Snag a $250 Bonus with Southern Bank's Freedom 250 Checking Account

If you're in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, or Missouri, here's a chance to pocket an easy $250. Southern Bank is running a limited-time promotion on their Freedom 250 checking account. No complicated hoops—just open the account and meet the requirements. Let's break down what you need to know.

How to Earn the $250

It's pretty straightforward: open a new Freedom 250 checking account and fulfill the qualifying criteria. The exact direct deposit or funding requirements aren't publicly detailed, so you'll want to stop by a local branch or call them to confirm. They have locations across AR, IL, KS, and MO.

One thing I appreciate is that there's no mention of a household limit, so if you're eligible, you could potentially grab this for yourself and a spouse.

Avoiding Those Monthly Fees

Nobody likes paying monthly maintenance fees, right? Southern Bank offers several checking accounts, and each has its own way to waive the fee. Here's the rundown:

• Keeps Spending Checking ($6 fee): Waive by enrolling in online statements AND using your debit card 15 times per cycle OR keeping a $5,000 daily balance.
• Southern Advantage Checking ($5 fee): Waive by enrolling in online statements OR maintaining a $5,000 average daily balance.
• Southern Basic Checking ($2 fee): Waive by enrolling in online statements OR keeping a $2,500 average monthly balance.
• Southern Elite Checking ($2 fee): Same waiver options as Basic Checking.

What to Watch Out For

A few things to keep in mind. First, the exact terms for earning the bonus aren't spelled out online—you'll need to visit a branch or call. That's a bit old-school, but it also means you can ask questions directly.

Second, the monthly fees can eat into your bonus if you're not careful. Make sure you set up online statements and meet the balance or debit card requirements to keep the account free.

Lastly, there's no info on early account closure fees, but it's always smart to keep the account open for at least 6-12 months to avoid any clawback of the bonus.

Bottom Line

• Open a Freedom 250 checking account at a Southern Bank branch in AR, IL, KS, or MO.
• Meet the qualifying requirements (check with branch for specifics).
• Waive monthly fees by enrolling in online statements and meeting balance or debit card usage.
• Keep the account open for a while to ensure you keep the bonus.

Common Questions