Liberty Savings Bank $250 Bonus: No Direct Deposit Needed, Just a Deposit and a Swipe

If you've got some cash sitting around and live in Florida, Liberty Savings Bank has a nice little deal for you. They're offering $250 in cash plus a commemorative America250 Tervis bottle just for opening a new checking or savings account. The best part? No direct deposit is required. You just need to bring $5,000 in new money and use your debit card a dozen times. Let's break down what you need to know.

What You Need to Do to Get the $250

First, you have to open a new personal checking or savings account at a Liberty Savings Bank branch. This is an in-person deal — you can't do it online. You'll need to deposit at least $5,000, and that money has to be "new money," meaning it can't have been in any Liberty account within the last 90 days.

Once the account is open, you'll need to make 12 debit card purchases. That's it. No direct deposit setup, no recurring transfers. Just use the card a dozen times, and the bonus should hit your account within 30 days after your deposit is verified.

Oh, and you'll also get a limited-edition Tervis America250 bottle. They'll hand it to you in the branch or ship it later, while supplies last.

Watch Out for Fees — They Can Eat Into Your Bonus

The Freedom Checking account comes with a $4.95 monthly fee, but you can easily avoid it by keeping at least $500 in the account. That's a pretty low bar, so just leave a little cushion and you'll be fine. Savings accounts don't have any monthly fees at all.

The bigger thing to watch for is the early account closure fee. If you close your account within 180 days, you'll get hit with a $50 penalty. That's not huge, but it's annoying. So plan to keep the account open for at least six months. After that, you can close it without penalty.

Also, remember that the $250 bonus is considered taxable income. The bank will send you a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC, so set aside some of that cash for tax time.

Is This Bonus Worth Your Time?

If you have $5,000 to spare and live near a Liberty Savings Bank branch in Florida, this is a solid deal. No direct deposit requirement makes it easier than many other bank bonuses. The 12 debit transactions are a minor hassle, but you can knock them out with small purchases like coffee or gas.

The $250 bonus plus a free water bottle is a nice return on parking your money for a few months. Just be sure to keep the account open for at least 180 days to avoid the early closure fee. All in all, it's a straightforward offer worth considering.

Bottom Line

• Deposit $5,000 in new money and make 12 debit transactions to earn $250 cash plus a Tervis bottle.
• No direct deposit required — a rare perk for bank bonuses.
• Avoid the $4.95 monthly fee by keeping $500 in checking, or open a savings account instead.
• Keep the account open for at least 180 days to dodge the $50 early closure fee.
• The bonus is taxable, so plan accordingly.

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