Our editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our review work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Bankiful site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market.

We also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content.

While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Bankiful does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. Here is a list of our partners who offer products that we have affiliate links for.

best bank bonus promotions

Banking · Comparison

Best Bank Account Bonuses & Promotions 2026

Hand-picked checking, savings, and business bonuses worth claiming this month — vetted for fee structure, deposit requirements, and bonus payout speed.

Updated May 1, 2026 By the Editorial Team 3 offers reviewed

Advertiser disclosure: Some of the offers below are from our partners. We may earn a commission when you click links, but our editorial picks aren't influenced by compensation. Bonus terms set by issuers and may change.

01 — OverviewThe best bank bonuses, at a glance

Jump straight to the offer that fits your situation. Each link scrolls down to the full breakdown with eligibility, fine print, and our take.

02 — Our picksFull reviews of every offer

We score every account across nine factors including fee structure, mobile experience, and how quickly the bonus posts after qualifying activity.

Editor's Pick Best for high-interest savings account

Live Oak Bank

4.8
Bonus $200
Apply now →
Account
Personal Savings Account
Min. deposit
$20,000
Offer expires
May 31, 2026
How to qualify
Open a new Live Oak Bank personal savings account, deposit at least $20,000 into your account by 5/31/26, and maintain a balance of at least $20,000 for 60 days.
Read full review

What we like

  • Earn 3.80% APY
  • No monthly maintenance fees
  • 24/7 live phone support'

Watch out for

  • High initial deposit threshold to qualify for bonus
  • Must maintain a minimum balance of $20,000 for 60 days
Best APY Best for savings bonus + APY

SoFi Bank Checking & Savings

4.7
Bonus $400
Apply now →
Account
Checking & High-Yield Savings
Min. deposit
$5,000
Offer expires
Jun 30, 2026
How to qualify
Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account, set up direct deposit of at least $5,000 within a 25-day period.
Read full review

What we like

  • 3.30% APY on all balances
  • Get a 0.70% APY boost on a SoFi savings account with qualifying direct deposits
  • FDIC insured up to $2,000,000

Watch out for

  • Requires monthly direct deposit to earn highest APY
  • No physical branches
Best for business checking bonus

Axos Business Bundle

4.5
Bonus $600
Apply now →
Account
Business Checking & Savings
Min. deposit
$50
Offer expires
June 30, 2026
How to qualify
Combining flexible business checking with high-yield business savings and earn an exclusive bonus up to $600. Use promo code SBB600.
Read full review

What we like

  • Savings earns 3.60% APY
  • No monthly fees',
  • Free Nationwide ATMs

Watch out for

  • No Zelle Support
  • No physical branches

03 — Side by sideCompare every bonus

Click any column heading to sort. Bonus amounts are shown as the maximum advertised value.

Bank Account type Bonus Min. deposit Rating Expires
Live Oak Bank Personal Savings Account $200 $20,000 4.8 May 31, 2026
SoFi Bank Checking & Savings Checking & High-Yield Savings $400 $5,000 4.7 Jun 30, 2026
Axos Business Bundle Business Checking & Savings $600 $50 4.5 June 30, 2026

04 — MethodologyHow we picked these offers

What we score

Every offer is rated across nine criteria: bonus value relative to deposit requirement, qualifying-activity difficulty, time to bonus payout, ongoing account fees, APY (for savings), branch and ATM access, mobile app reliability, customer service availability, and bonus tax treatment clarity.

What disqualifies an offer

We exclude promotions with predatory monthly fees, requirements that effectively penalize lower-balance customers, or terms that allow the issuer to claw back the bonus for vague reasons. We re-verify every offer on the first business day of each month.

05 — FAQFrequently asked questions

Are bank account bonuses taxable?
Yes. The IRS treats cash bonuses from banks as interest income. You'll typically receive a 1099-INT from the bank if the bonus plus any earned interest exceeds $10 in a calendar year. Set aside a portion to cover taxes at your marginal rate.
How long does it take to receive a bank bonus?
Most banks pay out 30–90 days after you complete the qualifying activity. A small minority pay within 14 days. Always check the offer's fine print for exact "bonus payment date" language.
Can I close the account right after the bonus posts?
Many bonuses include a clause requiring the account to remain open and in good standing for 90–180 days after the bonus is paid. Closing earlier may trigger a clawback.
Will applying for a bonus impact my credit score?
Most checking and savings applications use a soft pull through ChexSystems rather than a hard credit inquiry — so your credit score generally isn't affected. Business accounts and some premium tier offers may include a hard pull.
Can I claim the same bonus twice?
Almost never. Issuers typically restrict bonuses to customers who haven't held an account of that type within the past 12–24 months. Some banks tighten this further by household or by Social Security number.

Bonus terms, eligibility, and APYs were accurate as of May 1, 2026 but are set by the issuing institutions and may change without notice. Always confirm the current offer on the bank's official site before applying.

Discover proven tips to earn more & save smarter

Get expert tips, news, and resources delivered to your inbox weekly.

You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! Something went wrong, please try again.

Best online savings rates

The national savings rate is 0.39% APY. This online bank pays way more.

Axos Bank

Axos ONE®
4.31% APY
/Month
Minimum $50 Opening
Over 95,000 fee-free ATMs
No Maintenance Fees**
No Overdraft Fees

Live Oak Bank

HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS
3.80% APY
/Month
Minimum $0 Opening
No maintenance fees
Mobile & Online Banking
Deposits are FDIC insured

Quontic Bank

HIGH-YIELD SAVINGS
3.50% APY
/Month
Minimum $100 Opening
No maintenance fees
Mobile & Online Banking
Deposits are FDIC insured
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide the most relevant and current information. However, the information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be personal financial advice.

© 2025 Bankiful.com All rights reserved.