[NJ, In Branch Only] Sturdy Savings Bank $150 Student Checking Account Bonus – Direct Deposit Not Required

Update 5/23/26: Deal is back until August 26, 2026. Hat tip to reader Bockrr

Update 7/19/25: Deal is back, this time for student checking. Valid until August 26, 2025

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $150
• Availability: In branch only, all branches are in NJ[Branch locator]
• Direct deposit required: Optional
• Additional requirements: See below
• Hard/soft pull: Unknown
• ChexSystems: Unknown
• Credit card funding: Unknown
• Monthly fees: $5, avoidable
• Early account termination fee: None
• Household limit: None listed
• Expiration date: October 31st, 2017

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Sturdy Savings Bank is offering a bonus of $150 when you open a new checking account in branch. Requirements for bonus as follows:
  • $25 for opening account
  • Do any three of the following for further $125 before December 15th, 2017:
    • Direct Deposit of payroll, social security or pension
    • Mobile Deposit with one deposit made
    • eStatements
    • Money Manager
    • Card Valet
    • ATM/Debit Card with 10 transactions

The Fine Print

• $25 opening bonus will be credit to account within 3 business days of account opening
• $125 will be paid on December 29th, 2017 on enroll and use of any three select services
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

E-Checking seems to be the easiest account to keep fee free, there is a $5 monthly fee that is waived with a $100 minimum daily balance. If you’re aged voer 45 then you can get the premier NOW checking account with no monthly fees. Didn’t see any mention of any early account termination fee in the fee schedule but there is a $5 monthly inactivity fee not sure when an account is considered dormant.

Our Verdict

Always nice to see bonuses that don’t require a direct deposit. Easiest of the three requirements are probably:

• eStatements
• Mobile deposit
• ATM/Debit Card

Although I’m not sure what card valet is so that could be an option as well. Obviously needs to be a soft pull to be worth considering. If anybody signs up then please share your experiences in the comments below.

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