Firstrust Bank's Eagles Checking: Score Bonus Points Without Direct Deposit

If you're in the Mid-Atlantic region and looking for a checking account bonus that doesn't require setting up direct deposit, Firstrust Bank has a unique offer worth considering. Their Eagles-themed checking accounts come with bonus points you can earn just by using your debit card for everyday purchases. It's a regional promotion with a long runway, so let's break down whether it makes sense for your wallet.

How the Bonus Actually Works

This isn't a traditional cash bonus—you're earning points in Firstrust's rewards program. The points can be redeemed for things like gift cards, merchandise, or travel through their partner site, scorecardrewards.com. It's crucial to understand that the points themselves have no cash value, according to the terms.

To trigger the bonus, you need to open a new Eagles FirstPay account (for 5,000 points) or an Eagles FirstPay Premier account (for 10,000 points). Once your account is open, you have a 60-day clock to hit the required debit card spend: $500 for the standard account or $1,000 for the premier tier.

The Fine Print You Don't Want to Miss

The bank's official terms are very specific about what counts toward that spend requirement. This is where people often get tripped up, so pay close attention.

• Only Visa debit card purchases count. ATM withdrawals, cash advances, transfers, and bill pay transactions do NOT qualify.
• Payments through third-party apps like PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle are explicitly excluded. You need to use the card directly at a merchant.
• There's a $25 early termination fee if you close the account within the first year.
• The offer is limited to one bonus per household, so you and a spouse can't both get it.

Managing the Monthly Fees

Both accounts have monthly maintenance fees, but you can avoid them. For the $10 FirstPay fee, you have a few options: maintain a $500 minimum daily balance, set up a single monthly direct deposit, make 10 debit card purchases in a month, or complete 5 online bill payments.

The $25 Premier fee is waived if you keep a combined $5,000 across your Firstrust deposit accounts or have $50,000 in consumer loans or lines of credit with them. If you're just chasing the bonus, the standard account is probably the easier fee to dodge, perhaps by parking $500 in the account.

Is This Offer a Good Fit For You?

This promotion shines for a specific type of person. If you live in their service area, don't want to switch your direct deposit, and can naturally put $500-$1,000 of everyday spending on a debit card over two months, it's a straightforward way to pick up some extra rewards.

Just be realistic about the value. While 10,000 points might sound like a lot, you'll need to check the rewards catalog to see what they're actually worth to you. Also, consider if you're comfortable keeping the account open for a year to avoid the early closure fee.

For business owners, there's a separate 50,000-point offer for a business checking account with a similar $500 spend requirement, also running through the end of 2025.

Bottom Line

• A solid option if you're in the region and prefer not to use direct deposit for bonuses.
• Carefully track your debit card spending—only direct merchant purchases count, not transfers or peer-to-peer payments.
• Plan to keep the account for a full year or factor in the $25 early closure fee.
• Check the rewards catalog first to ensure the points will be useful to you.

Common Questions