Bank bonuses pay one-time cash for opening a checking account and meeting requirements, while the Marcus Online Savings Account update for 2026 pays steady ongoing interest. Savers need to know which fits their cash flow: keep a balance for yield or move accounts for a payout. APY means annual percentage yield, the yearly growth rate including compounding.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs lists 3.50% variable APY with $0 minimum to open, no fees, and interest compounding daily and posting monthly rate details. That rate affects all U.S. savers opening online.
Table of Contents
- What Marcus pays now
- How bonuses pay differently
- Who can still chase 2026 checking bonuses?
- What taxes take from both options
- Which fits your money?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Marcus pays now
Marcus raised its savings APY to 3.50% on Sept. 18, 2026, up from 3.40%. The prior rate held through July and August 2026. As a variable rate, it can change after you open.
The gap over traditional banks remains wide. Motley Fool citing FDIC data reports the national-average savings rate was 0.37% APY in Sept. 2026 average-rate research. At 3.50%, Marcus paid roughly nine times that average.
How bonuses pay differently
A savings rate grows the balance you keep. A checking bonus pays once after you complete the offer. You do not need a checking account to earn Marcus yield.
Bonuses reward action on a deadline, not balances held over time. Miss a step or date and you miss the payout. Ongoing yield keeps accruing as long as funds stay deposited.
Who can still chase 2026 checking bonuses?
U.S. Bank states its Smartly Checking bonus required opening a new account online through the promo page, in-branch or by phone from Sept.
10-Nov. 10, 2026, and enrolling in mobile or online banking within 90 days offer terms. That window matters more than the rate if you want bonus cash.
- Open only through the stated channel during the stated dates
- Enroll in online or mobile banking within 90 days
- Avoid a prior consumer checking bonus in the past 12 months, which U.S. Bank bars
- Open as a new personal checking customer for Southeast Bank's 2026 $100 Rewards Checking bonus, online with promo code RC100 or in-branch, then finish stated requirements
What taxes take from both options
Bank interest and promotional bonuses are taxable income that must be reported. SoFi explains banks send Form 1099-INT when interest is $10 or more tax guide. Plan for tax on savings growth and on bonus cash alike.
Keep the 1099-INT with your tax records. A $100 bonus counts even though it feels like a gift. Ongoing interest also adds up across the year.
Which fits your money?
Marcus suits steady savers wanting no-minimum ongoing yield with no checking account to manage. Leave emergency funds or short-term savings in place and earn month after month.
Bonuses suit savers who can move direct deposits, track deadlines, and switch accounts cleanly. If you chase two bonuses in one year, check the 12-month repeat rule first. Enter RC100 exactly when Southeast Bank asks for it online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get both Marcus yield and a checking bonus?
Yes, when you qualify separately. Use Marcus for stored savings and a checking offer for one-time cash, while meeting each deadline.
Will a bonus disqualify me from the next bonus?
It can. U.S. Bank bars customers who received another consumer checking bonus in the past 12 months.
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