Central Bank Checking Bonuses: Up to $500 in CO, IL, KS, MO, OK

If you live in the Midwest or parts of the Plains, Central Bank has a few checking account bonuses that might be worth your time. They're a solid, century-old bank with an A health rating, and right now they're offering up to $500 for new customers. Let's break down what's available and how to snag the cash.

The $500 Personal Checking Bonus

This is the big one. Open any eligible personal checking account (except Free Checking) using promo code PARKPIRATES, and you can earn $500. The catch? You'll need to set up a direct deposit that totals at least $5,000 within the first 90 days. That could be two or more payroll deposits, a pension, or a government benefit — just make sure they're legitimate direct deposits, not transfers or cash loads.

You also need to keep a minimum balance of $50 in the account 90 days after opening. The bonus lands in your account within 15 business days after you've met all the requirements and your account has been open for 90 days. So plan on keeping the account funded for at least three months.

• Use promo code PARKPIRATES when applying
• Two or more direct deposits totaling $5,000+ within 90 days
• $50 minimum balance required 90 days after opening
• Bonus paid within 15 business days after all conditions met

Who Can Get This?

This offer is for new checking customers only — so if you've never had a Central Bank checking account, you're good. But if you closed an account with a negative balance in the last two years, you're out. Also, you can only get one new account bonus per household every two years from the last time you were paid. So if you already snagged a bonus in 2024, you might need to wait.

The bank also reserves the right to not open accounts for folks outside their market area, which includes Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. If you're not in one of those states, this probably won't work for you.

Other Central Bank Offers Worth Mentioning

There's also a $300 checking bonus with a lower direct deposit requirement ($250 total), using code RAF300. That one runs through the same end date. And if you run a business, the $500 business checking bonus (code 500BB18) requires a $3,000 balance for 90 days and expires May 31, 2026. Finally, their referral program gives you $50 per friend (up to $500 a year) when they open a checking account — but it's limited to friends and family, so don't blast it on social media.

What to Watch Out For

The fine print is pretty standard, but a few things stand out. First, the bonus is reported as interest to the IRS, so you'll get a 1099-INT and owe taxes on it. Second, if you close the account within the first 90 days, there might be a fee — and you definitely won't get the bonus. Third, you can only use one offer per household, so pick the one that fits your situation best.

Also, note that Free Checking accounts are excluded from the bonus offers. Make sure you're opening one of the eligible account types like MyChoice Checking, MaxMoney Checking, Preferred Interest Checking, or World Checking. And if you're a Park University alum or student, the ParkU Checking package is a themed version of this offer.

Bottom Line

• Up to $500 for a personal checking account with $5,000 in direct deposits
• Soft credit pull — no impact on your credit score
• Expires December 31, 2026 — you have plenty of time
• Only one bonus per household every two years
• Bonus is taxable as interest income

Common Questions