Two Easy Bank Bonuses from Evanston Community Bank & Trust: Up to $300 for Checking, $200 for Savings

If you live in Illinois and are looking for a straightforward way to earn some extra cash, Evanston Community Bank & Trust has two solid promotions running through July 31, 2025. You can snag $300 for opening a new checking account or $200 for a savings account. And the best part? Neither account charges monthly fees, so you don't have to worry about those eating into your bonus.

The $300 Checking Bonus: What You Need to Do

This offer is for the Total Access Checking account, but you can also choose the Cubs or White Sox themed checking accounts if you're a fan. To get the $300, you'll need to open a new account, enroll in online banking and e-statements, and set up direct deposits of at least $500 each month for two consecutive calendar months after the month you open the account. That's it — no minimum balance to maintain and no monthly service charges.

One thing to watch out for: the fine print says that transfers from other Wintrust accounts, external transfers, and peer-to-peer payments like Zelle or Venmo don't count as direct deposits. So make sure the money is coming from your employer, government agency, or another third party via electronic deposit. Also, you can't have had a checking account with any Wintrust bank (including Evanston Community Bank & Trust) recently, and you're limited to one bonus per customer across all Wintrust locations.

• Open a new Total Access, Cubs, or White Sox Checking account
• Enroll in online banking and e-statements
• Have at least $500 in direct deposits each month for 2 months after the month you open the account
• Bonus is deposited within 30 days after you meet the requirements

The $200 Savings Bonus: For Those with a Heftier Balance

If you have $15,000 sitting in another bank that you can move over, this savings bonus is a no-brainer. Open a new Statement Savings account, deposit at least $15,000 of new money (money not already at any Wintrust bank), and keep that balance at or above $15,000 on the last business day of each of the three consecutive calendar months after the month you open the account. No direct deposit is required, and there's no monthly fee.

Just like the checking offer, you can combine this with the checking bonus if you want to go for both. But remember, you can only get one savings bonus per customer across all Wintrust locations. The bonus will be reported on a 1099-INT, so you'll owe taxes on it.

• Open a new Statement Savings account
• Deposit $15,000 or more of new money
• Maintain at least $15,000 balance on the last business day of each of the next 3 months
• Bonus paid within 30 days after the qualification period

Practical Tips and Things to Watch Out For

First, make sure you live in Illinois or have an Illinois address — these offers are only available to residents of the state. You can open the account online or in a branch, but if you go in person, mention the offer. Online, use the promo code Echecking300 for the checking bonus or Esavings200 for the savings bonus.

Second, the checking bonus requires direct deposits that are recurring and from a legitimate source. If you're not sure what counts, check with your payroll department or benefits provider. And don't try to fund the account with a credit card — that's not allowed here.

Finally, be aware that if you close the account before the bonus posts, you won't get the money. So plan to keep the account open for at least a few months after you meet the requirements. Both accounts have no monthly fees, so there's no cost to keeping them open a little longer.

Bottom Line

• Both offers are valid through July 31, 2025, and can be combined if you qualify for each.
• No monthly fees on either account, so you can keep them open without cost.
• Direct deposits for the checking bonus must be from a payroll, government, or other eligible source — no Zelle or Venmo.
• Bonuses are taxable and will be reported on a 1099-INT form.

Common Questions