Associated Bank's Checking Bonuses: Up to $600 for Personal, $750 for Business

If you're in the market for a new checking account and live in the Midwest, Associated Bank has some pretty compelling cash offers on the table right now. They're a regional player with a long history, and they're putting serious money out there to attract new customers. But as with any bank bonus, the devil is in the details. Let's break down what's actually available, who qualifies, and what you need to do to get that cash.

The Personal Checking Bonus Tiers

The main personal checking offer is a bit unique because your final bonus amount isn't fixed upfront. Instead, it scales with how much money you keep at the bank during a specific period. Here's how it works: after you open the account and set up a qualifying direct deposit, the bank looks at your average daily balance across all your Associated Bank deposit accounts (checking, savings, CDs, etc.) from days 31 to 90.

Your bonus is then determined by that average balance. It's a tiered system: a balance between $1,000 and just under $5,000 gets you $300. Hit the $5,000 to just under $10,000 range, and you'll earn $400. To snag the full $600, you'll need to maintain an average balance of $10,000 or more during that window.

• $300 Bonus: Maintain a $1,000 - $4,999.99 average balance.
• $400 Bonus: Maintain a $5,000 - $9,999.99 average balance.
• $600 Bonus: Maintain a $10,000+ average balance.

Don't Forget the 'Bank at Work' Option

There's a second path to a personal checking bonus if your employer partners with Associated Bank through their workplace program. The requirements are similar—open an account and get a $500 direct deposit within 90 days—but the bonus tiers start at a lower balance. You can get $100 for an average balance under $1,000, which is nice if you don't plan to park a lot of cash there. The higher tiers match the standard offer. This version has a later deadline, so it's a good backup if you miss the main one.

A Separate Deal for Business Owners

For small business owners, there's a distinct offer with its own rules and deadlines. Instead of scaling with your balance, you pick your bonus level by choosing a specific business checking account tier and meeting its funding requirements.

You need to open the account with at least $100, then bring in a much larger amount of 'new money' within the first 30 days. Crucially, you must also maintain that minimum balance from day 31 through day 90. It's not an average—you can't dip below it during that two-month maintenance period.

• $100 Bonus: Open a Business Access Checking account, deposit $2,000 in new money in 30 days, and keep at least $2,000 in the account from days 31-90.
• $400 Bonus: Open a Business Balanced Checking account, deposit $5,000 in new money in 30 days, and keep at least $5,000 in the account from days 31-90.
• $750 Bonus: Open a Business Choice Checking account, deposit $20,000 in new money in 30 days, and keep at least $20,000 in the account from days 31-90.

Practical Tips and Potential Pitfalls

These are solid offers, but they require careful planning. First, the geographic restriction is real. You must be a resident of one of the nine listed states to open an account online. Use the bank's branch locator to double-check your eligibility if you're near a state border.

For the personal bonus, remember the 'average daily balance' is key. It's not your peak balance; it's the sum of each day's ending balance divided by the number of days. A large deposit at the end of the period won't help much if your balance was low for the first several weeks. Plan to fund the account early in the cycle.

The 12-month rule is a major catch. If you close the account for any reason within a year of opening it, the bank can—and likely will—claw back the entire bonus. Mark your calendar. Also, note that this bonus will probably be reported as interest income on a 1099-INT form, so you'll owe taxes on it.

• Map it out: Use a calendar to track the 90-day qualification period and the 12-month minimum holding period.
• Confirm your direct deposit: Ensure your payroll provider's deposits will code correctly as a qualifying ACH transfer.
• Read the fine print on 'new money': For the business offer, transferred funds from an existing Associated Bank account won't count.

Bottom Line

• The personal bonus is tiered; you must maintain a high average balance for 60 days to get the top $600 amount.
• Business owners have a clear but demanding path to $750, requiring a large, sustained deposit.
• The geographic restriction is strict, and you must keep any bonus-earning account open for a full year.

Common Questions