Amegy Bank's $1,200 Bonus: A Texas-Sized Banking Opportunity

If you're in Texas and looking to give your finances a nice little boost, Amegy Bank has a pretty substantial offer on the table right now. We're talking about a potential $1,200 bonus, but it's not just a simple checking account deal. This promotion actually lets you mix and match three different ways to earn cash, depending on how much you want to engage with their services. It's a bit more complex than your average bank bonus, but that complexity could mean more money in your pocket if you play your cards right. Let's break down what's really involved.

How This Three-Part Bonus Actually Works

The first thing to understand is that you're not getting $1,200 for doing just one thing. This is more like a menu where you can order different items, and the total bill could add up to that maximum amount. You start by opening that Gold Checking account—that's your ticket to the party.

From there, you have three potential paths to earn cash:

• The $350 Direct Deposit Route: You'll need to route at least $7,500 in qualifying deposits to your new checking account within the first 90 days. Think payroll, pension, or government benefits—not peer-to-peer transfers like Zelle or Venmo.
• The $350 Money Market Route: Open a linked money market account and keep an average of $25,000 sitting in it for 90 days. This needs to be 'new money' not already at Amegy.
• The Investment Account Bonus: This one's tiered and requires opening a Zions Wealth investment account. You'll need to maintain certain average balances over a specific period to earn between $125 and $500.

The Fine Print You Really Need to Read

Okay, let's talk about the not-so-fun but crucial details. First, that monthly $18 fee on the Gold Checking account. Yes, it can be waived, but you'll need to keep either $2,500 in that account every single day or maintain a whopping $25,000 across all your Amegy deposits. If you're planning to park $25k in the money market for the bonus anyway, you'd hit the waiver—but that's a significant commitment.

The timing matters too. Your checking account needs to stay open for at least 90 days to get any bonus, and you'll wait up to 60 days after meeting requirements to actually see the cash. For the investment bonus, they check your average balance after 120 days, looking back at the previous 90—so you're talking about a 4-month wait minimum.

Also, this is strictly for new customers. If you've had any Amegy deposit account in the past year, you're out of luck. And it's an online-only offer—if you wander off to their main website or walk into a branch, you might lose access to this specific promotion.

Is This Bonus Right For You?

This isn't a beginner's bank bonus. The requirements are substantial, especially if you're eyeing the full $1,200. You'd need to move significant money around and potentially open an investment account with tens of thousands of dollars.

That said, if you were already planning to consolidate banking relationships or move investments, this could be a nice incentive. The direct deposit requirement of $7,500 over 90 days breaks down to about $2,500 per month—manageable for many salaried professionals.

The real sweet spot might be going for just the $350 direct deposit bonus. That's a solid return for simply redirecting your paycheck for a few months, without tying up large sums in low-interest accounts. The money market and investment bonuses require you to park substantial cash that might earn better returns elsewhere, so you need to do the math on opportunity cost.

Practical Tips and Potential Pitfalls

If you decide to go for it, here's how to navigate successfully. First, document everything. Take screenshots of the offer terms when you apply. Set calendar reminders for all the deadlines—90 days for direct deposits, balance maintenance periods, when to expect bonus payments.

For the direct deposit, confirm with your employer's payroll department that they can make the switch. Some smaller companies might use payment processors that don't qualify as 'qualifying direct deposits' under Amegy's definition.

Watch out for that monthly fee. If you're not maintaining the balance requirements, $18 over several months could eat significantly into your bonus. And remember—investment products through Zions Wealth aren't FDIC insured. You're taking on market risk for that portion of the bonus.

• Don't transfer money between existing Amegy accounts to meet requirements—it won't count as 'new money'
• Be prepared for tax implications—the bank will likely send you a 1099 for the bonus amount
• Consider whether you'll actually use this bank relationship long-term, or if you're just chasing the bonus

Bottom Line

• The $350 direct deposit bonus is the most accessible part of this offer for most people
• Chasing the full $1,200 requires moving substantial assets and carries opportunity costs
• Carefully track all deadlines and requirements—this offer has more moving parts than typical bank bonuses
• The monthly fee waiver requires maintaining significant balances, so factor that into your calculations

Common Questions