Score Up to $350 with America First Credit Union's New Member Offer

If you're in the market for a new checking account and live near one of their branches, America First Credit Union is running a solid promo that could put $350 in your pocket. It's not every day you see a credit union bonus this generous, especially one with no monthly maintenance fees on their basic checking. Let's break down what you need to do to qualify.

Who Can Get This Bonus?

America First Credit Union serves a broad membership area, mostly in the Intermountain West and Southwest. If you live, work, worship, or attend school in eligible counties in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, or New Mexico, you're likely in. Active military, veterans, and retirees of any U.S. military branch also qualify, even if you're not in those states.

One important catch: if you've opened an America First account in the last 12 months, you're out. This is strictly for new members or those who haven't had an account in over a year. Employees and volunteers of the credit union aren't eligible either.

Two Simple Steps to Earn Your $350

The bonus is split into two parts, and you need to complete both to get the full amount. Here's the breakdown:

• Open a Share Savings account and add a Premium Checking account – you'll get $150.
• Set up direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 60 days of opening – you'll get an additional $200.

What Counts as Direct Deposit?

This is where a lot of people trip up. America First is pretty clear: bank-to-bank transfers, peer-to-peer services like Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, Apple Pay, wire transfers, and internal transfers don't qualify. You need actual payroll, government benefits, or pension deposits – the kind that come from an employer or agency. Make sure your paycheck or a recurring deposit from a qualifying source hits the account.

Watch Out for the Fine Print

A few things to keep in mind before you jump in. First, if you close or transfer your account within 12 months, you'll lose the bonus. That's a long lock-up period compared to some offers. Also, the credit union does a hard pull on your credit report when you apply, which can temporarily ding your score. And while the Premium Checking has a $6 monthly fee, you can avoid it by using America First Rewards points or meeting certain criteria – but the Classic Checking has no monthly fee at all. Just note that the bonus is tied to the Premium Checking, so you'll need that account type for the full $350.

Bottom Line

• Earn $350 total: $150 for opening savings + checking, $200 for $1,000 in direct deposits.
• Must be a new member (no accounts in last 12 months) and keep account open for 12 months.
• Direct deposits must be from payroll, benefits, or pensions – P2P transfers don't count.
• Hard pull on credit, but no monthly fee on Classic Checking.

Common Questions