Score Up to $200 with First National 1870's Checking Bonus (Plus a $50 Referral)

If you live in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, or Texas, First National 1870 (also known as Sunflower Bank) has a couple of solid offers on the table right now. The main one is a $200 checking account bonus that requires a bit of legwork but is definitely doable. There's also a $50 referral bonus if you bring a friend along. Let's break down exactly what you need to do to get that cash.

The $200 Checking Bonus – What You Need to Do

This isn't the easiest bonus out there, but it's not impossible either. You'll need to open a new personal checking account at a branch (online won't work) and put in at least $100 to start. Then, you have until July 31, 2025 to complete two main tasks: make 25 debit card purchases of $10 or more each, and receive at least $500 in qualifying direct deposits.

The debit card purchases can be pinned, signed, or processed as credit — just make sure each one is $10 or more. Recurring payments and ATM transactions don't count. So you'll need to actively use the card 25 times. That could be easy if you break it into small purchases over a few weeks.

For the direct deposit, it has to be from things like payroll, government benefits, pensions, or retirement plans. Transfers from other accounts, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or mobile check deposits won't work. The bank may ask for proof, so keep your pay stubs handy.

• Open account in-branch with $100 minimum deposit.
• Make 25 debit card purchases of $10+ each by 7/31/25.
• Receive $500+ in qualifying direct deposits by 7/31/25.
• Bonus pays out by 8/8/25.

Watch Out for the Fine Print

There are a few gotchas to keep in mind. First, you can't have had a personal checking account with First National 1870 between April 1, 2024 and April 1, 2025. So if you closed one recently, you're out of luck. Also, the account must have a positive balance for at least one day between July 1 and July 31, 2025 to qualify for the bonus.

The monthly fee on the Elevation Checking account is $6, but you can avoid it by maintaining a $2,000 minimum daily balance. If that's too steep, consider the Foundation Checking ($7 fee, waivable with $100 balance) or Pinnacle Checking ($10 fee, waivable with $2,000 balance). Just make sure you open one of the eligible types.

Don't Forget the $50 Referral Bonus

If you have a friend or family member who's been thinking about switching banks, you can both win. Once you're a customer, grab a referral card from a branch and give it to them. When they open their first personal checking account with at least $100, you'll get $50 deposited into your account. They can also take advantage of the $200 bonus offer if they meet the requirements.

You can earn up to $500 in referral bonuses per calendar year, so it's worth spreading the word. Just make sure your friend isn't already a First National 1870 customer.

Is It Worth It?

Honestly, the $200 bonus requires some effort — 25 debit purchases and a real direct deposit. If you're already planning to switch your main checking account or can easily meet those requirements, it's a decent return. But if you're just looking for a quick, easy bonus, this might not be your best bet. Still, $200 for a bit of planning isn't bad.

Also, keep in mind that First National 1870 isn't known for great savings or CD rates. So this is really about the checking bonus, not a long-term relationship. If you're interested, head to a branch before June 30, 2025.

Bottom Line

• Open a qualifying checking account in-branch with $100 by June 30, 2025.
• Complete 25 debit purchases of $10+ and $500 in direct deposits by July 31, 2025.
• Bonus of $200 pays out by August 8, 2025.
• Refer friends for $50 each (up to $500/year).
• Avoid monthly fees by maintaining minimum balances.

Common Questions