Texas Capital Bank Star Plus Checking: How to Snag a $200 Bonus with Smart Banking Habits

If you live in Texas and have been looking for a straightforward bank bonus that doesn't require parking a huge pile of cash for months, Texas Capital Bank's latest offer on the Star Plus Checking account might be exactly what you need. The bank is offering up to $200 for new customers, and the requirements are pretty reasonable. Let's break down how you can earn that bonus without jumping through too many hoops.

How the Bonus Breaks Down

The $200 bonus comes in two parts. First, you get a $50 Welcome Bonus just for opening the account and making a qualifying deposit of at least $1,500. That part is pretty simple — set up a direct deposit or transfer from another bank, and the $50 should hit your account after the statement period closes.

Then there's the $150 Activity Bonus, which you can earn in three $50 chunks. Each month during the Reward Period, if you use your Texas Capital debit card for five or more purchases totaling at least $300 and maintain an average monthly balance of $2,500, you'll get an extra $50. Do that for three separate months, and you've earned the full $150. You don't have to do it in consecutive months, but you do need to meet both conditions within the same statement period to qualify for that month's bonus.

What Counts as a Qualifying Deposit?

Texas Capital Bank defines qualifying deposits broadly, which is nice. Direct deposits from your employer, ACH transfers from external bank accounts, in-branch cash or check deposits, mobile check deposits, and incoming wire transfers all count. Just keep in mind that ATM deposits, micro-deposits, internal transfers between your own accounts, and P2P payments like Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal don't qualify. So if you're planning to fund the account, make sure you use one of the accepted methods.

A Few Things to Watch Out For

This offer is only available to new customers, so if you already have a Star Plus Checking account as of March 31, 2026, you're out of luck. Also, if you close the account during the opening period and try to reopen it, you won't qualify. The account needs to stay open and active throughout the entire statement period.

One more detail: if you don't fund the account within 25 business days, the bank can close it. So don't open it and then forget about it. Set up that initial deposit soon after opening.

Finally, remember that the bonus is taxable. The bank will report it as interest income, so you'll get a 1099-INT at tax time. Plan accordingly.

Is This Bonus Worth Your Time?

Compared to some offers that require you to keep $25,000 in the account for six months, this one is much more manageable. The $1,500 deposit for the welcome bonus is easy to meet with a direct deposit from your job or a transfer from another bank. The activity bonus requires a bit more effort — you'll need to use the debit card regularly and keep a decent balance — but if you're already planning to use this as your primary checking account, it's not a big lift.

The fact that there's no monthly fee and no early termination fee means you can keep the account as long as you want without worrying about hidden costs. And with surcharge-free ATM access nationwide and up to $20 per month in out-of-network fee rebates, it's a solid account even after the bonus period ends.

Bottom Line

• Open a new Star Plus Checking account by August 31, 2026 to qualify.
• Deposit $1,500 to earn the $50 Welcome Bonus.
• Use your debit card for 5+ purchases totaling $300+ and keep a $2,500 average balance each month to earn up to $150 more.
• No monthly fees and no early termination fee make this a low-risk bonus opportunity.
• Only available to Texas residents — out-of-state applicants need not apply.

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