Score Up to $500 with Union Bank & Trust's New Checking Offers

If you live in the Midwest and are on the hunt for a solid bank bonus, Union Bank & Trust (UBT) has a couple of offers worth checking out. The headliner is a $500 bonus for opening a new checking account and meeting a few straightforward requirements. There's also a smaller $50 bonus for UNL students. Let's break down what you need to know to pocket that cash.

The $500 Bonus: What You Need to Do

This is the big one. Open any of these checking accounts: Simply Free, Simply Free Plus, Simply Free Platinum, or Premium Interest Advantage. Then, within 90 days of opening, you need to have $2,500 in electronic direct deposits hit the account. That could be from your paycheck, a pension, or even a government benefit. Also, make sure you enroll in paperless statements through online or mobile banking within that same 90-day window. Do both, and UBT will drop $500 into your account within 100 days. Not bad for a few minutes of setup.

One thing to watch: the Simply Free Plus account requires a $1,000 opening deposit. The others don't have that requirement, so if you want to keep things simple, go with the basic Simply Free account. Also, the Premium Interest Advantage is only available to residents of Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington counties in Nebraska, so check your zip code before applying.

Who Can Get This Offer?

You need to be a new checking customer—meaning you don't currently have a personal checking account with UBT as a primary account holder. If you closed one in the last 120 days, you're out of luck. The offer is available to residents of Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa, but keep in mind that branches are mostly in Nebraska and Kansas. You can open online, but if you need to visit a branch, make sure there's one nearby.

Also, this is limited to one bonus per person, and you can't combine it with other offers. So pick the account that works best for you.

The $50 Student Bonus: A Quick Win for UNL Students

If you're a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student, there's a separate offer just for you. Open a Simply Free UNL checking account, deposit $50 to get started, enroll in e-statements, and make 10 debit card purchases (not ATM withdrawals) within 60 days. UBT will credit $50 to your account within 70 days. It's a small bonus, but it's easy to earn with your everyday spending. Plus, the account has no monthly fees and comes with perks like ATM fee waivers and a $10 RoundUp credit if you sign up for their savings round-up program.

What About Fees and Fine Print?

The good news: all the eligible accounts have no monthly maintenance or activity fees. That's a big plus. The Simply Free Platinum account is designed for people 50 and over and requires a $100 minimum daily balance to earn interest, but you don't need that to get the bonus. Just meet the direct deposit and paperless requirements.

One thing to keep in mind: UBT's savings and CD rates aren't the most competitive, so this is really about the bonus. If you're looking for a place to park cash long-term, you might want to look elsewhere. But for a quick $500, it's a solid deal.

Bottom Line

• Open an eligible checking account, set up $2,500 in direct deposits, and enroll in paperless statements within 90 days to earn $500.
• No monthly fees on any of the qualifying accounts, and a soft pull means no credit score impact.
• The offer runs through September 30, 2025, so you have time, but don't wait too long.
• UNL students can grab an easy $50 with minimal effort.

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