Buckeye State Bank $250 Checking Bonus: Easy Cash for Ohio Residents

If you live in Ohio and are looking for a straightforward way to pocket some extra cash, Buckeye State Bank has a solid offer on the table. Open a new BAM Checking account, jump through a few hoops over two months, and you'll get a $250 bonus. It's not the flashiest deal out there, but it's simple and comes with some nice perks like high interest and free ATM refunds.

What You Need to Do to Get the $250

The process is pretty straightforward. You'll need to open a BAM Checking account with at least $50. Then, for two consecutive calendar months (they call them Monthly Qualification Cycles), you have to meet three conditions: make 12 debit card purchases, sign up for e-Statements, and have at least one direct deposit hit the account each month.

A few things to keep in mind: ATM withdrawals, transfers between your own accounts, and recurring autopayments don't count toward the 12 swipes. Only purchases that post and settle during the month qualify. And since transactions can take a day or two to clear, don't wait until the last minute.

The Extra Perks That Make This Account Worth It

Even beyond the bonus, this account has some appealing features. If you meet the monthly requirements, you'll earn 3.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 and 1.00% APY on anything over that. That's a competitive rate for a checking account. Plus, you get unlimited refunds on domestic ATM fees—so you can use almost any ATM without worrying about charges. Just note that if you don't meet the requirements in a given month, the APY drops to a measly 0.02%.

There are no monthly maintenance fees, and the bank uses a soft pull for the application, so your credit score won't take a hit.

Watch Out for These Traps

The biggest gotcha is the early account termination fee. If you close the account within 180 days of opening, you'll be charged $30. So plan to keep the account open for at least six months after you get the bonus.

Also, remember that the bonus is considered taxable income. The bank will report it to the IRS, so set aside some of that $250 for tax time.

One more thing: this offer is limited to one account per Social Security number, and it's only available to Ohio residents. If you live elsewhere, you're out of luck.

Bottom Line

• Earn $250 after meeting requirements for two months: 12 debit swipes, e-Statements, and one direct deposit per month.
• No monthly fees, soft credit pull, and 3.00% APY on balances up to $15,000 when conditions are met.
• Avoid the $30 early closure fee by keeping the account open for at least 180 days.
• Ohio residents only; bonus is taxable.

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