Offers checked October 23 to 25, 2026
For a freelancer taking home about $2,000 every two weeks from clients who pay by direct deposit (ACH), counting only banks whose terms cover client payments, our model projects about $1,900 in bonuses from accounts opened over the next 12 months in the median state. In the middle 80% of states it runs $1,525 to $2,700. If the banks marked "Ask the bank first" accept your payments too, the median rises to about $2,150.
Modeled for accounts opened over the next 12 months, after fees, before taxes. Each client payment goes to one bank (clients rarely split a payment), two banks can be in progress at once, and the person has no spare savings to park (beyond an opening deposit of up to $500). It also assumes every requirement is met on time and no prior accounts at these banks. Your own number depends on your pay, state and the banks you've already used.
Most bonuses ask for a direct deposit, and banks define that differently. Some count any ACH deposit or income from any payer, which includes a client paying you; some only count an employer's payroll or government benefits. We read each bank's own wording, lead with the offers whose terms cover client payments, and leave out offers that rule them out.
| Bank | Bonus | To qualify | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank of America Advantage Banking (Plus, SafeBalance, or Relationship) | $100 to $500 Our plans for this paycheck net about $440, after about $60 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 5 deposits of $2,000, done about 63 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $440, after about $60 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 5 deposits of $2,000, done about 63 days after opening.$100 to $500, depending on $2,000 to $10,000 in direct deposits within 90 days Monthly fee: $12 a month Needs regular income: keep one client paying here on a steady schedule, or ask the bank. | Nationwide Open by January 31, 2027 |
| Truist Truist One Checking | $500 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening.2 direct deposits ($2,000 total) within 120 days + 20 debit purchases within 120 days Monthly fee: $12 a month, waived with $500+ in direct deposits a month | 18 states Open by February 2, 2027 |
| Flagstar Bank Ready Checking | $400 Our plans for this paycheck net about $360 ($360 to $370 by state), after about $40 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 3 deposits of $2,000, done about 63 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $360 ($360 to $370 by state), after about $40 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 3 deposits of $2,000, done about 63 days after opening.$500+ in direct deposits in each of the first three 30-day periods after opening Monthly fee: $10 a month, waived with $500+ in direct deposits a month Needs regular income: keep one client paying here on a steady schedule, or ask the bank. | Florida, Michigan, Ohio No end date stated |
| Huntington Perks Checking | $400 Our plans for this paycheck net about $380, after about $20 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $380, after about $20 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening.$500 in direct deposits within 90 days Monthly fee: $10 a month, waived with $1,000+ in direct deposits a month Needs regular income: keep one client paying here on a steady schedule, or ask the bank. | 21 states Open by January 15, 2027 |
| Northwest Bank Affinity Checking | $400 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening.A $1,000+ direct deposit within 90 days Monthly fee: None | Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana Open by December 31, 2026 |
| PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select | $400 Our plans for this paycheck net about $300, after about $100 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 3 deposits of $2,000, done about 36 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $300, after about $100 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 3 deposits of $2,000, done about 36 days after opening.$5,000 in direct deposits within 60 days Monthly fee: $25 a month, waived with $5,000+ in direct deposits a month Needs regular income: keep one client paying here on a steady schedule, or ask the bank. | New Jersey, Pennsylvania Open by January 7, 2027 |
| Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | $325 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening.$1,000 in direct deposits within 90 days + $25 to open Monthly fee: $15 a month, waived with $500+ in direct deposits a month | Nationwide Open by January 13, 2027 |
| Bank of Hawaii Bankohana Level I Checking | $300 Our plans for this paycheck net about $210, after about $90 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $210, after about $90 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening.$3,500 in direct deposits within 60 days + $500 to open Monthly fee: $15 a month | 50 states No end date stated |
| Hancock Whitney Freestyle Checking | $300 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening.$2,000 in direct deposits within 90 days Monthly fee: $10 a month, waived with one transaction a cycle Needs regular income: keep one client paying here on a steady schedule, or ask the bank. | 5 states Open by February 28, 2027 |
| KeyBank Key Smart Checking | $300 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening.$2,000 in direct deposits within 90 days Monthly fee: None | 15 states Open by December 11, 2026 |
| Unitus Community Credit Union Unitus Checking (new membership) | $300 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 5 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 5 days after opening.A $250+ direct deposit within 60 days Monthly fee: None | Nationwide Open by November 30, 2026 |
| Capital One Capital One 360 Checking | $250 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening.2 direct deposits of $500+ each ($1,000 total) within 75 days Monthly fee: None Needs regular income: keep one client paying here on a steady schedule, or ask the bank. | Nationwide No end date stated |
| Red Canoe Credit Union Elevate Checking (new membership) | $150 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck.10 debit purchases within 45 days + turn on e-statements Monthly fee: None | Washington, plus some areas: 5 counties in Oregon Open by December 31, 2026 |
| Bank of Hawaii Convenience Checking | $100 Our plans for this paycheck net about $70, after about $30 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $70, after about $30 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening.$2,000 in direct deposits within 60 days + $500 to open Monthly fee: $5 a month, waived with a minimum average daily balance | 50 states No end date stated |
These banks' terms don't say whether a client's ACH payment counts (or the page couldn't be read). They're not in the headline total. Ask the bank before you open one.
| Bank | Bonus | To qualify | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Smart Advantage Checking | $600 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 6 deposits of $2,000, done about 189 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 6 deposits of $2,000, done about 189 days after opening.$1,000+ in direct deposits each month for 6 months, starting the month after you open (the bonus pays $100 a month) Monthly fee: None Ask the bank first: its terms don't say whether client payments count. Not in the headline total. | 14 states Open by December 15, 2026 |
| Peoples Bank Premier Checking | $600 Our plans for this paycheck net about $460, after about $140 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout, if the bank counts client payments. 6 deposits of $2,000, done about 161 days after opening. | Our plans for this paycheck net about $460, after about $140 of monthly fees while it stays open until the payout, if the bank counts client payments. 6 deposits of $2,000, done about 161 days after opening.At least one direct deposit in each of the first 6 monthly cycles + 5 debit purchases in every monthly cycle (6 cycles) + turn on e-statements Monthly fee: $20 a month Ask the bank first: its terms don't say whether client payments count. Not in the headline total. | 6 states No end date stated |
| Kitsap Credit Union Peak Account | $330 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 2 deposits of $2,000, done about 21 days after opening.2 direct deposits of $331+ each ($662 total) within 90 days + turn on e-statements Monthly fee: None Ask the bank first: its terms don't say whether client payments count. Not in the headline total. | Washington Open by December 16, 2026 |
| California Credit Union eChecking (new membership) | $250 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 3 deposits of $2,000, done about 49 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 3 deposits of $2,000, done about 49 days after opening.$400+ in direct deposits in each of 3 months in a row + $251 to open + turn on e-statements Monthly fee: None Ask the bank first: its terms don't say whether client payments count. Not in the headline total. | Nationwide No end date stated |
| Chime Chime Checking | $200 Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening. | Full amount in our plans for this paycheck, if the bank counts client payments. 1 deposit of $2,000, done about 7 days after opening.A $500+ direct deposit within 34 days Monthly fee: None Ask the bank first: its terms don't say whether client payments count. Not in the headline total. | Nationwide Open by January 31, 2027 |
Every offer is checked against the bank's own terms within the last 14 days. Bank bonuses are generally taxable income.
Illinois is a median state for this page. Here's the plan our engine builds there for freelancers paid $2,000 every two weeks by ACH. Your own plan depends on your pay dates and the banks you've used.
| Bank | Open | Paid by | Nets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unitus Community Credit Union | Oct 25 | Dec 29 | $300 |
| Huntington | Nov 6 | Feb 18, 2027 | $380 |
| Wells Fargo | Nov 20 | Dec 27 | $325 |
| Bank of America | Dec 4 | May 3, 2027 | $440 |
| Capital One | Feb 12, 2027 | Jun 27, 2027 | $250 |
| Bank of Hawaii | Mar 12, 2027 | Jul 10, 2027 | $210 |
| Total (6 accounts) | $1,900 |
At some banks, yes. Some banks count any ACH deposit, or income from any payer, which includes a client paying you by direct deposit. Several of those want regular or recurring income, so a steady client works best. Others only count payroll from an employer or government benefits, and some don't say. Offers below marked "Ask the bank first" don't say either way.
Almost never. Most banks exclude payment apps and transfers between your own accounts. A few banks' terms say a transfer from your own account at another bank counts; those are marked "ACH transfers count". Otherwise, ask your client to pay you by direct deposit (ACH) to the new account.
Yes, like for anyone: banks usually report bonuses on a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC, and they count as income.