After analyzing hundreds of bank bonuses over the years, I can confidently say this Commerce Bank offer is exceptional. The $700 maximum bonus puts it in the same league as national bank offers, which is impressive for a regional institution.

What I particularly like is the flexibility. Most bank bonuses force you into a single set of requirements, but Commerce Bank gives you options based on your banking habits and income level.

The main drawbacks are the geographic limitations and the extended timeline for bonus payment. But if you’re in Commerce Bank’s service area and can wait until November for your payout, this is one of the better banking deals available.

How to Apply for the Commerce Bank Bonus

Ready to claim your bonus? Here’s how to get started:

1. Confirm you’re in Commerce Bank’s service area (MO, KS, IL, CO, OK)
2. Choose your bonus path based on your financial situation:

• Debit card path: Best for those without large direct deposits
• $300 direct deposit: Good for moderate income earners
• $700 direct deposit: Perfect for high earners

1. Apply online or visit a branch before July 15, 2025
2. Use promo code “May25NewBonus” when opening your account
3. Meet your chosen requirements by October 20, 2025
4. Receive your bonus on November 17, 2025

Final Thoughts: A Regional Bank Bonus That Competes with the Big Boys

Bank bonuses are one of my favorite ways to earn extra money with minimal effort, and this Commerce Bank offer is particularly compelling. The combination of high bonus amounts, flexible requirements, and the backing of a well-established regional bank makes this worth serious consideration.

While the timeline is longer than some offers, the payout amounts more than compensate for the wait. If you’re in Commerce Bank’s service area and looking for a new banking relationship, this is definitely one of the better opportunities available right now.

Remember that the offer expires on July 15, 2025, so you’ll need to act relatively soon if you’re interested.

Have you taken advantage of regional bank bonuses before? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This offer is valid until July 15, 2025. Terms and conditions are subject to change. Always verify current offer details directly with Commerce Bank before applying.