Westerra Credit Union's $100 Checking Bonus: No Direct Deposit Required, But You'll Need to Be in Denver

If you live in the Denver metro area, there's a checking bonus worth a look. Westerra Credit Union is offering $100 for new accounts, and the requirements are pretty straightforward. No direct deposit needed, and you can even fund the account with a credit card up to $2,000. Let's break down the details.

What You Need to Do

To get the $100 bonus, you'll need to open a new Smart Money Checking or Money Market Select account. Then, make two deposits and ten transactions within 60 days of opening the account. That's it—no direct deposit requirement, so even small transfers or mobile check deposits should count.

You'll also need to keep a minimum balance of $5 for 30 days from account opening. And there's a $5 deposit required in a savings account to establish membership. The good news is the $5 membership fee is waived.

• Open a new Smart Money Checking or Money Market Select account
• Make two deposits and ten transactions within 60 days
• Keep a minimum balance of $5 for 30 days
• Deposit $5 in a savings account (membership requirement)

The Credit Card Funding Trick

One standout feature: you can fund your new account with a credit card up to $2,000. That's a nice way to meet minimum spending requirements on a new credit card or earn some extra rewards. Just be aware that some credit card issuers may code this as a cash advance, which could incur fees and interest. Check with your card issuer first.

Fees and Fine Print

There are no monthly fees for this account, which is always a plus. The fee schedule doesn't mention an early account termination fee, so you shouldn't get penalized if you close the account after receiving the bonus. However, it's always smart to keep the account open for a few months to avoid any issues.

The bonus is paid as 14,000 Bonus Reward Points, which equals $100 cash back. These points are credited to your Westerra Rewards account after you complete the requirements. The exact timing is the month following activation, so don't expect the bonus immediately.

Also, note that this offer is limited to one per person. And there's a quirky line about a t-shirt—apparently, you can only get one t-shirt per person, but that's likely a leftover from a different promotion.

• No monthly fees
• No early account termination fee listed
• Bonus paid as 14,000 points ($100)
• Points credited the month after activation
• Limit one bonus per person

Who Can Get This Bonus?

This offer is restricted to people in the 7-county Denver Metro Area. So if you're not in that region, you're out of luck. The credit union may verify your address, so don't try to fudge it.

Westerra uses a soft pull for membership, according to reports, but there have been some reports of a hard pull. It's always a good idea to freeze your credit if you're concerned about inquiries. ChexSystems usage is unknown, so if you're sensitive to ChexSystems inquiries, proceed with caution.

• Must live in the 7-county Denver Metro Area
• Soft pull reported, but some hard pulls reported
• ChexSystems usage unknown

Is It Worth It?

For a $100 bonus with no direct deposit requirement and no monthly fees, this is a solid deal. The ability to fund with a credit card up to $2,000 is a nice bonus (pun intended). If you're in the Denver area and looking for a new checking account, this is worth considering.

Just remember to complete the required transactions and keep the account open long enough to receive the bonus. And as always, read the fine print on the official offer page before applying.

Bottom Line

• No direct deposit required—just two deposits and ten transactions.
• Can fund up to $2,000 with a credit card (check for cash advance fees).
• No monthly fees and no early account termination fee.
• Restricted to the 7-county Denver Metro Area.
• Bonus paid as 14,000 points ($100) the month after activation.

Common Questions