Great Plains Bank $300 Checking Bonus: A Simple Way to Earn Extra Cash in OK & TX

If you live in Oklahoma or Texas and are looking for a straightforward way to pad your savings, Great Plains Bank has a deal worth checking out. They're offering a $300 bonus when you open a new checking account and complete a few simple steps. The best part? You don't need a direct deposit to qualify—there's an alternative path that could work even if your employer doesn't offer direct deposit or you prefer to keep your paycheck elsewhere.

What You Need to Do to Earn the Bonus

The process is pretty straightforward. First, you need to satisfy one of two conditions: either set up a direct deposit of at least $500 into your new account, or keep an average balance of $2,500 over the 90-day period. If you're not keen on switching your direct deposit, the balance route is a solid alternative—just park the money there and let it sit.

Once you've handled that, pick two out of three additional tasks. You can make 20 debit card transactions (think coffee runs, groceries, or online shopping), set up 3 online bill payments or ACH transfers, or enroll in eStatements. The eStatement option is the easiest if you're not a big spender—just go paperless and you're halfway there.

All of this needs to be done within the first 90 days of opening the account. After that, the bank will deposit the $300 bonus into your account within 60 days. Just make sure your account stays open and in good standing until the bonus lands, or you might miss out.

Which Checking Account Should You Choose?

Great Plains Bank offers a few different checking accounts, and the bonus applies to new consumer checking accounts. The Simply Free Checking account is the most basic—no monthly service fee, no minimum balance, and it only costs $5 to open. That's a great option if you just want to earn the bonus without any ongoing costs.

If you're interested in earning interest on your balance, you could look at their Direct Interest Checking or the 50+ Interest Checking (if you're 50 or older). These also have no monthly fees and no minimum balance, but they require a $50 opening deposit. There's also a Premium Interest Checking account that offers a higher interest rate if you maintain a balance of $1,500 or more, but it comes with a $10 monthly fee if your daily balance falls below that threshold.

For the bonus, any of these accounts should work, but the Simply Free Checking is the most cost-effective if you just want to meet the requirements and then close the account after the bonus posts. Just be aware that the bank doesn't clearly state an early account termination fee, so you might want to ask before closing to avoid any surprises.

Things to Watch Out For

Before you jump in, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the bonus is only for people who haven't owned or co-owned a Great Plains Bank checking account in the last 12 months. So if you've had an account there recently, you won't qualify.

Second, the bonus is considered interest income by the IRS, so you'll likely receive a 1099-INT form and need to report it on your taxes. It's not free money in the truest sense—you'll owe a portion to the government.

Also, the offer can't be combined with any other checking account promotion, and it's limited to one bonus per customer. So if you're thinking of opening multiple accounts to stack bonuses, that's not going to work here.

Finally, while the bank's website doesn't mention an early account termination fee, it's always a good idea to check the fee schedule or ask a representative before you close the account after the bonus posts. You don't want to lose part of your bonus to a fee you didn't know about.

Bottom Line

• Earn $300 with a new Great Plains Bank checking account in OK or TX.
• Meet one of two requirements: $500 direct deposit or $2,500 average balance.
• Complete two additional tasks: 20 debit transactions, 3 bill payments, or eStatements.
• No monthly fees on Simply Free Checking; $5 to open.
• Offer valid until December 31, 2026.

Common Questions