Guaranty Bank's $500 Business Checking Bonus: A Straightforward Deal for Missouri Business Owners

If you run a business in Missouri, here's a solid opportunity to pad your cash flow without jumping through hoops. Guaranty Bank is offering a $500 bonus on new business checking accounts. The requirements are refreshingly simple: enroll in e-statements, make 30 transactions, and keep a $2,500 balance—all within 60 days. No direct deposit needed, which is a nice change of pace. Let's break down what you need to know.

What You Need to Do to Snag the $500

The path to the bonus is pretty straightforward. Open a new eligible business checking account—Essential, Small Business, or Business Interest Checking. Then, within 60 days of opening, you've got to hit three marks: enroll in e-statements, make at least 30 debit or credit transactions, and bring in $2,500 in total deposits. That's it. No direct deposit requirement, which is a breath of fresh air for business owners who don't have a traditional payroll setup.

The 30 transactions can be a mix of debits and credits, so you don't have to stress about hitting a specific number of each. Just use your account for normal business activity—paying suppliers, receiving payments, transferring funds—and you'll likely hit that number without even thinking about it.

One thing to keep in mind: the $2,500 doesn't have to be a single deposit. It's cumulative, so you can spread it out over the 60 days. That gives you flexibility if your cash flow is a bit irregular.

The Fine Print That Could Trip You Up

Before you get too excited, let's talk about eligibility. This offer is only for new business checking customers. If you've had a business checking account with Guaranty Bank in the past, or if you closed one within the last 12 months, you're out of luck. Government entities are also excluded. And there's a limit of one bonus per business tax ID, so you can't open multiple accounts to stack bonuses.

The bonus will be deposited within 30 days after the end of your 60-day qualifying period, but only if your account is still open and has a positive balance at that time. So don't close the account right after you meet the requirements—wait until the bonus lands.

Also, note that the offer can be modified or discontinued at any time. So if you're interested, it's best to act before the December 31, 2026 deadline.

Avoiding Fees and Other Money Traps

The Essential Checking account has no monthly maintenance fee as long as you're enrolled in e-statements—which you'll be doing anyway to qualify for the bonus. That's a nice perk. For other account types, check the fee schedule with a banker, as it wasn't explicitly listed on the promo page.

There's an early account termination fee of $20 if you close the account within 90 days. That's pretty standard, but it's worth noting because the bonus won't post until after the 60-day qualifying period plus up to 30 more days. So if you're thinking of closing right after the bonus hits, you'll need to wait until the 90-day mark to avoid the fee.

Also, remember that the bonus is taxable. The IRS treats bank bonuses as interest income, so you'll get a 1099-INT and need to report it. Factor that into your expected return.

A Little Extra: Free Card Reader for Merchant Services

If you're in the market for a card reader, Guaranty Bank is also offering a free Moby 5500 device (worth about $89) when you sign up for merchant services. There's no activation fee, but standard processing fees will apply. This is a separate offer from the $500 bonus, so you don't have to do it to qualify for the checking bonus. But if you need to accept card payments, it's a nice little add-on.

Just be aware that the card reader offer is subject to approval through Deluxe Merchant Services, so it's not guaranteed. But it doesn't hurt to ask.

Bottom Line

• Open an eligible business checking account by Dec 31, 2026.
• Enroll in e-statements, make 30 transactions, and deposit $2,500 within 60 days.
• No direct deposit required—more flexible than many bank bonuses.
• Keep the account open and with a positive balance until the bonus posts.
• Watch out for the $20 early termination fee if you close within 90 days.

Common Questions