If you live in the mid-Atlantic or parts of the South, First National Bank of Pennsylvania (FNB) has a couple of solid bonus opportunities right now. The big one is a $700 combined checking and savings bonus, but it's targeted – you need to have received a mailer. There's also a simpler $200 savings bonus that's open to existing customers and runs through early next year. Let's break down both so you can see which one fits your situation.
The $700 Checking & Savings Combo (Targeted)
This is the headline offer, and it's pretty generous if you can meet the requirements. But there's a catch: it's only available to people who received a specific mailer from FNB. So if you didn't get that envelope, you won't be eligible – they'll verify before paying out.
Assuming you're in the club, here's what you need to do. Open a new personal checking account (options include Freestyle, eStyle, eStyle Plus, Lifestyle, or Premierstyle) and a new savings account (FirstRate Savings or FirstRate Money Market). The checking piece gets you $400: you need to have at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits hit the account and make 15 debit transactions during the promotional period. That period spans three full calendar months, starting the first day of the month after you open the account. So if you open in June, your clock starts July 1.
The savings piece adds another $300. You'll need to deposit $5,000 in new money (money not already at FNB) at account opening and keep it there for the entire promotional period. That's a decent chunk of change to tie up, but $300 is a nice return for parking it for three months.
Both rewards are credited within 15 business days after the promotional period ends. Just remember: if you close the account within 180 days, there's a $50 fee (except for the eStyle account, which has no closing fee).
- Checking: $400 bonus for $2,500+ in direct deposits and 15 debit transactions
- Savings: $300 bonus for depositing and maintaining $5,000 in new money
- Promotional period: 3 full calendar months starting the month after account opening
- Bonus credited within 15 business days after the period ends
- Early closure fee: $50 if closed within 180 days (eStyle exempt)
The $200 Savings Bonus – No Direct Deposit Needed
If you're already an FNB customer or don't want to jump through the checking hoops, there's a simpler $200 savings bonus that runs through January 3, 2026. This one is open to current FNB customers, which is a nice change of pace – most bank bonuses are for new customers only.
The requirements are straightforward: open a new FirstRate Savings or FirstRate Money Market account, deposit $5,000 or more in new-to-bank money at account opening, and maintain that balance for six full calendar months. That's it – no direct deposit, no debit card swipes. Just park the money and wait.
The longer holding period (6 months vs. 3 for the combo offer) means your money is tied up longer, but $200 for a $5,000 deposit over six months works out to an effective annualized return of about 8% – not bad in today's rate environment. Plus, you can fund the account with up to $50 via credit card, which is a nice perk.
- Open a new FirstRate Savings or FirstRate Money Market account
- Deposit $5,000+ in new-to-bank money at account opening
- Maintain that balance for 6 full calendar months
- Offer available to current FNB customers
- Expires January 3, 2026
A Few Things to Watch Out For
Both offers have some fine print that's worth noting. First, the $700 offer is limited to one per household per calendar year, and if you have multiple FNB promotions running, you can only earn one reward. So don't try to double-dip.
Second, the $5,000 deposit for the savings bonus must be "new-to-bank" money – funds not already held in any FNB account. Proceeds from FNB loans don't count either. So you'll need to bring money from outside the bank.
Third, FNB reserves the right to deny the bonus if they think the account was opened primarily for the bonus and not for genuine banking purposes. That's standard language, but it's a reminder to actually use the account as intended.
Finally, the bonus is taxable income – FNB will report it to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC, so set aside some of that cash for tax time.
Bottom Line
- The $700 bonus is a strong offer if you're targeted, but requires both checking and savings activity over 3 months.
- The $200 savings bonus is simpler and open to existing customers, but requires a 6-month holding period.
- Both require $5,000 in new money for the savings component – plan accordingly.
- Watch for the $50 early closure fee if you close within 180 days.
Common Questions
Can I get both the $700 and $200 bonuses?
No. FNB's terms state that even if you meet requirements for multiple promotions, you can only receive one reward per household per calendar year.
What counts as a qualifying direct deposit for the $700 checking bonus?
FNB defines qualifying direct deposits as electronic deposits of payroll, pension, Social Security, or other regular income. Transfers from other accounts or cash deposits typically don't count. Check with FNB if you're unsure.
Is the $700 offer available in branches?
Yes, you can open accounts in person at any FNB branch in the eligible states, or online at fnb-online.com. But you must have received the mailer to qualify.
What happens if I close the account before the promotional period ends?
You won't receive the bonus, and you may be charged a $50 early account termination fee if you close within 180 days (except for eStyle accounts).
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
Leave a Comment