Guide
What counts as a direct deposit for a bank bonus?
Most checking bonuses require a "direct deposit." Getting this one detail wrong is the most common way people miss a bonus.
What counts
An electronic deposit from your employer's payroll, a pension, or a government benefit like Social Security. These arrive as ACH credits labeled with the payer's name, which is what banks look for.
What usually doesn't count
- Zelle, Venmo, Cash App or PayPal transfers
- Mobile check deposits or cash at an ATM
- Transfers between your own accounts at the same bank
- In most cases, transfers you start from another bank
A few banks do accept transfers from other banks, but their terms change and they rarely say so plainly. The safe move is a real paycheck.
How to do it without changing your main bank
Log in to your payroll portal (ADP, Workday, Gusto, Paychex and most others work the same way), add the new account as a second deposit account, and send it a fixed dollar amount. The rest of your paycheck keeps going where it does now. When the requirement is met, switch it back or move it to the next bank.
Check the bank's exact rule
Some banks need one deposit, some need two, and some need a minimum per deposit. Each verified offer lists its exact requirement from the bank's own terms.