Wells Fargo has brought back its $500 Everyday Checking bonus for new checking customers. Open a new Everyday Checking account with the bonus offer code by January 12, 2027, then receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of opening. Wells Fargo says the bonus lands in the new account within 30 days of meeting the requirements. We checked the terms on Wells Fargo's offer page on Nov 11, 2026.
The offer at a glance
- Bonus: $500
- Requirement: $1,000+ in qualifying direct deposits (salary, pension, government benefits or other income sent by direct deposit) within 90 calendar days of opening
- Deadline to open: January 12, 2027
- How to open: online from the offer page (the code is applied automatically), or get the code by email and open in a branch ($25 minimum opening deposit in branch)
- Monthly fee: $15, waived each fee period with any one of: a $1,500 minimum daily balance, $500+ in qualifying electronic deposits, $5,000+ in qualifying linked deposit or investment balances, the primary owner being 17 to 24, or a qualifying military direct deposit
Who can get it
The offer is for new consumer checking customers and only the primary owner gets the bonus. You can't get it if you received a bonus for a Wells Fargo consumer checking account in the past 12 months, if you're a Wells Fargo employee, or if you sign an IRS Form W-8. Private Bank accounts are excluded.
A $500 bonus for $1,000 in direct deposits is one of the lowest-effort big-bank checking bonuses right now: the $500 deposit waiver covers the monthly fee if your paycheck keeps going there. This offer may make sense if you can move part of a paycheck for a few months. Bank bonuses count as interest income, so expect a 1099.
Also from Wells Fargo through mid-January
- Business checking, up to $825: open a new Initiate Business Checking account with the bonus code by January 13, 2027, deposit $2,500 / $10,000 / $25,000 within 30 days for $400 / $550 / $825, keep that balance through day 60, and make 5 qualifying posted transactions in the 60 days. New business checking customers only; the monthly fee is $15 unless waived. Business offer terms.
- Premier Checking, up to $3,500: for big balances, Wells Fargo's public upgrade page offers $2,500 for $250,000-$499,999 or $3,500 for $500,000+ in new deposits to linked accounts (including investment accounts) by day 45, kept through day 90, opened or upgraded in a branch by January 12, 2027. Not available if you got a Premier Checking bonus in the past 12 months. Premier offer terms.
For more ways to earn a checking bonus with direct deposit, compare the SoFi Checking and Savings bonus and Chase Total Checking up to $900, or browse all bank bonuses.
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