Get $100 for Opening a Checking Account at Alabama Credit Union – Here's How

If you're in Alabama or Florida's Escambia County, here's a simple way to pocket an easy $100. Alabama Credit Union's Refer-A-Friend program rewards both the person referring and the new member with $100 each. No direct deposit requirement, no complicated hoops – just open a checking account, set up online banking, and keep the account active for 45 days. Here's the full breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.

How to Snag the Bonus

The process is straightforward. First, you need an existing Alabama Credit Union member to send you a referral link – or if you're already a member, you can generate your own link to share. When your friend clicks that link and opens a checking account, both of you get $100 after meeting the requirements.

Here's what the new member needs to do: use the same email address that was submitted during the referral, open a primary savings account with at least $5, choose either the Value Checking or Lifestyle Checking account, enroll in online banking, and keep the checking account open for at least 45 days. Once all that's done, the $100 reward lands in your account via email within four weeks.

One thing to note: you can't just open a business account or a youth account – those don't count. And both parties need to be at least 18 years old and have no outstanding losses to the credit union.

What About Fees?

Before you jump in, let's talk about fees. The Value Checking account has a $4 monthly maintenance fee, but you can avoid it by enrolling in online banking (which you'll do anyway for the bonus), being 23 or younger, or being 55 or older. The Lifestyle Checking account carries a $5 monthly fee, and I didn't see a waiver listed for that one.

There's no clear information on an early account termination fee, so if you're planning to close the account after getting the bonus, you might want to ask a representative about any potential charges. It's always better to know upfront than to get a surprise fee later.

Is It Worth It?

Honestly, this is one of the easier bank bonuses out there. No direct deposit requirement is a huge plus – many bonuses force you to set up a recurring deposit, which can be a hassle if you're not expecting one. Here, you just need to open an account, use online banking, and wait 45 days.

The biggest hurdle might be finding someone to refer you if you're not already a member. But if you have a friend or family member who banks with Alabama Credit Union, it's a win-win – they get $100 too. And if you're already a member, you can earn up to $300 per year by referring three friends.

Just keep in mind that the bonus is treated as interest income for tax purposes, so you'll need to report it when you file your taxes. Also, the offer can be changed or discontinued at any time, so it's a good idea to act if you're interested.

Bottom Line

• No direct deposit required – easier than many bank bonuses.
• Both referrer and referee get $100, so it's a shared benefit.
• Keep the checking account open for 45 days and enroll in online banking.
• Refer up to 3 people per year for a max of $300.
• Watch out for monthly fees – online banking waives the $4 Value Checking fee.

Common Questions