Fidelity is currently offering a $100 cash bonus for customers who open a new brokerage account and fund it with at least $50 from an external source. This straightforward promotion rewards new account holders simply for meeting a modest deposit threshold, making it accessible to investors at various experience levels. For example, if you open a Fidelity brokerage account and transfer $100 from your bank account within 15 days of registration, Fidelity will deposit an additional $100 into your new account within 10 days of meeting the requirement.
The offer applies across multiple account types, including traditional brokerage accounts, Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, and Cash Management Accounts. This flexibility means you can choose the account structure that best aligns with your financial goals while still earning the bonus. However, there are specific conditions you need to meet to claim the full $100, including a 90-day holding period before you can withdraw the bonus funds without penalty.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Key Requirements for the Fidelity Brokerage Bonus?
- Understanding the Deposit Timeline and Holding Requirements
- Which Account Types Qualify for the $100 Bonus?
- How to Claim the Fidelity Brokerage Bonus Step-by-Step
- Common Pitfalls and Restrictions to Watch Out For
- How the Fidelity Bonus Compares to Other Brokerage Offers
- The Current Status and Future of This Promotion
- Conclusion
What Are the Key Requirements for the Fidelity Brokerage Bonus?
The Fidelity $100 bonus comes with clear eligibility requirements that are important to understand before opening an account. You must be a new customer or an existing Fidelity customer who has not previously claimed this specific $100 bonus offer. The deposit must come from an external source, such as a bank account or another brokerage firm, and cannot be transferred from an existing Fidelity account.
This distinction matters because Fidelity specifically wants to attract new funds from outside their ecosystem. The minimum deposit amount is just $50, which is notably low compared to many other brokerage promotions that require $1,000 or more to qualify. You have exactly 15 calendar days from the date you open your account to make this deposit. For comparison, some competitors like Charles Schwab or E*TRADE have previously offered larger bonuses but required substantially higher deposit minimums, making Fidelity’s offer more accessible to those starting small.
Understanding the Deposit Timeline and Holding Requirements
The timing of your deposit and the subsequent holding period are critical elements of this bonus structure. After you make your qualifying deposit within the 15-day window, Fidelity will credit the $100 bonus to your account within 10 calendar days. This means you could have your bonus in hand within roughly 25 days from opening the account, assuming you deposit immediately. However, this is where many people make mistakes: once the bonus is credited, you must keep at least the $100 bonus amount in your account for a full 90 calendar days.
If you withdraw the bonus or fall below a certain account balance before the 90-day holding period ends, Fidelity may reverse or forfeit the bonus entirely. This is a significant limitation because it locks up the bonus funds for three months, during which time market fluctuations could affect the value of your investment. A concrete example: if you receive the $100 bonus on day 25, you cannot withdraw it until day 115 without risking the promotion. Even though the deposited funds are your own money and can be traded or moved, the bonus itself is restricted.
Which Account Types Qualify for the $100 Bonus?
Fidelity has structured this promotion to work with several different account types, giving you flexibility in how you set up your new account. The eligible options include Cash Management Accounts, standard Brokerage Accounts, Traditional iras, and Roth IRAs. This broad eligibility is an advantage over some other brokers that limit bonuses to specific account types. If you’re looking to open a retirement account, you can earn the $100 while simultaneously starting to save tax-advantaged funds.
The account type you choose should align with your financial goals rather than being driven solely by the bonus. A Roth IRA bonus might make sense if you’re under 59½ and building retirement savings, while a brokerage account gives you maximum flexibility with no age restrictions or contribution limits. The bonus amount remains the same regardless of account type, so your decision should be based on which account structure serves your long-term financial plan best. Many investors take advantage of the promotion while opening the account type that matches their actual investment timeline.
How to Claim the Fidelity Brokerage Bonus Step-by-Step
Claiming the bonus is a straightforward process, but you need to follow the steps in the correct order to ensure you receive it. First, you’ll open a new Fidelity account through their website or mobile app. During or immediately after the account setup, look for the option to register for this promotional offer—this registration is crucial because simply opening the account without explicitly claiming the promotion may disqualify you. Some brokers automatically enroll you in offers, but Fidelity requires you to take active steps to participate.
Once you’ve registered, you have 15 days to deposit at least $50 from an external account. You can deposit more than $50; depositing $500 or $1,000 doesn’t change the bonus amount but does give you more capital to invest. After you’ve made the deposit and waited for the qualification window to close, Fidelity credits the bonus within 10 days. The key tradeoff here is convenience versus reward: the low deposit minimum and accessible timeline are attractive, but the 90-day lockup means you can’t immediately use this bonus for other financial priorities.
Common Pitfalls and Restrictions to Watch Out For
Several mistakes can cause you to lose the $100 bonus, and understanding these pitfalls can help you avoid them. The most critical one is the 90-day holding period—if you withdraw the bonus amount before day 90 from its credit date, you forfeit it entirely. Some customers misunderstand this and think they can withdraw everything after the initial 15-day deposit window closes, leading to unwanted bonus forfeiture. Additionally, transferring the bonus funds to another financial institution or using them to cover fees does not satisfy the holding requirement; the $100 must remain in your Fidelity account.
Another limitation is that this bonus is not stackable with other Fidelity promotions for the same account type. If you’re also receiving a referral bonus or another incentive, Fidelity may not allow you to claim both on the same account. You’re also ineligible if you’ve previously claimed this specific $100 bonus offer, even if that was years ago. The terms state that this promotion is one-time per customer, though Fidelity periodically runs different bonus offers. A specific warning: do not assume that meeting the deposit requirement guarantees the bonus—you must have actively registered for the promotion first.
How the Fidelity Bonus Compares to Other Brokerage Offers
To put the Fidelity $100 offer in context, it’s worth comparing it to what competitors are offering. Fidelity’s strength is in accessibility—the $50 minimum deposit is low, and the $100 bonus is immediate and straightforward. However, some other firms like Charles Schwab have offered up to $1,000 or more in bonuses, though those typically require $25,000 or $50,000 in funded assets. For someone depositing a small amount, Fidelity’s more modest but easier-to-achieve bonus may actually be more attractive.
The holding period is another comparison point. Fidelity’s 90-day lockup is relatively standard in the brokerage industry, though some promotional accounts only require you to hold the deposit itself, not the bonus. When choosing between brokers, consider not just the bonus amount but how well that bonus integrates with your actual investment timeline. If you need access to cash quickly, the 90-day restriction might outweigh the $100 benefit.
The Current Status and Future of This Promotion
As of April 2026, the $100 Fidelity brokerage bonus is actively available to eligible new account holders. However, brokerage promotions change frequently based on market conditions and competitive pressures. Fidelity has a history of rotating and updating its bonus offers, sometimes increasing the amount, changing the requirements, or introducing new account-specific bonuses.
It’s realistic to expect that this particular $100 offer may eventually be replaced with a different promotion. If you’re interested in this bonus, there’s value in acting sooner rather than later, though there’s no specific end date announced. Fidelity’s promotional landscape tends to shift quarterly or semi-annually, so waiting several months significantly increases the risk that this particular offer will expire or be replaced with terms less favorable to your situation.
Conclusion
The Fidelity $100 brokerage bonus is a legitimate and accessible way to earn a cash incentive while opening an investment account. With a $50 minimum deposit requirement and a straightforward 15-day funding window, it’s achievable for most new customers.
The key to successfully claiming the bonus is understanding the 90-day holding period requirement and ensuring you formally register for the promotion before depositing funds. Before opening your account, verify the current offer details directly with Fidelity at fidelity.com/go/special-offer and review the terms and conditions at fidelity.com/go/terms-conditions, as promotional offers and requirements can change. Choose an account type that matches your financial goals, make your deposit within the timeframe, and plan to hold the bonus for the full 90 days to ensure you keep the full $100.
