Free Advantage Checking (new membership)
- Bonus
- $200
- To qualify
- A recurring direct deposit every month until the bonus is reviewed (days 60 to 90) + 1 debit purchase of $200+ within 60 days + turn on e-statements
- What counts as a direct deposit
- Real payroll, pension or government benefit deposits. Transfers from your other bank accounts, Zelle and Venmo don't count. More
- Who can open it
- Residents of Virginia, North Carolina, online. Membership is limited to these counties: Chesapeake city, Hampton city, Newport News city, Norfolk city, Poquoson city, Portsmouth city, Richmond city, Suffolk city, Virginia Beach city, Williamsburg city, Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, York (VA); Currituck, Gates (NC)
- Monthly fee
- None
- When the bonus is paid
- 60 to 90 days after you open the account
- Keep it open
- At least 90 days, or the bank can take the bonus back
- Promo code
- Required. Your plan shows it.
Good to know: Free Advantage Checking has no monthly fee. Any recurring direct deposit counts. $200 in debit spending can be one purchase or several. Closing within 90 days costs $15.
Membership is for people who live, work, worship or attend school in Hampton Roads, Richmond and a few nearby VA and NC counties. We show it when your ZIP code is in that area.
Checked against 1st Advantage FCU's own terms on October 25, 2026.