Citibank's current public U.S. consumer offer is a $325 checking-account bonus, not a standalone savings bonus.
New customers must open Regular Checking through the designated offer page and receive two qualifying deposits totaling at least $3,000 within 90 days. The application window runs from April 14 through October 26, 2026, according to Citi's current offer page. The main issues for savers are deposit eligibility, the $15 monthly fee, and a temporary savings rate that should not be mistaken for a lasting yield.
Table of Contents
- Who qualifies for the $325 bonus?
- Which deposits count?
- When does Citi pay the bonus?
- How can the monthly fee affect the deal?
- Is the bundled savings rate worthwhile?
Who qualifies for the $325 bonus?
The offer is limited to new Citi checking customers. Applicants must open a Regular Checking account exclusively through Citi's specified offer page during the promotional window.
Before applying, confirm both points: Opening through another Citi page or channel would not satisfy the offer's stated application requirement. If your status as a new customer is unclear, resolve that question before opening the account.
- You qualify as a new checking customer.
- You are using the designated promotional application page.
- You can complete the required deposits within 90 calendar days.
Which deposits count?
Citi requires at least two Enhanced direct deposits totaling $3,000 or more within 90 calendar days after opening. An Enhanced Direct Deposit is an eligible electronic deposit delivered through the Automated Clearing House, or ACH, network. Citi says qualifying deposits include ACH payroll, pensions, Social Security, government benefits, and eligible ACH-delivered transfers from Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal.
These categories and the $3,000 requirement appear in Citi's deposit terms. Several common funding methods do not count: An ordinary transfer from another bank may therefore fail to qualify. Savers should arrange deposits that clearly fit Citi's Enhanced Direct Deposit definition instead of assuming every electronic transfer counts.
- Cash or check deposits
- Wires
- ATM or mobile-check deposits
- Citi-to-Citi transfers
- Debit-card funding
When does Citi pay the bonus?
Citi states that it will credit the $325 between days 90 and 120 after account opening. The Regular Checking account must remain open and in good standing when the bonus is paid, as specified in Citi's payment terms.
The schedule means completing the deposit requirement early does not promise an immediate payment. Record the opening date, the dates and amounts of both qualifying deposits, and the end of the 120-day payment period.
How can the monthly fee affect the deal?
Regular Checking has a $15 monthly service fee. Citi waives that fee in any month when the account receives at least $250 in Enhanced Direct Deposits. The waiver is monthly, so satisfying the $3,000 bonus requirement does not automatically prevent every future fee.
Each month without the required $250 deposit may reduce the practical value of the $325 bonus by another $15. A saver who can redirect recurring payroll or benefit payments may find the waiver manageable. Anyone relying only on two temporary qualifying deposits should plan for what happens after those deposits stop.
Is the bundled savings rate worthwhile?
Citi separately advertises a 3.75% promotional savings interest rate for up to three months when savings is bundled with this offer. However, the displayed blended annual percentage yield range is only 0.98% to 1.05%, according to Citi's savings-rate disclosure.
Do not evaluate the savings component as though 3.75% continues indefinitely. Before moving savings, note when the three-month promotional period ends and decide what you will do with the balance afterward.
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