First Federal Bank is offering a $200 checking account bonus for new customers who open a new Enhanced Checking account and receive at least $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits.
The offer is available through September 30, 2026, and requires opening the account with a First Federal Bank representative rather than through the bank’s self-service online application.
The offer is only available locally. If you’re looking for offers available nationwide, check out our top picks here—including huge offers from Chase, CIT Bank and Axos Bank that you won’t want to miss!
Here are the details.
First Federal Bank $200 Checking Bonus
Bonus: $200
Account: Enhanced Checking
Minimum Opening Deposit: $50
Direct Deposit Requirement: $1,000
Direct Deposit Deadline: Within 60 days of account opening
Account Requirement: Keep account open and in good standing for at least 90 days
Monthly Fee: $9, waivable
Offer Expires: September 30, 2026
Limit: One bonus per customer tax ID
Trending Checking Account Deal:
How to Earn the $200 Bonus
To earn the First Federal Bank $200 checking bonus:
- Open a new Enhanced Checking account. You must open the account with a representative at a First Federal Bank branch or through a representative-assisted channel by September 30, 2026. A $50 minimum opening deposit is required.
- Receive $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits. Receive qualifying direct deposit(s) totaling at least $1,000 during a single calendar month within 60 days of opening the account.
- Keep your account open for 90 days. Your Enhanced Checking account must remain open, active, and in good standing for at least 90 days from the account opening date.
Once you’ve satisfied all of the requirements, First Federal Bank will credit the $200 bonus within 30 days.
What Counts as a Qualifying Direct Deposit?
First Federal Bank specifically defines qualifying direct deposits as ACH deposits of:
- Payroll
- Pension payments
- Social Security
- Government benefits
The deposit must come from an employer, pension administrator, or government agency.
The following do not qualify:
- Person-to-person transfers
- Mobile payment transfers
- Remote deposits
- ATM deposits
- Transfers from other bank accounts
You can use multiple qualifying direct deposits to reach the $1,000 requirement, but they must total at least $1,000 within a single calendar month.
Important: Don’t Open the Account Online Yourself
One unusual restriction with this promotion is that you cannot qualify by using First Federal Bank’s self-service online account opening process.
The Enhanced Checking account must be opened through:
- A representative at a First Federal Bank branch, or
- A representative-assisted channel
If you’re interested in the bonus, make sure the banker confirms that your account is being opened under the $200 promotion before completing your application.
Enhanced Checking Account
First Federal Bank’s Enhanced Checking account requires a $50 minimum opening deposit and normally carries a $9 monthly service charge.
The account includes:
- Personalized Visa debit card
- uChoose Rewards points on eligible debit card purchases
- Online banking
- Mobile banking
- Bill pay
- Mobile eDeposit
- First box of standard checks free
- Text and email alerts
How to Waive the $9 Monthly Fee
The Enhanced Checking account has a $9 monthly account cycle service charge, but the fee can be waived.
For promotional accounts, make 20 or more debit card purchase transactions during the statement cycle to have the $9 service charge waived for that cycle.
This is worth considering when evaluating the offer. If you don’t complete the required debit card transactions, paying the $9 monthly fee reduces the value of your $200 bonus.
For example, three $9 monthly fees would cost you $27, reducing your effective bonus to $173.
Fortunately, there is no minimum purchase amount specified in the promotional terms for the 20 debit card transactions.
uChoose Rewards
Enhanced Checking also comes with a debit card that participates in uChoose Rewards.
You can earn points on eligible debit card purchases. First Federal Bank notes that points may take up to 40 days to appear in your rewards account, and you’ll need to register your debit card before redeeming points.
Any cash back rewards may also be subject to tax reporting.
Is the First Federal Bank $200 Bonus Worth It?
This is a fairly straightforward $200 checking bonus.
The $1,000 direct deposit requirement is reasonable compared with many bank bonuses, and you have 60 days after opening the account to satisfy it.
The main downside is the $9 monthly service charge. You’ll need to make at least 20 debit card purchases per statement cycle to waive it under the promotional terms.
There is also the inconvenience of having to open the account with a First Federal Bank representative. Self-service online applications aren’t eligible for the promotion.
If you’re near a First Federal Bank location, can easily redirect $1,000 of payroll or another qualifying direct deposit, and don’t mind using the debit card 20 times each month, the $200 bonus should be relatively easy to earn.
Important Terms
Here are the major terms and restrictions:
- Offer expires September 30, 2026.
- Available to new First Federal Bank customers.
- You must open a new personal Enhanced Checking account.
- Account must be opened through a representative at a branch or representative-assisted channel.
- Accounts opened through the bank’s self-service online account opening process are not eligible.
- A $50 minimum opening deposit is required.
- Receive at least $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits during a single calendar month within 60 days of account opening.
- Account must remain open, active, and in good standing for at least 90 days.
- Bonus will be credited within 30 days after all requirements have been met.
- Limit one bonus per customer tax ID.
- Bonus may be subject to tax reporting.
- Enhanced Checking has a $9 monthly account cycle service charge.
- The $9 fee can be waived by completing 20 or more qualifying debit card purchase transactions during a statement cycle.
- First Federal Bank may change the offer at any time.
See the Best Checking & Savings Account Bonuses and Start Earning Free Cash Today
Bottom Line
The First Federal Bank $200 Enhanced Checking bonus is a solid offer for new customers who can meet a relatively modest direct deposit requirement.
You’ll need to open the account with at least $50, receive $1,000 in qualifying direct deposits during a single calendar month within 60 days, and keep the account open and in good standing for at least 90 days.
The biggest thing to watch is the $9 monthly fee, which requires 20 debit card purchases per statement cycle to waive.
Also, don’t simply open the account through First Federal Bank’s regular self-service online application. To qualify for the promotion, you need to open your Enhanced Checking account through a First Federal Bank representative.
If you qualify, you can pick up an easy $200 checking bonus after meeting the requirements.
Bonus: $200
Account: Enhanced Checking
Minimum Opening Deposit: $50
Direct Deposit: $1,000 in one calendar month
Direct Deposit Deadline: Within 60 days
Account Requirement: Open and in good standing for 90 days
Monthly Fee: $9, waivable with 20 debit card purchases
Offer Expires: September 30, 2026
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