Who is eligible for the First Citizens Prestige Checking bonus?

You must open a new Prestige Checking account. You won't be eligible to receive the bonus, however, if you've closed a checking account with the bank in the last 90 days.

How do I avoid the $25 monthly fee on a Prestige Checking account?

To avoid the $25 monthly fee on a Prestige Checking account, you must meet one of the following: Have at least $25,000 in a combined daily balance across your accounts Have at least $6,500 in monthly direct deposits Have a $100,000 EquityLine Have a loan of at least $25,000

Can I combine the Prestige Checking bonus with other First Citizens promotions?

While some First Citizens Bank promotions can be combined, it depends. If you are eligible to receive the closing cost credit on your mortgage, there may be other benefits you qualify for. However, the checking account bonuses can't be stacked, since most require you to be a new customer. It may be best to talk to a First Citizens Bank customer service representative if you have any questions or issues arise.

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First Citizens Bank Bonus Offers and Promotions

February 28, 2025

7 min Read

Written by Cynthia Bowman

Edited by Melanie Grafil

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First Citizens Bank has more than 500 branches in 22 states in the Northwest, Southwest and Southeast. The bank has offers that will appeal to customers in need of a new account and some bonus money.

Avoid missing out on free cash — keep reading to learn about the best First Citizens Bank offers.

Current First Citizens Bank Bonus Offers and Promotions

First Citizens is offering a few checking account bonuses. Here’s a quick look:

Account	Cash Value of Bonus	Expiration Date
Free Checking	$0 in monthly fees	None
Premier Checking	$225	None
Prestige Checking	$225	None

First Citizens Bank coupon codes are not required for any of the bank’s current promotions. Read on for more details.

First Citizens Bank Checking Account Bonus

Here’s an overview of the checking account promotions offered at First Citizens Bank.

Free Checking Account Bonus

Bonus value: None; $0 in monthly fees when you sign up for paperless statements
Minimum deposit: $50
Expiration date: None
How to claim: Open the Free Checking Account and sign up for paperless statements in the first 60 days of account opening.
When you’ll get it: Once all requirements have been met
Terms and conditions: This is only available to new customers. If you closed a First Citizens checking account in the last 90 days of applying, you are not eligible. You must receive paperless statements to waive the monthly service charge.
Fee: $0

Open a First Citizens Bank Free Checking Account today.

First Citizens Bank’s checking account promotions are tied to its top-tier accounts. You can qualify for multiple perks with the Your Family First service package, which comes with both of these accounts.

Premier Checking Account: Up To $225 Bonus

The First Citizens Premier Checking account is an interest-bearing account that goes beyond basic checking options. Opening a Premier Checking account automatically enrolls you in the bank’s Your Family First service package and qualifies you for the bonus.

You’ll get a $200 credit to use toward the closing costs of a First Citizens mortgage loan and a $25 introductory credit for a new Coverdell Education Savings Account — not to mention 2,500 bonus points when you open a First Citizens Rewards Visa Card.

Bonus value: Up to $225
Minimum deposit to qualify: $100
Expiration date: None
How to claim: Open a Premier Checking Account with at least $100 to earn the credits.
When you’ll get it: You’ll receive the $200 closing cost credit will be applied at the mortgage closing. The Coverdell Education Savings Account $25 credit will be credited within 90 days of opening the account.
Terms and conditions: Accounts and credit are subject to bank approval. There is a $3 monthly charge for paper statements, though e-statements are free. Offers are subject to change.
Monthly fee: $18, but can be waived by meeting one of the following requirements:
- Have a combined daily balance of $5,000 across eligible accounts
- Have at least $4,000 in monthly direct deposits
- Have at least a $25,000 holding in EquityLine
- Have a consumer loan of $10,000 or more

Learn more about Premier Checking.

Prestige Checking Account: Up To $225 Bonus

Prestige Checking is one of First Citizens Bank’s top-tier interest-bearing checking options and features perks not included with other checking accounts. Enrollment in Your Family First is automatic and qualifies you for the $200 mortgage closing cost credit, the $25 Coverdell Education Savings Account credit and the 2,500 bonus points if you get the bank’s rewards credit card.

Bonus value: Up to $225
Minimum deposit to qualify: $100
Expiration date: None
How to claim: Open a Prestige Checking Account with a $100 deposit to earn the credits.
When you’ll get it: The $200 closing cost credit will be applied at the mortgage closing. The Coverdell Education Savings Account $25 credit will be credited within 90 days of opening the account.
Terms and conditions: Accounts and credit are subject to bank approval
Monthly fee: $25, but waived by meeting one of the following requirements:
- Having a combined daily balance of $25,000 across eligible accounts
- Have a least $6,500 in direct deposits
- Have at least a $100,000 holding in EquityLine
- Have a loan of $25,000 or more

Here’s all you need to know about Prestige Checking.

Did You Know?

A GOBankingRates survey found that most Americans don’t research the promotions and bonuses that banks offer and are reluctant to switch banks even for a cash bonus. In fact, as many as 65% of Americans with bank accounts might be leaving free money on the table.

Past First Citizens Bank Promotions

You can learn about promotions First Citizens might offer in the future by reviewing those it ran in the past. Here are a couple of promotions that recently expired.

First Citizens Basic Checking Bundle: Up To $300 Bonus

This promotion featured First Citizens Bank’s Free Checking account, which is its most basic checking account. No minimum monthly balances are required, and you can open an account with only $50.

For this promotion, you could earn a $300 cash bonus by meeting the requirements. Here are the details:

Cash value: Up to $300
Expiration date: Expired
How to get it: Customers were instructed to open a new Free Checking account with $50 and set up a direct deposit of at least $1,000 per month or make 10 debit transactions within 90 days of account opening. Next, you needed to open an eSavings account with $25.

First Citizens Premier Checking Bundle: Up To $500 Bonus

This offer gave First Citizens customers a $500 bonus for opening a checking account and savings account. Here’s more:

Cash value: Up to $500
Expiration date: Expired
How to get it: For this promotion, you needed to open a Premier Checking account with $100 and an eSavings account with $25, then maintain the required balances.

How To Open a First Citizens Bank Account

To open a First Citizens account, you must be at least 18 years old and a resident of one of the states where the bank operates. You can open an account at a First Citizens branch or online. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:

Name, address and phone number
Social Security number or Individual Tax ID number
Driver’s license, passport or other state ID.

How Much Money Will First Citizens Bank Give You for Opening an Account?

You can earn up to $225 in bonus credits by meeting the requirements for either of First Citizens Bank’s checking account promotions. These deals are worth looking into if you live in First Citizens’ service area and are hunting around for new accounts with a full-service bank.

First Citizens Bank Bonus FAQ

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about First Citizens Bank bonus offers.

Who is eligible for the First Citizens Prestige Checking bonus?
- You must open a new Prestige Checking account. You won't be eligible to receive the bonus, however, if you've closed a checking account with the bank in the last 90 days.
How do I avoid the $25 monthly fee on a Prestige Checking account?
- To avoid the $25 monthly fee on a Prestige Checking account, you must meet one of the following:
  - Have at least $25,000 in a combined daily balance across your accounts
  - Have at least $6,500 in monthly direct deposits
  - Have a $100,000 EquityLine
  - Have a loan of at least $25,000
Can I combine the Prestige Checking bonus with other First Citizens promotions?
- While some First Citizens Bank promotions can be combined, it depends. If you are eligible to receive the closing cost credit on your mortgage, there may be other benefits you qualify for. However, the checking account bonuses can't be stacked, since most require you to be a new customer. It may be best to talk to a First Citizens Bank customer service representative if you have any questions or issues arise.

More About First Citizens Bank

Rates, offers and requirements are subject to change.

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